18-Day Best of Rwanda and Uganda

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Overview

his amazing adventure takes you to the mighty jungles of Uganda for a breathtaking experience; encounter mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys on guided treks and see a wide range of other wildlife including the Big Five on game drives, boat trips and nature walks. Get to know the friendly people of Uganda and the country’s cultural features.

Itinerary

Overnight at Airport View Guest House (Bed and breakfast)

Today you depart Kampala for Murchison Falls National Park, having a break at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola to view the rhinos. Uganda’s rhinos became extinct in the early 1980s after a period of civil unrest and heavy poaching. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhinos, and restore rhino populations in Uganda’s protected areas in a later stage.

Today is a long drive as you travel north of the country. Once you reach the Nile in the heart of the park, you will cross on the ferry to Pakuba Safari Lodge. The sight of the Nile River, the world’s longest river, winding its way through the park and plunging through a narrow gap is unforgettable. You will have an evening game drive, then later head to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Enjoy morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park with its diverse ecosystems including sprawling savannah, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, which make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, primates and over 600 species of birds. Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills and the panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel.

Return to the lodge for lunch and later take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, 32 km long followed by a game drive. This water system has the highest concentration of hippo in the world and you will get quite close to them. See also crocodile, buffalo and other game that drink from the channel as well as marvel at the abundant ornitho-life that is supported here. Have a game drive before heading to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight at Baboon Safari Resort (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Today you will continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for two nights, home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Interacting with these gentle giants is one of the most moving experiences that Africa has to offer and should not be missed! The ancient rainforest of Bwindi spans 321 sq km and boasts 90 mammal species, a range of primates, as well as 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species, including the African green broadbill, the bar tailed trogon and many others. Relax in the evening and get ready for the following day’s gorilla tracking.

Overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Today after an energizing breakfast, you will embark on your gorilla trek. Before 8 am report to the ranger station for registration and briefing by one of the rangers. The guides will then lead you through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from half an hour to 7 hours. A reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking boots. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas – sadly enough there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left.

If time permits, there are additional activities, unique to Bwindi, which you can engage in for the afternoon. These include the Batwa community trail, community visits or waterfall hike.

Overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

After your breakfast, you will embark on a journey to Mgahinga National Park. Relax and get ready for the next day’s golden monkey tracking.

Overnight at Lake Chahafi Resort (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)

Restricted to the highland forest of the Virungas especially near bamboo, they share this habitat with their big brother, the mountain gorilla, inhabiting a small area that overlaps the territory of one of the gorilla families. Together, they face the same threats; snares, human encroachment etc. and are listed on the IUCN Red List of critically endangered species. Tracking usually takes from 2 to 4 hrs. Once you come to the habituated families, you will spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; adult monkeys frolic in plain view, feeding on bamboo leaves and leaping from perch to perch while females carry their young, completely oblivious of on-lookers.

Later in the afternoon, you may choose to either relax at the lodge, enjoy a canoe trip on the lake or go for a nature walk through the surrounding communities.

Overnight at Lake Chahafi Resort (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

The adventure continues as you spend one night at Lake Mburo National Park. The 371 sq km park is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains and has distinctly different fauna compared to other Ugandan parks. It is the best place in the country to see eland antelope, zebra, topi, impala and acacia. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide black and yellow papyrus gonalek. Arriving in the park for lunch you can rest before exploring the park on a game drive for the rest of the afternoon. There’s an option to take a boat safari, cruise along Lake Mburo which is home to dense populations of hippos and crocodiles.

Overnight at Rwakobo Rock (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Overnight at Rwakobo Rock (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

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