This 8 Days Rwanda Congo Uganda Safari starts from Kigali crossing into Congo for mount Nyiragongo hiking located in eastern part of Congo which is a very safe part of Congo, gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest, savannah wildlife viewing and the sunset launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park and then chimpanzee tracking or habituation in Kibale Forest.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Kigali city tour to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial site, transfer to Gisenyi
Day 2: Hike Mount Nyiragongo
Day 3: Descend the Volcano
Day 4: Gorilla trekking & visit Batwa Pygmies/ canoeing
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national Park with game drive through Ishasha sector to see the tree climbing lions
Day 6: Early Riser game drive, afternoon boat cruise, transfer to Kibale
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking & visit Bigodi swamp
Day 8: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali City Tour to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site, transfer to Gisenyi
The safari starts with pickup from Kigali, depending on your pickup time, you will have a Kigali city tour to the genocide memorial site. Have lunch and drive to Gisenyi Lake Kivu where you will have dinner and overnight at Paradise Malahide/ Gorillas Hotel/ Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. Meal plan: Half board
Day 2: Hike Mount Nyiragongo
Mount Nyiragongo hike starts from Kibati village, Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The hike isn’t so active but needs sturdy shoes as you step on loose volcanic rocks from the past eruptions taking you crossing all vegetation zones as you go up. Don’t underestimate the hike, good physical shape in case its necessary. We also recommend a walking stick at the briefing point and a porter carry your backpack. The view at the top is so stunning in the night staring watching the glowing red lava.
Day 3: Descend the Volcano
The descend is easier than the hiking and your guide will be waiting for you to drive you back via Goma to Gisenyi. Cross back to Rwanda and drive to Bwindi National Park via Volcanoes National Park crossing into Uganda via cyangugu border. Dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla camp/ Bakiga Lodge/Bwindi Jungle Lodge/ Chameleon hill Lodge and Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking & Visit Batwa Pygmies/ canoeing
Have breakfast at your Hotel and with a packed snack, set off for the Bwindi head offices for briefing. After an overview from one of the head guides about what to expect during your gorilla trekking adventure. You will split into groups of 8 people for which gorilla family you will be tracking. In case you need a simple hike, inform your guide before the briefing so that he helps speak to trackers to select for you a simple hike, the trackers have an idea of how far each group is as their colleagues go into the forest earlier to establish the real location of gorilla groups. Do hire a porter, even if you feel fit not to need a hand up having someone else to carry your backpack makes it so much easier as you hike. You will start your hike with your guide and two guards as the forest is home to many other primates like the forest elephants.
The chances of seeing the gorillas on your trek are high and guaranteed, but in case you fail to see them. The Uganda Wildlife Authority offers you an opportunity to go back into the forest at half price. You get to spend just one hour with the gorillas after which you hike back to the starting point where you will receive certificated of acknowledgement that you aided gorilla conservation in Bwindi Forest.
Get back to the hotel for lunch and an afternoon rest and late evening head out to visit the Batwa pygmy’s communities which are just near the park. These were the former forest inhabitants who were led out of the forest in order to conserve mountain gorillas and their habitant. Dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla camp/ Bakiga Lodge/ Bwindi Jungle Lodge/ Gorilla Forest Lodge/chameleon Hill lodge/ Mahogany springs.
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national Park via Ishasha Sector
Today you will set off early for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes 6-7 hours’ drive with enroute lunch. You will have a chance to drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will watch tree climbing lions lying in fig trees. Proceed directly for Kizinga channel for 2 hours’ sunset boat cruise along the Kazinga channel. Expect to view herds of elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, lizards and lots of birds. Have Dinner and overnight at Enganzi Lodge/ park view Lodge/ Mweya safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge.
Day 6: Early Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Cruise, Transfer to Kibale
Today you will wake up and have breakfast and drive to the park to start your game drive in the Kasenyi region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is your chance to view many early riser wildlife region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Expect to view lions, elephants, buffaloes, kobs, and so much. Have lunch after which head out to the kazinga Channel for 2 hour sunset boat cruise along the Kazinga channel. Expect to view herds of buffaloes, lizards, crocodiles and birds. Later set off for a 2 hour drive to Kibale Forest National Park. Dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge/ Crater safari Lodge/Primate lodge/ Kibale Forest Camp. Meal plan: Full board
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking & Visit Bigodi Swamp
Have breakfast at the hotel and be ready to transfer to Kibale park head offices for briefing before you start chimpanzee tracking. Tracking for chimpanzees takes about 3 -4 hours and will come across other primates like the white and black colobus monkeys, olive baboons, grey checked mangabey, red colobus and many more. After the tracking of chimps, return back to your hotel for lunch and later visit Bigodi eco swamp. Dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge/ Crater safari Lodge/Primate lodge/ Kibale Forest Camp. Meal plan: Full board.
Day 8: Departure
Wake up and have breakfast at your hotel and be ready to drive back to Kampala to catch your departure flight.
End of the 8 Days Rwanda Congo Uganda Safari.
Tour inclusions
- Gorilla permits
- Transport in 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional Guide
- Accommodation as per the itinerary
- Meals
- Drinking water throughout the safari
- Chimpanzee permits
- Border crossing fees
- All activities in the itinerary
Tour exclusions
- Both international & domestic flights
- Visas
- Tips for the guides
- Extra accommodation facilities not detailed in the itinerary
- Other Beverages or Drinks of any personal nature like Alcohol
- Optional Activities
- Laundry services
- Extras not detailed in the itinerary