14 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari

Overview of the 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

The 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari is a detailed gorilla and wildlife encounter in Uganda and Rwanda. The safari incorporates culture and history. Taking you through Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks, the 14 Days Safari brings you closer to primates than ever before with the possibility of encountering the two (2) big apes including gorillas and chimpanzee. It also features the big five of Land animals namely; Rhinos, Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions and Leopards. The safari incorporates the Batwa Culture, a night in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for tree climbing lions, Coffee tour, the recreational encounter on Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Kivu and the historical tours at Gisozi genocide museum in Kigali. The Prime Safaris African home experience in both Uganda and Rwanda offers an authentic touch of the diverse African societies presenting a detailed cultural immersion.

Safari Highlight of the 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport & transfer to the hotel

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route to encounter the 15 southern white Rhinos

Day 3: Do morning game drive and afternoon Nile launch cruise and hike to the top of the falls

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Whole day drive

Day 5: Do chimpanzee trekking in the morning, afternoon Bigodi wetland walk and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 6: Do morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains, afternoon Kazinga Channel launch cruise & evening game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Ishasha sector and do whole day game drive in search of tree climbing lions. Overnight in Ishasha

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do coffee tour en route

Day 9: Do gorilla trekking in the forested hilly landscapes of Bwindi dubbed the Impenetrable and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation

Day 10: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience in Uganda: Whole day authentic encounter in a home of a Mukiga gaining an experiential touch whatever takes place in an ordinary African homestead

Day 11: Do sun rise boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi dubbed the lake of a thousand Islands because of its 29 Islands and transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Day 12: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience in Rwanda. Whole day experiential encounter of the family life in Rwanda

Day 13: Do gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and transfer to Gisenyi – Lake Kivu

Day 14: Transfer to Kigali, visit the Gisozi genocide memorial & depart

Detailed Safari Itinerary of the 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport & transfer to the hotel

Arrive in Uganda following the flight from your respective country of origin. You land at Entebbe International Airport which is the main gateway to Uganda where you will find the company representative dedicated to offer you a courteous welcome. The amazing weather and brightening atmosphere on the shores of Lake Victoria give you a remarkable first impression of Uganda. After briefing about Uganda and the safari, you will connect to the respective hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:
Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge
Budget / Basic: Banda Inns

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route to encounter the 15 southern white Rhinos

After breakfast, you embark on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park covering 311km in around 5 hours’ drive. You branch off at Nakitoma after 115km drive from Kampala diverting from the main road for 7km to Ziwa Rhino Headquarters where you are welcomed and taken to the wild on foot to track the white Rhinos. Here, you have the opportunity to encounter the white Rhinos only here in the whole of Uganda that were reintroduced in the year 2005 following their extinction in the year 1983. Trekking the fifteen (15) southern white Rhinos thriving in their natural savannah thicket of Ziwa Sanctuary while walking past beautiful flora, amazing landscapes and birds present a rewarding encounter that is worth undertaking. It marks the beginning of your moments with the big 5 of land animals. Retreat from the activity and continue on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:
Midrange / Standard: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Safari Tent
Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge

Day 3: Do morning game drive and afternoon Nile launch cruise and hike to the top of the falls

After an early morning cup of tea at the lodge, head to the park for a morning game drive which tend to last 3 – 4 hours exploring the park’s wilderness in detail. The activity is conducted in the northern section of the park which is a common dwelling ground for counts of wildlife including lions, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, elephants, Buffaloes, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribis, Kobs among others. Retreat from the activity back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Paraa Jetty for an afternoon Nile launch cruise departing at 2pm to the bottom of the falls. The boat offers you opportunities of encountering Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and the vulnerable shoebill stork not forgetting other wild game drinking water on the river banks. The stretch to the bottom of the falls and the eventual hike to the top of the falls exposes to the thunderous roar of the Nile River which is the longest in the world as it squeezes its self to pass through a less than 8m ravine forming a plume of spray marked by a trade mark rain bow as it falls 43m below to what has been termed as the Devil’s Cauldron. Retire from the 3 hour activity for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:
Midrange / Standard: Murchison River Lodge – Safari Tent
Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Whole day drive

