15 Days Uganda Congo Safari Trip, Chimpanzees, Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Viewing Tours, Mount Nyirangongo Hike

Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport amidst the soothing fresh breeze from the mighty Victoria Lake; the largest lake in Africa and the world’s second largest fresh water lake. You are welcomed by our representative who will then transfer you to the respective hotel for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation

Midrange: Boma Hotel Entebbe

Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe

After breakfast at 6:30am, drive to Murchison Falls National Park 311km from Kampala about 5 hours’ drive excluding stops en route enjoying good views of the flat stretches of Nakasongora district. A stop will be made at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 7km off the main road at Nakitooma to track the southern white Rhinos which only thrive here in the whole of Uganda following their re-introduction in 2005. The Rhino trek lasts about 2 hours exploring the members of the Big five family, settle for lunch at Kabalega dinner before proceeding on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation       

Midrange / Standard:  Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Safari Tent

Luxury / Up market:  Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe rooms

Depending on where you spent the previous night, you start the game drive between 6am – 7am in the northern sector of the park for 3 – 4 hours. The exciting game drive offers possibilities of exploring a range of wild game including Jackson’s Hartebeest, Rothschild Giraffes, Elephants, Buffalos, Lions, Leopard, Uganda Kob, Oribis among others. Settle for lunch and at 2pm, you gather for an afternoon Nile launch cruise departing at Paraa Jetty.  The recreational launch cruise offers incredible possible sights of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, a range of birds such as the vulnerable shoebill stork and the wild game drinking on the shores.   You are welcomed by the world’s most powerful water fall which you will follow the course on foot. You dis embark from the boat and take up this adventure hike viewing the mighty Nile River – world’s longest squeezing itself to pass through a less than 7m ravine before falling 43m below the Devil’s Cauldron forming a plume of spray marked with a trade mark rainbow.  You connect with your guide at the top of the falls and then drive to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation      

Midrange / Standard:  Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Safari Tent

Luxury / Up market:  Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe rooms

Transfer after breakfast to Kibale National Park 366km about 8 hours’ drive exploring the scenic rural landscapes of Hoima and Kagadi.  A hot lunch stop will be made in Hoima and you will arrive in Kibale in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation

Midrange / Standard:  Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent

Luxury / Up market:   Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the incredible safari activities in Uganda and Kibale National Park dubbed the Primate capital of the world has the best Chimp sightings in the whole of Africa. Briefing commences at 8am at Kanyanchu Tourism centre after which you follow the established forest trails in search of Chimpanzees – Man’s closest relative in the Ape family. Kibale is a rich forest with beautiful flora, amazing bird species up to 375 species and 13 species of primates. The one hour with Chimps as they forage and socialize will make your trek memorable. The entire depending on how far the Chimps have moved takes 2 – 5 hours. Return from the activity, settle for lunch after which you embark on the transfer to the foothills of Rwenzori Mountains – dubbed the legendary Mountains of the moon and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.

Accommodation

Upmarket / Luxury:   Equator Snow Lodge

Midrange / Standard:    Sandton Hotel Kasese

Assemble at Nyakalengija Park station for briefing at 8am and then embark on a day hike to Rwenzori Mountains exploring the foothills of this legendary Mountains.  You enjoy the feel of the tropical forest on the foothills and gain the views of glacial Rivers and pools.  The sights of beautiful birds some of which are endemic may not be missed. The views of the Albertine rift valley and Kasese town are impressive. From the activity and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 72km about 2 hours.

Accommodation

Upmarket / Luxury:    Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe rooms

Midrange / Standard:  Enganzi Lodge

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

Transfer after breakfast to southern sector of the park named Ishasha sector for 2-hour game drive in search of the tree climbing lions and other wild game. The extensive savannah plains of Ishasha sector are impressive to explore with counts of wild game that characterise them. Proceed on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation

Upmarket / Luxury:   Haven Lodge Buhoma

Midrange / Standard:    Gorilla Mist Camp

Briefing for Gorilla trekking starts at 8am and thus, you need to enjoy breakfast before at the lodge.   In the company of armed ranger guides, you head to the Impenetrable forest in search of the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas.  You enjoy exciting sights and sounds of the jungle including magical bird songs & lush flora. The lasting moment awaits you as you approach the mighty Mountain Gorillas as they forage, socialise among others. They are beautiful gentle giants with frightening eyes and hairy body while the silverback features a silver patch on its back.      The trek lasts 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla movement but the actual viewing is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation. Retreat from the activity and spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge.

Accommodation

Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp

Luxury: Haven Lodge Buhoma

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer to Rwanda crossing via Chanica border enjoying the view of the Virungas. The afternoon will be spent relaxing by the sandy breaches of Lake Kivu with its beautiful resort environment. Retire for overnight

Accommodation

Upmarket / Luxury:   Serena Resort Lake Kivu

Midrange / Standard:  Hotel Paladise Malahide

Cross the Congo boarder at Goma at 7:30am Rwandan time and transfer to Kibati Patrol post 1hr drive from the boarder.  This marks the beginning of a lasting adventure hike the world’s largest and most violent lava lake at the top of Nyiragongo Volcano rising to 3470m above sea level.  The hike to the summit takes about 4 – 6 hours and you spend the great evening at the summit waiting to gaze into the lava lake after dark.

Accommodation: Mountain Shelter

You can wake up very early for the sun rise experience after which you settle for breakfast and then embark on the descend back to Kibati gaining views of other Virunga Mountain, dense Congo jungle & Lake Kivu.  You spend the evening on the shores of Lac Kivu refreshing from the Mountain trek.

Accommodation: Lac Kivu Hotel

Transfer by speed boat from North Kivu Province to South Kivu Province enjoying incredible views of Lake Kivu. You meet the guide and the vehicle at the beach on Bukavu side and transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Orchid’s Hotel

Embark on the Eastern low land gorilla trekking adventure in Kahuzi Biega National Park exploring the other gorilla subspecies besides the Mountain Gorillas. The Eastern Lowland Gorillas have stocky body, short muzzle and less hairy compared to Mountain Gorillas.  The trek offers a perfect moment to gain diverse experience with these two-gorilla subspecies. Retreat from the activity and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.

Accommodation: Orchid’s Hotel

After breakfast, set off for the transfer to Kigali crossing into Rwanda via Ruzizi 1 border.  You drive past Nyungwe Forest National Park which has one of the largest Afro-montane forests in Central Africa, make a lunch stop in Butare. An optional visit to the National Museum of Rwanda and Nyanza Palace can be arranged for an amazing culture and heritage experience of Rwanda. Proceed to Kigali to mark the end of the safari.