10 Days Combined Uganda Safari Tour & Rwanda Gorilla Trek Safari With Wildlife Safari – Overview

The 10 Days Combined Uganda Safari Tour & Rwanda Gorilla Trek Safari With Wildlife Safari includes Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, double Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and Kyambura gorge – 100m deep Valley of Apes in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda.

The Safari does not leave out the extensive wild game viewing including the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, the leopards, elephants, Buffaloes, Antelopes like Kobs, Topis, and Waterbuck among others.

The Musaze Caves exploration and recreational relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi combine with the above to derive ultimate Africa safari memories.

10 Days Combined Uganda Safari Tour & Rwanda Gorilla Trek Safari With Wildlife Safari – Highlights

Day 1: Drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park and explore the Musaze Caves

Day 2: Undertake gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP and relax at the lodge

Day 3: Explore the Diana Fossey Tomb and research station at Karisoke and cross to Uganda via Chanika border

Day 4: Do golden Monkey tracking and drive to Lake Bunyonyi driving via the fascinating Kisoro – Kabale road.

Day 5: Undertake a morning boat ride and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 6: Undertake a mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & evening relaxation at the lodge

Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Undertake a game drive in Ishasha sector in the south of the park in search of tree climbing lions

Day 8: Undertake a morning game drive in Kasenyi plains and Kazinga Channel boat cruise in the afternoon

Day 9: Undertook the Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge in the morning and drive to Kibale National Park

Day 10: Undertake Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and drive to Kampala

10 Days Combined Uganda Safari Tour & Rwanda Gorilla Trek Safari With Wildlife Safari – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park and Explore the Musaze Caves

You depart your place of stay in Kigali Rwanda to embark on the drive to Volcanoes National Park 116km about 3 hours drive.

The journey offers you magical views of the scenic Rwandan countryside including the rolling hills that have inspired its naming as the land of a thousand hills.

Settle for lunch in Musaze after which you embark on the Musaze Caves exploration. The Musaze Caves are among the historical caves of Rwanda whose formation dates back to 65 million years out of the lava flow from Bisoke and Sabyinyo Volcanoes.

The walk allows you to explore the 2km caves which have 31 entrances with a magical roof top full of bat colony.

The Musaze Caves are noted to have been helpful in the turbulent times as they provided storage for supplies and hiding place. Retire for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation
Up market / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Hotel / Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Lapalme Hotel / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel

Day 2: Undertake Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes NP and Relax at the Lodge

After a good breakfast at your lodge, you gather at the Volcanoes Park Headquarters Kinigi for the gorilla trekking experience.

The encounter commences at 8am in the morning with gorilla family allocation and briefing but an earlier arrival offers you chances of enjoying the magical performances of the Kinyarwanda dance troupe and a self-served warm cup of coffee.

You embark on the hike through the jungle of Volcanoes on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes traversing the challenging landscapes, slippery surfaces, the dense jungle whilst enjoying the impressive bird songs and other jungle sounds.

Your moment with the mountain gorillas is a lifetime exciting memory as you will view them forage, play, socialize, and care for the young among other aspects.

The viewing is limited to one hour for conservation purposes though the entire trekking experience can last from 2 – 8 hours. You return to the lodge for relaxation till dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Up market / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Hotel / Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Lapalme Hotel / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel

Day 3: Explore the Diana Fossey Tomb and Research Station at Karisoke and Cross to Uganda via Chanika Border

Following breakfast at your lodge, you embark on the last activity of your trip – the Dian Fossey hike. It would be profoundly incomplete to explore the gorilla trail of Rwanda without reaching the site of Dian Fossey and pay tribute to her remarkable work in the world of gorilla conservation.

Dian Fossey was an American Primatologist who sacrificed the home luxuries and immersed herself fully in the mountain gorilla research and conservation in the Virunga Mountains till her final demise in 1985.

The site named Karisoke is positioned in between Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke thus the naming and takes about 4 hours to explore.

You retreat from the encounter and embark on the drive to Uganda driving along the magical Virunga Mountain landscape which is a chain of eight Volcanic Mountains arriving in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Up market / Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Travellers Rest Kisoro
Budget / Basic: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp

Day 4: Do Golden Monkey Tracking And Drive to Lake Bunyonyi Driving via The Fascinating Kisoro – Kabale road

After breakfast, you embark on the golden Monkey tracking departing at 8am from Ntebeko visitor centre.

The Golden Monkeys are among the endangered species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list and are known to thrive to thrive in the Virunga massif and the Gishwati Forest National Park in Rwanda.

The golden monkey track lasts 4 hours and involves trekking through the verdant jungle on the slopes of Mount Gahinga including the Bamboo forest where the golden monkeys commonly dwell.

