With this itinerary, you will explore the beauty of Rwanda through the city tour, then proceed to Uganda via Cyanika border through the rolling hills of Rwanda, after immigration at the border, you will then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where you will come face to face with the endangered Mountain Gorillas, after you stay at Bwindi, you will then proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will encounter with the Big 4(Lions, leopards, African Elephants and Cape Buffaloes) not forgetting the boat safari to witness these wildlife up close at the banks of Kazinga channel, and from here you will then be transferred Kibale National Park (commonly known as the primate capital of the world) for chimpanzee tracking, this will mark the end of your safari in Uganda before flying to Tanzania for the Big game in Serengeti National Park.

Highlights:

  • Scenic road trips
  • Coming face to face with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
  • Chimpanzee tracking in the primate capital of the world – Kibale National Park
  • Community encounters in all destinations but majorly in Bwindi and Kibale.
  • Trekking in the jungle experience
  • Boat safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Vast Serengeti plains
  • Wildebeest migration

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali.

Arrival at Kigali International Airport, after immigration proceed to the arrival side where you will meet your guide who will be holding a placard/pager with your name on it, meet, great and park the luggage in the vehicle and the transfer to the hotel where you will check in and have a meal.

Depending on your arrival time, after a hot meal, you will either head out for the city tour or relax at the lodge, clients to advise.

Accommodation: Hotel Des Milles Collines.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast.

Day 2: Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

After a hearty warming breakfast, start on your journey to Uganda with a scenic drive of approximately 6 hours through the rolling hills of Rwanda and passing through different towns and villages to Cyanika border, after the immigration process for both Rwanda and Uganda , you will then embark in the vehicle and drive to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the Rushaga sector.

Afternoon relaxation at the lodge or opt to take a stroll in the village interacting with the locals – clients decide.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board basis

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Experience.

After breakfast with packed lunch and enough drinking water that will take you through the whole activity, you will hoop in your vehicle and transfer to the Uganda Wildlife Head Quarters for briefing on the do’s and don’ts while with the gorillas, you will be allocated in a group of 8 pax as per the organization’s terms and conditions, you will as well be given walking sticks to help in case you need a third 3rd leg for support, at the offices, you can as well opt to pick a porter that will help you carry your belongings, each porter is $20 per person and can carry to a maximum of 15kgs.

You will be led by the armed ranger guides and off to the forest to search for the gorillas. The time taken and the terrain vary as per the movements of these great primates, Once gorillas have been located, you will have 1 hour to watch their daily lives at a distance of 7-10 meters. please make use of your camera/phones for this wonderful moment however keep them in silence and take note to remove the flash. After the one hour, your will trek back to the vehicle and return to lodge.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board basis.

Day 4: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning departure for Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kisoro and the rolling hills of Kabale, this is as well a scenic drive as you will be driving through different towns, cities and villages and all these come with different cultures, the drive from Bwindi to Queen is approximately 5/6 hours.

Upon arrival at the lodge, you will check in, have a hot meal and later head out for the afternoon/evening game drives to close the day, The park is famous for the Kasenyi plains, where you will do game drives in search for wildlife such as lions, leopards, antelopes, birds, elephants among others, the four of the Big 5 can be sighted here apart from the Rhinos.

Accommodation: Marafik Safari Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board basis.

Day 5: Safari & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Morning dedicated to game drives in the Park and afternoon boat trip on Kazinga Channel for an up close with wildlife – this 36kms waterway which connects Lake George and Lake Edward allows special viewing of game and birds on river banks as the boat cruises through pods of hippos.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s oldest parks being formed officially in 1952, The park hosts 95 species of mammals more than any other park in Uganda and 619 bird species, this marks the 2nd highest of any parks in Africa and the 6th highest highest of any parks worldwide.

Accommodation: Marafik Safari Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board basis.

Day 6: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth to Kibale Forest National Park.

On this day, wake up at leisure, have breakfast and drive to Kibale National Park, the drive is approximately 2/3 hours drive, depending on your arrival time in Fort Portal town, you will have lunch, and then proceed to crater lakes region or directly drive to the lodge for check in and have the afternoon to your selves.

