8-Day Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Adventure

On arrival at Kigali Airport, you will perform the routine clearance process. Once done, you will step out to meet your waiting tour driver-guide. He will welcome you and then drive to Volcanoes National Park. The park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. You will arrive at the booked accommodation and take a rest, awaiting the next day’s activity.

Optional (extra cost): If time allows and you’re interested, you can consider a Kigali city excursion before transferring to Volcanoes National Park.

If you love hiking and beautiful scenery, Mount Bisoke is just what you have been looking for. Today, you will have breakfast, collect your packed lunch and proceed to the starting point (Kinigi). You will be briefed and then head out with the assigned ranger guide to hike Mount Bisoke (3,711 meters above sea level). Ascend for 4 to 5 hours, and the descent time is about 3 hours. At the summit, you will be rewarded with the sight of a beautiful crater lake. Return to the accommodation and get some rest.

Optional (extra cost): Depending on your energy level and interest, you may consider the local community for a cultural encounter later today.

The golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park at the same time (07h00) as the gorilla trekking. These rare monkey species are listed as endangered. Volcanoes NP has habituated groups that are available for trekking by visitors. The exercise starts with a short briefing from the park ranger at the RDB office. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the golden monkeys through the rainforest of the Volcanoes NP.

You will return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. After lunch, drive to the Cyanika border post. From Cyanika, you will be received by our Uganda-based professional tour driver-guide, who will take over from his Rwanda-based colleague. You will cross the border into Uganda and overnight at a property close to Bwindi National Park, where you will undertake the gorilla trekking the next day.

Have breakfast and proceed to the rangers’ post. You will receive a briefing from a ranger guide on the do's and don’ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular! The area offers a steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The terrain and the time it takes vary according to the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation, and get some rest after a strenuous day.

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lions. Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in a tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. From Ishasha (south), exit and head to the booked accommodation in the northern sector. Check in and take a rest.

Optional: If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening game drive safari on the Kasenyi plains.

After an early morning breakfast, you will proceed for a morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, as well as lions and leopards (though hard to spot), among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife, including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others, will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds on the water shores.

Optional (no cost): If interested, you may go for a brief late afternoon-to-evening game viewing and then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast, you will drive to the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The forest is home to habituated chimpanzees and other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees. Thereafter, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara city. Once in Mburo, you may decide to check in and relax, or go for a game drive safari.

Optional (extra cost): If interested, you can also consider the night game drive to spot the nocturnal wildlife.

Enjoy an early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo Park bushwalk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. On this early morning walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter, at close range, zebra, giraffe, eland, topi, other antelope, and Cape buffalo, among others. Take the trail to the top of the hills to see Lake Mburo and beyond.