15 days Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo safari

This 15-days safari takes you through three of the East African countries, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You will visit the parks that are home to the critically endangered primates  in the world (gorillas and chimpanzees). You will come to learn the difference between mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi National Park and the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo. Enjoy  Chimpanzee trekking in Kibaale Forest National Park and the natural wetland in Bigodi, adventurous game drives, and a refreshing boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Visit Lake Bunyonyi, a lake with the largest number of birds in Uganda and the historical punishment island.

In Rwanda, find another fruitful home of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy the fresh waters on Lake Kivu and visit Napoleon Island with fruit bats.

When you cross to Congo, engage in the lowland gorilla trekking activity in a low land area, with scenic hikes on Mount Kahuzi. The safari will start in Uganda and end in Rwanda but by the end of the 15 days, you will have the best experience through the extensive biological diversity of the three countries.

Tour Summary

First Day: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park

Second Day: Chimpanzee tracking- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Third Day: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National  Park and Visit the salt mines

Fourth Day: Morning Game drive -boat cruise

Fifth Day: Hot air Balloon – Lion tracking

Sixth Day: Transfer to Bwindi National Park- Batwa cultural visit

Seventh Day: Gorilla tracking

Eighth Day: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi-afternoon boat cruise and relaxation

Ninth Day: wind up activities on Lake Bunyonyi – transfer to   Volcanoes NP

Tenth Day: Transfer to Lake Kivu-visit the Napoleon Island

Eleventh Day: Transfer to the Democratic Republic of Congo

Twelfth Day: Lowland gorilla trekking

Thirteenth Day: Mount Kahuzi hike

Fourteenth Day: Transfer to Kigali

 Detailed Itinerary for 15 days Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari

Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park

On the first day of your safari, you will be met and greeted by our company driver guide who will brief you about the safari and then start on the journey to Kibaale National Park in Western Uganda.  You will have a stopover at Mubende for breakfast and lunch in Fort Portal.  You may visit the Amabere caves in Nyakasura Fort portal area for a simple cultural visit. From here proceed to the  booked accommodation where you will have dinner and a night stay,

Accommodation: Kibale Forest camp

Meal plan: full board

 DAY 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

On this second day, wake up very early for breakfast and then head to  Kibale National Park headquarters for a briefing about the chimpanzee trekking activity. The game guides will let you know about the chimpanzees, the way to conduct yourself in the presence of these animals, and what to carry for the activity. The activity takes 2-4 hours. Once you find these gentle giant primates, you are allowed to spend only one hour in their presence and observe their social behavior and interactions. This park is so fruitful that you will luckily see other primates, birds, and plant species as you trek. After the activity, return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the late afternoon hours,  take a community visit to people living on the outskirts of the park, visit the local crafts ladies, the local medicine men, local beer brewers, and other members of the community in your reach. Return to the lodge for dinner and a night stay.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest camp

Meal plan: full board

Day 3:Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Visit the salt mines and night game drive.

wake up early in the morning, have breakfast, check out of the lodge, and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park which takes 2 hours. On arrival at the park, visit the  Katwe salt mines. The guide will give you important information about salt mining and interact with the local people engaging in the mining activity. This visit will take about 2 hours then proceed to the accommodation for lunch. Relax at the lodge as you prepare for the night game drive where you will luckily spot nocturnal animals like leopards, lions, jackals, and serval cats among others.  The night game drive goes for only 2 hours the return to the lodge for a night stay.

Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp

Meal plan: Full board

Day 4: Morning game Drive and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel.

Wake up for another adventurous day in Queen Elizabeth National Park. take breakfast and our driver guide will drive you to the Kasenyi plains where you will luckily spot some nocturnal animals like lions returning to their dens and hippos returning to water. The early birds and other mammals come up to look for food in the grazing areas.

After all is done, return to the lodge for lunch, rest, and then go for the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This channel is one of the best places to see wildlife in this park. expect to see elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles , hippos, and migratory birds. Return to the accommodation for dinner and a night’s stay.

Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp

Meal plan: full board.

Day 5:Hot air balloon experience and lion tracking

You will wake up very early in the morning for an extremely exciting activity in the jungles of the park. come along with a packed breakfast or coffee. Go in for the air balloon experience where you will explore the park in the sky together with birds. It’s interesting and impressive.  When you come down, you will have your strong breakfast in the jungle. After breakfast, you will drive at your pace with more exploration of the park as you see different wildlife creatures, animals grazing, and the precious vegetation. Drive to the lodge for lunch. After a little relaxation, drive to the Ishasha sector of the park for the lion tracking experience. Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Accommodation : Simba Safari camp

Meal plan: full board

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi National Park –  Batwa cultural visit

After an early morning breakfast, check out of the accommodation and set off to Bwindi National Park. you will drive slowly through this park as you enjoy the beautiful scenery of diverse wildlife. The journey will take 4 hr:30mins, go to the hotel on arrival for lunch and relaxation.  In the afternoon immerse in African cultural history by visiting the Batwa Community. The Batwa were the former inhabitants of the forest and were later relocated to the outside parts of the park for conservation purposes. These people have interesting cultural music, dances, and stories. Support their developmental projects by buying some of their craft work.

Accommodation: Buhoma rest Camp

Meal plan :full board

 Day 7: Gorilla tracking

After early morning breakfast,  drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on the gorilla trekking activity at 7:00 am, the game guide will inform you about what you expect to find while on the activity, what to do, what to carry and how to behave in presence of the gorillas. You will move in groups of eight people with the leadership of game guides and rangers into the jungles of the thick rainforest. You should strictly follow the rules and regulations while tracking. When you find the gorillas, you are allowed to use only one hour to take photos as you observe their behaviour towards themselves and human presence. After the activity, return and relax at the lodge that evening.

