12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Safari
Tour Overview
Embark on an extensive 12-day Rwanda Congo Uganda safari, a remarkable primate adventure package worth booking. On this long Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda combo safari, you will engage in thrilling lowland gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, and savanna game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The 12-day safari will begin from Entebbe or Kampala and expect to end in Kigali.
Tour Details
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & drive to the hotel in Entebbe
Day 2: Entebbe to Kibale via Mubende-Fort Portal
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking & drive to Queen Elizabeth Park
Day 4: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi
Day 6: Gorilla trekking & Batwa
Day 7: Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park via Chanika
Day 8: Golden monkey tracking & drive to Lake Kivu
Day 9: Transfer to Bukavu
Day 10: Eastern lowland gorilla trekking
Day 11: Transfer to Kigali & relax
Day 12: City tour & departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & drive to the hotel in Entebbe
Upon landing at the Entebbe International Airport –EBB, meet your driver guide for pick up and transfer to the hotel in Entebbe City. You will also get briefed by the company representative who will also take you on your 12-day safari covers.
Accommodation options
- Luxury: Hotel No.5
- Midrange: The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Day 2: Entebbe to Kibale via Mubende-Fort Portal
Get yourself a delicious breakfast and after, you will be transferred to Kibale where you will enjoy a chimpanzee tracking tour. Driving from Entebbe to Kibale can take about 6 hours and expect to have a lunch break upon arrival at Fort Portal City. From Fort Portal, you will drive up to your lodge to check in your lodges for relaxation.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge/Ndali Lodge
- Midrange: Primate Lodge/Chimpundu Lodge
- Budget: Isunga Lodge
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking & drive to Queen Elizabeth Park
After breakfast, you will settle at Kanyanchu for briefing. Get to know the safety measures to be followed during the trek with chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. After briefing and allocation of the park ranger guides, you will set off for an actual trek to see chimpanzees.
During the chimpanzee trek, the main focus will be to explore how chimpanzees behave in the wild. This close interaction is done during the one hour the park authorities often avail to visitors. After the magical encounter with Kibale chimps, walk back to the lodge where lunch will be enjoyed. Afterward, you will be transferred on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Elephant Plaints
- Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge/Bulbul Lodge
- Budget: Kazinga Channel Resort/Simba Camp
Day 4: Game drive and boat cruise
The game drive will be conducted along the Kasenyi plains and expect to spend about 2-3 hours. This involves exploring the Big game, antelopes, warthogs, and bird species. When you get back, you will be provided with lunch. After lunch, you will be transferred to Kazinga to engage in the boat cruise. The boat cruise on the Kazinga channel will involve spotting aquatic life such as hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Elephant Plaints
- Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge/Bulbul Lodge
- Budget: Kazinga Channel Resort/Simba Camp
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi
Transfer by road from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi, driving via Ishasha where tree-climbing lions can be spotted. A short game drive through the Ishasha will be enjoyed then you continue to lodge in the Buhoma region of Bwindi.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 6: Gorilla trekking & Batwa
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park will begin with a briefing about guidelines and allocation of park ranger guides as well as gorilla groups. Expect to take 2-6 hours trekking through the jungle to see gorillas and on finding them, you will enjoy a maximum of one hour for photography and observing their behaviors. Late in the afternoon, you will have a spice of the Batwa Pygmies’ community visit.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 7: Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park via Chanika
Depart from Bwindi National Park for Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Cross to Rwanda via Chanika or Katuna and when you arrive, expect to check into your accommodation for relaxation.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Midrange: Da Vinci Lodge
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Day 8: Golden monkey tracking & drive to Lake Kivu
Golden monkey tracking will be done in Volcanoes National Park starting at around 8:00 am after a briefing from Kinigi. A maximum of one hour will be availed for you to spend with the golden monkey troop. After the chimp tracking, get back to the lodge to check out and you will be transferred to Lake Kivu for relaxation.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
- Midrange: Paradise Malahide
- Budget: Palm Garden Lodge
Day 9: Transfer to Bukavu
Pick up at your respective lodges and you will head off to Bukavu. At Bukavu, you will be crossing to the lodge or camp nearby Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Accommodation options
- Luxury: Orchid Hotel
- Panorama Hotel
Day 10: Eastern lowland gorilla trekking
Eastern lowland gorilla trekking will be enjoyed in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Today’s adventure will begin with a briefing on guidelines for eastern lowland gorilla trekking. You will spend 2-6 hours searching for a family of eastern lowland gorillas. Expect to have an hour for up close and personal encounter with eastern lowland gorillas in the wild. In the afternoon, you may spend it chilling at the lodge or go on a guided nature walk to one of the beautiful waterfalls.
Accommodation options
- Luxury: Orchid Hotel
- Panorama Hotel
Day 11: Transfer to Kigali & relax
At leisure, you will have a hefty breakfast and then check out of the lodge. You will be picked up by your professional driver guide. Later, you will return to Kigali in Rwanda to relax in one of the best hotels.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel
- Midrange: Four Points by Sheraton
Day 12: City tour & departure
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and after, you will embark on a guided Kigali city tour. This can take around 2 hours involving exploring the Kigali memorial site plus another nearby historical/cultural site. After the Kigali city tour, transfer to the airport so you can return home.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Park entrance fees
- Chimp permits
- Gorilla permits
- Safari activities
- Transportation
- Accommodation and meals
- Relevant taxes and levies
Exclusions
- Tips
- Visas
- Laundry services
- Optional Activities
- Telephone bills
- Insurance
