16 Days, 15 Nights Of Primates And Wildlife Safari In Uganda And Rwanda
Explore the uniqueness of Uganda and Rwanda in comparison of your own judgment rather than hearsay! Experience their cultures, go Gorilla tracking in both countries, visit the Genocide Memorial, enjoy wildlife safaris, Golden Monkey tracking, Chimpanzee tracking and Boat cruises among other exhilarating experiences.
Day 1
Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Your Guide will be waiting at Kigali International AirPort with a placard written your names. You will proceed to the Hotel which is 20 minutes away. We understand how hectic the flight can be, therefore relax and enjoy the serenity at the hotel.
Accommodation
Mille Collines Hotel
Day 2
Destination: Kigali City
Activity: City Tour and Visit to Genocide Memorial Museum
Kigali is one of the most organized Cities in Africa! Your guide will drive you around the city as he shares with you the social, cultural and economic life styles of the Rwandese.
You will as well, visit the Local markets, to witness a variety of local merchandise being sold. Agricultural products like Pineapples, avocados, different types of bananas and other products, will be at your exposure. This will surely help you relate on how differently things are done back home.
Genocide Memorial Museum
No matter how strong you may be, the story about Rwanda’s Genocide, will leave you saddened and wondering on how this could have happened to humanity. Over 800,000 Rwandese lost their lives throughout the country due to difference in ethnicity. The Genocide Museum therefore narrates on how everything began and how it ended. Evidence of used equipment and other materials are displayed as well as voice recorded gadgets are availed to explain more.
Later in the day, through the rolling hills of Kigali, the journey will lead you to Volcanoes National Park for Gorilla tracking on the next day. The drive is 2- 3 hours.
Accommodation
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 3
Destination: Volcano National Park
Activities: Gorilla Tracking and Cultural Experience
Early in the Morning after breakfast your guide will drive you to the briefing point. Per group of Mountain Gorillas is allocated to eight Tourists. You are required to carry packed lunch, water and rain gear in your backpack since tracking may take 2-6 hours depending on how far or close they may be. Guided by an armed ranger and other armed forces for your protection in the jungle, you are advised to follow their advice. On reaching to the Gorillas, only one hour is allowed for viewing. These gentle giants are quite an exhilarating experience encountering them! You can’t hide the excitement of watching how they handle themselves just like human beings as teenagers play with each other and some being curious as they try coming next to you. Gorillas share over 95% DNA with the human race. Imagine how much of the resemblance we share. Hiring a porter to carry your backpack during tracking is highly recommended. Not only are you saving energy to get to the Gorillas but as well supporting the community. On the eve of the tracking day, your guide will brief you more so as to prepare you for the day.
Cultural experience
Rwandese have one of the unique and rich culture in Africa! During the visit at Ibyiwachu village, you get to interact with the local people and take you through their daily lives. Traditional Dances are performed, you are introduced to local banana brewery that produces banana beer, banana gin and banana juice. Part of the experience are the local herbs introduced to you that cure various diseases. A replica of the traditional homes is also organized, so as to portray a picture or vision of how they live. Learn new local skills of weaving baskets, bags and other artifacts. It is an opportunity too, to buy souvenirs to carry with you back home.
Accommodation
Mountain View Gorilla Lodge
Day 4
Destination: Lake Mutanda Islands
Activity: Canoe ride at Lake Mutanda
After breakfast, your Journey to Uganda resumes. You will cross by road via Kyanika Boarder. The Journey is estimated to take 2-3 hours to arrive at your lodge. After Lunch, relax in preparation of the sunset canoe ride. The scenic land scape of Lake Mutanda without doubt catches your attention and leaves you in awe due to the beauty of 15 islands nestled within the lake! During the ride, a variety of bird species like weavers, Kingfishers and Kites among others can be sighted. Reptiles like Nile monitor Lizards, different species of frogs and fish are inhabitants too. You may take a swim in the Bilharzia free and fresh water lake in case you are interested. However, it’s a deep lake and therefore need to be sure of your swimming capabilities. It is undeniable that every photographer would wish to visit this magnificent lake for a sunset shot!
Accommodation:
Lake Mutanda Resort
Day 5
Destination: Mgahinga National Park
Activity: Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden Monkeys inhabit only in 3 countries in the world, Uganda is lucky to be one of them. Early in the Morning your guide will drive you to the briefing point. In the presence of other tourists, the ranger guide and other security operatives will take over. During the activity, you are expected to carry enough water, Lunch and a face mask. Endeavor to wear a trouser, long sleeved shirts or blouse, a hut and carry rain gear in your backpack. The activity will see you trek in highland dense forests until you get to the bamboo zone. Restricted time for viewing these famous old world monkey species is one hour after locating them.
Day 6
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activity: Batwa community Experience
The journey to Bwindi Impenetrable national park resumes after Breakfast. Through the highlands and valleys of the ancient volcanic eruption that shaped the region to its current appearance, it created one of the scenic landscapes in Uganda. You have an opportunity of looking at different rock types, fresh water streams flowing through the valleys, farmlands and tropical rain forests, leaving you in denial of how one place can have it all! The journey may take 2 hours hence enough time to prepare for a community experience with the Gorilla Guardians.
