Overview
This 15-day Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda safari package involves visiting some of the best national parks in East Africa. The safari starts from Uganda and ends in Rwanda. The safari starts with a tour of Murchison Falls National Park (including Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary), then Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, among other Uganda safari destinations. After the safari in Uganda, travelers will cross to Rwanda to visit the Volcanoes National Park and then finally to Congo’s Virunga National Park.
In Murchison Falls National Park, you will visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, go for a game drive, launch a cruise, and visit the top of the Murchison Falls. While in Kibale, the main activity will be chimpanzee tracking before transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park. While at Queen Elizabeth, you will go for a launch cruise and two game drives, including one to see tree-climbing lions. From Queen Elizabeth, you will transfer to Bwindi for gorilla trekking and a Batwa Cultural visit.
You would then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda for relaxation, canoeing, and birding before crossing to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. While in Rwanda, you will go for golden monkey tracking and another gorilla trekking expedition. The evenings in Rwanda will be spent visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. From the Volcanoes National Park, you will then transfer to Lake Kivu before crossing to Virunga National Park to hike the amazing Nyiragongo Volcano. After hiking mountain Nyiragongo and observing the boiling lava lake at the summit, you will cross back to Rwanda and complete your safari by touring the city of Kigali.
By the end of the 15-day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari, you would have a great impression of the biodiversity in the three countries.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and pick up from the airport – Transfer to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala
Our company Guide will be waiting for you at the airport on arrival. And drive you to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. If you arrive early in the morning or afternoon, the driver can take you for a tour of either Entebbe or Kampala city.
Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at the Kampala Serena Hotel (luxury), 2 Friends Beach Hotel, and Hotel Triangle (budget).
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & Rhino Tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Wake up, take breakfast and set off early morning for Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, marvel at the beautiful Ugandan countryside and bypass the Luwero War Triangle. Luwero was where the current National Resistance Movement operated a guerrilla war before taking over power. Before reaching the Murchison Falls National Park, you will stop to track white rhino at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. White Rhinos are a critically endangered species that were wiped out of the park due to poaching. The sanctuary of Ziwa was founded to save the few remaining with the hope that they will one day be reintroduced to national parks.
After watching the rhinos, you will be taken for lunch at Amuka lodge and then continue to Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival, you will immediately go to the top of the Murchison falls, where you will take photos of this great waterfall from the very top. Continue to tour around the waterfalls and hear its roaring sound, likewise see the great river Nile as it squeezes through a narrow gorge before dropping. From the waterfalls, the driver will take you to the hotel for check-in, refreshment, and relaxation.
Overnight at Red Chili Rest Camp (budget), Pakuba Lodge (Mid-range), andParaa Safari Lodge (luxury).
Day 3: Early morning game drive & boat cruise along the Nile
You will wake up early for a very eventful day. Take breakfast and head for a game drive along the southern banks of the river. During this drive, you have several opportunities to spot four of Africa’s Big 5, which include Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and Buffalo. After this morning’s game drive, you will head out for lunch and rest at your lodge. Later in the afternoon, head out for a launch cruise along the River Nile, which starts from down the river and ends at the bottom of the falls. The River Nile has the largest concentration of crocodiles and hippos in the world. At the Murchison Falls section of the Nile, you will be able to see these two massive creatures up close.
Day 4: Transfer To Kibale National Park
Wake up early for breakfast to get ready for the long drive to Kibale National Park. As you travel, enjoy the rolling Ugandan countryside, with its shifting scenery and lively local markets. Keep an eye out for the striking long-horned Ankole cattle grazing by the road. Stop in Fort Portal for lunch and a tour of the town. This area is known for its pleasant weather and lush vegetation all year round. You’ll also visit the headquarters of the Toro Kingdom before continuing to nearby Kibale National Park.
Accommodation options: Kibale safari lodge
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking at Kibale National Park, then Head To Queen Elizabeth National Park
After resting yesterday, wake up very early for breakfast and head to Kibale National Park Headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The head guide will let you know all about chimpanzees in Kibale, including how to conduct yourself and what to carry along.
The activity takes between 3 and 5 hours, and although Kibale Forest is famous for chimpanzee tracking, other things will interest you because the forest is a birders paradise, but other 12 primate species and even more mammals call the park home. Once find the primates and spend an hour with them, you will head back to your hotel for lunch and rest. Your guide from Rosamy Africa Safaris Tours will transfer you to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the evening. The journey from Kibale to the Queen Elizabeth National Park takes 2 hours, and if time allows, you will stop on the way to spot crater lakes or visit some ancient caves.
Overnight stay at Simba safari lodge( budget), Mweya safari lodge(luxury), and Park view lodge(mid-range).
Day 6: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park & Boat cruise
Wake up early for what is going to be an exciting and eventful day. Our guide will pick you up and take you for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Come along with a packed breakfast or coffee to take during the game drive. This early morning game drive intends to give visitors a chance to spot nocturnal animals returning to their dens after hunting during the night. This is the best time to spot Leopards and even Hippos rushing back to the water after grazing away during the night. You will spot early risers like birds and buffalo, lions, hartebeests, primates, and countless other creatures.
After all is done, you will head back to the lodge for lunch and rest before the next activity. At 2.00 pm, you will be transferred to the Kazinga channel for a late afternoon boat cruise. The channel is a collection point for most of the wildlife and one of the very best places to view wildlife in Africa. Expect to spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and migratory birds.
