29 days Ultimate Uganda and Rwanda wildlife safari/holiday.

This 29 days Ultimate Uganda Rwanda Safari is for those who have more time to explore and discover Uganda, also known as ‘The Pearl of Africa’ and Rwanda, also referred to ae “the land of a Thousand Hills” This safari takes you from  Entebbe after a birding experience in Mabamba swamp, to the vibrant Kampala city then to Jinja at the source of the world’s longest river. the Nile River. The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park in northern Uganda provide the best exposure to Africa’s big five wild animals., Queen Elizabeth National Park in the southwest offers you a chance for game drives and boat cruises along the Kazinga channel.  Kibale National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are popular primate parks housing chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, respectively. After a refreshing boat cruise on Lake Mutanda, cross to Rwanda’s gorilla park-Volcanoes National Park, for golden monkey tracking. In Nyungwe National Park, a home to over 13 primates, enjoy colobus monkey tracking as well as other community interactions.  Our safari ends in Kigali with a breathtaking Kigali city tour.

Whether on self self-drive or guided safari, every step of the way will lead you through an adventure of a lifetime. Prepare to be amazed, inspired, and moved by the sheer wonder of Africa’s beauty. Book your 29 Days Ultimate Uganda Rwanda Wildlife Safari now and let the journey of adventure begin.

Detailed Itinerary of the 29 days Ultimate Uganda – Rwanda wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrival in  Entebbe and visit to the zoo. (UWEC)

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our company representative who will hand over to you your rental vehicle after signing a rental contract. Proceed to the hotel for refreshment and lunch.  Depending on your arrival time, you will visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC), a sanctuary to orphaned/ rescued animals from different conservation areas. Some of the animals at this place include giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, leopards, chimpanzees, baboons, ostriches, zebras, donkeys, camels, egrets, and several bird species.

You can enjoy the behind-the-scenes experience with the zoo workers, which involves coming closer and feeding some of the animals. (This is done with private bookings). Later, return to your lodge for the night.

Day 2: Mabamba  swamp – shoe bill tracking

Early morning breakfast, after which you will transfer to the dock to take your canoe ride along the Marshy  Mabamba swamp papyrus rides, in search of the rare shoebill stork. This bird is the main attraction in this swamp. Together with an experienced guide who will tell you more about the bird species that are present here, expect to see shoebill stork, pink-backed pelicans, sunbirds, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles, crows, black-headed herons, and other swamp residents.

This is always a full-day expedition. When you return, you will decide whether to go back to your lodge or proceed to another accommodation in Kampala for the next day’s activity.

Day 3: Kampala City Tour.

On this day, I highly recommend that you have a tour guide, and our company is ready to provide one at a low cost. A driver guide will help you to easily go through the city as they know the different shortcuts to manage traffic jams, take you to different places in a single day. Some of the places you can visit include the Buganda palace in Mengo, Kasubi tombs, where Buganda’s kings are buried, Namugongo Martyrs shrine, the parliament of the Republic of Uganda, Nakasero market tour, temples and churches, for example, the Namugongo cathedral, the Uganda museum, among others.

Day 4 -6: Transfer to Jinja –  the source of the Nile.

With an early morning, set off from Kampala,  you can stop over at Mabira Forest for a guided nature walk that will involve some birding and spotting some primates (monkeys),

 or engage in zipling, or get a guided nature walk around the Sezibwa Falls. The optional activity here can take 2-3 hours.

Possible activities in Jinja -source of the Nile.

Boat rides on Lake Victoria take you to the Nile to the Source of the Nile monument, enjoy nice views across the lake, and observe plenty of water birds and other wildlife.

The quad bike adventure will take you through the lush countryside and see how the people live, enjoy wonderful views of the Nile as it simmers through the beautiful landscape. The quad bikes are safe, though you get some training before setting off.

The whitewater rafting excursion in Jinja involves conquering the tough rapids and grades on the source of the Nile River.   Grades depend on personal experience of the activity. They range from 3 to 5.  Expect to meet guides who will take you through the guidelines of the activity. Rafting takes you to the middle of the taking you through turbulent rapids. It is one of the best experiences in Uganda along the River Nile.  In the afternoon of day 6, transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Day 7: Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

After breakfast, you will join the rangers to guide you and participate in rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. See these creatures roaming around and enjoy their daily interactions. Tracking is best done in the morning hours when the animals are still calm and haven’t moved long distances to search for food. At times, you can spot them close to the camping area, but for the best experience, you need to get into the jungle to spend time with them but maintaining distance from them as they are dangerous wild animals. Always listen to the orders of your ranger guide for safety.

Day 8-10: Murchison Falls National Park

Within these three days, enjoy different activities in this park.  This park is home to the thunderous Murchison Falls that squeeze into a 7-meter gorge and are one of the major attractions in the area.

