9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari
9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari
The 9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari starts from Kampala capital city of Uganda and ends in Kigali capital city of Rwanda. It is a unique mountain gorilla trekking and game viewing safari experience designed for you shouldn’t miss to be part on Uganda safari and Rwanda safari.
This package allows you to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National park which is positioned in Southwestern Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda. It also takes you through game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda where you will embark on game drive via Kasenyi Plains and boat cruise along Kazinga Channel.
What to expect on your 9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Volcanoes National Parks
- Game drive and launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Golden monkey tracking
- Kigali city tour
- 8 nights and meals
- Service of an English-speaking driver guide
- Travel in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
Brief itinerary of your 9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and drive to a hotel in Kampala
Day 2: Drive from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3: Game drive along Kasenyi Plains and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Day 4: Leave Queen Elizabeth National Park for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 6: Leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Lake Bunyonyi
Day 7: Drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Volcanoes National Park
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Day 9: Golden monkey tracking and connect to Kigali, go for city tour
Detailed itinerary of your 9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and drive to a hotel in Kampala
Once you have arrived at Entebbe International Airport, you will meet and warmly welcome you. He will give a quick briefing about your 9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari then after, drive you to your hotel facility in Kampala to check in for relaxation, dinner and night stay. However, if time allows, you will pay a visit to Kasubi Tomb site, Bahai temple and Nakasero market before check in at your hotel.
Accommodation in Kampala
Budget: Landmark View Hotel
Mid-range: Cassia Lodge
Luxury: Serena Hotel
Day 2: Drive from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have your tasty breakfast in your hotel in Kampala and after, check out ready to set off to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda. You will drive through Masaka-Mbarara-Ishaka route and en-route, your stopover will be at the Equator crossing where you will take pictures and some relaxation. This is about 6 hours’ drive journey. Lunch will be served to you in a hotel in Mbarara and later, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive early enough and take part in an evening game drive through the Kasenyi plains where you should expect to view diverse wildlife including the African bush elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, birds and many more.
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Budget: Bush Lodge, Enganzi Lodge
Mid-range: Kyambura Game Lodge
Luxury: Katara Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 3: Game drive along Kasenyi Plains and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Enjoy your cup of tea or coffee and after, leave your safari lodge for a morning game drive via Kasenyi Plains where you will view variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes, buffaloes, birds and many more. This is 2-3 hours’ drive game viewing experience and after, you will return to the lodge to enjoy your lunch. After some relaxation, you will have a boat cruise along Kazinga Channel. This channel links Lake George and Lake Edward. On launch cruise, you will see hippos, crocodiles, water birds and many more.
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Budget: Bush Lodge, Enganzi Lodge
Mid-range: Kyambura Game Lodge
Luxury: Katara Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 4: Leave Queen Elizabeth National Park for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have breakfast and later, check out of your lodge then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha sector which also lets you view the tree climbing lions. Lunch will be served to you at Ishasha River Camp and after, connect to Bwindi to check in at your lodge to relax, dine and spend a night.
Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Camp
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Leave your gorilla safari lodge after breakfast to join other visitors for briefing on gorilla trekking rules and regulations at anyone of Bwindi’s main tracking regions; Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga or Ruhija. Because trekking to see mountain gorillas is unpredictable experience, you are expected to have some packed lunch and energy giving snacks. The park official will allocate to you a habituated gorilla family that you will track in a group of 8 visitors.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is composed of about 20 habituated gorilla families and they include Mukiza, Bweza, Bushaho, Bikingi, Mubare, Habinyanja, Bitukura, Oruzongo, Kyaguriro, Mucunguzi, Kutu, Rwingi, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Rushegura, Katwe, Christmas and Nkuringo. The actual trek commences at 8:00am and the park ranger guide will be assigned to you. The whole adventure may cover between 2 and 6 hours including 1 hour of a face to face encounter with mountain gorillas, photo taking and in-depth exploration of these primates’ behaviors. After, get back to the lodge to relax, dine and spend a night.
Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Camp
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge
Day 6: Leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Lake Bunyonyi
Following your early morning breakfast, check out of your lodge and drive to Lake Bunyonyi one of the deepest lakes in Africa. Drive through Kabale the dubbed Switzerland of Africa and on arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, enjoy the breathtaking view of its 29 magical islands. You will embark on a canoe ride to one of the islands and enjoy incredible bird sights and magical view of surrounding areas plus other islands.
Accommodation in Lake Bunyonyi
Budget: Bushara Island Camp, Byoona Amagara Island Retreat
Mid-range: Arcadia Cottages Bunyonyi, Bunyonyi Safaris Resort
Luxury: Birdnest @ Lake Bunyonyi Resort
Day 7: Drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Volcanoes National Park
Have breakfast early in the morning and after, check out of your lodge in Lake Bunyonyi ready to drive to Volcanoes National Park via Katuna border. Volcanoes National Park is positioned in Northwestern Rwanda. You spend the rest of the evening relaxing as you wait for the next day gorilla trek.
Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park
Budget: Muhabura Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse
Mid-range: La Palme Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
After breakfast, you will connect to Kinigi for briefing on the guidelines to be observed while on gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park and also for you to be allocated to a habituated gorilla family and park ranger guide. Volcanoes National Park consists of 10 habituated gorilla families and only one will be assigned to you to track in a group of 8 visitors. The gorilla groups which been opened for tracking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park include Bwenge, Ugenda, Kwitonda, Amahoro, Umubano, Hirwa, Agashya, Karisimbi, Susa A and Sabyinyo.
The length of your trek may differ depending on your speed of hiking, nature of habitat and where mountain gorillas are found however, it usually covers between 2 and 6 hours including 1 hour of magical encounter. After, you will get back to the lodge to rest and in the evening, you will take a walk to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about the unique cultures, traditions, enjoy the incredible dances, music performances of the Rwandese.
Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park
Budget: Muhabura Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse
Mid-range: La Palme Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 9: Golden monkey tracking and connect to Kigali, go for city tour
After breakfast, connect to park offices at Kinigi to be briefed on safety measures to be observed while on trek to view golden monkeys while in their habitat. Golden monkeys are beautiful creatures and also endangered primates which this safari package offers you opportunity to catch a glimpse. This primate adventure may last you 2-4 hours which also includes 1 hour of magical encounter. After, return to the lodge to check out then drive to Kigali capital city where you will have city tour.
On Kigali city expedition, expect to visit Kigali/Gisozi genocide site and nearby markets. In case your flight is scheduled in the evening, your safari guide will transfer to Kigali International Airport afterwards.
End of your 9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari
Safari inclusions
- Gorilla permit
- Golden monkey permits
- Park entry fees
- Boat cruise
- Kigali city tour
- 8 nights and meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Relevant government taxes
- Travel in 4×4 safari vehicle
- Service of an English-speaking safari guide
- All safari activities in the travel plan except the optional ones
Safari exclusions
- Beverages
- Optional activities
- Cigarettes
- Laundry services
- Tips
- Telephone calls
- Airfares
- Visa fees
- Personal insurance
- Extra accommodation