14 Days Fortnight Safari in Uganda and Rwanda – Overview

14 Days Fort Night Safari in Uganda and Rwanda features key destinations in these two countries. The safari starts at Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport and ends at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport.

The activities include; Gisozi genocide memorial tour, the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes, Island Hopping on Lake Bunyonyi, Wild game viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Park along with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary including the sights of the Big five, whole day Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale National Park – the world’s primate capital and the boat safari along the 45km long Kazinga Channel and River Nile.

14 Days Fortnight Safari in Uganda and Rwanda – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali Rwanda & drive to the Hotel

Day 2: Visit the Gisozi genocide memorial & transfer to Volcanoes National Park in the Ruhengeri

Day 3: Do mountain gorilla trekking & relax at the lodge

Day 4: Do golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park & transfer to Uganda – Lake Bunyonyi

Day 5: Do a sunrise boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi exploring its 29 Islands & then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Day 6: Undertake gorilla trekking in the forested landscapes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & relax at the lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Do Ishasha sector game drive en route in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park to explore the tree climbing lions

Day 8: Do morning game drive / wild game viewing, afternoon launch cruise along the Paradise of Hippos – the 45km long Kazinga Channel & evening game drive along the channel track

Day 9: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Visit the Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa & Ruboni Community en route

Day 10: Do chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale NP dubbed the primate capital of the world for the whole day

Day 11: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Long day drive exploring the scenic countryside

Day 12: Do morning game drive / wild game viewing, afternoon Nile launch cruise & hike to the top of the falls – the world’s powerful waterfall in the world.

Day 13: Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, track white Rhinos on foot and have an overnight stay

Day 14: Drive to Kampala and depart through Entebbe International Airport in the late evening or at night

14 Days Fortnight Safari in Uganda and Rwanda – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali Rwanda & Drive to the Hotel

You arrive at Rwanda’s main gateway – Kigali International Airport from where you are welcomed by the Company representative recognizing your decision to take up the Safari and then travelling with us.

A briefing is made about the destination and the safari as you connect to the Hotel for relaxation and overnight

Accommodation:
Upmarket / Luxury: Hotel des Milles Collines
Midrange / Standard: Hotel Chez Lando
Budget / Basic: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Day 2: Visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in the Ruhengeri

After a relaxed breakfast at your place of stay in Kigali, you embark on the tour to the Kigali genocide museum where the counts of the remains of the Rwandese that lost their lives in the bloody genocide are gathered to commemorate the horrific event that befell this country arising out of an ethnic conflict.

The museum details the cause and effect of this genocide. You retreat from the Museum tour and embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park 116km about 2 – 3 hours drive enjoying the beautiful hills of Rwanda and the local farms before arriving in Ruhengeri in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

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

Day 3: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Relax at The Lodge

Gather at Kinigi ranger post to catch up with briefing commencing at 8am. The early arrival allows you to catch up with a warm cup of coffee as you watch the traditional Kinyarwanda performance going on.

Attend to the briefing by the Park rangers in your respective gorilla families allocated to you after which you embark on the hike in the jungle in search of the endangered apes.

The walk in the Volcanic dense jungle is accompanied by beautiful sights of lovely flora, unique sceneries including the eight Virunga mountain chain and the lakes below, the forest fauna including duikers, birds before approaching the critically endangered mountain gorillas that have thrived in the area for millions of years past.

Explore the gentle giants foraging on their precious shrubs and other edibles, socialize, the silverback demonstrating its might, the young ones play among other interesting aspects.

The entire trek takes 2 – 8 hours with direct viewing limited to one hour for purposes of conservation.

The opportunity is availed to you to take as many photos as possible commemorating your lifetime gorilla safari experience.

You retreat from the activity and relax at the lodge in the whole afternoon. Optional Nature or Community walks can be arranged

Accommodation

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

Day 4: Do Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park & Transfer to Uganda – Lake Bunyonyi

Following breakfast at the lodge, you gather at Kinigi Headquarters again but this time for golden monkey tracking.

The encounter commences at 7am with briefing after which you set out to the forest in search of these endangered ape species.

The golden monkeys are known to be thriving in the Virunga massif and Gishwati Forest National Park in the while world, therefore exploring them in their natural habitats is a maiden opportunity to appreciate their beauty and henceforth contribute to their conservation.

You explore the golden monkeys as they leap from branch to branch, tree to tree, make their interesting chatters with the views of their golden patches.

These species thrive in the Bamboo zone on the foot hills of Mount Sabyinyo which is also an interesting terrain to explore.

The activity lasts about 4 hours after which you will retreat to the starting point and drive to Uganda via the Cyanika border post.

The drive offers you magical sights of the Virunga Volcanoes and the fascinating Kigezi Highlands before arriving at Lake Bunyonyi for evening 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: Do a Sunrise Boat Cruise on Lake Bunyonyi Exploring its 29 Islands & Then Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Lake Bunyonyi features a count of 29 Islands and stands as the second deepest in Africa after Lake Tanganyika. Its exploration at the sun rise is magical and rewarding.

You take a local engine wooden boat ride exploring the lake where you also disembark and take a walk on one or two Islands exploring their heritage and beauty.

From the cruise, you settle for lunch after which you transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the hills of Kigezi with good scenic views.

Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge and preparing for the next day’s active adventure

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

Day 6: Undertake Gorilla Trekking in the Forested Landscapes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & relax at the lodge

You gather at the respective gorilla trekking headquarters for briefing and gorilla family allocation at 8am.