You retreat from the trek and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi 80km about 2 hours driving along the most scenic road stretch in the whole of Uganda. Arrive in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Up market / Luxury: Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
Midrange / Standard: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Budget / Basic: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat

Day 5: Undertake a Morning Boat Ride and Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Undertake a thrilling boat ride on the lake of a thousand Islands as it has been dubbed due to count of 29 Islands that comprise it.

The lake is surrounded by the magical hills of Kigezi and stands as the second deepest in Africa. You interact with the lake surrounding and Island communities as they traverse the lake for fish and connection to and from the main land.

Settle for lunch at the lake after which you embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park driving via the scenic Highlands of Kigezi arriving 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

Day 6: Undertake a Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Evening Relaxation at the lodge

On this day, you will be required to wake up very early in the morning, take your breakfast, pack your lunch, water, cameras, and drive to the Park Headquarters for briefing from the park rangers about the code conduct of gorilla trekking activity.

After the short briefing, you will be divided in groups of 8 individuals and UWA ranger guide will lead you to start the challenging but highly rewarding trek through the impenetrable jungle of Bwindi with its rugged landscape involving steep slopes, valleys, swamps, and rocky areas amidst amazing jungle melodies coming from different bird species which is an interesting experience of its own.

After long distance walk of like 2 – 8 hours, you will finally come across these endangered apes thriving in their ancient natural habitat foraging in group.

You will be given one hour to marvel at the stunning gorillas as they welcome you, interact, take photos of these apes, and finally say bye when your one hour with them is used up.

After that life time experience, you will retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation and overnight

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

Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Undertake a Game Drive in Ishasha Sector in the South of the Park in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

After breakfast, you drive to the north heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you through Ishasha sector to the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park for an extensive game drive in search of tree climbing lions and other wildlife.

The Ishasha Sector is a famous spot in the region where these tree climbing lions are always viewed lying on tree branches in the day time.

The drive also offers possibilities of exploring other wild game including the Uganda Kobs, Water bucks, Elephants among others.

Retreat from the activity and continue on the transfer to the northern sector 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 / Timber Cabins @Marafiki Lodge

Day 8: Undertake a Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise in the Afternoon

You wake up early in the morning and embark on the extensive game drive in the savannah plains of Kasenyi where the magical possible sights of a range of wild game are high.

The activity commences at 7am if you slept outside park and can start earlier for those who would sleep inside.

The game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park presents opportunities for exploring a range of wild game including the Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Side stripped Jackals, the Uganda Kobs, the defassa waterbuck, the Bushbuck among other species.

The park features a count of over 600 bird species making it the number one in Uganda in terms of the bird species count.

The game drive lasts 3 – 4 hours after which you retreat to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you gather at Mweya jetty for the 45km long Kazinga Channel boat cruise departing at 2pm.

The cruise lasts 2 hours and offers possibilities of exploring the aquatic species like Nile crocodiles and Hippos, the range of game drinking on the channel side and the birds as well.

The evening game drive along the channel track is impressive as well and is ideal for the sun set wildlife views in the savannah. Retire for overnight

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

Day 9: Undertook the Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge in the Morning and Drive to Kibale National Park

Connect to Kyambura Gorge after breakfast to catch up with chimpanzee trekking departing at 8am. The activity starts with briefing after which you set off to the jungle in search of the chimpanzees that thrive in the 100m deep gorge with verdant lush tropical forest below sea level.

The magical gorge has been dubbed the Valley of Apes. The Chimpanzee trekking lasts 2 – 5 hours with one hour allocated for your moment with the chimpanzees.

Viewing the chimpanzees as they socialise, forage, munch fruit, make pant hooting calls among others is exciting and would definitely make part of your safari memories.

Retreat from the activity and embark on the 157km about 3 hours drive to Kibale National Park. The drive takes you along the magical sceneries of Rwenzori Mountains and the Ndali – Kasenda crater field before checking in at the lodge relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottage / Ndali Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent / Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse

Day 10: Undertake Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park and Drive to Kampala

After early morning breakfast, embark on the memorable Chimpanzee trekking encounter in the natural habitat of primate Capital of the world – the Kibale Forest National Park.

The Park is proud of 13 primate species including the world endangered species of the Chimpanzees which have been fully habituated increasing the chance of encountering them to 90%.

The chimp trekking encounter in the primates Capital starts at Kanyanchu tourism center at 8:00am local time in the morning and the experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority Park rangers are dedicated to lead you throughout the whole rewarding processes of trekking the Chimps in their natural Habitat.

The trek exposes you to stunning flora, other primate species including black and white colobus monkey and birds before meeting face to face with the chimps.

The Chimpanzees will lure you in a state of amazement as they swing through the branches, make pant hooting calls, play with each other, and imitate your body language along with other features that will make your one full hour with them a memorable experience of its own.

The activity can last 2 – 5 hours after which you transfer to Kampala 326 about 6 – 7 hours drive.

End of the 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Primate & Wildlife Safari

Safari Inclusions

• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)