8-Day African Safari Holiday Visiting Rwanda and Uganda

8-Day African Safari Holiday Visiting Rwanda and Uganda. Arrive at Kigali International Airport and transfer to your accommodation near Volcanoes National Park. Go on a hike on Mount Bisoke, do golden monkey trekking in the Volcanoes NP and then cross the border into Uganda. Do gorilla trekking in Bwindi NP, then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you can expect a game drive, a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, and chimp tracking in the nearby Kalinzu Forest. Connect to Lake Mburo. On day 8, you will head to Entebbe to catch a flight out.

8-Day African Safari Holiday Highlights

• Day 1 – Arrive Kigali, transfer to accommodation in/close to Volcanoes NP
• Day 2 – Hiking Mount Bisoke to the summit – Return and relax at the lodge
• Day 3 – Golden monkey trekking Volcanoes NP – Transfer to Bwindi, Uganda
• Day 4 – Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest – Rushaga sector – Return and take rest
• Day 5 – Game viewing Ishasha for tree-climbing lions – Connect north to Queen
• Day 6- Game drive/safari, afternoon boat trip/safari – Kazinga Channel
• Day 7- Chimp tracking Kalinzu Forest Reserve – Transfer to Lake Mburo NP
• Day 8 – Walking safari – Travel to Entebbe to catch flight out (17h00 or later)

Detailed 8-Day African Safari Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Kigali, transfer to accommodation in/close to Volcanoes NP

Hopefully, your flight is scheduled to land before 14h00. On arrival at Kigali Airport, you will perform the routine clearance process and once done, you step out to meet your waiting 8-Day African Safari Holiday driver-guide. He will welcome you and then hit the road 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 may consider a Kigali City excursion before transferring to Volcanoes National Park.

Drive time: Approx. 3-4 hours.

• Main Destination: Musanze City, Rwanda
• Accommodation: La Palme Hotel – Mid-range hotel located in or near Musanze
• Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included), Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2 – Hiking Mount Bisoke to the summit – Return and relax at the lodge

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 receive a brief and head out with the assigned 8-Day African Safari Holiday ranger-guide to hike Mount Bisoke (3,711 meters above sea level). Ascend for 4-5 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.

• Main Destination: Mount Bisoke (Mountain, Rwanda)
• Accommodation: La Palme Hotel – Mid-range hotel located in or near Musanze
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3 – Golden monkey trekking Volcanoes NP – Transfer to Bwindi, Uganda

The golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park and at the same time (07h00) as the gorilla trekking. These rare monkey species are also 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. Return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. After lunch, drive to the Cyanika border post. From Cyanika, 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.

Drive time: 3-4 hours

• Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge – Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP without fences
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4 – Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest – Rushaga sector – Return and take rest

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 dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The terrain and the time take 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.

• Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
• Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge – Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP without fences
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5 – Game viewing Ishasha for tree-climbing lions – Connect north to Queen

Wake up early, have breakfast and embark on a 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 the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. From Ishasha (south), exit and head to the booked accommodation in the north sector. Check in and take a rest.

Approx. 6 hours.

• Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6- Game drive/safari, afternoon boat trip/safari – Kazinga Channel

Wake up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game 8-Day African Safari Holiday drive/safari in 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 time 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.

• Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7- Chimp tracking Kalinzu Forest Reserve – Transfer to Lake Mburo NP

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

Optional (extra cost): If interested, you can also consider the night 8-Day African Safari Holiday game drive to spot the nocturnal wildlife.

Drive time: Approx. 4 hours.

• Accommodation: Hyena Lodge – Mid budget accommodation bordering Lake Mburo NP without fences
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8 – Walking safari – Travel to Entebbe to catch flight out (17h00 or later)

Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo park morning bushwalk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter at close range zebra, giraffe, eland, topi and other antelope, and Cape buffalo among others. Take the trail to the top of the hills to see Lake Mburo and beyond. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight (17h00 or later).

Drive time: Approx. 4 hours.

• Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Airport/Airstrip, Uganda)
• Accommodation: No accommodation (End of 8-Day African Safari Holiday)
• Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included), Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of 8-Day African Safari Holiday

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You’ll be dropped off at the airport.

Important to Know

• Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
• This tour accepts children who are 15 years and older.

8-Day African Safari Holiday Inclusions and Exclusions

Package Include

• Park fees (For non-residents)
• Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident)
• Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident)
• All activities (Unless labelled as optional)
• All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
• All Taxes/VAT
• Roundtrip airport transfer
• Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Package Exclude

• International flights (From/to home)
• Tips
• Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
• Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)