10 Days Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda Safari

May 8, 2024

10 Days Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda Safari

This 10 Days Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda Safari features both lowland and Mountain gorilla trekking. Thus, it will allow you to do triple gorilla encounters with different experiences and species. The safari also features Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This is the primate capital of Rwanda, in the South. Also, you’ll go for a savannah wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, popular as the medley of wonders. This safari will start and end in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital.

Safari highlights of the Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda Safari

Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Bukavu
Day 3: Lowland Gorilla tracking tour in Kahuzi Biega – DR Congo
Day 4: Return to Rwanda – transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking and a community tour
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and optional Trail experience
Day 7: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi
Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha game drive
Day 9: Lion tracking/morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise.
Day 9: Transfer back to Kampala

Detailed safari of the 10-day Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda Safari

Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park for a Canopy walkway

Depending on your location in Kigali, your safari guide from Safari Vacations and Travel Services will meet you. You’ll then embark on a journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park which is a 3 hours drive from Kigali. You’ll have an en-route lunch. Proceed to the park and connect for the 2 pm canopy walk experience. You will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk swing bridge 50 meters in length. The bridge is suspended from large trees; you will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving below you. Proceed to check-in your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Dinner and Overnight: Nyungwe One and Only Hotel/Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel/Gisakura Visitors’ Centre

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Bukavu via Congo border

Enjoy breakfast and go for a briefing about the chimpanzees. Then, you’ll enter the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest with your backpack. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3-5 hours depending on their location. After finding them, spend an hour taking pictures and videos.

After lunch, continue on a scenic journey to cross to Bukavu in Congo. You’ll have wonderful views of the hills in Rwanda through the tropical forest of Nyungwe National Park. Additionally, you’ll have a clear view of Lake Kivu.

Dinner and overnight: Orchid Hotel/Hotel Elizabeth/Panorama Hotel

Day 3: Lowland Gorilla tracking tour in Kahuzi Biega – DR Congo

In the morning, you will head for the memorable adventure of tracking the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Tracking lowland Gorillas is very amazing. Lowland Gorillas differ from mountain gorillas, as the lowland gorillas are bigger. Usually, it takes 1-4 hours to track the lowland Gorillas. The lowland Gorillas stay in bigger families as compared to mountain gorillas. Thus, you will not regret the safari effort once you meet the amazing Gorillas! Later in the afternoon, drive back to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight: Orchid Hotel/Hotel Elizabeth/Panorama Hotel

Day 4: Return to Rwanda and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

On this day of the Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda Safari, you’ll meet your driver. You’ll then cross back to Rwanda where you will meet your Rwanda guide to transfer back to Rwanda. At the border, you will meet your driver guide in Rwanda. Thereafter, connect to Volcanoes National Park, and upon arrival, proceed to check in at your lodge. You’ll then relax as you await the activities of the next day.

Dinner and overnight: Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Hotel Muhabura

Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking and a community tour

After early morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing from the park warden. You’ll learn everything you need to know about the golden monkeys. After connecting to the tracking starting point, enter the forest to search for the rare golden monkey. This activity can take about 1-5 hours and is done with a closer view of the other primates in the park. These include red-tailed monkeys and Vervet monkeys among others. After, view and monitor the rare golden monkeys for an hour while taking pictures and studying their behaviors.

Later afternoon/evening, connect to visit Iby’wacu Cultural Village, a Non-Profit umbrella organization. The organization aims to improve the lives of former poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. It does so through the provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood-based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will be guided around the place as you enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies, and a guided community walk. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Dinner and overnight: Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Hotel Muhabura

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast at your lodge, you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is in the western part of Uganda and Northwards from Volcanoes National Park. You will arrive in the afternoon for lunch at your lodge after checking in. In the evening, embark on a cultural experience as you partake in the Batwa cultural experience, Their way of life through skills like food gathering, dances, and other aspects will amaze you.

Dinner and overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Rushaga Havens Lodge

Day 7: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

Enjoy an early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters with your lunch for briefing. Then, all of you four will head into the forest for your habituation exercise. Researchers, scientists, and conservationists will lead the way to the forest. The rangers will escort you as they ensure security since there are many wild animals. Gorilla habituation takes 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. After finding the gorillas, you’ll spend 4 hours with the gorillas as you make them get used to human presence. Also, take as many pictures as you can for your memories. Return to the lodge after your gorilla habituation experience.

Then after, retard to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Dinner and overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Rushaga Havens Lodge

Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha game drive

After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s a 2-3 hour drive to the Ishasha sector. You’ll arrive in time for lunch, then have it and check in. You’ll then embark on an evening game drive in the Ishasha sector. Expect to see animals like buffaloes, antelopes, kobs, and many others, especially in the Edward flats. Later, return to your lodge for relaxation.

Dinner and overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp/Ishasha Jungle Lodge/Topi Lodge

Day 9: Lion tracking/morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise.

You will wake up early, have breakfast, and embark on an early morning lion tracking experience. You will get to see the lions with an en-route game drive to the Kasenyi region. In Kasenyi, you’ll see other animals like antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, and waterbucks just to mention a few.

You will then return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel. Here, you’ll get an opportunity to see several bird species, elephants and buffalos, hippos, and crocodiles at the lake shores. Return and relax at the lodge as above

Dinner and Overnight: Elephant Hub Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge

Day 10: Transfer to Kampala Entebbe to end the tour

Wake up early and enjoy your breakfast. Later meet with the guide/driver and transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe. This journey takes 6 hours with en-route lunch and a stop at the Equator. Arrive in Entebbe, you will be dropped at the hotel you advise or proceed to the airport for your return home flight. This will thus mark the end of the 10-day Gorilla safari.