8 DAYS UGANDA,,RWANDA GORILLA & WILDLIFE SAFARI SAFARI OVERVIEW This 7 Days Uganda Rwanda gorilla & wildlife safari offers you an opportunity to explore primates, wildlife and scenery in Uganda and Rwanda. The safari starts in Kampala Uganda and ends in Kigali Rwanda. You undertake Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale National Park where you have chances to encounter largest populations of habituated chimpanzees in the region alongside other 12 species of primate, Bigodi wetland walk for birds and swamp animals like Sitatunga, rewarding game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth where you have chances of encountering lions, buffaloes, elephants, Antelopes, Hippos and Nile crocodiles in Kazinga channel and a wider pool of birds. The double gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Volcanoes will give you a different taste of trekking these critically endangered apes in different terrain and environment. The mixture of these safari products qualifies this Uganda Rwanda trip worthy undertaking. Detailed itinerary DAY 1:PICK UP FROM THE AIRPORT Pick up from the airport you will be welcomed by one of representative from crystal safaris and you will be transferred to your hotel or lodge for dinner and overnight at Luxury: Serena hotel Kampala Midrange: Cassia Lodge Budget: Red Chili Rest camp Kampala DAY 2:KAMPALA-TRANSFER TO KIBALE NATIONAL PARK After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kibale National Park 358km about 7 hours drive from Kampala. You will enjoy the scenic views of the farmed hill sides of Uganda not forgetting the views of Mubende inselbergs., Kampala, Uganda -
You will reach in Kibale in time for lunch check-in at the hotel after lunch and there after you will embark on the trek. The trek involves passing through the jungle of Kibale dubbed the primate capital of the world with over 13 species of primates some of which you will luckily come across during your Chimpanzee trekking including colobus monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboon, Red tailed monkey among others. The enchanting songs of Birds will keep you entertained in this 2 5 hour trek. One full hour is at your disposal to explore the Chimpanzees in detail and ascertain the external considerations as to why they are dubbed man s close relative. Watch the chimpanzee as they eat fruits, play, socialize and swing in tree branches as you take as many photos as you can. Encounter Bigodi wetland sanctuary in the afternoon to take the rewarding swamp walk with amazing bird sights including the Ruwenzori Turaco and swamp animals like Sitatunga. The communities around Bigodi offer a close touch of tourist host interaction. Dinner at, Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge Midrange: Crater Safari Lodge Budget: Crater Safari Lodge. DAY 3: TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK $ DO CRATER DRIVE After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 4 hours drive from Kibale. The journey offers the scenic views of the magical Mountains of the moon that stand high up in the clouds at an elevation of 5,109m above sea level towards the west. You will arrive in Queen Elizabeth National park early for lunch after which you will embark on the crater drive in the afternoon for amazing scenic viewing. The range of explosion craters lay in a sequence justifying the work of the earth processes that characterized the area. Crater lakes like Lake Nyamunuka, Lake Murumuli and Lake Kitagata can be seen on this drive. Dinner and overnight at, Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge, Kampala, Uganda -
Budget: Marafiki Safari Lodge DAY 4:QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK GAME DRIVE $ BOAT CRUISE Wake up very for a cup of coffee before setting of for the game drive activity in the savannah game park of Queen Elizabeth. The early departure at 06:00 gives you an opportunity to see night hunters like hynas getting back to their hiding places and early risers setting off to look for what to eat. The drive through the Kasenyi tracks gives a probable opportunity to see a range of game including; Lions, buffalo, elephants, elusive leopard (if too lucky), antelopes among other wildlife. Return to the lodge after this 3-4 hour game drive and relax till lunch time. After lunch, you will gather at Mweya for a recreational afternoon launch cruise leaving at 03:00pm taking 2 hours exploring the magical offerings of Kazinga Channel including the sights of water birds and wild game drinking on the channel side, the Nile crocodile and the Hippos. The 45m channel that stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward has tranquil waters that always give pleasure and psychological satisfaction to any traveller on Uganda safaris. Retire from the boat at 5 pm for overnight. Dinner and overnight at your Queen Elizabeth National Park lodge. Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge Budget: Marafiki Safari Lodge DAY 5:TRANSFER TO BWINDI & VISIT TREE CLIMBING LIONS EN-ROUTE After breakfast, transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi (Rushaga) 309km about 7 8 hours drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you have chances of spotting tree climbing lions lying on tree branches in the midmorning warm sunshine. Proceed to Bwindi in the evening and check to your lodge for relaxation and overnight at,, Kampala, Uganda -
