13 days Ultimate Uganda Rwanda safari- see the Gorillas, chimps and Wildlife

After arrival, you are welcomed and immediately taken to your hotel to relax and sleep.

Overnight stay at: Cycad Guest House (BB) or The Boma (BB)

During the morning, you are collected from the hotel. We travel westwards through the undulating green hills with local farms and tea plantations. We have a lunch break in Fort Portal city. Formerly a town, this place at the bottom of the Rwenzori mountains is the most important to the Tooro Kingdom. Hence the kings palace sits on top of a hill overlooking the city. We enjoy a buffet of local food or a La Carte. Afterwards, we then drive to the lodge and relax to sights and sounds of the forest. Later, you may venture into the forest for a night walk to see the nocturnal primates and other animals (optional). Kibale national park is a huge protected rain forest with numerous primates such as the rare chimpanzees and red Colobus in Uganda.

Overnight stay: Chimpanzee Guest House (FB) / Primate Lodge (FB)

After an early breakfast, we move to the forest station nearby. To begin with, the rangers give an an informative briefing about the park. In a group of six persons each, we then enter the forest for chimp tracking. However, each group must take a different direction in order to see a different chimpanzee family. Once in the trails, the rangers allow visitors to walk at their your own pace. The companion of these local guides while you walk beneath the forest canopy is so inspiring. They explain the life of the animals in the forest.

Some of the primates to see include the Red, Black and White Colobuses, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Red-tailed Monkey and Olive Baboons. You may as well meet other animals such as the forest elephants, snakes and antelopes. Most importantly is when you meet with the chimpanzee family. Normally, they associate in the trees or on the ground. In the fruiting season, they gather gleefully around fruit trees. After an hour with the chimps, we return to the accommodation for lunch and to relax. In the afternoon, it is possible to have another walk in the Bigodi community swamp for birds and monkeys. The natural swamp lies along the edge of the park.

Overnight stay: Chimpanzee Guest House (FB) / Primate Lodge (FB)

We wake up to breakfast and relax. Shortly after, we drive southwards through the hilly villages and crater lakes. Miles and miles of banana plantations line the road. In fact, we drive through a banana auctioning market. We take stop at the Equator for the memorable moment to stand in the middle of Earth. Sometimes it can be rather humid around here. We enter Queen Elizabeth national park shortly after and check in at the lodge. The wilderness of the park is in sight from the lodge. We enjoy the afternoon while relaxing at the lodge. On the other hand, we could do a game drive as the sunsets over the Savannah. We will have dinner thereafter and simply relax. Queen Elizabeth national Park is well known for the open grasslands, rain forests and crater lakes.

Overnight stay: The Kasenyi Safari Camp (FB) or Mweya Safari Lodge (FB)

After early breakfast, embark on the game drive around the Kasenyi plains west of the national park. Here you get to see different animals including lions and antelopes especially waterbucks and kobs, hyenas and elephants among others. You may visit the nearby salt lake and see the local ways of salt mining. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. We then slope down to the jetty for an enchanting boat cruise along the beautiful Kazinga channel that connects two lakes.

The boat sails close to numerous animals that come to the channel for a drink. Hippos, buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hogs, crocodiles and many bird species can be seen in the water or on the banks. The cruise ends down by Lake Edward with stunning views of the border mountains of the Congo in a distance. Have dinner and a cozy night.

Overnight stay: The Kasenyi Safari Camp (FB) or Mweya Safari Lodge (FB)

Have a morning game drive and transfer south to the Ishasha sector. Check in at the Lodge for lunch and relaxation. Enjoy a relaxed sunset game drive in search of the tree climbing lions. The drive goes up to the river camp. You will see hippos in the river and primates in the surrounding trees.

Overnight stay: Ishasha Jungle Lodge (FB) or Ishasha Wilderness Camp (FB)

After a sumptous early breakfast, we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable. On our way we pass through hilly villages, beautiful landscapes and the mountains with breath taking views. Bwindi Impenetrable is a unique montane forest, with many wildlife species and birds. Bwindi is one of the 2 places in the world where you find the endangered Mountain Gorillas!!

Overnight stay: Gorilla Mist Camp (FB) or the Mahogany Springs Lodge (FB)

Early morning set off in the forest, the highlight being an encounter with a family of the Gorillas!! You will have an hour with them for an experience that will last a life time. The Guides informatively explain the plants and animals of the forest as well as the life of the gorillas. After tracking, we return to the lodge to relax. It is possible to do a community walk in the afternoon (optional)

Overnight stay: Gorilla Mist Camp (FB) or the Mahogany Springs Lodge (FB)

Wake up leisurely to breakfast, then embark on the journey south through the forest and mountainous villages to the Rwanda border. The border formalities are easy and quick. We cross the border and drive a short distance to the Lodge.

Overnight stay: La Palme Hotel (FB) or the Mt Gorilla view Lodge (FB)

This morning, we rise up early to breakfast then, assemble at the park headquarters for the gorilla tracking briefing. It is here that each person is allocated the group to track. Every gorilla group is supposed to have only eight trackers. We then hike up in the mountains, the highlight being an encounter of the gorillas in their natural habitat. We return to the lodge to relax in the afternoon or take a walk in the nearby Musanze town to see the urban way of life in Rwanda. Musanze is Rwanda’s second largest town.

Overnight stay: La Palme Hotel (FB) or the Mt Gorilla view Lodge (FB)

This morning, have breakfast and relax. It is possible to do the Golden Monkey tracking in the Volcanoes national park (optional).You drive leisurely south through the hilly villages to Bunyonyi, the deepest and most picturesque lake in Uganda. The hillsides have hanging terraced farms and homesteads. In the afternoon, relax at the lodge, take a swim in the lake (Bilharzia free), go canoeing or take a boat trip on the lake to surrounding communities and the punishment Island. Return to the lodge to relax in the cool breeze and sights of the lake.

Overnight stay: Arcadia Cottages (FB) or the Bird Nest (FB)

After breakfast and relaxation, drive leisurely through the mountains and cattle countryside to Lake Mburo. There are five lakes within the park. The lakes and the surrounding rolling hills are a trademark of the park. It is mostly woodland harboring beautiful bird species, leopards, hyenas, zebras and the rare topi and Eland antelopes. Hippos and crocodiles are common on the lake. In the afternoon, go for a game drive along the tracks. Another option enjoy a boat trip on the lake. Finally, we return to the Lodge to relax with views of the park below.

Overnight stay: Rwakobo Rock (FB) or the Mihingo Lodge (FB)

After a sumptuous breakfast, we explore the woodlands on a game safari walk to see animals at a close range. It is a moment like no other. You get to encounter wildlife while you are walking on foot. We then transfer to Entebbe for your departure flight with a lunch break at the Equator crossing.

End of the gorilla and chimpanzee tour