Countries: Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo and Burundi
Destinations: Entebbe, Lake Victoria, Kampala, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Bigodi wetland, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Lake Kivu, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Bujumbura, River Rusizi National Park and Gishora drum sanctuary.
Travel time: July 2024
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe
Day 2: Shoebill bird watching at Mabamba and visit to Entebbe Zoo
Day 3: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with an en route Rhino trekking
Day 4: Game drives and boat cruise at Murchison Falls National Park
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Game drive and boat cruise at Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 10: Visit Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 11: Golden monkey trekking, and transfer to Karongi
Day 12: Boat ride on Lake Kivu and transfer to Congo – Bukavu
Day 13: Gorilla trekking at Kahuzi Biega National Park and transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Day 14: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk at Nyungwe National Park
Day 15: Transfer to Gishora drum sanctuary and proceed to Bujumbura
Day 16: Boat ride on River Rusizi, Bujumbura city tour and departure.
Trip Overview
This 16 days around Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and Burundi adventure safaris, rewards you with a great experience with an arrival in Entebbe, followed by shoebill watching at Mabamba swamp, visit Entebbe, before transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, with an en route visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to start your wildlife safari experience. You will as well visit Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking experience, followed by a wonderful epic safari experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park, with rewarding boat cruise on Kazinga channel, before transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda for mountain gorilla trekking. The park hosts half of the remaining world mountain gorillas. You will trek the gorillas, later relax at Lake Bunyonyi, to break the journey before transfer to en route Kigali, for city tour, to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking and cultural experience before transferring to Gisenyi – Rwanda, followed by a boat ride on Lake Kivu before transfer to DR Congo for the lowland gorilla trekking at Kahuzi Biega National Park. You will later return to Rwanda for canopy walk and chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe National Park, before driving to Bujumbura – Burundi, for boat ride on River Rusizi and cultural experience at Gishora drum sanctuary that Burundi is known for. You will finalize the tour, with Bujumbura city tour, and later departure back, to mark your East Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and Burundi adventure safari. The trip starts in Entebbe, Uganda, through Kigali – Rwanda to Congo and ends in Bujumbura – Burundi.
When it comes to East Africa, there is a call for One More Adventure!
Trip Highlights
- Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda
- Gorilla trekking experience in Congo
- Wildlife experience in Uganda
- Chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda
- Chimpanzee trekking experience in Rwanda
- Golden monkey trekking experience in Rwanda
- Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi
- White water rafting on the Nile
- Rhino trekking at Ziwa
- Canopy walk at Nyungwe
- Kigali city tour
- Visit to Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary
- Fishing on Lake Victoria
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu
- Boat ride on River Rusizi
- Boat cruise experiences
- Wildlife experience
- Countryside experience
- Bigodi swamp walk
- Visit to Iby’ Iwacu cultural center
- Road drive experience
Day 1: Welcome to Uganda!
Day Itinerary
Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, you will go through the immigration protocol and on getting done, as you exit the tunnel, your driver/guide, will warmly welcome you to Uganda, and he will pick you up from Entebbe airport and transfers you to your booked accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. You will have the opportunity to rest and prepare for your safari adventure the following day. Our driver will ensure that you are comfortable and ready for an exciting and unforgettable experience exploring the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of Uganda.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Overnight stay at: Pineapple Guest House
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Shoebill stork bird watching at Mabamba Swamp Bay and Entebbe Botanical Garden
Day Itinerary
Embark on an extraordinary bird-watching adventure at Mabamba Bay with the renowned One More Adventure Safaris. Rise with the first light of dawn as we make our way to the enchanting Kasenyi landing site. At 6:30 am, we’ll board a motorized speed boat, gliding effortlessly across the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria, eagerly anticipating the magical moment when the sun rises above the horizon.
The boat ride is a short, exhilarating 15-20 minutes, bringing us closer to our destination – the captivating Mabamba wetland. Here, we’ll switch to a local canoe, gently navigating through the serene wetland, towards the heart of the shoebills’ habitat. As we traverse the waterways, our eyes remain alert, scanning the surroundings in all directions, hoping to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures. And on that fortunate day, we behold their majestic presence!
With cameras in hand, we seize the opportunity to immortalize the moment, capturing the shoebills in their natural habitat. Watching these towering birds in action as they hunt for fish is a sight to behold – their sheer size and grace are simply unbelievable.
