8 Days Luxury Uganda safari from Kigali- Gorilla Safaris Africa
This luxurious 8-day safari in Uganda departing from Kigali is designed for those who want to go on safari but can only fly into Kigali or who prefer shorter drives. This trip offers shorter drive times and will give you a taste of both Uganda and Rwanda while on the trip. It will take you to some of the National parks of Uganda including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzees with the last day to spend around Lake Bunyonyi to relax after the safari.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali Airport- transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable.
If time permits, you will be picked up from Kigali International Airport or any Kigali hotel to begin your trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National park with a city tour through the genocide. The trip takes about 4-5 hours and is incredibly spectacular, passing through Rwanda, land of a thousand hills to reach the Pearl of Africa, Uganda. After crossing the border into Uganda at Katuna or Chanika, you can stop at Kabale or Kisoro before continuing on to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the night.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Lodging: Silverback Lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Early in the morning, you will rise for breakfast and proceed to the park headquarters to meet with other guests for a briefing on the dos and don’ts during your search for mountain gorillas. Proceed to the forest with a briefing before being led by researchers and guides. This will take you about 2- 8 hours to find them and 1 one hour with them once you find them. Throughout your hike, you may come across various birds and primates in the jungle. Return to the starting point for certificates and then to the lodge for lunch. Enjoy the rest of the day as you unwind until dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You will leave for the western Ugandan Queen Elizabeth National Park after breakfast, arriving in time for lunch at the reserved lodge. Following this, there will be some downtime before an evening game drive into the Kasenyi savannah plains, where you will fortunately be able to glimpse wild creatures including buffaloes, elephants, antelopes and large cats like lions and leopards. Dinner and slumber at the lodge.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 4: Morning Game drive and afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Have a morning breakfast and set off for a morning game drive to see if you can spot any wildlife that might have escaped your notice the day before. Return to the lodge for lunch, and then set off for an afternoon private boat excursion along Kazinga Channel. In addition to other wildlife that congregates in the canal in search of water, this tour gives you the chance to see hippos, water birds, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles among others. Dinner and slumber at the lodge.
Accommodation options:
Day 5: Morning game drive and transfer to Kibale National Park
Have morning breakfast and set off for a morning game drive to the North of Queen to fortunately sight wildlife like elephants, buffaloes and other wild cats. Return to the lodge for lunch and set off for a transfer to Kibale forest national park. You will arrive late in the evening for dinner and slumber.
Lodging: Crater Safari Lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kayanchu to join other trekkers for briefing. Later you will be led to the jungle by the guide to search for the chimps. This trek offers the chance to go see one of the habituated chimpanzee groups and spend an hour watching and photographing them. Other 11 primate species, together with forest birds, can be found at Kibale National Park. You will drive to the lodge for lunch following your chimpanzee excursion. In the evening, prepare for a community walk to Bigodi wetland created to help the neighborhood residents who live close to Kibale Forest National Park. Dinner and slumber at the lodge
Day 7: Depart to Lake Bunyonyi.
Wake up early for a morning grab set off to Lake Bunyonyi to help you shorten the long journey to Kigali. Lake Bunyonyi is said to be the deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest in East Africa. Bunyonyi locally means small birds due to the abundance of small birds in this area, which you will enjoy. Upon arrival, check in at the booked lodge for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Bird Nest.
Day 8: Canoe ride and transfer to Kigali
After breakfast, you are free to admire the beauty of the lake and its surrounding hills by taking part taking part in a canoe ride on the lake to explore different island with exciting history. You will for example visit the Punishment Island where girls who would produce babies out of legitimate tradition marriage would be dumped and left to die. Return to the lodge for lunch and then prepare for a set off to Katuna border and then Kigali for your departure flight back home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
Includes.
- The gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permit
- Park entrance fees
- Our professional guide fees
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Excludes.
- Alcoholic drinks
- Air ticket and Visa extra activities outside the itinerary
- Laundry services, personal items/ expenses.
- Tipping