Best 15 days Uganda Congo Rwanda gorillas & wildlife safari

Trip Overview

These 15 days Uganda Congo Rwanda gorillas and wildlife safari start and ends in Rwanda. This adventure covers 2 gorilla destinations from 2 different countries, Uganda and Congo. This adventure will take you to Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo for lowland gorilla trekking. Whenever we talk about Congo clients wonder if this part of Congo is safe and yes Kahuzi Biega National Park is safe. The only unsafe part of Congo is Virunga National Park due to the ongoing war hence declaring it politically unstable and unsafe for tourism. The trip continues to Bwindi impenetrable National Park and while here, you will have fun meeting half of the world’s mountain gorillas in this think and impenetrable forest.

Your trip will proceed to Fort Portal which is famously known as the tourism city simply because Fort Portal is in the center of all of Uganda’s national parks. Your safari will continue to Murchison Falls National Park which is Uganda’s biggest savannah national park and offers a variety of wildlife ie elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and different species of antelopes among others. Finally! You will visit Lake Bunyonyi which is commonly known as the Switzerland of Africa.

Safari Gallery: 15 days Uganda Congo Rwanda gorillas and wildlife safari

Detailed Itinerary: Exclusive 15 days Uganda Congo Rwanda gorillas and wildlife safari

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport

Welcome to the land of a thousand hills! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met and greeted by our friendly and Professional driver/ guide. He will brief you and take you through your trip plan then transfer you to your hotel in Kigali for relaxation and dinner.

Day 2: Head to Bukavu Congo

On this day, you will check out of the lodge after breakfast and transfer to Congo using the Cyangugu border. The journey to Congo is long but if you love nature, you will be impressed with the beautiful rolling hills of Rwanda. You will then cross into Congo using the Bunagana border and go all the way to Bukavu town which is close to Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Day 3: Eastern Lowland Gorilla tracking at Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Lowland gorilla trekking at Kahuzi-Biega National Park starts with registration at the park offices. You will get up early and have breakfast before heading for the park offices. After registration, you will be briefed on the rules to follow while tracking lowland gorillas, what to expect, and the history of the park. The park authorities will assign you to one of the four habituated Eastern Lowland Gorilla groups. Expect to take about 4 hours out in the jungle looking for the primates. Once you find them take time to observe as much as you can because you will only have one hour with them. Remember to take as many photos and videos as you can. On completion, you will head back to the starting point where you will find the driver to take you for lunch. You will have the afternoon at leisure as you prepare to head back home.

Day 4: Head back to Kigali for departure

You should wake up early and have breakfast as you wait for the driver to start the journey to Kigali in Rwanda through the Changungu border. The driver will ensure that the long journey is as memorable as possible by making short stops at key landmarks and attractions along the way.

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda (harboring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population) including several habituated groups, which you will trek. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in your accommodation, and relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi & Batwa community visit day

Encountering the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an experience of a lifetime. Half of the world’s population of gorillas lives under the mist-covered canopies of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest. In the company of an experienced park ranger, you will be tracking the whereabouts of one of the nine habituated family groups who live in the park.  Your tracking experience will be an exciting, yet challenging, journey along forested (often muddy and slippery) slopes, tangled vines, thick vegetation, and bamboo forests before you reach the territory of these gentle giants.

En route, your ranger will point out telltale signs of previous gorilla activity like dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots. Depending on the location of the gorillas on any given day the walk can take anything from 2 to 7 hours. Once the family of gorillas has been located, settle into your surroundings and enjoy the hour you have to quietly observe these fascinating primates whose habits and mannerisms remind us so much of our own.

Encountering mountain gorillas in the wild is a truly humbling and emotional experience.

Day 7: Transfer to Fort portal

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to Fort Portal with beautiful views of the countryside. You will check in at the lodge for relaxation as you cut off the fatigue of the long distance.

Day 8: Crater Lakes and Amabere ga Nyinamwiru visit

After breakfast, you will proceed to the Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru Caves. With the help of a local guide, you will trail down the caves for spectacular views. While there, you will be able to see caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites with the milky substances within and scenic waterfalls adjacent.

After lunch, you will visit the Crater Lakes in Fort Portal. One of the famous crater lakes in Uganda is Nyinambuga Crater Lake whose photo is engraved on the twenty thousand Uganda shillings note (20,000), others include Lyantonde and Rukwanzi Crater Lake, and Kyaninga crater lake a small crater lake with the most fascinating breathtaking features.

Day 9: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you will continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park with an en-route lunch. You can reach Murchison Falls National Park via the northern approach road and take the first game drive on the way to the ferry.  Upon arrival at the park, you will check in at the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 10: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

With your packed breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive with your guide who will help you spot a large number of wildlife found in the park, you will be able to spot a lot of African animal wildlife for example: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. After the game drive, you will have lunch and then set out for an afternoon boat cruise. This boat will allow you to get close to the water animals which include over 4000 hippos as well as the Nile crocodiles. The Nile has got many stunning bird lives that can also be enjoyed while taking your boat trip; these include; bee-eaters, colored kingfishers, shoebill storks, grey grey-throated and yellow-billed birds. After the boat cruise, you will go for a rest at the lodge in the Evening as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 11: Rhino tracking and transfer to Fort Portal

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and then track these black and white Rhinos. This sanctuary was established mainly to protect these rhinos from danger and poachers.

After rhino tracking, you will drive back to Fort Portal with an en-route lunch. This journey will take you approximately 4-5 hours.

Day 12: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Wake up at your convenience time have breakfast and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is commonly known as the Switzerland of Africa. Upon arrival, you will check in at the lodge for lunch and relaxation as you contemplate the adventure that lies ahead of you.

Day 13: Morning boat ride and a visit to the Batwa community

After a tasty breakfast at your lodge, you will take a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi to the numerous islands to sightsee as well as view the various bird species.

You will then have lunch and proceed to visit the Batwa community. After the community visit.

Day 14: Transfer back to Kigali for relaxation

You will have breakfast at your convenience time and then transfer back to Kigali via the Cyanika border. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours.

Day 15: Full day at leisure and transfer at the airport late at night

On this day, you will have the whole day at leisure to relax in preparation for your flight. At exactly 10 pm, you will transfer to the airport to check in for your flight.

 

End of Your Exclusive 15 days Uganda Congo Rwanda gorillas and wildlife safari

Safari Inclusions

• 1 gorilla permit per person
• 1 chimpanzee permit per person
• 1 golden monkey permit per person
• Park entrance fees
• Meals as specified above
• Accommodation as mentioned above
• English-speaking guide
• Ground Transportation
• All activities mentioned above

Safari Exclusions

• Air tickets
• Visas
• Tips & gratuities
• Alcoholic drinks