Accommodation options: mweya safari lodge(mid range),
Day 7: Game drive in Ishasha Sector & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will wake up to take breakfast. Be ready for another game drive to spot tree-climbing lions at the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. We expect you to see new wildlife. This is during your final game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. After this game drive, we will transfer you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. in time to rest and prepare for Gorilla tracking the next day. Lunch will be taken at a suitable restaurant along the way to Bwindi.
Accommodation options: Tarvan Trekkers Bwindi (Budget), Bakiga Lodge (Mid-range), and Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury).
Day 8:Gorilla tracking & Cultural Tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After early morning breakfast, head to the park headquarters for trekking at 7:00 am EAT. The Head Guide will let you know what to expect during the activity, what to carry along, and how to behave once you are with a particular gorilla family. You will be assigned a gorilla family before heading out based on your age and fitness. Most gorilla trackers prefer hiring porters to help with extra luggage, and we hope you will do the same. The length of Gorilla tracking depends on the location of the gorilla group you are following. Once you are with them, take as many photos as you can because you are only allowed one hour to observe them. Mountain Gorillas can be very playful, curious, and some will come close to you. Listen to the guide’s instructions and always stay calm.
After completing the activity, you should head back to the starting point. Here, you will meet the company driver waiting to take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest. The afternoon is the time to visit the Batwa pygmy community. These former inhabitants of Bwindi Forest were relocated outside the park to avoid conflicts with forest creatures. This allows for gorilla conservation. Their cultural dances, activities, and history will fascinate you. Learn about failed projects to help them adjust to life outside the forest.
Accommodation options: Tarvan Trekkers Bwindi (Budget), Bakiga Lodge (Mid-range), and Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury).
Day 9:Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi
Wake up at your own time after yesterday’s amazing activities and have a late breakfast. After checking out, the guide will drive you to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is small but beautiful. it is perhaps Uganda’s most scenic lake. frequented by tourists and lovers who want to get away from the busy city life. The atmosphere is romantic, cool, serene, and quiet. We believe this is the place for you to relax after 8 days of visiting several places in Uganda. Relax and watch the local people fishing and swimming along the lake. You will go for a boat ride later in the evening and hop from island to island. Lake Bunyonyi is one of the top destinations for bird watching in Uganda and has a mixture of bird species that will impress any birder.
Accommodation options: Bunyonyi resort (luxury), Bunyonyi safari camp(Mid-range), and Bunyonyi overland Resort (budget).
Day 10: Relaxation and optional activities at Lake Bunyonyi
You will wake up refreshed after breakfast to take on individual activities of one’s choice before embarking on the long journey to Rwanda. Enjoy the journey and the beautiful countryside of Uganda and Rwanda. Lunch will be taken from a suitable restaurant or hotel along the way. You should reach the Volcanoes National Park and rest so as to be ready for your second gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda the following day.
Accommodation options: The Garden Place Hotel (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range), and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge(Luxury).
Day 11: Mountain Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Wake up and take your breakfast before heading for the briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi. Rwanda has 10 habituated gorilla families. Park authorities will assign one based on your overall fitness and age. Some gorilla families live further away from the park offices and may require more hours of tracking to find them. Use the time to ask as many questions as you can about the gorillas, forest creatures, and the park. Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park takes between 2 and 6 hours, but you only have one hour to observe the primates. After one hour with the gorilla family, return to the starting point. our guide will meet you there. He drives you to the lodge for lunch and rest.
Day 12: Golden monkey Trekking
You will start the day early and take breakfast before going to the Volcanoes National Park offices for the briefing on golden monkey tracking. Hire a porter for extra luggage or heavy equipment. Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda doesn’t take so long compared to gorilla trekking. After some time hiking in the forest, you will spot troops of golden monkeys on top of trees and some on the ground. Take as many photos of these cute but endangered primates. Afterwards, head back to the lodge for lunch and rest before going for an evening drive to visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.
Dinner and overnight: at The Garden Place Hotel (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range), and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)
Day 13: Transfer To Lake Kivu
Start your day at your hotel with a tasty breakfast as you get ready to set off from the Volcanoes National Park to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Lake Kivu is the biggest freshwater lake in Rwanda and Congo. It is a beautiful place to visit.
The government of Rwanda has done good work not only promoting but also developing tourism infrastructure along the lake shores. On arrival at your hotel, you will have lunch overlooking the lake. Later in taken for a boat ride on the lake as you tour the various islands. After the boat ride, you can go back to the lodge for swimming and relaxation.
Dinner and overnight at Palm Resort Gardens (Budget), Paradise Marahide (Mid-range), and Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury).
Day 14: Transfer To Goma In Congo
wake early to take breakfast before we transfer to the Congo border. After border officials clear you, you will cross to Congo and meet the Virunga National Park team. They will drive to Kibati village, which is the starting point for hiking Mount Nyiragongo volcano. Hiking to the top of the summit takes 4 to 6 hours. This depends on the overall fitness of the group. The group leaves no one behind until the final hike. The Nyiragongo volcano is the world’s only place. where tourists can pay to see a lava lake up close. It’s safe to observe the lava lake as the volcano has shown no signs of erupting in recent years. Dinner and overnight will be in cabins at the summit.
Day 15: Descend The Volcano & Transfer To Kigali For Departure
In the morning, you will begin your descent. Drive back to Goma town, arriving by midday. You will then cross back to Rwanda and drive back to Kigali. You will have a city tour. This includes visiting the Gisozi genocide war memorial site. you will also see the city markets, the presidential palace museum, and artisan shops for souvenirs. After the city tour, our company driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure.
End of 15 Day Congo, Rwanda & Uganda Safari.
