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, Volcanoes National Park, Lake Kivu, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Kigali.
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe
Day 2: Shoebill bird watching at Mabamba and visit to Entebbe Zoo
Day 3: Kampala city tour
Day 4: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with an en route Rhino trekking
Day 5: Game drives and boat cruise at Murchison Falls National Park
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 9: Game drive and boat cruise at Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 11: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 12: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Visit Ellen DeGeneres Campus
Day 13: Golden Monkey Trekking, and transfer to Gisenyi
Day 14: Boat ride on Lake Kivu and transfer to Congo – Bukavu
Day 15: Gorilla Trekking at Kahuzi Biega National Park and transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Day 16: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk at Nyungwe National Park
Day 17: Transfer to Kigali with an en route visit to King Palace museum and Kigali city tour
Day 18: Departure
Trip Overview
This 18 Days Discover Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Primate Adventure Safaris, rewards you with a great experience with an arrival in Entebbe, followed by shoebill watching at Mabamba swamp, Kampala city tour, 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 at Bwindi and transfer to Volcanoes National Park visit Ellen DeGeneres Campus, engage on a cultural experience, and golden monkey trekking before transferring to Kibuye – 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 Kigali, with an en route visit to King Palce museum and later on Kigali city tour and next day 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
- Kampala city tour
- Visit to Entebbe zoo
- Rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Canopy walk at Nyungwe forest
- Kigali city tour
- Visit to King Palace museum
- Visit to Kigali genocide memorial
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu
- Boat ride on River Rusizi
- Boat cruise experiences
- Wildlife experience
- Countryside experience
- Bigodi swamp walk
- Ndere cultural experience
- 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 Zoo
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: Kampala City Tour
Day Itinerary
Have a relaxed breakfast at your hotel, you will head for Kampala city tour. Our Kampala city tour will take you on a journey through the bustling streets, vibrant markets, and historical landmarks of Uganda’s capital. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as you explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, gaining insights into the vibrant culture and history that shaped Uganda’s identity.
We shall visit Gaddafi mosque, centered in the middle of the city, which rewards you with a great view of the city, and then proceed to visit Kabaka Royal Palace at Lubiri, learn more about the Buganda Kingdom and culture, before heading to visit Baha’i Temple, the only Buddha temple in Africa, after visit Namugongo shrine, to know more about missionaries and their influence on the Buganda kingdom.
As the sun sets, we invite you to the Ndere Cultural Center, where the magic of Ugandan music, dance, and drama come alive. Ndere showcases a selectively sampled repertoire from the 56 unique Ugandan cultures, each with its own distinct rhythm and story to tell. Let the infectious beats and melodic tunes ignite your spirit as you witness the extraordinary performances of the talented Ndere troops.
As you lose yourself in the mesmerizing sounds of the drums and the energetic dance moves, your smile will be a constant companion throughout the evening. The vibrant costumes, graceful movements, and spirited performances will transport you into the heart of Ugandan culture, leaving you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for this diverse nation.
To satisfy your culinary cravings, indulge in mouthwatering samples of local Ugandan dishes served as a buffet. Let the flavors of Uganda tantalize your taste buds as you savor the authentic tastes of the region. Feed your soul through the captivating performances and feed your empty stomach with the delectable culinary delights, making it a truly satisfying and memorable experience.
The Ndere Cultural Center offers an ideal way to begin or end your Ugandan safari adventure. It sets the stage for an immersive exploration of the country’s rich cultural heritage, providing a deeper connection to the people and traditions that make Uganda so captivating.
You will later transfer to your booked accommodation, for overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Fairway Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: 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, and spend the afternoon at leisure swimming or dining.
Overnight stay at: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: 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 6: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. Travel time +5 hours
Day Itinerary
Today after your early morning breakfast, have an en route game drive and 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. You will hike to the bottom of the falls, later return and 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 late afternoon, transfer to your accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Overnight stay at: Isunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience at Kibale National Park and Bigodi Nature Walk
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.
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: Isunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Travel time +2 hours
Day Itinerary
Have early morning breakfast, and 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 9: 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 10: 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: Bakiga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11: 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 to your lodge for hot lunch. You will spend the evening relaxing and going through your great shots during your trekking as you wait for overnight stay at the lodge or you may opt for batwa cultural experience, to kill your evening stay.
Overnight stay at: Bakiga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Travel time + 3hrs
Day Itinerary
Have an early morning breakfast, meet your guide, and later transfer to Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park, which is roughly 3 hours away. You will reach and visit Ellen DeGeneres Campus of Dian Fossey, learn more about her great work towards gorilla conservation. Later have lunch and after lunch, 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: Amarembo Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 13: Golden Monkey trekking 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, and have lunch, later transfer to Gisenyi, and relax at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Overnight stay at: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Diner
Day 14: 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 15: 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 16: 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 17: Transfer to Kigali. Travel time + 5 hours
Day Itinerary
After your early morning breakfast, you will be met by your guide, share a short briefing and jump on your jeep, find your way to Kigali, with an en route visit to King Palace museum, learn more about Rwanda tradition and cultural ways. You will reach Kigali and have lunch. After lunch, visit Kigali genocide memorial ground, learn more about the Rwandan genocide of 1994, an educational moment, to understand what transpired. Time permit, visit local market and art galleries, before transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Hotel des Mille Collines
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 18: Departure
Day Itinerary
Today, the great cross country adventure comes to an End!
Following breakfast, depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to Kigali Airport for your flight back home, with great travel memories, across the 3 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 only
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
- Kampala city tour
- Boat cruises as mentioned
- Bigodi swamp walk
- Wildlife experiences
- Ndere cultural experience
- Park fees
- Visit to Kigali genocide memorial
- Visit to King Palace museum
- Visit to Ellen DeGenres Campus
- Shoebill watching at Mabamba
- Rhino trekking experience
- Bujumbura 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.