Summary
Short description
Discover the unique landscapes and wildlife of Uganda and Rwanda on this 14-day safari
In Brief
- 3 Nights Volcanoes National Park
- 2 Nights Mgahinga National Park
- 3 Nights Queen Elizabeth National Park
- 3 Nights Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Activity adventure | Best of holidays | Natural world | Safari | Wildlife
This in-depth 14-day safari takes in the best that Uganda and Rwanda have to offer with several chances to track mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The safari also includes tours to track other primates including endangered chimpanzees along with a host of other wildlife from tree-climbing lions and hippos to bountiful birdlife. Enjoy forest walks and meet an indigenous tribe while surrounded by the spectacular mountain and volcanic scenery of these two remarkable countries.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Kigali
Fly overnight from the UK to Kigali.
Day
2
Parc National des Volcans
Arrive in Rwanda's capital where you’ll be welcomed by your guide. Your journey begins as you travel through the beautiful terraced hills that characterise much of Rwanda’s landscape. Climbing gradually to the base of the spectacular volcanoes of the Virunga range, the five nearest peaks rise high above the verdant countryside as you arrive at the Volcanoes Virunga Lodge.
Stay: Virunga Lodge (Superior)
Lunch & dinner included
Days
3-4
Parc National des Volcans - Gorilla Tracking
Spend two memorable days gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans. In the company of your guide you’ll trek through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga range until you reach the gorillas’ home. Spend an hour in their company before returning to the lodge for a late lunch. Some gorilla families can be more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially if the conditions are wet and muddy.
Stay: Virunga Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day
5
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After breakfast and a relaxing morning at the lodge, depart for neighbouring Uganda and the Mgahinga Gorillas National Park. The road winds through bamboo forests giving spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Arrive at Mount Gahinga Lodge situated near the entrance to the park, 2300m above sea level. If you arrive early you'll have the chance to watch a Batwa tribal performance in the lodge grounds or visit the vocational centre which teaches local villagers new skills. Enjoy some pre-dinner drinks on the terrace with its stunning views of the volcanoes, or cosy down by a roaring log fire.
Stay: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day
6
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Today you'll have a choice of activities. A Batwa Heritage experience offers the chance to learn more about one of Africa's oldest tribes, gain an insight into their traditional way of life and even try your hand at hunting and gathering medicinal plants found in the surrounding forest. Alternatively, if you're feeling energetic, join a guided hike to the Muhavura Sabinyo or Gahinga volcanoes. The latter is a gentler walk through the bamboo forests on the lower slopes before ascending to the marshy craters nearer the peak. Later you'll watch a performance by a local Batwa dance group put on in association with the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust.
Stay: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day
7
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Depart Gahinga Lodge at around 7:00am and transfer to the airstrip in Kisoro for the short flight to Kasese. Once there, you'll be transferred to Kyambura Gorge Lodge overlooking the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending when you arrive, there may be time to explore the lodge grounds, visit a local village or go for a guided nature walk before dinner.
Stay: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day
8
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today's game drive gives you your first glimpse of the region's abundant wildlife. What you'll see depends on the season, but the Kasenyi plains are excellent for sighting lion and large herds of Uganda kob. The Mweya peninsula is also one of the best places to look for leopard, which make their home in the dense thickets. You can also explore various community projects from the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) including the Women’s Coffee Cooperative and the Omumushaka Dance Group among others.
Stay: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day
9
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Kyambura Gorge is an extraordinary natural environment and forms a stark contrast to the surrounding grasslands. Here you can track one of our closest animal relatives: the chimpanzee. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing can be unpredictable but the walk itself is enchanting. In the afternoon take a cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which flows between Lakes Edward and George. Kazinga is home to one of the greatest concentration of hippo in Africa and herds of elephant, buffalo and other animals come to drink at the waters' edge. The channel is a magnet for waterbirds, with great flocks of pelicans and others birds on the shore, and a great spot to see African fish eagle.
Stay: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day
10
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your safari continues as you head to the primeval Bwindi forest. Travelling via Ishasha – subject to road conditions – you can observe the unusual behaviour exhibited by the region's tree-climbing lions. The long journey through a rapidly changing landscape takes you to Bwindi Lodge, which looks across to the towering forest.
Stay: Bwindi Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day
11
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Gorilla Tracking
After an early breakfast, you'll set off in search of gorillas. Tracking in the Bwindi forest often takes a full day. It's hard but rewarding work as you make your way through the forest, constantly keep an eye out for gorilla families hidden in the dense foliage.
Stay: Bwindi Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day
12
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Spend today exploring the region's Batwa culture as you take a walk through the local village to learn about community life and visit the Bwindi Community Hospital, which started as a health clinic under a tree and now provides vital medical and educational services to over 60,000 people. You'll also spend time at the lodge's very own tea processing plant where you can see the various different methods for tea growing and try some of the local varieties. This afternoon, discover the traditions of the Batwa Pygmies, the native tribal inhabitants of the forest. These indigenous people, though no longer resident in the forest itself, still practice many of their traditional hunter-gatherer skills.
Stay: Bwindi Lodge (Superior)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Days
13-14
Entebbe/UK
Transfer to Kihihi airstrip and board a flight to Entebbe. On arrival you'll board a connecting flight to the UK, arriving home the following morning.
Breakfast included
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
14-day tailor-made holiday
from £17,055 pp incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £17,055 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £24,195 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights from the UK to Kigali (Rwanda) and from Entebbe (Uganda) to the UK
- Domestic flight from Kisoro airstip to Kasese and from Kihihi airstrip to Entebbe
- Shared airport transfers
- 11 nights accommodation in 4 * (Superior) lodges on a full-board basis
- Airport meet & greet on arrival
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Gorilla tracking
- Batwa Heritage Experience
- Shared Game drive at Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Shared Kazinga Channel Boat Trip
- All park entrance fees, nature and community walk fees
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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