This Uganda and Rwanda active holiday takes you on a beautiful journey to explore the chimps, gorillas, and natural landscapes of Rwanda and Uganda.
The Uganda and Rwanda active holiday will start in Rwanda’s capital Kigali and end in Entebbe, Uganda. Starting out in Kigali Rwanda, your first stop is in Nyungwe Forest National Park where you get to track Chimpanzees as well as bird watching from the high canopy bridge.
You will then continue to Volcanoes National Park where you will hike to Dian Fossey’s gravesite. You will learn a lot by learning about the early days and sacrifices of gorilla conservation.
After the hike, you will head towards the Rwanda-Uganda border and continue to Bwindi impenetrable National park. In Bwindi Impenetrable, you will hike and track mountain gorillas in the thick jungle. You will spend 1 hour will the gorillas before hiking back.
You will visit the local communities around Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi to learn about their lives and customs. The trip will end with a drive to Kampala and Entebbe where your ongoing flight will be taken.
This safari package is ideal for people who want to quick exploration into the primates and cultures of Uganda and Rwanda – and not the savannah wildlife.
As with all our safari packages, we can customize the program to fit your personal preferences. Just reach out to us and we’ll be eager to help you.
Safari Highlights
- Kigali City, Genocide memorial center
- Nyungwe forest park
- Dian Fossey Grave site
- Bwindi impenetrable forest
- Lake bunyonyi
- Batwa Community
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport
You will be met at Kigali International airport by our driver guide who be waiting for you. You will then go to your hotel for lunch and check in.
After lunch, you will visit the Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali and learn about the stories of the horrific 1994 genocide.
Accommodation: Flame tree Village (mid-range) or Step Town Motel(Budget)
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner.
Day 2: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park
You will set off towards Nyungwe Forest, one of the most ecologically diverse and important forests in Eastern and Central Africa.
The biodiversity of both plants and animals makes the forest special and a genuine hotspot for birds and primates, especially chimpanzees. You’ll be staying at a very nice lodge located on top of a small hill near Nyungwe Forest.
Accommodation: Top Hill View Lodge(mid-range) or Gisakura Guest House(Budget)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe
You will have a very early start to the day by going to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. An encounter with our closest animal cousins is not something you will soon forget.
After Lunch, drive to the town of Musanze close to the Virunga Volcano range. This beautiful area represents the gateway to gorilla tracking in Rwanda.
In the evening, enjoy a campfire and some entertainment from some local dance groups.
Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge(mid-range) or Kinigi Guest House(Budget)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 4: Hike to Dian Fossey Gravesite, cross to Uganda
Starting the day early, you will drive to the park offices of Volcanoes National Park and start your hike to the Diane Fossey Gravesite where she is buried alongside some gorillas.
From the hike, you will drive towards the Rwanda – Uganda border and then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Nkuringo sector.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Buhoma Community Camp |
| Comfort | Rushaga Gorilla Camp |
| Luxury | Mahogany Springs Lodge |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today is gorilla trekking day and you will wake up early to have breakfast and be at the park offices at 7:00 am. You will be briefed by the Park rangers on all the procedures before you can start your trek.
In groups of 8 and the rangers, you will go into the forest in search of the mountain gorillas that call this dense rainforest home.
The trek can be quite challenging but meeting the gorillas will make all that sweat more than worth it. You will spend 1 hour with the gorillas after which you will be led back to the starting point by your ranger.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Buhoma Community Camp |
| Comfort | Rushaga Gorilla Camp |
| Luxury | Mahogany Springs Lodge |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Community Visits around Bwindi
After Breakfast, visit the community that lives next to the park and learn about their daily lives.
Then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – a beautiful serene lake encase in the middle of terraced hills. You will have a packed Lunch and can always stop depending on the time for lunch.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Bunyonyi Overland Camp |
| Comfort | Acardia Cottages |
| Luxury | Birdnest Resort @ Bunyonyi |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi & Batwa Cultural Experience
Today you can enjoy the beauty of Lake Bunyonyi by swimming, sunbathing, or hiking around the community. The lake is bilharzia-free and very safe for swimming.
Afterward, Visit the Batwa Community on the Islands of Lake Bunyonyi and learn about their unique culture as well.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Bunyonyi Overland Camp |
| Comfort | Acardia Cottages |
| Luxury | Birdnest Resort @ Bunyonyi |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Drive to Entebbe
After breakfast, you will leave Bunyonyi and head for Entebbe International Airport. You will move through the Ugandan countryside and stop at the equator line for some photos and souvenir shopping.
Your driver/guide will bring you to Entebbe Airport in time for your onward flight. This will mark the end of your Uganda and Rwanda active holiday.
Accommodation: None. (Last day)
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch.
Inclusions;
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof.
- All fuel for the tour
- English-speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
- Accommodation and Meals on Full Board (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner)
- Park-entrance fees for all National parks
- All activities described in the itinerary
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person.
- 1 Chimpanzee tracking permit per person
- Drinking water throughout the safari.
Exclusions;
- International airfares
- Entry visa for Uganda & Rwanda
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- A porter. Helps to carry your backpack & push/pull you on the slippery slopes.
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities.)
This Uganda and Rwanda Active Holiday can be adjusted to fit your specific preferences and schedule. Here are some related packages you might find interesting.
