10 DAYS UGANDA CONGO SAFARI TRIP, CHIMPANZEES, GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA & RWANDA, WILDLIFE VIEWING TOUR

Arrive in Rwanda – Kigali International Airport and transfer to the hotel for relaxation and overnight

Accommodation

Midrange: Flame Tree Hotel

Luxury: Hotel Mille Collines

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Kigali after which you undertake Kigali city tour exploring the historical landscapes including the Kigali genocide memorial at Gisozi to gain an insight of what transpired in the 1994 genocide, Kigali markets, the art studio and other impressive city features after which you transfer to Goma Congo crossing the border in the afternoon. The views of the hills of Rwanda are fascinating before being welcomed by the resort town of Gisenyi on Lake Kivu and the great chain of Virunga Volcanoes.

Accommodation

Midrange: Hotel Ihusi Goma

Luxury: Mikeno Lodge

Gather at the designated point depending on the location of the Mountain Gorillas and embark on the trek traversing the jungle of Congo in search of the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas. Virunga National Park is part of the greater Virunga massif which incorporates Rwanda’s Volcanoes and Uganda’s Mgahinga sheltering a population of 480 Mountain Gorillas. The moment with the gorillas is limited to one (1) hour after which you retreat from the activity and transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation

Midrange: Hotel Paladis Malahide

Luxury: Serena Resort Lake Kivu

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer to Uganda passing through the scenic Virunga Volcanoes – the chain of eight volcanoes straddling from Uganda through Rwanda to Democratic Republic of Congo.  You cross at Chanica border, drive through Kisoro town and proceed to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation

Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp

Luxury: Haven Lodge Buhoma

Settle for breakfast and depart the lodge at 7am driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park 218km from Ruhija and 160km from Buhoma.  The 2-hour game drive will be made in Ishasha sector to the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park in search of the famous tree climbing lions and other wild game. Its an amazing experience viewing and taking photos of the Lions lying comfortably on the branches of trees overlooking their prey down in the plains. Proceed to upper Queen and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge

Accommodation

Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodge

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe rooms

The entire day is dedicated to game viewing in the Serengeti. Predators include lions, leopards (in the acacia trees) and cheetahs are seeing in this great park. During the short rainy season in November and December the herds move from the hills in the north to the plains in the south. During the longer rainy season from April to June they return up central heading west. As the migration is completely dependent on the yearly rainfalls, the location of the herds may vary from year to year.

After a full day wandering through the Serengeti central plains, you will head back to you camp for evening leisure and hot dinner.

Accommodation: Kati Kati Tented Camp (Full Board) Midrange

Settle for breakfast at 6:30am and transfer to the park to start at the game drive at 7am. The savannah plains of Kasenyi sector offers incredible chances of viewing a range of wild game including four of the Big five namely; Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions & Buffaloes, other wild game such as Defassa waterbucks, spotted hyena, Topis among others. The game drive lasts 3 – 4 hours.  Drive to Mweya peninsular for hot lunch at Tembo restaurant before gathering at Mweya jetty for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat ride departing at 2pm. The majestic Kazinga Channel boat cruise lasts for 2 hours offering good recreational moments, likely views of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, bird species on the shores and wild game drinking on the shores. From the boat, you do an evening game drive along the channel track for more wild game viewing possibilities.

Accommodation

Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodge

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe rooms

Depart the lodge at 7am after breakfast for Kibale National Park 157km about 3 hours’ drive enjoying the views of Rwenzori Mountains dubbed the legendary Mountains of the moon.  Gather at Kanyanchu Tourism centre at 2pm for an afternoon Chimpanzee trekking experience traversing the forest for 2 – 5 hours with incredible sights of lush flora, beautiful birds (375 bird species) and other primate species (13 primates thrive in Kibale). You spend one hour with Chimpanzees, view them as they forage and socialize which is also a good moment for photoshoots. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation

Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp – en suite Safari tent

Luxury:  Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages

Settle for breakfast after which you transfer to Kampala enjoying the views of the countryside landscapes. Optional activities in Fort Portal area before transferring to Kampala include; the visit to Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves for heritage experience and the hike to the Fort Portal crater field with incredible sights of various explosion crater lakes and hollows or engage in cycling in Mpanga Tea estates.

Accommodation:

Midrange: Cassia Lodge

Luxury: Speke Resort Munyonyo

Explore the source of River Nile – the world’s longest River but the journey that takes you there is beyond the ordinary.  It involves the visit to the scenic Ssezibwa Falls which also has a rich cultural attachment to the Kingdom of Buganda and a forest walk in Mabira Forest Walk – the largest central forest reserve in Uganda. Upon arrival in Jinja, you take up a boat ride to the source of the Nile exploring the site where the Nile River marks its 90 days journey to the Mediterranean Sea through the tropics and the great Sahara Desert.

End of the 10 Days Uganda Congo Safari Trip