Accommodation :Buhoma rest Camp

Meal plan: full board

Day 8:Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Wake up in the morning, take a break fast and check out of the lodge, and drive to lake Bunyonyi. This is one of the small lakes in Uganda with great wonders and attracts many tourists. It has cool, admirable, and quiet atmosphere for relaxation.  At this place, take a boat ride to different islands on the lake as you enjoy the fresh breeze of the lake. In the evening hours, relax at the beach on the lake shores as you enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Accommodation :Bunyonyi overland resort

Meal plan: full board

Day 9: Wind up the activities in Lake Bunyonyi and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Wake up in a freshwater lake environment, have breakfast, and complete any activity of your choice.  you can go boat riding, canoeing, or hiking the highlands around the lake. Hikes will lead you to interact with the locals in the neighborhood from whom you learn their day-to-day ways of living. After an activity of 3-4 hours,  take lunch and embark on the voyage to the Volcanoes National Park.

Go to the lodge on arrival and prepare for the next day’s activity.

Accommodation: Muhabura hotel

Meal plan: half board

Day 10: Golden Monkey trekking and Ib’yiwachu cultural visit.

Wake up for an early morning breakfast then move to  Volcanoes National Park headquarters for briefing about the golden monkey  tracking activity. This activity involves hiking into the varying terrain of the Volcanoes National Park. golden monkeys are always found in lower altitudes of the mountain and are easily spotted, it will take 2-3 hours to find them. when you find them,  use one hour to watch their behaviour as you take photos. In the same activity, you will luckily spot different wildlife and fresh vegetation. When you are done with the activity return to the hotel for lunch.  In the afternoon hours drive to the Gorilla Guardians Village (Ib’yiwachu) to immerse more in Rwandan Culture and tradition. At the centre, enjoy cultural performances in which you can take part if requested. You can also buy some souvenirs for remembrance of your visit to the land of a thousand hills.

Accommodation: Muhabura hotel

Meal plan: full board

Day 11:Transfer to  Lake Kivu- visit Napoleon Island

Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast, check out of the accommodation, and travel to Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is a notable tourism venture shared by both DRC  and Rwanda with many islands and beautiful beaches. On arrival, after a two-hour drive take a boat ride to Napoleon Island famously known for fruit bats. Hike through the trails on the island as you enjoy the stunning views of Lake Kivu and the surrounding areas. Have lunch at the lodge and spend the evening at the lodge or go swimming or engage in sport fishing and other luxurious activities on the lake.

Accommodation: Palm Resort Gardens

Meal plan: full board

Day 12: Transfer to the Democratic Republic of Congo

In the early morning on the 12th day of the 15-day safari to Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo, have breakfast and travel to  Kahuzi Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  If you use road transport,  cross to Congo using the Cyangugu (Rusizi) border and close to Bukavu which takes at least 1 hour 30 minutes. When you opt for water transport take a boat ride across Lake Kivu from Cyangugu to Bukavu. From Bukavu, continue to the park after a drive of 90 minutes. Go to the accommodation on arrival. If time is by your side,  visit the Batwa pygmies who live at the edges of the park.  dinner and night stay.

Accommodation: Lodge Coco Bukavu

Meal plan: Full  board

Day 13: Lowland gorilla trekking  in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

After a yummy breakfast at the lodge,  drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about the activity of tracking lowland gorillas. Unlike parks with mountain gorillas, the lowland gorillas are found in low areas where there is less hiking. The forest vegetation cover is thick, but the tracking trails are on flat land though the terrain is rugged.  The whole activity will take 2-6 hours with one festive hour of staying in the presence of the gorillas, watching them play, interact, and care for each other as you take memorable photos of these unique creatures.  After it all, return to the starting point then your guide will drive you back to the hotel. After lunch, you may decide to rest if you are tired or walk around and spend some good time in the town.

Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Accommodation: lodge Coco Bukavu

Meal plan: full board

Day 14: Hiking Mount Kahuzi

After a heavy morning breakfast, move back to the park offices to start on a guided hike to the summit of Mount Kahuzi. Hiking this mountain offers a challenging but rewarding experience. It lies at 3,308 meters above sea level. This hike is a 6-8 hour round trip with scenic views at the summit. As you hike enjoy the breathtaking views of the park and different animal and plant species along the way.

After the hiking activity return to the accommodation for relaxation.

Accommodation: Lodge Coco Bukavu

Meal plan: full board

Day 15:Transfer  to Kigali

On the last day of your trip, wake up, have breakfast at your leisure, and travel back to Kigali. When you arrive a few hours before the flight time, you may have a Kigali city tour to one of the Genocide Memorial sites or visit the Namirembe market where you can buy some goods to take home as a memory of your safari.

End of 15 days Uganda Rwanda Congo Safari

Tour inclusions:

-Safari Van 4x4WD

-English-speaking guide

-fuel

-Gorilla permits for Uganda and Congo

-Chimpanzee Permit

-Golden Monkey Permits

-All activities mentioned in the itinerary

-Accommodation and meals for 14nights

-bottled drinking water

– Enroute meals

_Park entrances

Tour exclusions

International flights,

Visas,

Insurance,

Personal expenses( luxurious alcoholic drinks, cigars, wines)

tips,

souvenirs

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