After your breakfast, embark on the transfer from Murchison Falls National Park via the Albertine Escarpment of the great Western Rift Valley heading southwest to Fort Portal Area 441km about 9 hours’ drive. You drive through impressive countryside landscapes with rural settlements and village towns en route. A lunch stop is made in Hoima which is undergoing rapid growth due to oil discovery in the Albertine graben. You proceed to arrive in Fort Portal the capital of the Tooro kingdom, a warm and beautiful town situated in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon,” (the Rwenzori) for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:
Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent
Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse

Day 5: Do chimpanzee trekking in the morning, afternoon Bigodi wetland walk and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center in Kibale National Park to catch up with Chimpanzee trekking which begins at 8am. The encounter commences with a briefing from the respective park rangers who will be your guides through the activity detailing the conduct of the exercise. After this, you head to the forest in search of the man’s closest relative. The dense forests of Kibale comprise of lush flora with mature trees marked with huge buttress and climbers, impressive bird species including the African Pitta, Afep Pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, White-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Crowned Eagle, Black Bee-eater, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Western Nicator, Little Greenbul, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Brown-chested Alethe, African Grey Parrot, Brown Illadopsis, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Yellow Spotted Nicator, Black-eared Ground Thrush Little Green Bul and Abyssinian Ground-thrush among others. Apart from chimps, Kibale also supports other 12 Primate Species including the threatened red colobus with the highest population thriving in Kibale, the rare I’Hoest’s monkey, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed and blue monkeys, bush baby, olive baboon and potto which may be viewed during the trek. Finally you approach the common chimpanzees which have been fully habituated and thus offering you an opportunity to draw closer to them and take pictures. Viewing them as they munch fruit, swinging in trees, socializing, patrolling, mating and making pant hooting calls may lure you into unforgettable excitement. You have hour availed to you to encounter these precious apes and you are free to take as many photos as you can. Retreat from the activity which tend to last 2 – 5 hours and get back to the starting point where you will rejoin your company safari guide, settle for your packed lunch after which you transfer to Bigodi Wetland for an afternoon eco-walk. The Bigodi wetland is an eco-community initiative offering impressive nature walk in the community controlled wetland which features over 138 species of birds including the famous Great Blue Turaco and a range of hornbills. The swamp also shelters the swamp dwelling sitatunga antelope and other primate species like monkeys with chimpanzees making occasional visit. Retreat from the activity and embark on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 2 – 3 hours drive arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:
Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 6: Do morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains, afternoon Kazinga Channel launch cruise & evening game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge

After an early morning cup of coffee, embark on the game drive in the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park extending to the Kasenyi tracks exploring the park’s unique landscape dotted with counts of wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, water bucks, jackals among others. The activity lasts 3 – 4 hours after which you return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you transfer to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos. The Kazinga Channel which stretches to 45km in length at one time had great concentrations of Hippopotamus in the region which prompted the management to carry out the great Hippo culling of 1960s. You enjoy the view of the Nile crocodiles not forgetting other wild game drinking on the channel shores, Retreat from the 2 hour activity and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:
Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 7: Transfer to Ishasha sector and do whole day game drive in search of tree climbing lions. Overnight in Ishasha

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The sector is a dwelling area for the tree climbing lions and other range of game. Encountering this unique wild game hanging on fig tree branches is a rewarding encounter that you can ever undertake. The stretch to Democratic Republic of Congo boarder is also interesting. The Ishasha sector also has elephants, buffaloes, Kobs, water bucks among other wild game that will occupy you the whole day. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Midrange / Standard: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Budget / Basic: Savannah Resort Hotel

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do coffee tour en route

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Ruhija Gorilla trekking region in particular. En route, you will take time to encounter the local coffee plantations owned by the local people themselves. They will take you through the process of growing coffee, its maintenance and outcomes. This also gives you an opportunity to interact with the locals directly exploring some bit of their traditions. Continue on the drive to arrive in Ruhija in the afternoon for relaxation and preparation for the next day’s gorilla trekking.