Batwa Experience
The Batwa community still hold onto their rich culture that they used to live before their eviction from the forest in 1991 in a move to integrate them within the society. Famously known as Gorilla Guardians since they used to live with them in harmony, sharing their cultural experiences with the rest of the world gives them joy while trying to earn a living. They showcase different herbs that cure different kinds of illnesses, hunting skills, participate in their traditional dances and storytelling of their previous life.
Accommodation
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Day 7
Destination: Bwindi Impentrable National Park
Activity: Gorilla Tracking
The long awaited day unfolds! Early morning after breakfast, your guide will drive you to the briefing point and hand you over to the authorities in charge of Gorilla tracking for briefing. You are then assigned a group and the ranger guide to kick start the anticipated adventure of visiting our distant cousins in their natural habitat.
With you, packed lunch and enough drinking water is a must! This is because the tracking may take long than anticipated hence require something to eat. Depending on your wish or how physically fit you may be, a group of Gorillas will be assigned. Some can be far or averagely close. The Gorillas dwell in a thick forest and therefore highly recommended that you put on trousers, long sleeved shirts or blouse, closed shoes, hut, gaiters, gloves and apply insect repellent. Endeavor to carry face masks that you will have to put on as a measure of avoiding infections of human to the Gorillas or the other way around.
Regardless of how far or close the Gorillas may be, each group is assigned only 1 hour of viewing.
Accommodation
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Day 8
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park-Ishasha
Activity: Ivy Trail Walk and Sunset Safari
Through the dense Jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will take a guided walk in the Ivy trail. The 4-5 hours of the forest walk discloses more of what Bwindi can offer than the Gorillas that is only known for. Hike Munyaga falls as you experience different levels up to the top, watch different species of forest birds like Turacos, Tinkerbirds, Barbets among others, encounter different species of monkeys like the black and white colubus, L’hoest Monkeys and Red tailed and more. It is an opportunity to as well walk through some local communities and farmlands. Your driver guide will be waiting from the end point of Buhoma Trailhead to embark on your Journey to Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on the time of your arrival, you are to either have lunch en route or at the Lodge.
Sun set safari
Ishasha is famously known for the tree climbing Lions. Take a sunset safari in search of these remarkable creatures that are always sighted in figs lying onto their bellies while enjoying the shade away from the scorching sun. Other animals to encounter are huge tuskers of Elephants, herds of Topis, the lively Uganda Kobs, Buffalos, Hippos, Hyenas and Leopards among others.
End the day with a Sundowner as drinks of your choice and snacks are served in the middle the Jungle as you wait for Hyenas to come out.
Accommodation
Enjojo Lodge
Day 9
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Activity: Sunrise Safari and Boat Cruise
Your day starts early, for wildlife viewing. During the safari, animals expected to encounter are Lions, hyenas, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, water bucks, and Uganda Kobs among others. A variety of colorful bird species in case you have interest, are likely to be sighted. Such birds are; African fish eagles, Red naked spur fowls, Grey crowned cranes, cormorants, Pelicans, Herons and saddle billed storks among others. On finalizing with the safari, the journey will lead to the north of the park for afternoon boat cruise.
Boat cruise
The afternoon will get better as you head out for a sunset boat cruise on the kazinga channel. Different species of wildlife are sighted on the shores and in the water up close as they are cooling off, drinking water and feeding. Animals to encounter are hippos, Crocodiles, Buffaloes, a variety of bird species like Kingfishers, Eagles, Pelicans, cormorants, Herons, Storks among others. Kazinga Channel is regarded to be one of the longest natural channels in the world stretching 40 kilometers from Lake George to Lake Edward with one of the highest population of hippos. The boat cruise takes 2 hours.
Accommodation
Enganzi safari Lodge
Day 10
Destination: From Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale National Park
Activity: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura gorge is a mystery of its own! Imagine an area of savannah grassland whereby there lies a 16 kilometer long depression with a depth of over 100 feet under which, lies a tropical rainforest and a river passing through. The gorge is home to Chimpanzees, several species of monkeys, crocodiles, Hippos, Elephants, buffalos among other residents. It is always a cocktail of attractions whenever tracking hence a better experience. It is important to note that sometimes chimpanzees may not be sighted but the experience is worth it hence the reason for tracking twice!
The activity will be conducted in the morning before embarking on the journey to Kibale forest National Park.
Accomodation
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 11
Destination: Kibale National Park
Activity: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp walk
Chimpanzee tracking
Kibale forest National Park is ranked the first in the world with the highest population of Chimpanzees. This is over 1500 members. Some are wild and others habituated. In this particular case you are to track the habituated community of an average of 150 members that divide themselves in various groups for purposes of feeding.
The activity will resume in the morning at 8: AM by being briefed and assigned a group. You will be guided by an armed ranger in company of other security personnel and tourists. Tracking may take 2-3 hours depending on how far or close the chimpanzee could be sighted. In most cases, you are back by 11: AM.
Bigodi Swamp Walk
During tracking of chimpanzees, emphasis is only put on them hence leaving other attractions unattended to. The Swamp walk therefore offers an opportunity to look at other primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, vervet, Red colobus, grey cheeked mangabeys, Lhost monkeys, Baboons, a variety of bird species, reptiles and the community experience. The activity is organized by the community surrounding the Park hence one way of supporting their livelihood. Depending on your interest, it is also an opportunity for the local people to showcase their artifacts like weaved baskets and fabrics among other products for sale.
Day 12
Destination: Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve
Activity: Bush Dinner
The Journey from Fortportal to Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve takes an average of 5 hours. Along the way, endless tea plantations, tropical rainforests, beautiful scenery of the Great Rift Valley stretch, animals like Kobs and views of Lake Albert are inevitable to miss! Little is known about this hidden gem and yet the reserve provides one of the exhilarating experiences. In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by endless plains and offering one of the best scenic views of the sun setting on the lake, you just can’t stop smiling and appreciating the beauty of mother nature.
Later in the evening, preparation for a candle light dinner will begin. The lodge staff will drive you to a well set private dinner in the jungle with scenic views of the lake. No better words can explain the ambiance of being in the middle of nowhere with a loved one while listening to animal sounds as you are enjoying your meal.
Accommodation:
Lake Albert Safari Lodge
Day 13
Destination: Murchison falls National Park
Activity: Top of the falls and Sunset Safari
Top of the falls
On arrival to Murchison Falls National Park, you will visit the top of the falls. ! Murchison falls are regarded to be the most powerful falls in the world. Imagine the roaring of the violent waters of river Nile forcing its way through a narrow gorge of 7 meters wide and plunging forty three feet beneath! It is an extraordinary experience that no one should miss during their visit to Uganda. The strength of the water always leaves a trade mark of a rainbow at the falls as it descends to continue the Journey to the Mediterranean Sea!
Sunset safari
In the late afternoon after checking into the lodge, you will embark on the evening safari. Evening safaris tend to be fruitful since it is the time that animals become active again after a long warm afternoon. A variety of wildlife is therefore expected to be encountered. Such animals include; Giraffes, Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Elephants, Uganda Kobs, Hartebeests among others.
Accommodation
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 14
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Activity: Sunrise safari and Sunset boat cruise
Sunrise Safari
For most of the safaris to be successful, an early wake is mandatory! By 6:30 Am, we start our game drive in search of the lions, leopards, Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas and many others before they get into their hideouts. Half of the day will be spent in the wild and therefore with us, we will carry packed breakfast.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise, will be next on the agenda for which you will enjoy another action packed of wildlife while cruising on the mighty river Nile. On the shores of the Nile, there is always abundance of mammals that come to swim and drink water when it’s hot. Crocodiles, elephants, Hippos, Nile monitor lizards, Giraffes and so many bird species are most likely to be encountered.
Viewing Murchison falls from the bottom while on the cruise offers you a different view of the falls that you may have been unable to see during the visit of the falls from the top. Murchison falls are regarded to be the most powerful falls in the world.
Accommodation
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 15
Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Activity: Rhino tracking and Night nature walk
Rhino tracking
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has made viewing Rhinos in the wild easier than never before! Rhinos are an endangered species and therefore rarely sighted. However, at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, chances of viewing them is over 90%. A number of over 41 southern white Rhinos are in a protected area of 70 kilometers squared. This protected area was started so as to conserve them until enough population is achieved and relocated to the National Parks like Murchison or Kidepo where they used to exist before their extinction in the early 1980s.
Tracking is conducted on foot with a ranger, it takes an hour to two depending on how far or close they are located. Other animals to encounter are the Oribis, Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, Warthogs and a variety of bird species
Night Nature walk
Walking at night in the wilderness is a unique experience that differentiates you from the rest! It discloses to you a totally different and detailed world away from the normal day life. Sounds of nature, nocturnal animals like Hares, Hyenas, pangolins, porcupines and birds like owls, Night Jars, among others may be encountered. it’s during this time that you bond best with nature away from the artificial noise of cars and other machines.
With you, will be armed rangers, carrying spot lights. The activity resumes at 7: PM and takes 1-2 hours.
Accommodation
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary cottages
Day 16
Destination: Mabamba Swamp
Activity: Shoebill Search
Mabamba swamp is an extension of Lake Victoria drainage system for which the prehistoric Shoebill Stork inhabits. It is at Mabamba wetland where there are higher chances of viewing this majestic bird in East Africa. The narrow ways through the wetland on a locally made speed boat makes the trip more fascinating! A variety of other bird species are to be encountered like the Goliath Heron, African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher and cormorants among others. Depending on the time of your flight, you will depart at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary early in the morning and head to Mabamba Swamp for your last activity. A day room will be provided for freshening up before catching your flight.
Thank you for travelling with Bukiire Africa Wildlife Safaris.