While in Murchison Falls National Park, participate in activities like Game drives that will expose you to several wildlife species, mainly the big four, including the elephants, lions, buffalo, and leopard. Other animals in this park include  Rothschild’s giraffe, hartebeest, Waterbuck, Oribi, Bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, and hyena, among others.

Boat cruises along the Victoria Nile take you to the base of the falls, stopping just a few meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron”. Expect to see hippos, crocodiles, and some animals at the shores drinking water, such as the elephants, Kobs, waterbucks, and many bird species.

Hiking to the top of the falls exposes you to sights of how the world’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment, to plunge into a frothing pool of about 43m below. This is an amazing experience.

 A boat ride along the Nile Delta provides a memorable experience of Murchison Falls National Park.  The ride takes you through an extensive papyrus delta on the Victoria Nile that flows into Lake Albert. Here, again, there are plenty of animals and birds to see, with an excellent chance of seeing the rare shoebill stork.

More game drives are also done in the Bugungu Forest reserve, which is also part of Murchison Falls National Park.

After the last day’s activity in this park, relax at the accommodation as you prepare for the next day’s long drive.

Day 11:Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park ( 7-8hours)

 This is a day of driving, but fear not, you will still be entertained by the beautiful scenery! of the Ugandan countryside, leaving Murchison Falls National Park behind through Bugungu wildlife reserve, which is part of Murchison, and driving southwards to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive to Kibale will go through the major western towns of Hoima and Fort Portal. We will arrive at Kibale in the late afternoon. Check into the accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Chimpanzee habituation:

 This is an experience that leads you to chimpanzee troops that are undergoing habituation. This process helps you to understand how chimps are trained to get accustomed to human presence. After briefing at the park center, with your packed lunch, join the researchers and park rangers for a 4-6-hour excursion in the park. Learn chimpanzee behavior, how they relate, make nests, and get used to human presence.   Expect to spot more primates because the park hosts over 13 primate species. the gorilla habituation Permit costs $300. A group of 4  trekkers is allowed per group for the habitation process.  After your expedition, return and relax at the accommodation.

Day 13: Bigodi  swamp walks  –  afternoon Bigodi community visit

During the Bigodi wetland for a nature walk, where you will be able to have a glance at a variety of amazing wildlife species  including bird species like yellow-ramped tinker bird, purple-breasted sunbird, yellow-spotted Nicator, little Greenbul, Abyssinian ground thrush, grey crowned crane, African pitta, crowned eagle, dusky crimson wing, blue-breasted kingfisher, brown-collared Greenbul, papyrus Gonolek, among others.

After lunch,  visit the Bigodi community to enjoy tradition and culture. Visit the local crafts shops and buy some of their products as a way of supporting. Return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Day 14: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park   – afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  On the way, you will have spectacular views of the crater lakes, tea plantations, and the beautiful countryside. Check into the accommodation for lunch.

After lunch, go for the afternoon boat ride on the Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel is a 40 km-long water stream joining lakes Edward and George. You spot several animals basking on the banks of the channel, a few meters from the boat. Crocodiles and Hippos are a common sight in the channel. Other animals such as elephants, buffalo, and antelopes often come to the channel to drink water.

 Day 15:Morning game drive in Kasenyi and Evening game drive in Ishasha sector.

Wake up for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Your accommodation will serve you breakfast in the jungle if informed in advance. Expect to see some of the nocturnal returning to their hideouts and the day grazers rising up to search for fresh vegetation and water.  After the drive, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, go for another game drive in the Ishasha sector to search for the tree-climbing lions, which are always spotted resting on the branches of fig trees as they spot their prey.

Day 16: Morning game drive in Ishasha starting at 10 am and transfer to Rushaga

This second game drive in  Ishasha is suggested because, at times in the afternoon hours, spotting the climbing lions may not be possible; a morning game drive from 10 am to midday can be better if you missed the previous day.

In the late afternoon, travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park  (Rushaga sector ). On arrival, check in for dinner and night stay.

Day 17:  Gorilla tracking/habituation (Rushaga Sector)

Rushaga sector is the only sector and place where gorilla habituation is carried out in all gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. In the habituation process, gorillas are trained and made accustomed to human presence. This unique activity allows visitors to stay in the presence of the mountain gorillas for four hours. Do research, take photos and videos as you observe the behavior of the gentle giant apes in their natural habitat. Gorilla habituation costs $1500  per person, and only 4 people are allowed to join a gorilla habituation session to a particular family.

If you opt for the gorilla tracking, which is also possible in the same sector, you will have to spend only one hour with the mountain gorillas.   The hike to meet the mountain gorillas can last for 1-6 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. Eight individuals are allocated to a particular family a day, and a gorilla trekking permit costs $800. Only individuals of 15 years and above are eligible to participate in either activity. After the activity, return to the accommodation for relaxation and a night’s stay.

