Best of Rwanda & Uganda – 12 days


12 Days


participants: 1 – 6

Unique experiences in Rwanda and Uganda

This combined trip shows you the most beautiful places in Rwanda and the highlights of Uganda. In the Volcanoes Mountains you will visit the rare Golden Monkeys, in Bwindi NP you will experience the mountain gorillas up close and in Queen Elisabth NP you will encounter lions, elephants, hippos, leopards and many other animals that can only be found in Africa. You will stay in exclusive lodges and hotels and enjoy this journey full of contrasts.

highlights

Golden Monkeys in Rwanda
Gorillas in Bwindi
Chimpanzees in Kibale Forrest
Exclusive Lodges
Private tour with your own guide
Great landscapes
Africa's Wildlife

inclusive

11 x breakfast
10 x lunch or lunch box
10 x dinner
All transfers according to the itinerary of the tour
Rides in a 4×4 Landcruiser off-road vehicle with window seat
All park entrance fees
1x Chimpanzee Permit
1x Golden Monkey Tracking
Professional, English-speaking guide
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth
Drinking water
Binoculars

exclusive

Gorilla Permit ($700)
Tips
Visas
Flight

hints

• English-speaking driver on request
• We are happy to book international flights from Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Munich, Berlin, Dresden, Vienna or Zurich.
Price per person:
with 2 participants: 5440 Euro
4 participants: 4725 Euro
6 participants: 4625 Euro
Trip starts: daily

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport (KGL), Rwanda – transfer to the hotel

Our driver/guide will meet you at Kigali airport and take you to your hotel.  On the way you will get your first impressions of this unusual city for Africa. Depending on the time of day, you may have the opportunity to visit the genocide memorial, where you will gain an insight into Rwanda’s recent history. Alternatively, you can visit one of the lively markets or the Kandt Museum.

Day 2: Kigali – Volcanoes Mountains

This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we head towards the Volcanoes Mountains. You leave Kigali heading west and soon get an impression of where the name “Land of a Thousand Hills” comes from. The small villages are often quite sleepy, you will be amazed by the lush vegetation with the large coffee and tea plantations and you will enjoy driving through the constantly changing landscape. There is little car traffic, and the bicycle is still the  most popular means of transportation for the rural population of Rwanda. In the afternoon you reach Ruhengeri at the foot of the Volcanoes Mountains

Day 3: Vulcanoes Mountains – Golden Monkeys Tracking

Today it’s time to get up early, have breakfast and then drive to the starting point of the Golden Monkey Tracking. In small groups with a maximum of 8 participants, we head into the Vulcanoes National Park. Endangered animals live here. Only here in the border region between Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo are there around 4500 of these mystical golden monkeys left in the world. The animals’ habitat is the bamboo forests at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, and the ascent is comparatively easy. Alternatively, you can go gorilla tracking for an extra charge.

Day 4: Virunga Mountains – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today you set off on a particularly impressive scenic drive . After the formalities at the border, we continue via Kisora to Lake Mutanda on the edge of Bwindi National Park. You drive along winding roads with great views of the green terraced mountains, the Virunga volcanoes and Lake Bunyonyi with its 19 islands before you reach the starting point for your gorilla tracking.

Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla tracking

Today you will experience the highlight of your Uganda trip! The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. This forest is the only one in Africa where both primate species live together. In groups with a maximum of 8 guests and the guides, you walk along the wooded slopes on winding paths through the rainforest. On the way, the guide will tell you lots of interesting facts about these fascinating giants. It shows you traces of the gorillas’ previous activities, such as nests, dung and nibbled bamboo shoots. Then you will suddenly find yourself face to face with the powerful, almost human-looking mountain gorillas just a few meters away! You can observe how the animals go about their daily activities undisturbed and have the opportunity to take photos.

Day 6: Bwindi – Drive to Ishasha

We now continue north through the Bwindi Impenetrable NP. The next destination is the southern part of Queen Elisabeth National Park, the Ishasha area. Surrounded by game reserves, Ishasha is home to a striking number of large mammals, including elephants, lions, buffalo and leopards. The road leads through the rainforest with its mist-shrouded valleys and gigantic tree population. In the afternoon you reach the savannah of the Ishasha region.

Day 7: Ishasha – Queen Elisabeth National Park

After a hearty breakfast, you will continue your journey to the north of Queen Elisabeth National Park. There are two lakes in the park, Lake George and Lake Edwrd, both connected by the Kazinga Canal.  There are very different natural areas on the almost 2000 km², lake landscapes, savannahs, swamps and the crater land in the north of the park are home to almost 100 species of mammals. In addition to a large elephant population, lions, zebras, antelopes and buffalo can also be observed. Arrive at your lodge in the early afternoon and enjoy the view of the Bark and the Rwenzori Mountains in the background.

Day 8: Queen Elisabeth National Park, game drive and boat safari

Today you start early for a morning game drive in Queen Elisabeth National Park. The extensive park lies at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon. Lake Edward and Lake George are located within the park. In the national park you will go on an adventurous game drive with all that the African animal world has to offer. You will find lions, buffalo, hyenas and also the Kobe antelope, which is native to Uganda. The Kazinga Canal connects the two lakes. Crocodiles and hippos live here, as well as a large number of bird species, some of which can only be found in this area. In the afternoon you go on a boat safari on the canal where you have the opportunity to see these animals at close range.