The walk through the jungle is a fascinating one as it involves hiking through the verdant forested hill sides with dense shrubs and high forest canopy, traversing the steep slopes up and down, crossing the streams among other natural features which are quite challenging hence justifying its naming as an Impenetrable forest.

The time with the gorillas is a historical one as you come face to face with these critically endangered apes where only 880 are known to be left in the world with Bwindi alone sheltering a minimum of 400.

The activity commences tend to last 2 – 8 hours and the actual moment with the gorillas is limited to one hour for conservation reasons.

Exploring the gentle giants with their shy faces, gigantic bodies, dense fur and silver patch for the adult males is exciting and memorable.

Retire from the activity and connect back to the lodge 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 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Do Ishasha Sector Game Drive En-route in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park to Explore The 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: Do Morning Game Drive / Wild Game Viewing, Afternoon Launch Cruise Along The Paradise of Hippos – the 45km Long Kazinga Channel & Evening Game Drive Along The Channel Track

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: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Visit the Rwenzori Art foundation – the Only Bronze Casting Center in Africa & Ruboni Community En-route

After a relaxed breakfast, you embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park 157km about 2 – 3 hours drive excluding stops en route.

However, this drive is beyond a mere transfer. You make a stop on the foot hills of the Rwenzori Mountains – the legendary snowcapped Mountains of the moon as described by the ancient Greek geographer Ptolemy in 150AD.

The mountain offers magical scenic wonders suitable for sightseeing. On its foothills, you visit the Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa featuring counts of beautiful sculptures in the gallery with an opportunity for your to also participate in the casting process.

From the art foundation, you visit the Ruboni Community which is comprised of the Bakonjo tribe who have lived here for the last 300 years with rich culture and heritage.

The community walk enables you to explore the community way of life, the Black smith, the local craft center among others.

You retreat from the encounter and continue on the drive to Kibale National Park for evening 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: Do Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale NP Dubbed The Primate Capital of The World For The Whole Day

You gather at the tourism center at Kanyanchu at 6am for briefing and eventual set off for the habituation experience.

The early set off enables you to catch up with the Chimpanzees as they leave their nests for hunting and feeding.

The whole day habituation is a detailed encounter that will allow to explore the chimpanzee munch fruit, hunt, the patrol, socialize, do mating, make pant hooting calls among other behavioural features until they build up new nests for sleeping at about 7pm.

The day encounter presents possibilities of exploring other primates like Olive Baboons, the Black and White Colobus, Vervet Monkeys among others no forgetting forest antelopes like duikers and a range of birds. Retire from the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse / Kibale Forest Camp
Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
Camping at Kanyanchu River Camp

Day 11: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Long Day Drive Exploring The Scenic Countryside

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park 441km about 9 hours drive driving along the impressive countryside landscapes of Kagadi, Hoima and Masindi with the views of Albertine rift at a distance.

Arrive in Murchison Falls National Park in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Baker’s Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge
Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge / Fort Murchison (Tent)
Wild Camping

Day 12: Do Morning Game Drive / Wild Game Viewing, Afternoon Nile Launch Cruise & Hike to The top of the Falls – The World’s Powerful Waterfall in the World

The rolling open savannah stretches of Murchison Falls National Park welcome you in this early morning to offer the true wonders of the wild.

The game drive in Murchison is a magical wonder where the herds of elephants and Buffaloes spread in the open landscape for grazing, the towering necks of the Rothschild Giraffes – the world’s tallest mammal stretching to pick the leaves of the scattered acacia, the brownish color of the antelopes including the Kobs, Oribis, Waterbucks, Jackson’s Hartebeest standing slightly above the tall savannah grassland while the Carnivores including the lions roaming in search of their delicious natural given food.

The activity lasts 3 – 4 hours after which you connect back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. You gather at Paraa Jetty in the afternoon, for the boat departing at 2pm to the bottom of the falls.

The 2 hour launch cruise on the world’s longest Nile River is very magical with possible sights of aquatics like Nile crocodiles, the Hippos, water birds like Shoebill stork along with the grazers on the banks drinking water.

You disembark from the boat upon reaching the bottom of the falls hiking along the narrow path following the course of the Nile River as it clashes its head on the ancient impermeable rocks.

The sights and sounds of the Nile River passing through a less than 7m ravine falling 43m below to what has been termed as the Devils Cauldron forming a thunderous roar marked by a trade mark rainbow. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight. ‘

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Bakers Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Safari Tent / Pakuba Safari Lodge / Fort Murchison
Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge

Day 13: Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, track white Rhinos on foot and have an overnight stay

Embark on the drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 129km about 2 hours drive passing through the verdant forest reserve of Budongo which is among the mature tropical forests in East Africa before approaching the urban environs of Masindi, the water shed channel of River Kafu and eventually Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Upon arrival, you embark on the White Rhino tracking that are known to exist only at this point in the whole of Uganda.

They were re-introduced in 2005 following their extinction in 1983. Exploring these giants listed among the Big five is magical and worth exploring.

An optional shoebill canoe paddle to Rugogo swamp can be arranged as well. Retreat from the activity and retire to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Amuka Lodge

Day 14: Drive to Kampala and depart through Entebbe International Airport in the late evening or at night

Following a relaxed breakfast, embark on the drive to Kampala 176km enjoying the savannah stenches of Nakasongora with possible sights of Ankole long horned cattle.

You can drive around Kampala city, do some shopping and then connect to Entebbe International Airport 40km for your departure flight back home.

End of the 14 Days Fort Night Safari in Uganda and Rwanda

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)