13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari

This 13 Days Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda Expedition Safari starts from Entebbe and ends at Kigali International Airport. Meet eye to eye with the amazing gorillas and chimpanzees of Uganda & Rwanda in their natural habitat, one of Africa’s major highlights. This close encounter with these amazing apes is simply breathtaking. Also get a close encounter with other diverse African wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and amazing culture. It is also ideal for a keen birder.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari Highlights

Arrival at Entebbe Airport
Chimpanzee Trekking – Bigodi Swamp Walk.
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a Stopover to View the Craters.
Game Drives and Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector – Home of the Tree Climbing Lions.
Gorilla Tracking Experience – Transfer to Magical Bunyonyi.
Boat Safari on Lake Bunyonyi to the Punishment Island and Other Islands – Transfer to Volcanoes.
Optional Gorilla Tracking Experience and Afternoon Visit to Ibyiwacu Community or Village.
Transfer to Gisenyi for Relaxation.
Leisure Transfer to Burundi – Enjoy the Site Viewings.
Leisure Transfer to Bujumbura for Site Visits.
Leisure Transfer to Kigali
Bound Flight Back Home.

Detailed 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari

Day 1: Entebbe

Meet and greet at Entebbe International Airport where your Uganda Adventure Safari starts with our 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari representative who will warmly welcome you and facilitate seamless arrival formalities. You will then be transferred to your hotel where you will be briefed about your adventure safari.

Depending on the time of arrival, you are advised to have money changed on this day and time. You may go on a city tour with the help of our driver/guide, visit the shopping malls around town and craft villages to get the items you may need while upcountry.

Transfer to Kibale National Park through verdant homesteads and tea estates. You will reach early to have an optional visit to the palace of Tooro depending on your time of arrival in Fort Portal. Later, transfer to the fringes of Kibale National Park where you may have an optional hike to the top of the world. Here you will be able to view the Crater Lakes and the Canopy Forest and the rest of the surrounding communities.

Accommodation: Isunga Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Kibale NP
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included), Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Bigodi Swamp Walk

After breakfast at your lodge, transfer to the starting point of your chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. It is reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa.

The most famous are the 13 species is chimpanzees, man’s closest relative. Kibale” s 1450 chimpanzees represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. Kibale is also a home to the rare I” Hoest” s monkey. Other primates include the black and white Colobus, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, olive baboon to mention but a few.

You will enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys and many others. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors stand a good chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins as they gloom and bond with one another.

Accommodation: Isunga Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Kibale NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a Stopover to View the Craters

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park following Mystical Rwenzori backdrops with a stopover to view the Craters of Kasenda. Depending on the time of arrival and how you feel, you may go for a game drive in the afternoon.

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Have an early morning doing lion tracking activities alongside the researchers who will provide you with the depth information about lions and the surrounding.

Here you will enjoy an opportunity to view the massive Rwenzori as a backdrop, which provides an excellent chance to spot more lions as well as leopards, giant forest hogs, Cape buffalos, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kobs and topis.

Accommodation: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4: Game Drives and Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward

Here you will enjoy an opportunity to view the massive Rwenzori as a backdrop, which provides an excellent chance to spot more lions as well as leopards, giant forest hogs, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbucks, Uganda kobs and topis.

After lunch, have a boat safari on Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and the launch/cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous, with well over 550 resident species. You will rest at the lodge in the evening.

Accommodation: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector – Home of the Tree Climbing Lions

Have breakfast and transfer to Ishasha Sector. A sector characterized by tree climbing lions and other mammals, where you will have a game drive and later depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The drive takes you through the Switzerland of Africa area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. You’ll be arriving in the afternoon. You will check in at the lodge and relax as you prepare for gorilla tracking tomorrow.

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort – Mid-range lodge located outside Bwindi NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included. Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6 of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari: Gorilla Tracking Experience – Transfer to Magical Bunyonyi

After an early breakfast, depart to the starting point for a briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure. Afterwards, you will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes.

You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here, the gorilla tracking begins. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing, and the beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants are fascinating.

One of Africa’s major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat, rest, play and bond with their young ones. Follow the mountain gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest. Get to discover their gorgeous natural habits and the many species they share it with.

Accommodation: Bunyonyi Eco Resort – Midrange resort located in or near Lake Bunyonyi
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 7 of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari: Boat Safari on Lake Bunyonyi to the Punishment Island and Other Islands – Transfer to Volcanoes

After breakfast, you will enjoy a boat safari to Akampene, a small island on Lake Bunyonyi where young pregnant unmarried girls were taken and abandoned there to die or to be rescued by very poor old fishermen. If time allows, you will visit other villages on the island.

