6-day Kigali, Rwanda & Uganda gorilla tour
This 6-day tour of two African nations takes you on an unforgettable journey from Rwanda to Uganda. You’ll begin in the vibrant capital of Rwanda, Kigali, to learn about Rwanda’s dark past but bright future. Then enjoy a scenic drive through the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ with its beautiful rolling landscape dotted with tea plantations, rugged mountains and towering volcanoes. You will then cross the border to explore Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and meet a family of mountain gorillas – a wildlife encounter of a lifetime. Uganda is also home to hippos, wild cats, chimpanzees and many amazing birds. You’ll encounter some of this incredible wildlife on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel then complete your adventure by coming face to face with chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest.
Services
Included:
- Transfers to/from Kigali Airport
- National Park entrance fees
- 5 x nights accommodation
- 5 x breakfasts
- 5 x lunches
- Transportation in 4x4 Toyota safari vehicle
- City tour of Kigali
- 1 x game drive & 1 x boat-ride safari on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Excluded:
- Yellow fever inoculation certificate or an exemption letter from your doctor –COMPULSORY
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Optional:
- Local cooking lesson at Nyamirambo women's centre ($25 per person)
- Optional accommodation on last day (day 6)
- 1 Shoebill canoe ride on Lake Victoria - USD $60 per person
Itinerary at a Glance
Kigali - Kigali
Arrival in Rwanda
Kigali City - Nyamirambo Kigali
Kigali city tour
Kigali City - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Journey into Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Mountain gorilla trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat cruise safari
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kalinzu Forest - Kigali Airport
Chimpanzee trek
Detailed Itinerary
Kigali - Kigali
Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. If you have time, head out to explore the city this evening: Kigali is well-known for its pleasant and friendly atmosphere.
Kigali City - Nyamirambo Kigali
Day 2: Kigali city tour
After breakfast, head out for a Kigali city tour. You will visit Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum at Gisozi to learn how an estimated one million Rwandans were killed in nearly 100 days of the 1994 genocide. The memorial museum has a cemetery, an exhibition section and a library. Visiting the memorial centre is not only educational but a truly moving experience. After spending a few hours there, you will continue to the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre in the largest and most vibrant township in Kigali City. The centre provides women and girls with the opportunity to obtain practical skills to support each other and succeed in life. Enjoy lunch prepared by women employed at the centre.
Kigali City - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 3: Journey into Uganda
Early morning departure from your hotel to drive to the Rwanda/Uganda land border. After border immigration and customs, we drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Enjoy this scenic route with impressive landscapes. The approximate driving time is five hours, with a one-hour border crossing.
Upon arrival, you will check in at your hotel and relax for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 4: Mountain gorilla trekking
Today is the big day... your guide will pick you up from your hotel, for your mountain gorilla encounter. After a short transfer to the Bwindi National Park office, you will meet the local rangers and trackers, who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. The tracking can last from as little as 45 minutes to as long as 10 hours. It all depends on the location of the gorillas the previous day. After finding the gorillas, you will spend a maximum of an hour viewing them. The terrain can get tough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and encountering the gorillas in their natural habitat make it all worthwhile.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5: Boat cruise safari
Today you’ll take a road transfer to the Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha. Here, there is a chance of seeing the famous tree-climbing lions that live here. You will then continue driving north for a shared boat cruise safari on the Kazinga Channel (approximately two hours). As you drift downstream, look out for hippos, herds of buffalo and water birds. The boat cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The park is home to over 95 species of mammal and over 600 bird species. In the evening you’ll retire to your safari lodge.
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kalinzu Forest - Kigali Airport
Day 6: Chimpanzee trek
Today you’ll take an early morning transfer to Kalinzu Forest. This is where you begin your trek in search of the resident chimpanzees – the expected activity time is two-three hours. Later, we’ll stop for a street food lunch before heading to the airport, either in Kigali or Entebbe.
