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15 Days Uganda-Rwanda Tour

Overview

This 15 Days Uganda-Rwanda Tour takes you through Uganda and Rwanda, featuring a rich variety of wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and cultural highlights. This tour offers the flexibility to trek gorillas and golden monkeys, explore renowned national parks, and enjoy exciting game drives and boat cruises.

Tour Summary for this 15 Days Uganda-Rwanda Tour

Destination: Uganda/Rwanda
Start/End Location: Kigali (Rwanda)
Main Activity: Gorilla tracking/ Chimpanzee Tracking/ Wildlife Game Drives
Transport: Mini van/ Landcruiser
Transfers: Included (airport/hotel)
Optional Extras: Pre- and post-tour accommodation available at an additional cost

Highlights

Accommodation: Included
Group Size: Small group safari
Departure: Flexible, any day departure
Customization: Available
Solo Travelers: Welcome
Age Requirement: 15 years and above

TRIP ITINERARY

Tour Plan

Arrival

Arrival at Kigali International Airport

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be greeted by our professional tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Later, embark on a city excursion around Kigali to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and scenic beauty of Rwanda, famously known as the land of a thousand hills.

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel

Day 1

Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

You will be picked up from your hotel, where our professional tour guide will take you on another city excursion around Kigali. After exploring Kigali, you'll proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park for an overnight stay.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 2

Chimpanzee trekking or Canopy walk in Nyungwe

After breakfast, head to Nyungwe Forest National Park for a briefing before your chimpanzee trekking adventure. The chimpanzees in Nyungwe are semi-habituated, so an early start is recommended for the best chance of sightings. Alternatively, you can opt for a canopy walk, offering stunning views of the forest and its wildlife. Return to the lodge for the evening.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 3

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

You will be picked up from your hotel, where our professional tour guide will take you on another city excursion around Kigali. After exploring Kigali, you'll proceed to Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes you through scenic countryside with terraced hills and winding roads, arriving at your lodge in time for dinner and an overnight stay.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 4

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge before setting off for an exciting morning drive through the beautiful terrain of Volcanoes National Park. This park, known as the "Switzerland of Rwanda," offers a remarkable setting for gorilla trekking. As you trek through the indigenous forest, you'll experience the vibrant calls of colorful birds, the chatter of rare golden monkeys, and signs of elusive buffalo and elephant. If you prefer not to trek gorillas, you can choose to visit Dian Fossey’s grave or go golden monkey trekking instead. Return to the lodge for lunch and relax after a rewarding day of adventure.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 5

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. Cross the border from Rwanda to Uganda through the Chanika border post, then continue to your lodge in Bwindi.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Nkuringo Gorilla Camp

Day 6

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Following an early breakfast, prepare your packed lunch and head to the Park headquarters for registration and a briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking at 7:45 am. Accompanied by guides, trek through dense forest and undergrowth in search of the gorillas, which may take from half an hour to several hours. The park's steep, forested terrain is interspersed with animal trails, providing access to these magnificent yet endangered creatures. If you have already trekked gorillas in Rwanda or prefer not to trek in Uganda, you can opt for a forest walk or a community visit instead.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Nkuringo Gorilla Camp

Day 7

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park this morning, where you'll be treated to breathtaking scenery en route. Arrive in time for lunch at the lodge, then head out for a game drive across the plains of Kasenyi. This area is known for its diverse savannah wildlife, including buffalo herds, antelopes, elephants, and, with some luck, wild cats such as lions and leopards.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Bush Lodge or Enganzi Lodge

Day 8

Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Start your day with an early morning game drive back in the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This drive will give you another chance to spot any wildlife you might have missed the previous day. After your game drive, enjoy lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, proceed to the jetty along the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise. This cruise offers fantastic opportunities to view a variety of wildlife including hippos, water birds, elephants, buffaloes, and crocodiles as they congregate along the channel to drink.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Bush Lodge or Enganzi Lodge

Day 9

Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Kibale National Park

Following an early breakfast, embark on a game drive in the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, specifically the Kasenyi area. This drive is a chance to spot wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, wild cats, savannah birds, and various antelope species including waterbucks and Uganda kobs. After lunch, drive to Kibale Forest National Park, arriving at your lodge in the evening.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Rwenzori View Guest House