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and proceed with the trail head to access the Karisoke Research Camp which is about 10 minutes from the park boundary. A trek to Dian Fossey’s grave takes about 1.5 to 2 hours of hiking which also rewards you with good views of forest hogs, forest elephants, a variety of primates and bird species.

This hike is an incredible experience physically, emotionally and intellectually. It is so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8 of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari: Optional Gorilla Tracking Experience and Afternoon Visit to Ibyiwacu Community or Village

Have an optional activity at an extra fee of $1500 per person. Early in the morning rise from the lodge and you’ll drive into the park for about 30 minutes to the office. The head ranger will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From the office, your driver/guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track the gorillas of one of the habituated groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.

Prepare for an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours! Once located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with the gorillas. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included

Day 9 of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari: Transfer to Gisenyi for Relaxation

After breakfast, you will proceed to Lake Kivu for a sunset cruise to Napoleon Island. You may take a nature walk on the island to see the bats and birds.

You will follow amazing views at Burundi’s second largest city, Gitega. This is well known for its traditional drum and shrines which are traditionally associated with black Africa and it is a symbol of Burundi—Mwami meaning the beat of drums to the principles of ruling the kingdom. We will proceed to Gishora to listen to the traditional concert of mesmerizing sounds.

Main Destination: Lake Kivu (Lake, Rwanda)
Accommodation: Paradise Malahide – Mid-range hotel located in or near Lake Kivu
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included), Drinks not included.

Day 10 of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari: Leisure Transfer to Burundi – Enjoy the Site Viewings

Burundi Royal Drummers

After breakfast, you will follow amazing views at Burundi’s second largest city, Gitega. This is well known for its traditional drum and shrines which are traditionally associated with black Africa and it is a symbol of Burundi—Mwami meaning the beat of drums to the principles of ruling the kingdom. We will proceed to Gishora to listen to the traditional concert of mesmerizing sounds.

Main Destination: Gitega (City, Burundi)
Accommodation: Roca Golf Hotel – Mid-range hotel located in or near Bujumbura
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included), Drinks not included

Day 11 of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari: Leisure Transfer to Bujumbura for Site Visits

Transfer to Bujumbura where you will have an amazing view of Lake Tanganyika. Visit city sites at your expense and if time allows visit the Polish mission. Lake Tanganyika is an African great lake. It is the second-oldest freshwater lake in the world, the second-largest by volume, and the second-deepest, in all cases after Lake Baikal in Siberia.

It is the world’s longest freshwater lake. The lake is shared between four countries—Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Zambia, with Tanzania possessing the majority of the lake. It drains into the Congo River system and ultimately into the Atlantic Ocean.

Main Destination: Bujumbura (City, Burundi)
Accommodation: Roca Golf Hotel – Mid-range hotel located in or near Bujumbura
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included), Drinks not included

Day 12 of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda Burundi Safari: Leisure Transfer to Kigali

Africa Affordable Safari

Transfer to Kigali following green jungle-covered hillsides via small villages. The region is known as the land of 1000 hills and it is one of the most charming places in Africa.

Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is near the nation’s geographic center. The city has been Rwanda’s economic, cultural, and transport hub since it became capital at independence in 1962. The city hosts the main residence and offices of the President of Rwanda and government ministries. The city is within the province of Kigali City, which was enlarged in January 2006, as part of local government reorganization in the country. Kigali’s city limits cover the whole province; it is consolidated. The city’s urban area covers about 70% of the municipal boundaries.

Main Destination: Kigali (City, Rwanda)
Accommodation: Kigali Marriott Hotel – Luxury hotel located in or near Kigali
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included), Drinks not included

Day 13 of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari: Out Bound Flight Back Home

You will be transferred by our guide or driver back to the airport. Here you will later be given the souvenirs to appreciate you for your support and co-operations.

Main Destination: No major destination visited
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense, Drinks not included

End of 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari

Important to Know

Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This 13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari accepts children who are 15 years and older.

Africa Safari Holiday

13 Days Uganda Rwanda and Burundi Expedition Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Package Include:

Park fees (For non-residents)
Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident).
All activities (Unless labelled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade).
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labelled as optional).
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section).
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Package Exclude:

International flights (From/to home).
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour.
Tips (Tips)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees.
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section).