Best of Rwanda & Uganda – 12 days

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.