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge Midrange: Gorilla Safari Lodge Budget: Gorilla Safari Lodge DAY 6:GORILLA TREKKING It is this long waited date when you will come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas that only exist in Bwindi and Virunga Volcanoes. You will wake up early for a heavy breakfast before gathering at the Park headquarters Rushaga for briefing at 08:00 about the conduct of gorilla trekking. You will head to the forest after briefing in search of these apes and though the trek is a bit challenging, it is one of those activities that you will never forget to have done in Uganda. The 2 8 hours activity involves hiking up the hills, descending down the valleys, walking through swamps and maneuvering the way through thickets which have formed the background of this Impenetrable forest before coming in direct contact with gorillas. The one full hour is at your disposal to maximize your experience with gorillas as you them forage, play, socialize and also gaze at you in a sign of welcoming and saying good bye. The experience is rewarding and worthy undertaking. Your picnic lunch will take you through the activity after which you will descend to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening, you can visit the communities in Rubuguri area to have a taste of the surrounding people. You will spend an overnight at, Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge Midrange: Gorilla Safari Lodge Budget: Gorilla Safari Lodge DAY 7:TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK &CAVES WALK, Kampala, Uganda -
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park 93km from Rushaga. You will drive along the stunning views of Virunga Volcanoes that connect the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The scenic views of Lake Mutanda a re-known lava dammed lake gives you the taste of the influence of volcanic activity in the formation of landform features. Continue on the drive to arrive in Volcanoes National Park for lunch and short relaxation after which you take on a caves walk activity to marvel at this natural feature with great historical significance in the traditional Rwanda as they provided refugee for the Kings and storage for supplies during times of war. Retreat for overnight at, Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Midrange: Gorilla Volcanoes Musanze Budget: Kimigi Guest House DAY 8:GORILLA TREKKING & TRANSFER TO KIGALI CITY Wake up very early for breakfast such that by 8:00am, you are already at the park headquarters Kinigi for briefing and eventual gorilla trekking experience. During this session, you are allocated to a gorilla family to track and if with a special case, rangers can be consulted for special arrangement. You will head off to the volcanic lush vegetation in search of gorillas. The trek is quite thrilling as you go through amazing landscapes amidst bird sights and other wildlife crossing including monkeys, wild pigs and if lucky wild elephants. The trek takes 2 8 hours as gorillas are unpredictable thus packed lunch is required. The jungle sounds will accompany you up to that long waited moment of direct contact with gorillas. You will see them as they forage, play, socialize and sometimes charge. The state of wonder that will engulf your heart could leave your camera film with no space for other encounters. The full one hour is enough to optimize this experi, Kampala, Uganda -
ence after which you will retreat to the starting point to embark on your 116km journey about 3 hours drive to Kigali city to mark the end of this safari. END OF SAFARI QUOTATION BASED ON 2 PAX SHARING BUDGET: 2 PAX $3827 MIDRANGE: 2PAX $4223. LUXURY: 2 PAX $5305. INCLUSIVE Accommodation on full board Two gorilla permits per person Uganda & Rwanda Park fees Ground transportation in a 4WD Services and allowances of an English speaking driver-guide Nature walks Community walks Game drives Boat cruises Park fees Complimentary mineral water in the safari vehicle. All arrival and departure transfers. EXCLUSIVE All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc. Tips Travel Insurance Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Any local or international flight and departure taxes. Laundry services. Any other item(s) not included in our itinerary., Kampala, Uganda -