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12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari in Uganda Rwanda & Congo

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari in Uganda Rwanda & Congo

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari in Uganda Rwanda & Congo – Overview

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari in Uganda Rwanda & Congo is an extensive safari package that presents an opportunity to explore the beauty of the three countries on a single Africa Safari travel.

This combined safari takes you to Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park for wild game viewing, Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Park for Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Virunga National Park for Nyiragongo Volcano climbing.

Other adventure sites include; Fort Portal Crater field, Ruboni Community, Lake Bunyonyi and Gisozi genocide museum. The 12 Days Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari in Uganda Rwanda start in Kampala Uganda and end in Kigali Rwanda.

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari – Highlights

  • Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport – Uganda and connect to the lodge
  • Day 2: Drive to Fort Portal, tour the Amabere g’ Nyinamwiru caves, adventure hike to the  Fort Portal Crater Lake field to explore the famous Kyeganywa hill & then transfer to Kibale National Park.
  • Day 3: Do Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park – the primate capital of the world besides 12 primate species & Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon
  • Day 4: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tour Ruboni Community en route, undertake Kazinga Channel boat cruise on arrival & channel track evening game drive
  • Day 5: Undertake a morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park extensive wild game encounters & afternoon relaxation at the lodge. Optional Maramagambo Forest or Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge
  • Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do an en route game drive in Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions
  • Day 7: Undertake gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with its minimum of 400 mountain gorillas standing as the single habitat with the largest count of these species in the world & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an afternoon relaxation
  • Day 8: Undertake a sun rise boat cruise and drive to Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 9: Do mountain gorilla trekking in the gorilla highlands of Volcanoes National Park and drive to Gisenyi for an afternoon relaxation on its sandy beaches. An optional boat cruise can be arranged
  • Day 10:  Cross to Congo – Virunga National Park & embark on Nyiragongo mountain hiking
  • Day 11: Descend from Nyiragongo Mountain and transfer back to Gisenyi
  • Day 12: Drive to Kigali, tour the Gisozi genocide museum and depart

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari Details

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport – Uganda and Connect to The Lodge

The expanse tropical waters of the world’s largest tropical lake – Lake Victoria fronted by lush tropical city mark your courteous welcome into Uganda – the Pearl of Africa.

On the peninsular of Entebbe International Airport, you set your first foot in this maiden country and all that meets you are smiling faces of most hospitable people in the region and among these will be our representative who will usher you in to the country. After the meet and greet, you drive to the hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Kampala Sheraton Hotel / Lake Victoria Serena Resort

Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge / Boma Hotel Entebbe

Budget / Basic: Airport Guesthouse / Banda Inns

Day 2: Drive to Fort Portal, Tour The Amabere g’ Nyinamwiru Caves, Adventure Hike to The Fort Portal Crater Lake Field to Explore The Famous Kyeganywa Hill & Then Transfer to Kibale National Park.

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife SafariTeam up with your safari guide after breakfast to transfer to Fort Portal Area 300km about 5 hours drive from Kampala.

The views of the countryside will astonish you along the drive including the Inselberg geological features in Mubende, Lake Wamala viewed at a distance along with human settlement patterns en route.

The views of lush tea plantations as you draw close to Fort Portal town also provide a lasting memory.

Settle for lunch in Fort Portal town after which you connect to Nyakasura Area to explore the heritage site of Amabere g’Nyinamwiru caves standing as breast-like features of which the locals presume to be belonging to Nnyinamwiru – the daughter of Bukuku who was a self enthroned king of the Bachwezi.

He is noted to have denied the daughter to breastfeed her hard gotten baby – Ndahura on a foretold story that the grand child would kill him and take over the throne.

Though he undertook all the measures to stop this, it eventually happened. It is such a historical story worth listening to.

After the caves, embark on the hike to Fort Portal crater field hiking the magical Kyeganywa hill to gain notable views of the crater lakes below and the overlooking Rwenzori Mountains. Retire from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park for relaxation dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages

Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tents

Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse

Day 3: Do Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park – & Bigodi Wetland Walk in The Afternoon

The briefing for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park commences at exactly 8am at Kanyanchu Tourism Center and after detailing the dos and don’ts, you head to the lush tropical forest of Kibale with immense biodiversity including 13 primate species including common Chimpanzees, Black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest Monkey among others, 351 species of trees and 375 bird species including the unique Green breasted pitta and Kibale ground thrush.

The search for chimpanzees can last 3 – 5 hours with one full hour of direct viewing. The moment is remarkable as you see them forage, copulate, play and do other behavioral tactics which are magical to explore.

In the afternoon, a wetland walk in Bigodi sanctuary is impressive offering probable sights of birds like great blue turaco and gonolecks. Other swamps dwelling species like Sitatunga may also be viewed. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages

Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tents

Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse

Day 4: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tour Ruboni Community En route, Undertake Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise on Arrival & Channel Track Evening Game Drive

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife SafariAfter a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 2 – 3 hours drive enjoying the impressive landscapes of Rwenzori Mountains standing as the third highest mountain in Africa with glacial peaks.

A stop at Ruboni community on its foothills presents an insight into the cultural setting of the Bakonjo people that have lived in this area for over 300 hundred years past.

Proceed on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park to catch up with an afternoon boat cruise along Kazinga Channel departing at 2pm.

The 2 hour boat ride offers beautiful views of the channel waters, the birds on the banks including Great Cormorants and African Skimmers and wild game drinking on the channel side like elephants, Buffaloes among others.

