17 Days Combined Wildlife & Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo is a comprehensive combined safari package that incorporates the African Big five, Mountain Gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda, Eastern Lowland Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Volcano Climbing in Uganda and Congo and Rwenzori Mountain Climbing.
The other remarkable adventures include; hike to the world’s most powerful waterfall – the Murchison Falls, River Safari cruises along River Nile and Kazinga Channel and Recreation at Lake Bunyonyi and Idwiji Island Lake Kivu
Transfer after breakfast in Kampala (own arrangement) to Murchison Falls National Park 311km about 5 hours drive.
You branch off at Nakitoma for 7km the headquarters of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary from where you settle for briefing and set off to track the southern white Rhinos.
You explore the members of the Big five known to be thriving only at this point in the whole of Uganda under the breed and re-stock program.
The Rhinos had got extinct in Uganda by 1983 but they were restored in 2005. From the Rhino tracking, you settle for lunch at Kabalega Diner after which you will proceed on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Bakers Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Murchison River Lodge
Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge
Wake up for an early morning cup of coffee after which you head to the northern landscapes of Murchison Falls National Park where the rewarding game viewing experience is carried out.
The 3 – 4 hour game drive offers amazing views of the sunrise over the Savannah, wild game like Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Rothschild Giraffe, Uganda Kob, Oribis, Rothschild Giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Patas Monkeys and defassa Waterbuck among others and remarkable sights of borassus palm.
You retreat for relaxation and lunch before gathering at Paara jetty for an afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls.
The cruise lasts 3 hours traversing the soothing waters of the Nile offering sights of Nile crocodiles, Hippos and birds like Vulnerable shoebill stork along with the wild game drinking on the river side.
You disembark from the boat after reaching the bottom of the falls and embark on the hike to the top of the World’s most powerful waterfall.
The trek takes you along the narrow challenging path offering remarkable sights of the Nile River as it squeezes itself to pass through a less than 7m ravine forming a thunderous roar and a plume of spray as it falls below 43m cauldron with a trademark rainbow.
You connect with the driver guide at the top of the falls and drive back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Bakers Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Murchison River Lodge
Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge
From Murchison Falls National Park, you transfer to Kibale National Park 441km about 8 hours drive enjoying the views of the rural landscapes before arriving in Fort Portal region and spend the afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages
Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent
Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
At 8am, you are at Kanyanchu Tourism Center to catch up with briefing by the Park ranger guides detailing what to do and what to avoid in the Chimpanzee forest.
You eventually set off to the moist tropical forest of Kibale in the company of an armed ranger guide exploring the natural abundance of this prehistoric site that shelter 13 primate species, 351 Tree species and 375 species of birds.
The Chimpanzee trekking normally takes 2 – 5 hours with the actual viewing limited to one hour for purposes of conservation.
You enjoy the Chimpanzees as they forage, munch fruit, play and copulate among others. From the trek, you settle for lunch after which you transfer to Rwenzori Mountains region 135km about 2 hours drive enjoying the amazing sightseeing en route.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget / Basic: Ruboni Community Camp
You gather at Nyakalengija park station for briefing and eventually set off to the Mountain for a day hiking experience.
You trek on the foothills of the legendary Mountains of the moon rising to 5,109m above sea level marked by snow capped peaks.
This historical feature was at one believed by Ptolemy a great Greek geographer in 150AD to be the source of the Nile River.
The day hike offers remarkable views of mountain flora and the surrounding landscapes including the Albertine flats, Lakes Gorge and Edward, Kazinga Channel and the Kasese town below. Retreat from the activity and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Lodge
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
The morning game drive commences at 7am if slept outside the park and before that if you slept inside the park.
You drive to Kasenyi Plains in the north east of the park for an extensive wild game viewing experience lasting 3 – 4 hours gaining chances of viewing Lions, Elephants, Uganda Kobs, Leopards, Defassa Waterbuck, Side stripped Jackals, Spotted Hyenas among other wild game along with counts of bird species.
Queen Elizabeth National Park features over 600 species of birds making it the first park in Uganda in terms of bird count.
Retreat from the game drive and connect to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. At 2pm, you are ready for the Mweya boat cruise departing Mweya jetty to spend two hours along the Kazinga Channel gaining magical sights of Hippos, Nile crocodiles, birds like Great Cormorants and African Skimmers along with wild game drinking on the channel side.
From the boat, you do an evening game drive along the channel track to explore more game as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Lodge
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
Embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park making a stop en route in Ishasha sector for a two (2) hour game drive in search of tree climbing lions that tend to rest in the trees of Ishasha during the day time.
The game drive also offers sights of other wildlife like Kobs, Elephants and Waterbucks after which you proceed on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp
You consider an early wake up for breakfast after which you connect to the gorilla trekking assembly point for briefing starting at 8am.