Mabamba wetland is not only home to a significant number of shoebill storks but also serves as the ultimate destination worldwide for observing these remarkable birds. In addition, the wetland teems with an array of other avian species, ensuring an unforgettable bird-watching experience for enthusiasts and photographers alike.
After indulging in this visual feast, we bid farewell to the wetland, embarking on our return journey to the hotel. As we cruise back on the boat, we are treated to a delightful en route experience. We witness local fishermen skillfully carrying out their daily duties, while our eagle eyes spot various other bird species fluttering above the tranquil waters
Meet your guide, and head for hot lunch. After lunch, you will visit Entebbe zoo (UWEC), for a behind the scene wildlife experience, where you learn more about the wildlife at the zoo, and if time permits, visit Entebbe local markets and art galleries. Later, head to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Pineapple Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: To Murchison Falls National Park. Journey Time +5 hours.
Day Itinerary
Today, wake up and have an early morning breakfast, meet your guide, who will shortly take you through a short briefing about your trip, and later you continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, one of the oldest conservation areas in Uganda. This is a long but rewarding journey through various landscapes of Northern Uganda, as you explore the beautiful countryside setting, with a flat topography, as we drive past the rural area, enjoying the homestead settings.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must visit in the Pearl of Africa. There are superb activities on offer such as a boat safari or Delta safari on the Nile. The river divides the park between a Northern and Southern section as it makes its way through multiple rapids and waterfalls to Lake Albert. Unfortunately, during the war years poachers and troops wiped out the majority of wildlife. Except for the park’s rhino population, fortunately all other wildlife has recovered fast since. A game drive in the park allows you to be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom and you will be amazed by the amount of elephants. Also giraffes, lions, antelope, waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles can all be spotted. Game drives take place on the tracks in the northern section which you reach by taking a ferry across the river. This park guarantees adventure!
You will pass by Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, for on foot Rhino tracking, this takes roughly 3 hour’s.
Later, have lunch and proceed with the drive to the park, reach and approach the park with a slow en route game drive, as you head to visit the Top of the falls, the Nile most powerful fall, with thunder sound as the water oases out of the narrow gorge.
Overnight stay at: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4: Game drive and Boat cruise at Murchison Falls National Park
Day Itinerary
After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On your game drives you of course need a fair share of luck and very good eyes to try and spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there! Lost in nature, stretching your neck, to spot the best out of the drive. The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, huge array of bird species and big herds of buffalo. You will discover some of the park’s ecosystems and different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands. As this is a private game drive you can ask your guide to tailor your trip towards specific birdlife and/or wildlife if you like. You will later have your picnic lunch served, take some relaxation, as you have a break.
The afternoon boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity, it takes approximately 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the fall. You can imagine; this boat safari will show you breathtaking scenery. Cold drinks are for sale on board for when you get thirsty for a local beer or a soda. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other (also thirsty) wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. If you like hiking, the boat can drop you near the waterfalls and you can hike up to the top (this takes around 1 or 1, 3 hours). The views are amazing! You will later return back to your lodge, with a slow en route game drive, and spend the afternoon at leisure swimming or dinning.
Overnight stay at: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. Travel time +5 hours
Day Itinerary
Today after your early morning breakfast, have an en route game drive as you drive off heading to Kibale Forest National Park; you will drive through a scenic lush green countryside. On arrival at Kibale forest; you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business. The forest is home to at least 12 Primate Species including: The Red-Tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus plus Blue Monkeys. The bird life in the forest is also prolific and includes the beautiful Great Blue Turaco. If you are very lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the meandering herd of Forest Elephants.
In the afternoon; go for a Bigodi nature walk at Bigodi wetland sanctuary for primate and bird viewing, the walk can take roughly 2 hours, to explore the hidden treasure of this swamp, with a great chance to see a number of bird species and monkeys. Later drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Turaco Treetop Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day Itinerary
In the morning, you will set off to the park headquarters for briefing before going for Chimpanzee trekking, where you may encounter other primates like Vervet Monkeys, Blue Hoest Monkeys, Black and white colobus Monkeys among others. The park is known as home of primates with 13 primate’s species including the famous chimpanzees. The trek takes roughly 2 – 4 hours, depending on the chimpanzee movement. One hour will be allocated to you, to have a wonderful interaction with the chimpanzees, as you take pictures and short videos, as your local guide explains to you all the biological background of the chimpanzee as you interact. You will later return from trek and head for lunch.
