Discover the ultimate wildlife adventure as you journey through Rwanda and Uganda on our 6 Day Rwanda Safari Combined with Uganda Gorilla Trekking. This remarkable itinerary is carefully crafted to offer the best of Rwanda’s wildlife Safari and Uganda’s natural wonders. From the Big Five and rolling vast landscapes of Akagera National Park to the dense jungles of Bwindi’s unique gorilla habitats, providing an experience that is both exhilarating and transformative.
Safari Highlights:
- Night Game drive.
- Day Game drives.
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
- Gorilla trekking encounters.
- Batwa cultural experiences.
- Countryside scenic experiences.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our meet-and-greet lounge host, who will ensure a seamless transition from the airport and aid you through fast-track assistance with visas and luggage collection. After the immigration and baggage collection process, you will be handed over to our driver guide to start your safari journey. You will then be transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight at The Retreat by Heaven/Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury), Hotel des Milles Collines (Midrange), 5 Swiss Hotel (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park – Night Game Drive.
After breakfast at 0700hrs, you will be picked up by our driver guide and set off from Kigali, the vibrant capital city, and journey to Akagera National Park, located approximately 2.5 hours east of Kigali. The drive alone offers captivating scenery as it weaves through the Rwandan countryside, giving visitors an early taste of the country’s natural beauty. Upon arrival, you will check into a remarkable lodge that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings followed by lunch. In the evening at 1700hrs, you will head out for sunset, and night game safari, a must-do experience as the soft golden light creates ideal photography conditions in the Northern part of Akagera National Park.
Akagera National Park spans over 1,122 square kilometers and features a variety of ecosystems, from lush wetlands to savannahs and woodlands. Founded in 1934, the park is managed in partnership with the African Parks Network, which has been instrumental in restoring and preserving its biodiversity.
Dinner and overnight at Magashi Camp (Luxury), Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Midrange), Akagera Game Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3: Big Game Safari – Boat Ride on Lake Ihema.
Day 3 of the 6-day Rwanda safari combined with Uganda gorilla trekking is all about spotting the Big Five game: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Early in the morning at 0600hrs, you will start your game drive to maximize wildlife sightings. A morning game drive through Akagera’s northern plains is particularly rewarding, with herds of zebras, giraffes, and antelopes roaming freely. The more elusive predators, like lions and leopards, tend to be active during these cooler hours, enhancing the chance of sightings. A game drive along Kilala Plains reveals large buffalo herds, elephants, and grazing antelopes while driving along the Lake Shakani trail offers excellent views of hippos and crocodiles and Mutumba Hills Offers panoramic views of the park’s valleys and lakes and the rolling hills. You will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon at 1400hrs, you’ll serene boat ride on Lake Ihema, Akagera’s largest lake and an essential habitat for a diverse range of aquatic wildlife. The boat safari offers an intimate view of hippos and Nile crocodiles, as well as a spectacular range of birdlife, including the African fish eagle, papyrus gonolek, and shoebill stork. This guided tour provides insights into the lake’s ecosystem, as well as the conservation measures in place to protect these species.
Dinner and overnight at Magashi Camp (Luxury), Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Midrange), Akagera Game Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4: Scenic Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Our final day in Akagera National Park allows for a relaxed morning game drive. After breakfast at 0600hrs, you will head out for one last game drive to have a last chance to spot any remaining wildlife. We will take you to visit parts of the park we may have missed in the previous game drives or revisit favorite spots from previous days. Following the morning drive, you’ll embark on the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will start. You will travel through the rolling hills, terraced farms, and rural villages, gaining a glimpse of local Ugandan life. Once we arrive in Bwindi, you’ll check into a carefully selected lodge that offers both comfort and proximity to the park, allowing you to recharge for the next day’s adventures.
Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Luxury), Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Bweza Gorilla Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Adventure – Batwa Cultural Experience.
After a hearty breakfast at 0600hrs, your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience begins. You’ll transfer to the park reception for a briefing at 0730hrs about gorilla behaviors, family structures, and conservation efforts, making this an educational encounter as well as a thrilling one. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides and following the advance trackers team, you’ll enter Bwindi’s ancient forest in search of a gorilla family. Treks can range from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas, but each moment is priceless, filled with anticipation and excitement as you follow signs of these gentle giants. Once you reach the gorilla family, you’ll have the rare privilege of spending an hour observing as you capture stunning photos of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. You’ll watch as gorillas groom each other, play, and interact under the watchful gaze of the silverback. After this mind-blowing activity, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
At 1400hrs, you will visit the Batwa also known as the “Keepers of the Forest,” for a cultural experience. Through a guided cultural experience, you’ll learn about their history, traditions, and lifestyle, which are deeply intertwined with the forest. You’ll enjoy traditional dances, songs, and demonstrations of Batwa hunting, honey, and medicine-gathering techniques, enriching your understanding of the local heritage.
Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Luxury), Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Bweza Gorilla Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6: Return Journey to Kigali – Departure.
On the final day after a leisurely breakfast at 1000hrs, we’ll embark on a scenic drive back to Kigali (4hrs drive) where you can reflect on the unforgettable memories created during your Uganda gorilla safari. Our team will ensure a comfortable return, including stopovers at picturesque locations, allowing you to savor Uganda’s beauty one last time before departure. Depending on the departure time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Included
1. All Permits and Entrance fees included in the itinerary.
2. All ground transportation in a 4WD Vehicle with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photography.
3. Night Game drive.
4. Day Game drives.
5. Boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
6. Gorilla trekking encounters.
7. Batwa cultural experiences.
8. All other activities as indicated in the itinerary.
9. All Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary.
10. English-speaking Experienced Safari guide.
11. Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
12. Refreshments and snacks in the vehicle.
Excluded
14. All Tips to Hotels/Lodges/Camps staff and Safari Guide.
15. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are not accompanying meals.
16. International flight/s and departure taxes and other taxes.
17. Visa fees. Visas are available online or upon arrival at all Entry points.