12 days Uganda, Rwanda Congo Self-drive Safari

This 12-day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo safari package offers travelers an opportunity to engage in several exciting expeditions in these three countries.

A visit to Uganda will take you to the fascinating home of mountain gorillas that reside in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, mountain gorillas will also be found in the Virunga National Park but thrive in different terrain and landscapes. Mountain gorillas and considered critically endangered species that needs protection and conservation of their habitats, and for this reason, their homes are considered UNESCO Heritage Sites.  In the Virunga National Park of Congo, the safari will lead you to one of the few remaining active volcanoes in the world. Mount Nyiragongo is an active volcano though provides scenic hiking excursions. This mountain is also found in Virunga National Park.

 

From the Virungas,  visit Lake Kivu in Rwanda and enjoy the beauty of the lake and its beaches. Nyungwe National Park will give you the best exposure to another group of primates and a breathtaking canopy walk that provides aerial views of the natural wilderness.

With the Kigali City tour, you will realize that Rwanda is one of the safest and cleanest countries everyone should visit and enjoy once in a lifetime.

These 12 days of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo self-drive safari will leave you very impressed with a lot of African memories.

 The trip begins and ends in Rwanda.

Main activities

  1. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Virunga National Park.
  2. Batwa Cultural Experience
  3. Hiking Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park
  4. Visiting Lake Kivu
  5. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park
  6. Canopy walk
  7. Kigali City Tour
  8. Game drives and boat cruises in Akagera National Park.

Tour Highlights:

  •  Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi
  • Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Visit
  • Day 3: Transfer to DRC via Bunagana border post
  • Day 4:Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park
  • Day 5:Nyiragongo hike
  • Day 6: Descend Nyiragongo and transfer to Lake Kivu
  •  Day 7:Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
  • Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking  and canopy walk
  • Day 9: Travel to Kigali
  • Day 10: Transfer to Akagera National Park + afternoon boat cruise
  • Day 11: Full-day game drive
  • Day 12: Transfer to Kigali and departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi

Being a self-drive safari, you will have your vehicle prepared the previous day. It may be personal or privately rented from a trusted car rental company. Early on the first day of your safari, after an early morning breakfast, make a half-day city tour, and visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, Kandt Museum, and any artisan shop.  Have your lunch and then drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda, cross the border at Gatuna or Cyanika Border as you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the countryside. After driving for about 3 hours, you will reach Bwindi.  Contact us – your planned accommodation for dinner and a night’s stay.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Visit

You will wake up very early to have breakfast, with your packed lunch and water, and drive to the park offices where you will be briefed and given information about the gorilla trekking activity. After the briefing, you will join others in the group of eight. You will be led by an armed game ranger guide into the park jungles to search for gentle giant apes. You will spend two to five on the search depending on the location of the gorillas. On finding them, you are allowed to spend one hour with them as you observe their way of life and interaction. Take photos for remembrance of your trip.  Return to the accommodation for lunch and then pay a visit to a Batwa family for immersion into African culture.

Day 3: Transfer to DRC  Congo .- Virunga National Park

Wake up early, have breakfast, check out of the accommodation, and drive to DRC via the Bunagana border. Make sure you have the necessary travel documents which will be verified at the border.  Cross the DRC as you enjoy the country’s beautiful forested and mountainous landscape.  On arrival transfer to the accommodation for lunch.  You can spend the afternoon exploring the Rumangabo walking trails close to the park headquarters, and later return to the lodge for dinner and a night stay.

 Day 4: Gorilla trekking

After an early morning breakfast with packed drinking water and snacks drive to Bukima Ranger post where you will meet the park rangers and guides who will brief you about the gorilla trekking activity. After the briefing, you will be led by armed ranger guides into the thick forest park. The trek will last for 4-6 hours and includes one hour of interacting with the mountain gorillas. During the trek, you will realise the difference between the terrain of Bwindi National Park and Virunga National Park. Virunga trekking involves a lot of hiking, though trekking in both parks provides rewarding experiences.

After the trek, head back to the Bukima ranger post and then back to the accommodation for a late lunch. Enjoy evening leisure at the lodge, dinner and overnight

Day 5: Hiking Mount Nyiragongo

Start your day with an early morning breakfast, then drive to  Kibati Village which is the starting point of the Nyiragongo hike.  You will be provided with hiking sticks and porters will be available for hire to help you carry your luggage since you must spend two days on the hike. Hiking will take between 4 to 6 hours with some points for resting before reaching the top of the volcano. The porters will help you prepare dinner and set up the sleeping cabins. Dinner and overnight will be in cabins built at the summit as you enjoy the beautiful views of the lava lake and sunset.

Day 6:Descend Mount Nyiragongo and transfer to Lake Kivu.

After having this amazing experience, you will descend the volcano. Move at your own pace as you enjoy great views of Lake Kivu, the mountain Rwenzori ranges Kahuzi-Biega National Park, and the dense tropical rain forests that cover most parts of DRC. descending will take about 4 hours. After returning to the starting point, prepare yourself and drive to  Rwanda and tour Lake Kivu.  Have the best relaxation at the lake shores or even engage in activities like swimming, sportfishing canoeing, or any other interesting activity of your choice.  Dinner and overnight stay at your selected accommodation.

Day 7: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park

Wake up at your leisure and enjoy the sunrise as the rays strike the beautiful waters of the lake. Have breakfast and drive to  Nyungwe National Park. The journey will take 4 to 5 hours. You will arrive in the late afternoon hours and check into your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.

Day 8: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk

After an early morning breakfast, I head to the park offices at Uwinka for a briefing about the chimpanzee tracking activity.  Chimpanzees are another group of endangered primates that attract many tourists to Nyungwe National Park. After the briefing, you will be grouped into eight and led by park guides into the park jungles. When you find them, you will be allowed to spend one hour in their company and return to the park headquarters.  From there return to the lodge for lunch and later move out and drive to the park headquarters again to join others on the canopy walk. The canopy is a 200-meter walk that takes 2 hours. Enjoy the fresh air in the forest and the wonderful aerial view of the trees, birds, and other wild creatures.   After the activity, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Transfer to Kigali

Wake up early, have breakfast, check out of the lodge, and travel to Kigali. You will drive for 5-6 hours and arrive in the city during lunchtime. Check into the accommodation for lunch and later have a brief city tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial site, Kimironko market, or Nyamirambo women’s craft center depending on your choice and time. Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Day 10: Transfer to Akagera –  afternoon boat cruise

Early in the morning after breakfast, set off for Akagera National Park.  The journey takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. On arrival, clear with the rangers at the visitors’ center and proceed to your accommodation for lunch. In the afternoon take a boat trip to Lake Ihema where you will watch out for hippos, crocodiles, and other aquatic animals and those that commonly come to quench their thirst at the shores. Return to the accommodation or camping ground for dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Full-day game drive

On this day, wake up very early and move out for an early morning game drive where you will luckily spot some nocturnal animals returning to their hideouts. After driving for about hours, you are free to find a nice spot and have breakfast. Proceed and spend the whole drive in the park as you spot different animal species. Look out for the big five including lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants, and rhinos. Other animals in this park include zebras, giraffes, Topis, impalas, and many others.  In addition to the animals, several bird species that reside in this park can be spotted.  After a thorough expedition in the park, return to the accommodation for dinner and a night’s stay.

Day 12: Travel to Kigali and Departure.

After a relaxed breakfast, check out of the accommodation and return to Kigali.  On arrival, return the vehicle to the rental company and move to the airport for your flight.

End of Safari.