You retreat from the activity and undertake a game drive along the channel track in Mweya peninsular as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge

Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 5: Undertake a Morning Game Drive in The Kasenyi Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

If you slept inside the park, the game drive can start at 6am but if you slept outside the park, the park gates open at 7am. Kasenyi sector to the north east of the park features an extensive Savannah landscape supporting a myriad of wild game including; elephants, lions, Buffaloes, leopards, Side stripped jackals, Spotted Hyenas, Antelopes like Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, water bucks, Topis among others.

The area also features counts of birds that can be viewed along with wildlife. In the afternoon, you can opt to spend time relaxing at the lodge or take an optional nature walk the lush forest of Maramagambo for birds and unique flora.

Another alternative is undertaking a chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu forest for more chimpanzee viewing experience. Retire for dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge

Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do an En-route Game Drive in Ishasha Sector in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

Following breakfast at the lodge, you set off Bwindi Impenetrable National Park traversing the Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions where you gain chances to explore these amazing creatures hanging on the tree branches in the mid day sun. Proceed to Bwindi arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge

Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp

Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 7: Undertake Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park  & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi For an Afternoon Relaxation

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari
12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park featuring a minimum of 400 mountain gorillas presents a remarkable opportunity to explore these critically endangered Apes.

The trekking encounter commences at 8am at the respective gorilla trekking region with briefing conducted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority park rangers.

This is followed by the trek to the forested hilly landscapes of Bwindi dubbed Impenetrable with beautiful forest cover always covered by mist in the morning, scenic slopes, abundant bird-life and eventually the mountain gorillas.

The viewing of these gentle giants is limited to one hour but the entire return trek can last between 2 – 8 hours.

After the trek, you drive to Lake Bunyonyi for an afternoon relaxation and overnight driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort

Midrange / Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Day 8: Undertake a Sunrise Boat Cruise And Drive to Volcanoes National Park

You take a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi exploring the lake of a thousand Islands as it has been known because of its count of 29 Islands.

The views are spectacular and the life of the Islanders is magical to explore. From the activity, you transfer to Volcanoes National Park 120km about 3 hours drive enjoying the views of the Kigezi Highlands and Virunga Volcanoes. Cross at chanica border and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel

Day 9: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking in The Gorilla Highlands of Volcanoes National Park And Drive to Gisenyi For an Afternoon Relaxation on its Sandy Beaches.

12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari
12 Days Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari

This is a second opportunity to explore the critically endangered mountain gorillas but this time in a different habitat.

Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga volcanoes where the remaining population of Mountain gorillas 480 thrives.

The trek commences at the park headquarters Kinigi at 8am with briefing by the park rangers.

However, an early arrival offers an opportunity to enjoy the traditional Kinyarwanda performance and a warm cup of home grown Rwandan coffee. After briefing, you drive to the trail head to embark on the hike through the gorilla highlands marked by lush flora and bird life.

The eventual encounter with the mountain gorillas is a lifetime moment and a range of photos can be taken and questions about the gorillas can be asked.

After one hour of direct viewing, you return to the starting point and embark on the transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu 110km about 2 hours drive for an evening recreation and relaxation.

An optional boat cruise can be taken to explore this beautiful lake and its Islands. Retire for dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Resort

Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide

Day 10: Cross to Congo – Virunga National Park & Embark on Nyiragongo Mountain Hiking

Wake up early enough to transfer to Congo (Goma) about 1 hour drive to catch up with the Nyiragongo Volcano hiking.

Gather at Kibati Patrol post from where you will begin the hike from in the company of the Virunga National Park rangers.

Enjoy the amazing views and environment of Nyiragongo Volcano noted to feature the largest lava lake in the world.

The lava lake is very violent and noted to have had a significant impact on the surrounding environment following its last subsequent eruptions including the 2002 eruption that destroyed half of Goma town 20km away.

The accommodation is presented in the mountain shelter and you enjoy the glowing views of the lava lake at night. Nyiragongo Volcano hike lasts between 4 – 6 hours.

Accommodation: Mountain Shelter

Day 11: Descend From Nyiragongo Mountain And Transfer Back to Gisenyi

This is the second day on the mountain and you enjoy the mountain scenery as you trek back to the starting point.

From Kibati, you embark on the drive to Gisenyi to relax at the endless sandy beaches refreshing from the 2 day volcano hike. Retire for overnight

Accommodation:

Up market / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Resort

Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide

Day 12: Drive to Kigali, Tour The Gisozi Genocide Museum And Depart

Drive from Gisenyi to Kigali 358km about 3 hours drive enjoying the scenic Rwandan countryside. After arriving in Kigali city, you tour the Gisozi genocide memorial to learn into the depth of the 1994 tragic ethnic conflict that befell Rwanda leaving over 800,000 people dead.

From the museum, do some last minute shopping as you explore Kigali landscapes after which you connect to Kigali International Airport for the flight back home.

End of The 12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Gorilla Trekking Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari:

Safari Inclusions

  • Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
  • Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
  • Full Board Accommodation on Safari
  • Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
  • Fuel
  • Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
  • Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
  • Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
  • Bottled water while on safari
  • Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

Safari Exclusions

  • General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
  • Laundry Services
  • Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
  • International Flights (Arranged on request)
  • Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
  • Visas
  • Optional Activity fees
  • Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
  • Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
  • Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)
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