The 7 days safari in Uganda and Rwanda offers the best of Rwanda golden monkey tracking, double gorilla trekking experience and also a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi. Explore the wonders of Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on foot, enjoy up close and personal moment with the great apes in their natural habitat. This trip also takes you on a memorable Kigali city excursion –visit the recently UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the city and local markets, craft centers, etc.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Kigali city tour & transfer to Volcanoes National Park by road
Day 3: Golden monkey tracking experience Rwanda & travel to Bwindi
Day 4: Gorilla trekking Bwindi experience
Day 5: Gorilla trekking Bwindi experience
Day 6: Bwindi- Lake Bunyonyi, a traditional canoe ride
Day 7: Drive back to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
On arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), get a warm welcome into Rwanda from our company representative. After, drive to Kigali city approximately 13km away from the airport. Have ample time to relax at the pre-booked hotel facility in Kigali city.
Overnight stay
- Luxury: The Retreat/Serena Hotel Kigali
- Midrange: Five to Five Hotel Kigali
- Budget: Sweet Stay Guesthouse Kigali
Day 2: Kigali city tour & transfer to Volcanoes National Park by road
Early morning, leave your hotel property for a short city tour in Kigali capital –one of the world’s cleanest and safest cities. You will be visiting the UNESCO designated site –Kigali memorial site, local market –Kimironko and craft shops. After the city excursion, settle for a leisurely lunch at the hotel or restaurant then head off to Volcanoes National Park, 2-3 hours’ drive.
Volcanoes National Park is found in Ruhengeri, Northwestern Rwanda and is where you can find both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in the wild. This is a 160sq.km park and is a major habitat to also 200 species bird species.
Overnight stay
- Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Midrange: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/5 Volcanoes Hotel
- Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 3: Golden monkey tracking experience Rwanda & travel to Bwindi
A hefty breakfast will be offered to you while at the lodge and after, assemble at the park offices at Kinigi to get briefed about golden monkey tracking. It will be during this session when you will also be allocated the park guide to lead you on a trek to see golden monkeys. The golden monkey trek takes a shorter time of about 2-4 hours depending on your speed of walking and location of golden monkey troops.
On locating a troop of these charming creatures, you will have a maximum of 1 hour to have a face-to-face encounter and taking pictures. After the close encounter, begin walking back to the lodge, have early lunch and later set off to Bwindi National Park. Katuna/Chanika border will be your access point to Southwestern Uganda and then you proceed to Bwindi.
Overnight stay
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 4: Gorilla trekking Bwindi experience
After breakfast, you will be collected by your driver guide and transferred to briefing area (Buhoma). Have insight into the safety guidelines to be followed while on gorilla trek in Bwindi and also the gorilla family to visit. Leave Buhoma briefing area for actual trek with mountain gorillas, an adventure that will run for 2-6 hours but inclusive of an hour for you to observe how these apes behave and taking pictures.
From the gorilla trek, get back and have quality time at the lodge till evening when you will depart for a cultural experience at the Batwa pygmies’ community.
Overnight stay
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 5: Gorilla trekking Bwindi experience
Get up early, have breakfast and later join the rest of the guests for briefing. Today being your 2nd day, expect to visit the different gorilla family in Buhoma with the lead of an experienced park guide. Your actual trek starts at 8:00am and on locating a family assigned to you, you will have one hour to enjoy a face-to-face interaction with the rare mountain gorillas.
Overnight stay
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 6: Bwindi- Lake Bunyonyi, a traditional canoe ride
After a delicious breakfast, you will be exiting Bwindi for Lake Bunyonyi. This freshwater Lake is composed of 29 islands and you will have the best of a traditional canoe ride with a local guide onboard. The canoe ride comes with mesmerizing views of landscapes and bird sightings. Later in the evening, you may opt for a relaxed stay at the lodge, swimming or visit the nearby local community.
Overnight stay
- Luxury: Birdnest
- Midrange: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 7: Drive back to Kigali
After breakfast, you will leave Lake Bunyonyi Southwestern Uganda for Kigali. Drive through Kabale while enjoying the scenic terraced hills and connect to Rwanda via Katuna border.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Golden monkey/gorilla permits
- All meals & accommodation
- Transport
- Trip activities
- Driver/guide services
- Bottled water
Exclusions
- Tips
- Airfares
- Souvenirs
- Telephone expenses
- Extra hotel fees
- Travel Insurance