13 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari & Wildlife Safaris Tour

13 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari & Wildlife Safaris Tour – Overview

The 13 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari & Wildlife Safaris Tour features extensive wild game viewing in Uganda’s Savannah parks of Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Park.

The sights of the Africa big five coupled with other amazing world’s game like the world’s tallest mammal the Rothschild Giraffe are amazing.

The safari features double gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Parks along with double Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and the famous Kyambura Game Lodge. It’s a diverse safari encounter worth undertaking

13 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari & Wildlife Safaris Tour – Highlights

Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Make a stop en route to track white Rhinos in Ziwa Sanctuary

Day 2: Undertake game drive in the northern sector in the morning, afternoon Nile launch cruise and hike to the top of the Murchison Falls

Day 3: Drive to Fort Portal Area (Kibale NP). It’s a whole day drive exploring the lush countryside

Day 4: Do Chimpanzee trekking in the morning in Kibale National Park – the primate Capital of the world & Bigodi wetland in the afternoon exploring the most successful community tourism project in Uganda

Day 5: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park enjoying the views of Rwenzori Mountains – the snow capped legendary mountains of the moon; visit the Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa, Ruboni Community en route. Do Kazinga Channel launch cruise upon arrival & game drive along the channel track in the evening

Day 6: Undertake game drive in Kasenyi plains in the morning & Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge in the afternoon

Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha sector en route in search of tree climbing lions

Day 8: Undertake gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & evening relaxation at the lodge with Batwa / Bakiga Cultural performances

Day 9: Drive to the destination Rwanda through Kibale highlands-‘the Switzerland of Africa’. Undertake a boat cruise along the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera.

Day 10: Do Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park & transfer back to Uganda – to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 11: Undertake a sun rise boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi – the lake of a thousand Islands and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Make a traditional lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center & evening game drive upon arrival in the park

Day 12: Undertake a game walking safari in Lake Mburo NP & transfer to Kampala. A stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe is inevitable

Day 13: Explore Jinja – Source iof the Nile with a forest walk in Mabira and Ssezibwa falls tour.

13 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari & Wildlife Safaris Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Make A Stop En-route To Track White Rhinos in Ziwa Sanctuary

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park 311km about 5 hours drive departing at 6:30am from Kampala. You enjoy the scenic landscapes of central Uganda including the flat stretches of Nakasongora with possible sights of Ankole long horned cows before approaching Nakitooma 115km from Kampala.

At this point, you branch off from the main road to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 7km to the Headquarters. You undertake the walk in the Savannah thicket of Ziwa in search of the southern white Rhinos and this experience can take 1 – 2 hours from which you settle for lunch at Kabalega dinner before proceeding on the drive to Murchison. Arrive in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Bakers Lodge
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge
Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge / Tent @Fort Murchison

Day 2: Undertake Game Drive in The Northern Sector in The Morning, Afternoon Nile Launch Cruise And Hike To The Top of The Murchison Falls

After breakfast, you embark on the game drive in the rolling Savannah landscapes of northern Murchison.

The encounter commences at 7am and can last 3 – 4 hours allowing you to explore the counts of wild game in detail.

The game drive offers you the possibility to explore the Big four namely the elephants, Buffaloes, lions and leopard.

The other wild game in Murchison that might be explored include Rothschild’s giraffes, hyenas, Jackson’s Hartebeest hartebeests, Deffasa waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, Uganda Kobs among others.

Retreat from the activity to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you connect to Paraa Jetty for an afternoon Nile launch cruise.

The boat trip departs at 2:30pm and lasts 3 hours. On the waters of the Nile, you have chances of exploring aquatic species including the Nile crocodiles – world’s second largest reptile, Hippos, Water dwelling birds like the Shoebill stork along with land animals that draw to the river banks to quench their thirst.

Upon reaching the bottom of the falls, you embark on the hike to the top of the falls. The hike takes you through a challenging narrow path following the Nile River as crushes its head on the ancient impermeable rocks that have stood in its way for centuries past.

You enjoy the roaring sound of the Nile which is accompanied by a plume of spray and a trade mark rainbow.

The top of the falls features a nice scenic view impressive for photography. Connect with your driver guide on the top of the falls to connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Bakers Lodge
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge
Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge / Tent @Fort Murchison

Day 3: Drive to Fort Portal Area (Kibale NP). It’s a Whole Day Drive Exploring The Lush Countryside

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kibale 441km about 9 hours drive passing through the verdant lush countryside including Masindi, Hoima, Kagadi before approaching Fort Portal.

You make a lunch stop in Hoima and while approaching Fort Portal, you are welcomed by the fabled mountains of the moon rising to 5,109m above sea level.

The towering palace building of the Kingdom of Tooro also presents an impressive scenic welcome in the backyard of Fort Portal town. Proceed to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Up market / Luxury: Primate Lodge / Ndali Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Chimpanzee Guesthouse / Kibale Forest Camp
Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse / Tent @Kibale Forest Camp

Day 4: Do Chimpanzee Trekking in The Morning in Kibale National Park & in The Afternoon Explore The Most Successful Community Tourism Project in Uganda

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center to catch up for chimpanzee trekking briefing commencing at 8am.

The briefing is conducted by the Park rangers and can last about 30 minutes after which you head to the jungle in search of the man’s closest cousin – the Chimpanzee.

Besides the chimpanzees, Kibale National Park supports a count of 12 other species of primate including the Black and White colobus Monkeys, the Blue tailed Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, the Olive Baboons among others.

The Park also features a count of 371 impressive tree species among which include the Warbughia Ugandensis and Parinari exelsa among other lovely flora.

Kibale is a home to 375 species of birds including the Green-breasted Pitta, Black Bee-eater, Crowned Eagle, Western Nicator, Little Greenbul, Red-chested Owlet, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, African Grey Parrot, Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Brown-chested Alethe among other species.

All these are at your disposal to explore once you are in the Chimpanzee forest. The Chimpanzee trekking tend to take 2 – 5 hours where you have opportunities to explore the Chimpanzees feeding, copulating, patrolling, make pant hooting calls among other interesting aspects about this brilliant apes.

The viewing experience is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation after which you return to the starting point to enjoy your packed lunch.

In the afternoon, you connect to Bigodi wetland for a thrilling wetland walk to stand chances of exploring the sanctuary’s lush flora, the 138 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco and the swamp wildlife like the Sitatunga.

The walk can be extended to explore the community including the home of the traditional healer after which you connect to lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Up market / Luxury: Primate Lodge / Ndali Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Chimpanzee Guesthouse / Kibale Forest Camp
Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse / Tent @Kibale Forest Camp

Day 5: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park Enjoying The Views of Rwenzori Mountains – The Snow-capped Legendary Mountains of The Moon

visit the Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa, Ruboni Community en route. Do Kazinga Channel launch cruise upon arrival & game drive along the channel track in the evening

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 2 – 3 hours drive.

You make a stop en route to visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation – the only bronze casting center in the whole of Africa with a magnificent gallery filled with various beautiful sculptures.

You can also participate in the bronze casting process. After this, you encounter the community of Ruboni where Konjo people have inhabited the foothills of Mount Rwenzori for over 300 years past.

You explore the local traditions after which you proceed to Queen Elizabeth Nationl Park. The scenic views of the legendary mountains of the moon will astonish you for the greater part of your journey.

You catch up with the Kazinga Channel boat cruise at 2pm. The 2 hour launch cruise takes you through the offers of the 45m long Kazinga channel including impressive views of the Nile crocodiles, Hippos, abundant bird life and a range of wild game quenching their thirst along the channel waters. Drive along the channel track exploring more game as you return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Game Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge / Marafiki Safari Lodge
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 6: Undertake Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains in The Morning & Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge in The Afternoon

Wake up for an early morning 3 – 4 hour game drive starting at 7am driving though the Kasenyi tracks where you will have chances of viewing a range of wildlife.

Some of these include; lions, elephants, Buffaloes, Antelopes, jackals, among others. You will marvel at them as they gather what to put in their stomachs and others taking a rest.

The Savannah landscape in which they thrive is an attraction in its self. Return to the lodge for relaxation. In the afternoon, you connect to Kyambura gorge for an afternoon Chimpanzee trekking experience.

Exploring Chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge is a remarkable trek through the jungle where a mature tropical rain forest thrives below sea level 100m deep with a river flowing on the gorge floor.

The trek commences at 2pm and tends to last 2 – 5 hours with one hour with the apes. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Game Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge / Marafiki Safari Lodge
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do Game Drive in Ishasha Sector Enroute in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

Following breakfast at your respective lodge, embark on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park departing at 7am.

You make a stop in Ishasha sector to undertake an extensive game drive in search of the famous tree climbing lions.

The Ishasha sector is known to the home of these lions and its low lying tree branches presents a clear viewing opportunity than in other areas where similar lion behavior occurrences are known.

Proceed to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:
Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge / Buhoma Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp / Gorilla Valley Lodge
Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp
Wild Camping

Day 8: Undertake Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Evening Relaxation At The Lodge With Batwa / Bakiga Cultural Performances

After a heavy breakfast, you gather at the respective gorilla trekking region headquarters for briefing at 8am by the Uganda Wildlife Authority Park rangers.

During this time, gorilla family allocation takes place and in case one has a special requirement, it would be ideal to raise it for possible consideration.