After lunch, drive to Queen Elizabeth with the beautiful view of the crater lakes, you will do a brief crater lakes tour around and later drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a stopover at Equator for photography.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a wildlife reserve located in Uganda. It spans over 1,978 square km and is home to a diverse range of wildlife including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, and over 600 bird species. The park offers various activities for visitors including game drives, boat rides, nature walks, and chimpanzee trekking. Its stunning scenery and diverse wildlife make it a popular tourist destination for those seeking an immersive wildlife experience
You will reach and have lunch at the lodge, and later head for a brief evening game drive and later return for dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Overnight stay at: Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Game drive & boat cruise at Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day Itinerary
After an early morning breakfast at 6:00 am, you will head for game drive in search for the morning hunters and grazers such as the buffalos, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, lions and variety of bird species that you will encounter on your game ride and later head for lunch.
After lunch you will proceed for a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel to view the water dwelling birds and animals such as the pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, herons, darters to mention but a few and see animals such as buffalos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, elephants wallowing at the mad and much more. After a boat cruise, you will proceed for a short game drive as you find your way back to the lodge for dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Overnight stay at: Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishaha. Travel time +5hrs
Day Itinerary
Following having breakfast at your lodge, we shall proceed to Ishasha sector, for another game drive in this beautiful sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a short game drive and later drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the magnificent route to your booked accommodation with an en route lunch and later reach at your lodge, spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and preparing for the next day’s Gorilla trekking exercise.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Uganda. It’s known for its diverse flora and fauna, with over 350 bird species and over 400 gorillas. Bwindi offers a unique birding experience for bird enthusiasts, as well as gorilla trekking for wildlife enthusiasts. The park’s thick forest makes for an exciting and immersive adventure, attracting tourists from all over the world. It’s best to visit during the dry season for optimal bird watching and gorilla trekking experiences.
Overnight stay at: Ihamba Residence
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day Itinerary
Early morning cup of coffee by 0630hrs, then prepare for the gorilla trekking briefing from the park headquarters and thereafter, you will enter the jungle with your packed lunch to search for the shy mountain gorillas and enjoy their lifestyle in their real home. After meeting the gorillas, you can sit around these great apes for an hour watching their social life as you take pictures. On a gorilla safari, a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as walking shoes, packed snacks and mineral water, insect repellent, sunscreen and hut. The gorilla trekking experience takes almost 2 – 6 depending on the movements of these primates and pace of your trekking group. After this gorilla tracking experience you will return and drive to Lake Bunyonyi.
You will catch up with a canoe ride adventure, to explore some of the great hot spots of Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful lake hidden within the great valleys of Kisoro. The lake has a number of beautiful islands that have become home to numerous bird species. You will later transfer to your lodge, have lunch and retire in the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight stay at: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10: Visit Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Travel time + 6hrs
Day Itinerary
Have an early morning breakfast, meet your guide, and drive to Kigali, which is roughly 3 hours’ drive away, reach and visit Kigali genocide memorial, art galleries, local market and later other interesting part of the town, have lunch and later transfer to Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park, which is roughly 2 hours away. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Overnight stay at: Amarembo Gorilla Village
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11: Golden Monkey trekking, culture and transfer to Gisenyi
Day Itinerary
After breakfast, you’ll head out on a trekking experience to find golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. You will meet your guide at the park headquarters before heading into the forest. The walk there meanders through local villages and tea plantations, and the scenery is beautiful. Once you find the monkeys, you’ll have an hour to observe them running around, eating, and swinging from the trees. Just like the gorilla trekking experience, the same trekking procedures and guidelines apply to golden monkey trekking though not so hectic like gorilla trekking. You will return, head for a cultural insight at Iby’ Iwacu cultural center and later head for lunch before transferring to Gisenyi, where you will spend the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Overnight stay at: Paradise Malahide
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Diner
Day 12: Boat ride in Kivu and transfer to DR Congo. Travel time +5hours
Day Itinerary
After having your early morning breakfast, you will drive to Karongi, which is roughly 3 hours’ drive away and you will be transferred to for a boat ride on Lake Kivu, for a great boat experience, touring this beautiful lake, with great islands and bird species and later return and head for lunch, before transfer to DR Congo, through Bukavu border to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Overnight stay at: Nediva Hotel Bukavu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13: Low Land Gorilla trek at Kahuzi Biega National Park and transfer to Nyungwe
Day Itinerary
After a delightful breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to the park office, for briefing and later you will head for the low land gorilla trekking, at Kahuzi Biega National Park in DR Congo. An hour will be allocated upon finding the gorillas and later returning, to have time, to watch them and take photos of your interest. Later you will return, meet your guide and drive to Rwanda and catch up with lunch on Rwandan side in a local restaurant, before the transfer to Nyungwe National Park, to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Emeraude Kivu Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 14: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk at Nyungwe National Park
Day Itinerary
Today, after your early morning cup of African coffee on a buffer kind of setting, you will leave your hotel to experience the natural forest of Nyungwe, well known for having 13 species of primates, and transferred to the park for briefing and chimpanzee trekking. You will be entitled to one hour on finding the chimpanzees. After doing the chimpanzee trek, head for lunch and some short refreshment before heading for a canopy walk in the afternoon. This 70 meters suspended metallic bridge will give you a great overview of Nyungwe forest and on a luck day spot one or two more primates in the forest as you take a roughly 1 and half hours walk on this bridge, that gives you, a cool tree top view and later return in the afternoon to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Emeraude Kivu Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 15: Transfer to Gitega and visit Gishora drum sanctuary.
