Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Kigali, transfer to accommodation in/close Volcanoes NP

   We hope your flight is scheduled to land before 14:00hrs. You will arrive at Kigali Airport and perform the routine clearance process and once done, you will step out to meet your waiting Tour Driver-guide. He will welcome you and then hit the road to Volcanoes NP. Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla NP in Uganda. You will arrive at the booked accommodation and take rest – awaiting next day’s activity. #Optional (extra cost): In case you have reached early, you can consider the; Iby' Iwachu Cultural Village visit or Twin lakes excursion. Otherwise, take your rest.

2. Day 2 Golden monkey trekking Volcanoes NP, transfer to Bwindi - Uganda

    Golden monkeys trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park. These rare monkey species are also listed as endangered and Volcanoes NP has habituated groups that are available for trekking by visitors. The exercise starts with a short briefing from the park ranger at the RDB Office. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the golden monkeys through the rainforest of the volcanoes NP. Return to the accommodation for a short rest and lunch. After lunch, drive off to Cyanika Border Post. From Cyanika, you will be received by our Uganda-based Professional Tour Driver-guide who will take over from his Rwanda-based counterpart. You will cross border into Uganda and overnight at a property close to Bwindi National Park where you will undertake the gorilla trekking tomorrow.

3. Day 3 Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest, return and stay at leisure – recovering

   Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trek. Thereafter, you will enter the forest for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken (4-8 hours) and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The time with these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation, and take some rest after a strenuous trek. (extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again, you can request your guide to arrange (depending on interests); a community visit, or some short nature walk.

4. Day 4 Drive to Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions, proceed to North Queen

   Be up early, have breakfast and embark on a transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lions. Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. From Ishasha (south), exit and head to the booked accommodation in the north sector. Check in and take rest. #Optional: If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains.

5. Day 5 Chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge, afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel

   We shall have breakfast and proceed for the Chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura gorge. The gorge is home to habituated Chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species. Today, you will spend the first half of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.

6. Day 6 Sunrise game drive, head to Kibale and do the Bigodi wetland excursion

   Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. After the sighting on this game drive, we shall embark (right away) for a transfer that will see us check in at an accommodation at the edge of the Kibale Forest NP. We hope to have lunch at this property and also rest a bit before going out in the Bigodi. The Bigodi wetland boasts of an extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkey, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. After the beautiful time in the Bigodi, we shall return to the lodge where we will enjoy dinner and then overnight.

7. Day 7 Transfer – Kibale Forest (via Hoima) to Murchison Falls National Park

   Have breakfast, check out and embark on the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopard, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants among others. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts about 450 bird species including the grey parrot, dwarf king fisher and the Goliath heron among others. Expect lunch en route. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way (with very little/no room to be bored). *You can decide to do a game drive first and then finally, proceed to the booked accommodation. Otherwise, we can go straight to the accommodation, check in and stay at leisure.

8. Day 8 Morning game drive/safari, afternoon boat trip upstream to the falls

   Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls. Common sighting along the banks are; Hippos and a few bird species. #Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Return to your accommodation and relax. *Note: It is possible to adjust this day in such a way that; you do morning game drive, 11am boat trip and then another game drive. Take packed lunch with you.

9. Day 9 Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, rhino tracking and continue to Entebbe

   You will have your breakfast and then drive off to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary – a successful conservation effort that was set to save the near-extinct rhino population in Uganda. Today, visitors to Uganda have a chance to encounter rhinos thanks to this effort. Once in Zziwa, we will proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. From the rhino tracking, we will drive off to Entebbe for a drop off at the airport or hotel of your booking. #Optional (extra cost): In case you have time and interested, you can consider an excursion to some touristic sites in and around Kampala City before being dropped off at the airport or hotel of your booking. Thank you for choosing and travelling with us.