After this session, head to the jungle to search for the critically endangered apes in their natural habitat.

You hike the steep hills of Bwindi covered with dense forest cover, slope down the narrow valleys, cross streams and minor rivers while enjoying the impressive jungle sounds of birds and other wildlife as draw close to the gorillas.

The gentle giants treat you to a comfortable welcome. Enjoy the sight of the mighty silverback along with the black backs, the adult females and the youngsters that are so playful.

The encounter takes 2 – 8 hours inclusive of one hour of direct viewing. Retreat from the activity and connect back to the lodge for relaxation.

In the evening, you enjoy the group of traditional dancers from the local Batwa or the Bakiga tribal groups at the lodge.

Accommodation:
Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge / Buhoma Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp / Gorilla Valley Lodge
Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp
Wild Camping

Day 9: Drive To The Destination Rwanda Through Kibale Highlands. Undertake a Boat Cruise Along The Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera.

Following a relaxed breakfast at your place of stay, you embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda crossing through the Cyanika border post.

The drive through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands is very fascinating with the views of the Virunga Massif that is comprised of 8 Virunga Volcanoes.

Upon arrival in Rwanda, you can undertake a thrilling boat cruise on Lake Ruhondo on one of the twin lakes. Retire for dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Mount Gorilla View Lodge / Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Midrange / Standard: La Palme Hotel / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel

Day 10: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Transfer Back to Uganda – to Lake Bunyonyi

The gorilla trekking in Rwanda commences at 8am at Kinigi Park headquarters. The Earlier arrival offers you an opportunity to explore the traditional Kinyarwanda dancers and a hot cup of Rwandan coffee.

You attend to briefing and get the gorilla family allocated to you after which you head to the jungle in search of these precious apes.

This is a second gorilla trek in this 13 day trip but bringing with it a different experience as this is a different habitat and terrain not forgetting a new gorilla group.

The trek can last 2 – 8 hours with the actual viewing limited to one hour for conservation purposes after which you retreat to the starting point and cross back to Uganda for relaxation dinner and over night at Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort
Midrange / Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Day 11: Undertake a Sunrise Boat Ride on Lake Bunyonyi – The Lake Of A Thousand Islands And Transfer To Lake Mburo National Park.

After breakfast, undertake a sun rise boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi – the lake of a thousand Islands enjoying amazing scenic views of the lake and its Islands amidst the fascinating Kigezi Highlands.

After this encounter, you embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park 199km about 4 hours drive.

You enjoy the rolling landscapes of Kigezi and Ntungamo before approaching Mbarara town and Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara for traditional lunch.

You can take an optional tour of the Museum exploring the heritage of all tribes of south western Uganda. Proceed for 45km to reach Lake Mburo National Park for an evening game drive offering you possibilities of exploring the Savannah game on the sun set.

The views of Giraffes, Impala, Topis, Zebra, Warthogs, Buffaloes, water bucks among others may thrill you in the very evening. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:
Upmarket / Luxury: Mihingo Safari Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Rwakobo Rock
Budget / Basic: Eagles Nest
Wild Camping

Day 12: Undertake a Game Walking Safari in Lake Mburo NP & Transfer to Kampala. A Stop at Uganda Equator Crossing Kayabwe is Inevitable

After breakfast, embark on the game walking safari commencing at Rwonyo Tourism Center at 7am. You are accompanied by an armed ranger guide who will give you a themed interpretation of the verdant flora and fauna that would cross your eyes.

Exploring the range of wild game including the Rothschild giraffes, the Deffassa water bucks, populations of Burchells Zebra, the Impala antelope among other species on foot would be amazing.

The walk in the Savannah as you see the sun rising over it is another memorable experience. Retreat from the 2 hour experience and embark on the transfer to Kampala.

A Stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots & water experiments that justify the geographical divide between the north and southern hemisphere would be amazing to encounter. You can also secure a souvenir to take home from the craft shops at the site.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Kampala Sheraton Hotel
Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge / Humura Resort
Budget / Budget: Buziga Country Resort

Day 13: Explore Jinja – Source of The Nile With a Forest Walk in Mabira And Ssezibwa Falls Tour

Embark on the exploration of Jinja 80km about 2 hours drive from Kampala. You enjoy the amazing scenery of Ssezibwa falls along with its cultural sites, take a forest walk in Mabira one of the largest rain forests in Uganda for sights of various bird species, lush flora and primates like the Ugandan Mangabey before proceeding to Jinja for a thrilling boat cruise to explore the source of the Nile where this world’s longest river begins its 90 days journey to Mediterranean sea.

You visit the Reptile village close to the source for the Nile and take Jinja town drive exploring one of the cosmopolitan old towns of Uganda before transferring back to Kampala to mark the end of the tour.