Day 10

Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk

After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Join other trackers as you venture into Kibale Forest National Park, where you may encounter many of the 13 primate species native to the park. After lunch, drive to Bigodi for a swamp walk in the community-managed wetland area, providing insights into the local ecosystem and wildlife.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Rwenzori View Guest House

Day 11

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park, passing through small towns, villages, and enjoying the scenic views of the escarpment. Arrive in the late evening at your lodge.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge

Day 12

Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls

Start the day with an early morning tea before heading to the northern section of the park, known as Paraa, for a game drive. This drive offers a chance to spot a variety of wildlife including giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, hippos, and, with some luck, predators like lions and leopards. After lunch at the lodge, proceed to the pier for a two-hour boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. Witness the dramatic sight of the Nile River squeezing through a narrow gorge and cascading down, creating an unforgettable experience.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge

Day 13

To Entebbe en route Zziwa Rhino Sanctaury

Drive back to Entebbe with a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route before proceeding to Kampala for tracking and then head to the guest house for an overnight stay.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Amuka Lodge

Day 14

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or Jinja visit for the source of the Nile

Drive from Entebbe town straight to the pier to embark on your afternoon boat cruise to Ngamba Island, located 23 kilometers into Lake Victoria. This one-hour boat cruise will expose you to several bird species as you cross the equator, arriving at Ngamba Island for an educational and informative talk about chimpanzees. After the talk, you will proceed to view orphaned chimpanzees feeding, then return to Entebbe mainland for your overnight stay. Ngamba Island is a sanctuary where rescued chimpanzees are rehabilitated. Since they cannot return to their original forests, Ngamba becomes their new home. Be among the few to learn more about chimpanzees and how to protect them. Alternatively, drive to Jinja, passing through Mabira Forest, small roadside markets, and sugar and tea plantations, with an en route stop at Ssezibwa Falls. You will then take a boat ride to the source of the Nile to witness the actual point where the Nile begins its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea.

Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Karibu Guest House/Boma Guest House.

Day 15

Departure

After breakfast, and depending on your flight details, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: All meals included

INCLUDES & EXCLUDES

Includes

Airport transfers on the first and last day
Gorilla Permits
Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Services of an English-speaking driver/guide
Fuel for the entire trip
Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
All Park entrance fees
Drinking water while in the vehicle

Excludes

Pre and post tour accommodation in Kigali
International airfares
All expenses of personal nature such as Alcohol and tips

TOUR MAP

GENERAL FAQs

General FAQs

Can I reschedule or cancel this trip?

Rescheduling: You can reschedule this trip as a private tour to any date within 12 months at no additional cost.
Booking Deposit: A 30% deposit of the total tour price is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 45 days before the tour departure date. Bookings not secured with the appropriate deposit will be released.
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancel between 90 and 45 days before departure: 20% penalty of the tour price.
- Cancel within 45 days of departure or no show: 100% penalty of the tour price.

Availability and Accommodations

Reservations: Accommodation and activity availability is not guaranteed until reservations are confirmed with the final itinerary and deposit payment. If any quoted accommodations are unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute them with suitable alternatives, which may affect the final quoted price.

Insurance

Requirement: All clients must have medical and travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.

Rates

Subject to Change: Tour rates are subject to change without notice. We will make every effort to maintain rates, but changes in government taxes or operating conditions may be passed on to clients.

Permit Cancellation Policy

Uganda Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy

Guarantee: A Gorilla Permit is guaranteed only upon receipt of the deposit ($800 per person per trek) as it must be paid immediately to the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Cancellation Fees

More than 90 days before tracking: 25% cancellation fee.
89 to 46 days before tracking: 50% cancellation fee.
45 to 9 days before tracking: 75% cancellation fee.
8 to 0 days before tracking: 100% cancellation fee.

Important Information

Age Requirement: The minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years.
Health: Visitors with flu or other airborne diseases will not be allowed into the rainforest jungle to see the gorillas.
Safety Protocols: Masks must be worn at all times, and a distance of 10 meters must be maintained between you and the gorillas.

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