Snowfield Treks

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12 Day Safari: Rwanda & Uganda Explorer

Overview

This 12-Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari showcases the outstanding natural beauty and diversity of landscape in both countries. The tour features lands of rolling hills, tranquil lakes, the snow-capped ‘Mountains of the Moon’, rainforests and jungles, gorillas and chimps, and glorious butterflies outnumbered only by the plentiful birds.

Starting in Rwanda with the Genocide memorial in Kigali and a city tour, the journey continues through Uganda’s diverse landscapes. Towering mountains give way to fertile meadows and broad savannahs, while the dry uplands contrast with the swamplands of the lakeshores.

The tour includes visits to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to Africa’s largest hippo population, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a World Heritage site home to over half the world’s mountain gorilla population.

Trip Highlights

  • Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
  • Visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial
  • Shoebill bird watching at Mabamba Swamp
  • Game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks
  • Traditional canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi
  • Boat safari on Kazinga Channel
  • Nile River cruise to Murchison Falls
  • Batwa cultural experience
  • Nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park
  • Visit to Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary
  • Opportunities to see the Big Five and numerous primate species

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

  • Arrival at Kigali Airport
  • Transfer to hotel

Accommodation: Hotel Chez Lando
Included Meal(s): Dinner and drinking water throughout

Day 2: Kigali to Lake Bunyonyi

Morning:

  • Breakfast
  • Visit Genocide Memorial
  • Kigali City tour

Afternoon:

  • Journey from Kigali to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
  • Check in and lunch at lodge
  • Relaxed evening

Driving time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Arcadia Lodge
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water throughout

Day 3: Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi

Morning:

  • Breakfast
  • 2-3 hour dugout canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi
  • Traditional paddling experience
  • Bird watching and peaceful lake exploration

Afternoon:

  • Lunch
  • Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Preparation for next day’s gorilla trekking

Driving time: 2 hours
Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water throughout

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience

Morning: Gorilla Trekking

  • Trek can take 1-6 hours at elevations over 2,270m (7,500ft)
  • One hour with mountain gorillas
  • Opportunity to see:
    • 120 species of mammals
    • 346 species of birds
    • 202 species of butterflies
    • 163 species of trees
    • Possible glimpses of chimpanzees
    • Hornbills and Turacos

Afternoon:

  • Lunch and freshen up
  • Batwa Cultural experience

Accommodation: Agandi Lodge
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water throughout

Day 5: Lake Mburo National Park

Morning:

  • Breakfast
  • Drive through terraced Kigezi hills
  • Pass through Mbarara town

Afternoon:

  • Arrive at Lake Mburo National Park
  • Evening game viewing
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities:
    • Eland antelopes
    • Zebras
    • Topis
    • Impalas
    • Warthogs
    • Uganda kob
    • Cape buffalos

Driving time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge
Included Meal(s): All meals and drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6: Mburo to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning:

  • Early breakfast
  • Guided nature walk with armed ranger
  • Opportunities to see:
    • Hyenas returning to dens
    • Zebras
    • Giraffes
    • Eland
    • Topi
    • Cape buffalos
    • Viewpoint of 9 surrounding lakes

Afternoon:

  • Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
  • Evening game drive
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities:
    • 5,000 hippos
    • 2,500 elephants
    • 10,000 buffalo
    • Various predators including lions, leopards
    • Multiple antelope species

Driving time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge/Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
Included Meal(s): All meals and drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning:

  • 6:30 AM game drive
  • Wildlife viewing including elephants, buffalo, lions, waterbuck, leopards

Afternoon:

  • Boat safari on Kazinga Channel
  • View hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, elephants
  • Bird watching
  • Optional evening game drive

Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge/Twin Lakes
Included Meal(s): All meals and drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8: Kibale Forest National Park

Morning:

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
  • Lunch at Fort Portal

Afternoon:

  • Guided nature walk through Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary
  • View 8 primate species, 200+ bird species
  • Chance to see the Great Blue Turaco

Driving time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpundu
Included Meal(s): All meals and drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking

Morning: Chimpanzee Tracking

  • Track chimpanzees (98% shared DNA with humans)
  • Well-maintained walking trails
  • Opportunity to see other primates:
    • Red colobus
    • Red-tailed guenon
    • White-nosed monkey
    • Gray-cheeked mangabey
    • Blue monkey
    • L’Hoest’s monkey
    • Black and white colobus
    • Olive baboons
    • Bush babies
    • Nocturnal pottos

Afternoon:

  • Community visits around Kibale Forest

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpundu
Included Meal(s): All meals and drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10: Murchison Falls National Park

  • Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
  • View the mighty falls where the Nile squeezes through a 6-meter gorge
  • 43-meter waterfall cascade
  • Evening relaxation at lodge

Driving time: 5-8 hours
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11: Murchison Falls Activities

Morning:

  • Early game drive on Buligi, Albert or Queens tracks
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities:
    • Lions
    • Leopards
    • Giraffes
    • Antelopes
    • Elephants
    • Warthogs

Afternoon:

  • Nile River cruise
  • View crocodiles, hippos, buffalo, elephants
  • Water birds including herons, cormorants, kingfishers
  • Optional hike to the top of the falls

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12: Mabamba Swamp and Departure

Morning:

  • Travel to Mabamba Swamp
  • Boat cruise to spot Shoebill birds
  • Major breeding site for Shoebills
  • Various Lake Victoria endemic species

Afternoon:

  • Optional shopping at malls and craft shops
  • Transfer to hotel
  • Evening departure (Airport drop-off at 10:00 PM and 00:45)

Accommodation: Via Via Guest House/Airport Guest House (Day use)
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch, and drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Tour Rate Includes

  • Park fees (For non-residents)
  • Shoebill Trek at Mabamba Swamp
  • Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident)
  • Chimpanzee permits (One per person, non-resident)
  • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
  • Professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Round trip airport transfer
  • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinking water/Fruits (On all days)
  • 4×4 Jeep with Open/Pop Up Roof Top
  • Accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Tour Rate Excludes

  • International flights (From/to home)
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

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