Day 18: Transfer to Volcanoes National  Park with a scenic drive via Lake Mutanda.

From Bwindi, drive to the volcanoes via Lake Mutanda, relax at the lake, and enjoy canoeing to discover the lake’s hidden caves and scenic landscapes. Swimming is also possible in this lake.

Later, drive to Rwanda Volcanoes National Park via Cyanika border post.

Day 19:Golden monkey tracking and Ib’yiwachu cultural center visit

 Transfer to the Park headquarters, where you meet fellow golden monkey trackers for a briefing that will enlighten you on this adventurous activity of Golden monkey tracking. You will start the trek to search for these golden creatures, after which you will spend a full hour with them, taking photos, learning their behaviours, and enjoying them playing with each other. After the trek, you will head on to the lodge to have lunch.

Later in the evening, you will go to Ib’yiwachu cultural center to enjoy more of Rwandan culture and tradition through listening to folk tales, Rwandan history, enjoying different cultural practices like local hunting techniques,  iron working, preparing traditional dishes, kingship and marriage sessions, traditional music and dances, and craftwork.

Day 20: Bisoke Hike:

Return to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing about Hiking Mount Bisoke. Bisoke is one of the five volcanoes that make up the Volcanoes National Park. the hike takes a round trip of 6 hours. you are exposed to a crater along the path, then summit to find another crater lake. On a lucky day, you spot several primates, including gorillas and golden monkeys.

At the summit, take photos of the lakes and the surrounding areas as you enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes. After enough rest, descend back.

Note: You should have good hiking gear.

Day 21: Transfer to Gisenyi  (Lake Kivu) – afternoon boat cruise

A boat ride experience on Lake Kivu from Volcanoes gives you an opportunity to take a sundowner cruise, spot some birds, and see the scenery of the lake and its surroundings, like DR Congo (Goma side ) and the Gisenyi hydro power plant.

Day 22: Island hopping on Lake Kivu.

 Suggested islands:

Napoleon Island: Known for housing large colonies of fruit bats and many bird species.

Nyamirundi Island:  best for coffee  tour experiences

Amahoro Island ( peace island): Known for leisure, camping, and relaxation.

You can participate in Night fishing, join the local fishermen on the lake.

Day 23: Guided nature walks along the Congo-Nile trail

The Congo Nile trail is a network of matted trails and road routes that starts from north of Lake Kivu in Gisenyi to the south in Kamembe.  You can start from Gisenyi to Kamembe or vice versa.  Hiking along the trail can take 5-7 days, but shorter hikes of 2-3 days can also be prepared. You can go hiking or biking. Along the trail are tea plantations, coffee farms, and gardens filled with crops like cassava, yams, mangoes, and many other crops.  The trail provides high chances of interacting with the local community as you meet many people working on their farms. Spot several bird species,  small fishing villages, and an authentic  Rwanda village experience. It’s highly recommended to hike with a local guide who knows all the routes and path conditions.

Day 24: Transfer to Nyungwe 

A scenic drive to Nyungwe exposes you to the beautiful Rwanda countryside covered with coffee and tea plantations,  gardens, and terraced hills. The journey takes   6-7 hours.

Day 25: Colobus monkey tracking and Canopy Walk

Colobus monkey tracking: another interesting activity in Nyungwe National Park besides the chimpanzees. This park is home to over 13 primate species that thrive in a dense rainforest. The activity takes 3- 4hours.

After lunch,  go for a canopy walk along a suspended walkway.  The walk takes 2 hours and exposes you to wild creatures that spend most of their time in the forest canopy, e.g., monkeys and birds.

Day 26: Tea plantations  visit and experience

Visit Gisakura Tea Estate for a full day’s experience about tea growing,   harvesting, processing, and the final product.  ( crop to cup experience). Overnight in Nyungwe.

Day 27:Transfer to Kigali  via Murambi Genocide Memorial and Nyanza King’s Palace Museum

The Murambi Genocide Memorial is an exhibit of what exactly happened in the I994 genocide, and the scene in this place is far unique from other memorial sites.
the  Nyanza Kings Palace Museum is a showcase of Ancient Rwanda Kingship and regalia (culture and tradition). Arrival in Kigali will be in the evening hours. Dinner and overnight in Kigali.

 

Day 28: Kigali city tour

Visit some of the iconic places in Kigali, such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial site to see and learn about what happened in the 1994 genocide. Visit the Kimironko market and some Local craft centres. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation in Kigali.

Day 29: Departure.

After enjoying the natural wonders in the “ Pearl of Africa” and the “land of a thousand hills”, get up at your leisure, have breakfast, and prepare to transfer to Kigali airport for your flight back home.