Day 9: Queen Elisabeth National Park – Fort Portal

Today you leave Queen Elisabeth National Park in the direction of Fort Portal and Kibale Forrest. On the way to Kasese you will have the opportunity to do some shopping, and if you continue to Fort Portal you will also find banks, stores, the market and cafés. You will find your lodge outside the city.

 

Day 10: Kibale National Park, chimpanzee tracking

This morning you will head to the Kibale Forest where you will follow the tracks of the chimpanzees in the rainforest accompanied by an experienced guide. The silence is interrupted by the unfamiliar sounds of a few birds. The chimpanzees also report you loudly. With a bit of luck, you will soon spot the first primates! Watch the chimpanzees as they play, eat, louse, cuddle or even mate.

Day 11: Fort Portal – Kampala

Today we continue on to Kampala. The route leads past huge tea plantations through small villages and lively little towns. The closer you get to the capital of Uganda, the busier the traffic becomes. The lodge on the outskirts of the city, located directly on Lake Victoria, offers the opportunity to end your vacation in a relaxed manner. Our employee comes in the evening and you return the vehicle.

– Distance: 320 km Travel time: approx. 6h

Day 12: Departure day – Airport Entebbe (EBB), Uganda

Today, depending on the time of your return flight, you can relax at the lodge or go on a city tour of Kampala with our driver. Our driver will take you to your return flight or to your connecting stay, e.g. in Zanzibar or at Lake Victoria, in good time.

Accomodation

Kigali Serena Hotel

stay: 1 night

Location: The 5 star Kigali Serena Hotel is located in the centre of Kigali with a swimming pool and fitness centre. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Facilities: The hotel has 148 spacious rooms in classic style with modern living/sleeping area and large bathroom with separate shower and toilet as well as bathtub. From the balcony you can enjoy the view of the pool surrounded by palm trees. Restaurant: The restaurant serves local and international varied cuisine as a buffet or a la carte.

Amarembo Gorilla Lodge

stay: 2 nights

Location: Amarembo Gorilla Village Lodge is a luxury accommodation in Musanza district in the Northern Province of Rwanda. With a great view of the volcanoes, the lodge is close to a starting point for gorilla trekking. Accommodation: 10 luxurious and comfortably furnished rooms in traditional, modern Rwandan style are available to guests. All rooms are equipped with a double bed, mosquito net, flat-screen TV, flush toilet, shower/bathtub and a private balcony with seating. Restaurant: Various African dishes are offered in the main building. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can also be served as a bush or garden meal. The lodge’s pool or the fire pit invite you to relax and unwind after an exciting day. At the bar, you can enjoy a selection of local drinks such as cocktails, wine or international beer. Enjoy the magnificent sunsets and the view of the volcanoes.

Gorilla Safari Lodge

stay: 2 nights

Location: Gorilla Safari Lodge is located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorilla. The starting point for gorilla tracking is just a few minutes away. Accommodation: The lodge has eight spacious cottages, each with its own terrace from which you have a wonderful view of the pristine tropical rainforest. The comfortable bathrooms have overflowing hot water and toilet and shower. Restaurant: The food is served in the restaurant in the main house, here there are international cuisine with local aspects.

Enjojo Lodge

stay: 1 night

Location: Enjojo Lodge is located in the Ishasha Distict of Queen Elizabeth NP just a few hundred meters from the Park Gate. The lodge property is located in an acacia forest with lush vegetation. Accommodation: The thatched cottages are connected by a wooden walkway. The rooms have a private bathroom and an outdoor shower with hot and cold water. Guests can relax on the large veranda. Restaurant: In the restaurant and bar, guests can enjoy homemade food and alcoholic beverages. In the evening there is a campfire with a view of the waterhole in front of it. Activities: Walks, Game drives

 

Katara Lodge

stay: 2 nights

Location: The lodgel is located on the Geat Rift Valley with a fantastic view of the Queen Elisabet National Park. Accommodation: The lodge has 7 cottages and one family cottage. The bungalows have a large, open sleeping and living area, with a double bed and a veranda. The bathrooms are equipped with a bathtub and shower. Restaurant: The restaurant overlooks the entire lodge and garden with exceptional international and local dishes, as well as a bar and launch area.

Kluge’s Guest Farm

stay: 2 nights

Location: At the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains in Kibale, the comfortable guest farm is set in a unique tropical parkland setting with a small outdoor swimming pool. Facilities: The spacious complex includes 10 bungalows furnished in African style combined with European standards. All bungalows have a toilet and bathtub. A ground-level terrace invites you to a breathtaking view of the mountain landscape of the mighty Rwenzori Mountains. Restaurant: The exquisite restaurant “Gavamukulya” serves lovingly prepared à la carte dishes from our own cultivation. Free WIFI is available.

Humura Lodge Kampala

stay: 1 night

Location: Humura Resort is located in a beautiful garden in the centre of Kampala. Kampala Golf Club and Uganda National Museums are in close proximity. Accommodation: The large rooms have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and a bathroom with shower. In the garden you will find the pool and a well-equipped gym. Restaurant: The restaurant is located in the garden and offers local and international cuisine. Free internet is available.

 

Map