RWANDA UGANDA SAFARI
Explore Summary
-
1
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport
Welcome to the Land of A thousand Hills. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our experienced safari guides who will transfer you to your Hotel for the rest of the day and overnight. At check in, you will be briefed about your safari and what to expect, the safari do’s and don’ts. Overnight at your Hotel. Bed and Breakfast ❖ The Heaven Boutique Hotel for Budget ❖ Mille Collines Hotel for Midrange ❖ Serena Hotel Kigali for Upmarket
-
2
Day 2: Kigali City tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel for a half day Kigali city tour. The tour is inclusive of a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and Museum to learn more about the 1994 genocide era, Nyamata genocide Church, local markets and so on. Later have Lunch and then depart for Volcanoes National Park. the journey will offer you with beautiful mountainous and green countryside from which the name of “The Land of a thousand hills” was depicted. Dinner and overnight at your Lodge. Full Board ❖ Davinci Lodge for Budget ❖ Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for Midrange ❖ 5 Volcanoes Lodge for Upmarket
-
3
Day 3: Golden Monkeys and Community Visit
Morning visit Volcanoes National Park for Golden Monkey tracking, these endangered monkey species are found within the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Unlike the Gorillas, Golden monkey trekking will not take long and are easily located. Afternoon enjoy a community walk at Red Rock Initiative. Overnight stay your lodge. Full board ❖ Davinci Lodge for Budget ❖ Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for Midrange ❖ 5 Volcanoes Lodge for Upmarket
-
4
Day 4: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park (Batwa Experience) and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
National Park Breakfast in the morning and embark on your journey to the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Batwa cultural experience in Mgahinga National Park. You will have a morning session of Batwa forest dwellers as they will take you through there early days when they were still sharing the forest with Gorillas and other animals before it was gazetted into a National Park. Afterwards will continue to Bwindi National Park. The park is well known for being a habitat to the biggest number of endangered species of Mountain Gorillas. Check in at your Lodge for resting, dinner and overnight at your Lodge. Full Board. ❖ Ichumbi Lodge for Budget ❖ 4 Gorillas Lodge for Midrange ❖ Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge - for Upmarket
-
5
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The day is finally here for your unforgettable life time experience of meeting face to face with the giant mountain Gorillas. You will start your day with an early breakfast at your lodge and then transfer to the park headquarters (Depending on which location you have booked your accommodation) for briefing. There are 4 sectors in which Gorilla trekking takes place with in Bwindi Forest. The northern side of the park is comprised of Buhoma and Ruhija Sector and the southern side comprised of Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. After Briefing, you will start on your day’s trek. Searching for the gorillas may take like 2-5hrs depending on where they were last spotted the previous day. Once they have been spotted, you will be given one hour to take videos, photos and also get a chance to ask the rangers and the guides any questions about these giant apes. Besides the great Apes, the forest is also a home to other wildlife and bird species such as butterflies, primates, mammals, frogs and so on which all can be seen along the way to the Gorillas. After seeing the Gorillas, you will then head back to your lodge and retire for the rest of the day. The whole day activity can take between 5 to 9hrs. Packed Lunch and hiring porters are highly recommended. If time permits, take an evening community walk around Rushaga. Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge. Full Board ❖ Ichumbi Lodge for Budget ❖ 4 Gorillas Lodge for Midrange ❖ Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge - for Upmarket
-
6
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Approx. 6 Hours)
Morning breakfast and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Park is one of country’s best wildlife National parks with over 600 bird species, mammals like Lions, Leopards, elephants, buffaloes and so many others. Will have a short game drive in Ishasha Sector in search for tree climbing lions and later check in at your lodge in the evening for dinner and Overnight on Full Board ❖ Twin lakes Safari Lodge for Budget ❖ Buffalo Safari lodge for Midrange ❖ Elephant Plains Lodge - for Upmarket
-
7
Day 7: Game drive and Boat ride along the Kazinga channel
After an early morning breakfast, depart for your morning game drive in Kasenyi areas. Look out for wildlife animals such as Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Elephants, Antelopes, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Bushbucks and so on. Lunch and in the afternoon set out for the launch cruise along the Kazinga channel. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is a home to one of Africa’s largest hippo populations and bird species. this 3hrs boat cruise will enrich you with views of the water loving animals such as Hippos, Elephants, Buffalos, Crocodiles and other antelopes as we as bird species. Return to your Lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay. Full Board ❖ Twin lakes Safari Lodge for Budget ❖ Buffalo Safari lodge for Midrange ❖ Elephant Plains Lodge - for Upmarket
