22 Days Best of Uganda and Rwanda Safaris

The 22 Days - Uganda and Rwanda safaris takes you through Uganda and Rwanda, discovering the two countries, the Pearl of Africa – Uganda and the land of a Thousand Hills –where you will find the authentic Africa as you imagined it but only better on one of our Safaris. Expect to see the animals of the savannahs like lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, leopard among others and up to 16 primate species, including the rare mountain gorillas and chimpanzees within our tropical rain forest.
The safari also gives you an idea on historical, cultural and religious among other! The takes you to most of interesting places, day to day program: Buganda (Kampala City Tour), Busoga, Bunyoro, Bugisu and whilst the Karamojong can be visited too especially the IK group of people Near Kidepo National park. You can also combine this trip with visiting the National parks of your choice near these cultural sites. Take your memory with what you have seen back home and tell your story. 
The safari brings you to the most important and well known places and national parks of Uganda including the home of the rare mountain gorillas: Jinja, the source of the Nile. Sipi Falls, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Gisenyi (Lake Kivu), Nyungwe National park and Kigali city.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Entebbe – Airport transfer

On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to Kampala for an overnight) on Bed and Breakfast BB
Distance: 10km (15minutes drive)
Medium accommodation: Boma Entebbe /Karibu lodge (BB)
High accommodation: No.5 Boutique Hotel / Marriott Entebbe (BB)

Day 2: Entebbe – Jinja (Source of the River Nile)

Today, after your breakfast, you will drive eastwards to the source of the River Nile, on the way visit Ssezibwa Falls (Ssezibwa Falls, where the legend narrates of the presence of the spirits of the traditional religion, including spirit of water (Mukasa), of hunting (Ddungu), of the rainbow (Musone) and fertility), Mabira tropical rain forest and later proceed to Jinja, town on the shores of Lake Victoria, discovered by J. Speke in 1864. Dinner and overnight your hotel/lodge 
Distance:  120 km (about 3 hours)
Medium range accommodation: 2Friends Jinja (FB) 
High range accommodation: lodge/ Haven Jinja (FB)
Top end accommodation: Whitewater (on request)

Day 3: Jinja (Source of the River Nile)

Today, after your breakfast, optional activities:  For the water sports and nature lovers, not to miss the opportunity  of the white water rafting along river Nile which is one of the most exciting and safest experience. For those not interested in white water experience can choose among other activities like horse riding, “quad” riding, boat trips on the Nile, mountain bike cycling …. Dinner and overnight 
Reminder:  for some of the optional activities like white water rafting, horse riding, “quad” riding, boat trips on the Nile, mountain bike cycling, we advise to book in advance the optional activities above mentioned. 

Day 4: Source of the River Nile- Mt Elgon National Park (Sipi falls)

After your breakfast at the source of the River Nile, for the water lover and adventure, you can enjoy the safest while water rafting on the Victoria Nile or set off for Kapchorwa district where Sipi Falls is located.  Sipi falls is a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border, after lunch, you can relax or hike to the Sipi waterfalls or go for guided walks around the Sipi village to see and learn about the culture of the people.

Distance:  282 km (about 4 hours)
Medium range accommodation: Rafiki Sipi lodge /Sipi Resort (FB)
High accommodation: Sipi River lodge (FB)

Day 5: Sipi Falls – Moroto - Karamoja

Today, we depart the stunning views of Sipi Falls; start the journey to Moroto; through the semi-arid land of Karamoja region. Our journey takes us the off the road track experience by going through one the unique tribes, hopping for a market day to visit the tribes. It’s a very remote area with a scenic reserve, local people, markets in the most untouched area and remote village set up as the highlights. The region is mostly a semi-arid plain with harsh climate and low annual rainfall. It is largely savannah, covered with seasonal grasses, thorned plants, and occasional small trees. The region of Karamoja extends over 27,900 square kilometers. 
Distance:  175 km (about 4 hours)
Medium accommodation: Kara Tunga lodge / Moroto hotel (FB)

Day 6: Karamoja (Moroto) - Cultural visit day

After a wonderful breakfast you will proceed to explore the culture and people of Karamoja through the facilitation of local cooperation projects. Karamoja has a cattle culture and the Karamojong are notorious as cattle raiders. Unlike most other Ugandans, many Karamojong shun western-style clothes and instead wear “traditional” dress of a blanket -like shawl, often in red and black. The women wear elaborate beadwork. Expect a visit to Lopotuk villages, the youth centre where you can request to see local performances of music and dance.

Medium range accommodation: Kara Tunga lodge / Moroto hotel (FB)

Day 7: Karamoja (Moroto) - Kidepo Valley National

After an early morning breakfast you will embark on your journey Northwards via Kaabong and Kotido to reach Kidepo Valley National Park which is one of the few unspoilt wild places left in Africa. The region is characterized by mountains, hills and valleys and the park is a haven of different species of birds and animals.

Medium accommodation: Kidepo Savannah lodge,
High: Adere Safari lodge 
High End accommodation: Apoka Lodge

Day 8: Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast experience the exclusive game drives in park and expects to explore the region of the river Narus valley.  For additional experience, visit to the local Karamojong homestead or “manyattas” can be organized on request. Dinner and overnight at your lodge

Day 9: Kidepo - Murchison Falls National Park

After your breakfast, drive to Murchison Falls national park one of the country’s biggest national parks. Arrive in time for dinner and overnight at your Lodge.  