Day Itinerary
Breakfast will be served on time, before we jump onto our jeep and head to explore Gitega city.
Gitega is the current political capital of the country since 2019, a city located exactly in the middle of the country and the ideal city where one can get acquainted with the historical and cultural heritage of Burundi, in the national museum of Gitega.
Our visit begins at the National Museum of Gitega, then Boma, the former residence of German governor before the First World War; then we drive to Gishora drum sanctuary.
If you haven’t visited Gitega and explored the mesmerizing Gishora drum sanctuary, then you haven’t truly experienced the heart and soul of Burundi. Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting rhythm of the drums, witness electrifying performances, and immerse yourself in an atmosphere that will leave you breathless.
Prepare to be mesmerized as you listen to the rhythmic beats of the drums echoing through the air. The Gishora Drum Sanctuary is a place like no other, where the vibrant energy of the drums takes center stage. Immerse yourself in a truly electric performance that will leave you captivated from start to finish. The powerful resonance of the drums will stir your soul and ignite a fire within.
As the drums play, you’ll find it impossible to resist the urge to move. The rhythm will pulsate through your veins, and before you know it, you’ll be on your feet, dancing to the infectious beat. The energy is infectious, and the atmosphere is alive with joy and celebration. Allow the music to guide you as you join in the jumps, letting go of inhibitions and embracing the sheer exhilaration of the moment.
As the resonating beats fill the air, you won’t be able to resist the urge to move. The pulsating energy of the drummers will ignite your spirit, and the contagious joy of the performance will make it impossible to remain seated. Let the vibrant melodies and pulsating rhythms guide your feet as you dance to the ancient tunes, allowing the music to carry you away to a world of pure bliss.
Later we head to our jeep, and find our way to Bujumbura.
Overnight stay at: Club du Lac Tanganyika Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 16: Boat ride on Ruzizi and Bujumbura City tour and departure
Day Itinerary
Today, the great cross country adventure comes to an End!
Following breakfast, next, we venture into Rusizi National Park, a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Be prepared to be amazed by the colorful plumage and melodious songs of the diverse birdlife that calls this park home. With binoculars in hand, explore the park’s trails and immerse yourself in the symphony of nature. Every step brings you closer to encounters with unique and rare avian species, making this a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts.
You will later return and head for the Bujumbura city tour where we shall visit Five Color Square, Cross Memorial Tricolor Gate, local markets. Lunch will be served during the course of the day.
Depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to Bujumbura Airport for your flight back home, with great travel memories, across the 4 countries.
Thanks for choosing One More Adventure Safaris, to explore East Africa with you, we look forward to your recommendations to friends and family. End of Service!
Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch.
This safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 Jeep safari vehicle
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- 1 Uganda Gorilla permit ($ 800), per person
- 1 low land gorilla permit, per person
- En-route lunches
- Golden monkey permit
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu
- Boat ride on River Rusizi
- Boat cruises as mentioned
- Bigodi swamp walk
- Wildlife experiences
- Park entrance fees
- Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi
- Shoebill watching at Mabamba
- Rhino trekking experience
- Bujumbura city tour
- Kigali city tour
- 2 Chimpanzee trek permits
- Canopy walk experience in Nyungwe
- Cultural experiences
- Soft drink during the meal
- Services of an English speaking driver/ guide.
- Unlimited bottles of mineral water during safari
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Tips for guides
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations & tests
- Health test requirements
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options. Write to us with more details about your safari.