-
8
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – Bigodi and crater lakes
Morning breakfast and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. The Forest is also a home to over 325 bird species including the rare Green Breasted Pitta. You will visit the Kasenda craters. Take a short hike to the ‘Top of the World’ view point where you are able to see a lot of the small crater lakes with in this region. Proceed and also visit the spectacular Lake Nyinambuga from which the lake shown on the 20.000 Uganda shilling note was depicted. If time permits you may also visit Bigodi swamp also known as Magombe swamp a haven for birds and other primates. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay on Full board ❖ Isunga Lodge for Budget ❖ Turaco Tree Tops lodge for Midrange ❖ Primates Lodge - for Upmarket
-
9
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters ay Kanyanchu for a 30-40mins briefing and get to know more about the chimpanzees and their ways of living with in the forest. After this, you will then embark on your journey to search for these primates through the forest. On spotting the chimps, you are only given one Hour to be with them as you take videos and pictures. Along the way other primate species can be spotted such as the LHoest’s Monkeys, Red tailed Monkeys, Blue Vervet Monkeys, and Black & White colobus Monkeys among others. Other animals that can be seen are Forest Elephants, Buffalos and a lot of bird species. After the tracking, return to your Lodge for resting for the rest of the day. Dinner and overnight stay. Full board. ❖ Isunga Lodge for Budget ❖ Turaco Tree Tops lodge for Midrange ❖ Primates Lodge - for Upmarket
-
10
Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe
After your morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Entebbe to catch up with your evening flight on wards. Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations
Extras and Tips
SAFARI TIPS
While planning an East African Safari can seem like a daunting task, it doesn't have to be! Take the stress out of the experience with this helpful summary of the key things you need to think about before you jet off. Once you have all of them covered, you can sit back, relax, and look forward to your safari adventure.
Note: While this is a general guide to vaccinations required for your East African safari, you should always visit your doctor before your departure to obtain the best advice. A pre-trip health check and discussion of what vaccines are necessary for you, as well as how to deal with any unique health concerns, is imperative for a safe and enjoyable safari.
Clothing
On an East African safari, you should go for comfort and convenience when it comes to your clothing. Some of the things you should remember, include:
- Bring lightweight layers in both long and short lengths, plus socks, sleepwear, and swim wear.
- Always take a sweater or fleece jacket, as it can get quite chilly at night and during early mornings.
- Unless you're planning to trek, bulky hiking boots are rarely necessary. However, a comfortable pair of lightweight trainers are a must.
- Don't forget a hat, as you'll want to protect your face and scalp from the equatorial sun.
- It's not recommended to wear bright colors on safari, so consider buying some khaki, dark green, or darker colored clothes before your trip.
Passports & Visas
A full passport with at least six-month validity from the date of departure is generally required for travel. It is recommended that travelers contact the relevant Consulate/Embassy prior to travel for current visa requirements.
Applying for a ugandan Visa
NEW VISA REQUIREMENT: From 01 January 2021 all visitors requiring a visa to enter Kenya will need to apply for an e-visa online, in advance before leaving their country or boarding the aircraft. No Visas will be issued on arrival in Kenya.
Click this link for more information about how to apply: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
$50 USD application fee
Applying for an East African Visa
One of the greatest things to happen to East African tourism over the past few years is the introduction of the East African visa. This visa allows you access to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, and it's not only a time saver, but it also works out considerably cheaper than purchasing individual visas.
To apply for the East African Visa, you'll need the following: A passport with at least six months validity, one standard sized passport photograph, and a completed application form.
Tip: It's important that you apply for the East African visa with the country from which you will begin your travels. The visa will be valid for 90 days from the date marked in your passport.
Cancellation Policy
In the event of written cancellation, the following forfeiture of the programme cost will be assessed based on the number of days prior to programme departure that the cancellation was received:
- 90-60 days prior 20% of the programme cost
- 59-30 days prior 50% of the programme cost
- 29 days or less 100% of the programme cost