Distance:  486 km (about 11 hours)
Medium range accommodation: Murchison River / Pakuba lodge / Fort Murchison (FB)
High range accommodation: Paraa safari/ Baker’s lodge (FB)
High End accommodation: Nile Safari lodge (FB)

Day 10:  Murchison Falls National Park

Today, experience the morning game drive in these savannah national park  and expect some of the animals like elephants, buffalos, giraffes, waterbucks, oribis, bushbucks, among other if lucky lions, spotted hyenas and leopards. In the afternoon, take a 3 hours boat cruise on Victoria Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls. Expect to encounter some of the animal like hippos, crocodiles, variety of water birds species.

Day 11: Murchison Falls– Kibale National Park

After breakfast, depart the National Park heading southwest along the Lake Albert and Rift Valley escarpment, with breathtaking panoramic sceneries, visit the Old Fort Butiaba and arrive Hoima the capital town of Bunyoro kingdom, one of the oldest in Uganda. Afterward, proceed to Kibale National Park via Fort Portal, the capital town of Tooro kingdom which lies on the shadow of Rwenzori Mountains, the biggest mountain range in Africa. Dinner and overnight at hotel on Full Board
 
Distance:  280 km (about 5 hours)
Medium range accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp/ Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (FB)
High range accommodation: Kyaninga lodge / Ndale Lodge /Primates Lodge (FB)

Day 12 - Kibale National Park

Today after your very early, depart for Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, this is a lifetime experience that allows accompany Kibale’s researchers and habituation at chimpanzee during their daily activities, thereby getting used to human presence without changing their natural. During your tour, expect coming across the chimps de-nesting (in their nocturnal nests)

Day 13: Kibale National Park - Semuliki Valley National Park - Fort Portal

Drive to Semuliki Valley National Park; visit the Sempaya Hot Springs, on the way back, proceed to Amabere for the waterfalls and cave. 

Distance:  90 km (about 3 hours)
Medium accommodation: Rwenzori view guesthouse (FB)
High accommodation: Kyaninga lodge / Mountains of the Moon Hotel (FB)

Day 14: Fort Portal - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Transfer to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. On our way we pass the equator. Drive to Katwe fishing village, visit the local mining and arrive your lodge in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your lodge 
 
Distance:  160 km (about 3 hours)
Medium range accommodation: Kasenyi game lodge/ Bush lodge (FB)
High range accommodation: Elephant Plains / Mweya Safari Lodge (FB)

Day 15: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early morning game drives experience in  the national park, with aim of seeing animal like  elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, Ugandan kobs, and if lucky  lion and leopard . In the afternoon, take the most exciting 2 hours boat cruise on Kazinga channel, one of the most popular sites in Uganda for its concentration of wildlife and bird. Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 16: Queen Elizabeth National Park Mweya – Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, drive through the National Park to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for tree climbing lions. After lunch, game drive in search of the tree climbing lions.  
 
Distance:  120 km (about 3 hours)
Medium range accommodation: Enjojo Lodge / Ishasha Jungle lodge (FB)
High range accommodation: Ishasha wilderness (FB)

Day 17: Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth- Bwindi National Park

Early morning game drives in search of the tree climbing lions; afterwards we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable. Today transfer will depend on the location of the gorilla permits and road conditions. 

Distance:  90 km to Buhoma sector (about 2hours)/ 200 km (about 5hours)
Medium accommodation: Buhoma / Rushaha Gorilla lodge (FB)
High accommodation: / Mahogany spring / Buhoma lodge/ Leisure Gorilla (FB)
Top end accommodation:  Gorilla Forest Camp/ Cloud lodge (on request)

Day 18: Bwindi National Park

Today, the activity starts at 8am and you will follow the ranger guides in a group of maximum 8 people as you search for the habituated family of mountain gorillas, which was allocated according to the permits. Bwindi forest in Uganda has a population of about 370 gorillas, which is half the world population according to 2007 gorilla population surveys. It is not predictable the time you will spend to encounter the gorillas.

Day 19: Bwindi – Volcanoes National Park

After your breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. On the way visit a pygmy village and later proceed to arrive in the evening.

Distance:  130 km (about 4hours)
Medium  accommodation: La Palme / Virunga hotel (FB)
High Budget: Mountain Gorilla view lodge
High End accommodation: Virunga lodge / Sanbinyo Silver back lodge (on request) (FB)

Day 20: Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you can either make a nature walk in the National Park, climb a volcano or visit Dian Fossey’s Grave.  For those interested in gorilla tracking in Rwanda have to inform us in advance for arrangement.

Day 21: Volcanoes National Park -Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)

After your breakfast, we drive to Gisenyi, town located at the shore of the Lake Kivu.  It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Evening will be at pleasure.
Distance:  62 km (about 1hour)
Medium accommodation: Palm Garden Hotel / Paradise Malahide / Virunga hotel (FB)
High accommodation: Serena Lake Kivu (FB)

Day 22: Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) – Kigali - Departure

After breakfast transfer to Kigali, depending on your flight scheduled, proceed to Kigali International airport for your flight back

Distance:  152 km (about 4 hours) 
Note: Accommodations shall be based on client selection (luxury, Medium or low budget.

TOUR COST is per person sharing

The tariff includes:

Airport transfers
Full board accommodation with meals mentioned     
Ground transportation in modified safari car 
English speaking Driver/Guide
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
Entrance fees to the national park and other sites on the itinerary
Local government taxes

The tariff does not include:

Air ticket.
Tourist insurance health insurance
Entrance visas: Uganda and Rwanda 100 USD directly at the Airport and border crossing point 
Optional activities, 
Personal natures and tips