The crater region offer fantastic views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, tea plantations and local villages.

Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board basis.

Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Kanyanchu for a briefing before heading into the forest with experienced rangers to track chimpanzees, guided by the rangers and following their calls and tracks, you’ll embark on an exciting adventure to locate the chimps, where you’ll spend an unforgettable hour observing them and learning about their behavior and social structures.

After the activity, you will then proceed back to the vehicle and transfer back to the lodge for lunch, later in the afternoon, you will be transferred to Bigodi wetland sanctuary, the sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers-skilled birders can spot up to 50 species, in fact today 138 species of birds have been recognized within the Bigodi wetland among which is the Great Blue Turaco, the swamp is also regularly visited  by a diverse number of primate species from the nearby parks, Semliki and Queen.

Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board basis.

Day 8: Drive from Kibale Entebbe

This is a leisure day with no early wake ups since you will be overnighting in Entebbe, you will wake up at leisure, have breakfast and drive back to Entebbe (6/7 hours drive)

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast basis.

Dinner on own arrangement

Day 9: Transfer to the Airport to catch your flight to Tanzania.

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. If you wish, you can take an optional city tour that includes visits to the Cultural Heritage art gallery, a local market, and the Maasai Market, allowing you to experience the cultural highlights of Arusha before settling into your lodgings.

Accommodation: Kibo Palace Hotel.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 10: Drive from Arusha to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, your adventure to the Serengeti begins. The journey may be long and occasionally bumpy, but it offers about 5/6 hours of captivating wildlife viewing as you ascend the crater highlands toward the vast Serengeti plains, weather permitting, you’ll make a brief 10-minute stop at Ngorongoro Viewpoint to admire the stunning caldera before continuing your drive.

Along the way, you’ll enjoy a delightful picnic lunch, allowing you to refuel while taking in the beautiful scenery. Upon arriving at the park, you’ll embark on an afternoon game drive to fully experience the rich wildlife. As the sun sets, you will head to your accommodation, where a delicious dinner awaits, followed by a peaceful overnight stay in the serene surroundings of the Serengeti.

Accommodation: Serengeti Wilderness camp.
Meal Plan: Full board basis.

Day: 11 & 12 Full Serengeti Safari Experience.

Prepare for a full day of adventure in Serengeti National Park, From sunrise to sunset, you will enjoy an exciting game drive in search of the magnificent Big Five and over 500 diverse bird species. As the day winds down, you will return to your accommodation at sunset for a delicious dinner and a restful overnight stay.

For an additional fee, you can enhance your experience with the option of a hot air balloon safari or a walking safari.

Accommodation: Serengeti Wilderness camp.
Meal Plan: Full board basis.

Day 13: Drive back Arusha for an overnight 

Have breakfast and drive back to Arusha, approximately 7 hours drive, afternoon/evening relaxation at the lodge going through the images taken from this 13 days safari.

Accommodation: Kibo Palace Hotel.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 14:  Departure

You will enjoy a delicious breakfast as you reflect on your adventures from the past few days. You’ll check out from your lodge around 11:00 am. You have the option to be dropped at Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight.

Included in the above safari

  • Accommodation as mentioned above
  • 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person.
  • 1 Chimpanzee tracking permit per person.
  • Crater lakes visit and the Bigodi Swamp excursion.
  • Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Boat cruise on Kazinga channel
  • Serengeti entry, conservation and concession fees.
  • Game drives in Serengeti National Park
  • 4×4 Landcruiser with an experienced English speaking safari guide.
  • Drinking water in the vehicle all through the safari
  •  All excursions mentioned in the safari
  • Government taxes
  • All transfers.

Excluded in the above safari.

  • Uganda/Tanzania entry visa fee
  • International air flights
  • Any optional activities not indicated in the above
  • Laundry services
  • Gratuities and Tips.

 

For visa purposes, please note that both countries visas will be applied separately, at least 3 weeks before arrival for each country.