After gorilla family allocation, you gather in your respective groups, undergo briefing by your respective ranger guides and then set off to the mist forest in search of the Mountain Gorillas that are critically endangered world over.
The trek takes you through rugged hilly landscapes covered with dense forests. The Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks lasts 2 – 8 hours with one full hour of actual viewing.
It is a heart moving moment to gaze into the eyes of these gentle giants, view them as they forage, the young ones play and the Silverback demonstrate their might.
Retire from the activity and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi enjoying the views of the fascinating Kigezi Highlands. Spend the evening relaxing by the lake.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
Midrange / Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort
You have a thrilling time enjoying the soothing fresh air from the lake in the comfort of your lodge. You can as well go for a canoe paddle to explore the wonders of the lake including some of its main Islands out of the 29 Islands that comprise it.
You enjoy lunch at Lake Bunyonyi and then transfer for 80km to Kisoro / Mgahinga Gorilla National Park about 2 hours drive enjoying the fascinating views of Kigezi Highlands where you will make series of stops for sightseeing and amazing photoshoots. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Midrange / Budget: Travellers’ Rest Kisoro
Following breakfast, gather at Ntebeko visitor centre for briefing about the day’s adventure before embarking on it. Mount Sabyinyo popularly referred to as the Old man’s teeth rises to 3,669m above sea level taking 8 hours round trip.
It is part of the greater Virunga massif comprising of eight (8) Volcanic Mountains thus offering a magical scenic landscape to explore.
The summit is marked by a swamp crater while the rugged peaks make it exciting to explore. You return from the climb and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.
Accommodation
Up market Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Midrange / Budget: Travellers’ Rest Kisoro
Spend the morning in a free mode enjoying the comfort of the lodge after which you set off for the transfer to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park 68km about 1 ½ hour’s drive crossing Chanica border. Enjoy the views of the Virunga Volcanoes en route.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
You wake up early for breakfast after which you gather at Kinigi Park Headquarters to enjoy the interesting traditional Intore dance and a soothing cup of Rwandan coffee as you await briefing at 8am.
After the gorilla family allocation, you get into your vehicle with an armed ranger guide and connect to the trail head from which start off the trek in the Mountain Gorilla forest.
Perched on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, the gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park as well includes traversing rugged terrain and dense jungle until you come across these gentle giants as they forage or socialise depending on the time you finally come across them.
The direct viewing is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation after which you retreat to the starting point and connect to Gisenyi 110km about 2 hours transfer arriving in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the soothing beach environment.
Accommodation:
Up market / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Resort
Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide
Connect to the border of Democratic Republic of Congo at Goma and transfer to Virunga National Park in particular Kibati Patrol post to catch up with briefing at 9am and eventual setting off for the Volcano climbing adventure.
Rising to 3470m above sea level, the hike to Nyiragongo Volcano is simple and yet fascinating one offering sights of the surrounding seven volcanoes and the world’s largest and most violent lava lake.
The Nyiragongo hike lasts 4 – 6 hours and night sightseeing of the red glowing lava lake is a memorable wonder that makes the mountain very exciting to explore.
Accommodation: Mountain Shelter
You wake up to enjoy the fascinating sun rise view, the morning freshness across the overlooking Mountains and the rotating clouds before settling for breakfast.
After breakfast, embark on descent back to the starting point to mark the end of the Mountain hike. You connect to Idwji Island Lake Kivu by boat and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Congoman Hotel
Spend time exploring the amazing wonders of Idjwi Island in Lake Kivu visiting important sites like the King’s Museum and plantations of Pineapples and Quinquinas before transferring to Bukavu / Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Accommodation
Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge
Budget: Hotel Horizon
Wake up early in the morning for breakfast after which you gather at the starting point for the low land gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
After the briefing by the park staff, you set off to the lush equatorial jungle and the Volcanoes in search of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla Sub species.
The trek through the forest lasts for about four (4) hours inclusive of one (1) magical hour with the Gorillas thriving in their natural habitats.
Unlike the Mountain Gorillas, the Eastern Lowland Gorillas are larger in size with gigantic hands, short muzzle and stocky body presenting a more exciting experience.
Retreat from the activity and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the lodge. A sightseeing extension to Tshibati Falls can be arranged.
Accommodation
Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge
Budget: Hotel Horizon
After breakfast, transfer through the southern side of Rwanda driving past the lush montane forest of Nyungwe – the home of Chimpanzees and colobus Monkeys in Rwanda, Butare where you can make a stop to visit the National Museum of Rwanda and lunch before proceeding to Kigali to mark the end of the tour.
End of The 17 Days Combined Wildlife & Gorilla Safari in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo
Cate
Samuel
Robert
Obtain exceptional safari guidance by either calling us or scheduling a video conference with our proficient specialists.