Accommodation
Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 9: Do gorilla trekking in the forested hilly landscapes of Bwindi dubbed the Impenetrable and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation

This is a great day that will mark your re-union with your long lost cousins – the mountain gorillas. You gather at the respective park headquarters for briefing in the morning at 8am where you are also allocated the respective gorilla families to track. From here, you head to the forest in the company of the armed ranger guides that will lead you up the gorillas. The walk is beyond the ordinary as it involves traversing the dense jungle whose thickness would at some points necessitate using a machete to make a path, hiking the challenging landscapes some of which are steep and slippery at times under the canopy of the mature forest which forms darkness even during the day. You are treated to the impressive bird songs and beautiful flowers through the experience. The encounter tends to take 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla movements and one hour is availed to you to have a direct touch with the gorillas. Upon approaching gorillas, their reaction is not predictable as it can include them giving you a courteous welcome, minding less about you and charging against you. However, as a result of habituation, Mountain gorillas are always welcoming with the Silverback beating a little of his chest to demonstrate his might and also welcoming to you to the group. The young gorillas are very playful and are at times not aware of the 7m rule thus can try to draw closer to even touching on your body – save it by taking some steps away to observe the distance. You are not limited in any way to ask as many questions about gorillas and their habitats along with taking pictures so long as you have the opportunity to do so. After your one hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point and transfer to the starting point to embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi driving through fascinating Kigezi Highlands which locals apply terracing method to cultivate their slopes deriving impressive scenic landscape. You arrive at Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon for an evening boat ride enjoying the amazing scenic sights of Lake Bunyonyi with 29 Islands before retiring for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Midrange / Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Day 10: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience in Uganda: Whole day authentic encounter in a home of a Mukiga gaining an experiential touch whatever takes place in an ordinary African homestead

Wake up very early and connect to the home of a Mukiga family to catch up with them as they wake up to embark on their daily routine. This is an opportunity to gain an experiential touch of the authentic African homestead mixing up with them according to the respective roles. The man joins the men while the woman joins the women group. Activities include cultivating on the steep slopes of Kigezi Highlands using traditional hoes, fishing on Lake Bunyonyi, brewing of local beer, live stock rearing, traditional food preparation, the art and craft making encounter and the traditional entertainment including music, dance and drama. You enjoy all the meals with the family and settle with them for overnight

Accommodation: Home stay

Day 11: Do sun rise boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi dubbed the lake of a thousand Islands because of its 29 Islands and transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
Undertake an amazing boat ride exploring the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi with its magical 29 Islands that have earned it a dub as the lake of a thousand Islands. The sun rise boat cruise presents a soothing experience amidst fresh air on the Lake. The boat encounter last about 2 - 3 hours after which you embark on the drive to Volcanoes National Park passing through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands and the scenic Kabale – Kisoro road. The journey is 120km about 3 hours drive. Cross via Chanika border and settle at the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel

Day 12: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience in Rwanda. Whole day experiential encounter of the family life in Rwanda

Wake up very early and connect with the family members to embark on the whole day routine of their everyday life. If you are a man, you follow your fellow men and if you are a woman, you follow the women. Rwanda features extensive coffee plantations and tea not forgetting the livestock. The women would do cleaning of the houses and the homestead, cultivating, the preparing food, making of crafts among others while men would go in or activities like Milking, Cultivating, live stock rearing, and construction among others. The experience includes enjoying local cuisine, interaction and storytelling and traditional performances before you eventually settle for another overnight.
Accommodation: Home stay

Day 13: Do gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and transfer to Gisenyi – Lake Kivu

Gather at Volcanoes National Park headquarters Kinigi after breakfast at your place of stay to catch up with briefing at 8am local time. If you arrive early before, you have an opportunity to attend to the impressive Kinyarwanda dance performance and drinking a hot cup of Rwandan coffee till the briefing time. You attend to briefing our respective gorilla groups allocated to you on spot and then embark on the drive to trail heads of each gorilla family. You head to the slopes of the volcanoes in search of these critically endangered apes. You have one hour with them gain at them as they forage, socialize and the silverback demonstrating its manhood. The encounter tends to last 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla movements and the gorilla family allocated to you. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Gisenyi - Lake Kivu 110km about 2 hours’ drive. Arrive on the romantic beaches of Lake Kivu which is the largest lake in Rwanda. You have options of undertaking a sun set boat cruise, swimming or other water sports like wind surfing. Alternatively, you can do sun bathing on the shores. Retire from dinner, relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation:
Midrange / Budget: Paladise Malahide

Day 14: Transfer to Kigali, visit the Gisozi genocide memorial & depart

Following your breakfast at the lodge, embark on the transfer to Kigali city. Upon arrival, you will tour the Gisozi genocide memorial to pay tribute to the counts of Rwandese that lost their lives during the bloody genocide that befell the country in the year 1994. The Gisozi site is a collection of the remains of some of the victims. There is a detailed themed interpretation of the entire genocide occurrence. Retreat from the activity and connect to Kigali International Airport for flight departure

End of the 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari