8 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
- 8 Days 7 Nights
- Rwanda, East Africa
- Private
- info@nkuringosafaris.com
Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
- PriceTailored (Enquire now)
- Duration 8 Days 7 Nights
- Dates Open
- Safari TypeGuided, Private Safari
- Location Rwanda
- Departure CityKigali
- End CityKigali
- Contact nameCatherine
- Contact phone+256 774 805580
- Cancellation policyUp to 90 Days
- AccommodationAs shown in itinerary
- Group TypeTraveler’s choice
- Restriction Gorilla tracking age limit 15+
- LanguagesEnglish
Safari Overview
Visit two of East Africa’s fastest growing safari destinations and experience two of their main attractions on this 8 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari that is tailored to your own style of travel. This trip covers both the African savanna wildlife drama and the enchanting rainforest jungle. There’s no other country in Africa where you’ll be able to combine the two attractions easily than in Rwanda and Uganda.
This tailor made Africa safari starts in Entebbe, Uganda’s international airport and drives through Uganda’s most popular savanna park, Queen Elizabeth NP, where you’ll take a game drive and a boat safari on Kazinga channel to spot the big game like elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, large herds of antelope and some rare species of birds. You’ll then be challenged to track the mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable and or Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Seeing the mountain gorillas is the main highlight of this trip and the itinerary allows you to do that activity twice for maximum experience. The gorilla tracking experience is so captivating that the first time your excitement may shadow the subjective experience and it’s only when you take on the challenge the second time that you’ll capture everlasting moments. You can do that on this Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
We are concerned for yours and our health in these unfamiliar times and to keep you healthy, we’ll apply WHO, Rwanda government and our Covid Safari Standards of Operation. Please make sure you understand what will be required of you to take this spectacular Rwanda Safari.
Safari Highlights
- Starting from Entebbe and ending in Kigali Rwanda, the road drive across Uganda into Rwanda and all the way to Kigali will reveal the most stunning natural setting of the two most impressive East African countries.
- The option of tracking the mountain gorilla twice is undeniably exciting. You can chose to track gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda or in Both.
- You’ll be visiting Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Volcanoes NP, Musanze and Kigali Capital.
- Activities around the lodge after the gorilla trek like cultural experiences, music and dance will impress your travel lust.
Know before you go
- The tour is physically demanding, which means you’ll hiking moderately steep slope searching for the mountain giants and high altitudes between 2400 and 4507 meters. There are strict rules to going in these places and meeting the gorillas and you’ll be escorted by a tracker, rangers and a guide with a group of other seven trekking travelers.
- The Vehicle that transfers you between attractions is only allowed to carry up-to 6 people and Covid-19 guidelines of Rwanda and Uganda will strictly be applied to keep you and our team protected from the scourge.
Safari Includes
- Local guide
- Gorilla Permit (UG-$700, RW-$1500)
- Food and drinks
- Accommodation
- Transfers in 4×4
- Covid-19 Tests
- English guide
- Gratuities & tips
- All activities
- Visa & travel insurance
General FAQs
- You can reschedule this trip as a private tour to any date up to 12 months at no cost.
- A 30% deposit of the total tour price will be required to secure a booking, the balance being due 45 days before the tour departure date.
- Bookings not secured by the appropriate deposit will be released.
- Cancellation between 90 and 45 days of tour departure will incur a 20% of tour price penalty charge. Confirmed bookings cancelled within 45 days of the tour departure date or no show will incur 100% of tour price penalty charge.
- Availability of accommodation and activities is not guaranteed; reservations will be made after receiving confirmation of the final itinerary and the payment of the requested deposit. Should any of the quoted accommodations not be available, we reserve the right to substitute it with an alternative suitable option, which might affect the final quoted price.
- All clients who participate in this tour must be adequately covered by medical insurance as well as travel insurance to protect them in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Rates specified for this tour are subject to change without notice, however, every effort will be made to maintain them. In the event of any change of Government taxes or operating conditions that affect the rates we reserve the right to pass on these charges.
UGANDA GORILLA PERMIT CANCELLATION POLICY
(different and separate from the tour cancellation policy)
Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permits will be guaranteed ONLY upon receipt of the deposit (Uganda gorilla permit costs US$750 and Rwanda Gorilla Permit costs $1,500 per person) since we need to immediately pay UWA & UDB Offices in order to secure the permits.
Cancellations received on full payment:
- More than 90 days before the tracking date, 25% cancellation fee
- 89 to 46 days before the tracking date, 50% cancellation fee
- 45 to 9 days before the tracking date, 75% cancellation fee
- 8 to 0 days before the tracking date, 100% cancellation fee
Important: the minimum age required for gorilla tracking is 15 years whereas for the chimps the minimum age required is 12 years; in case of flu or of any other airborne disease the visitor will be not allowed to meet with the gorillas or the chimps.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp (luxury)
Day 1&2; Queen Elizabeth National Park
Located within the Park, Ishasha Wilderness Camp is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wilderness. This intimate camp has been awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for its superb quality accommodation and exceptional service.
Set next to the Ntungwe River, each of the camp’s ten spacious canvas tented rooms has a private verandah overlooking the river. Comfortably furnished with large mosquito-netted beds, all rooms are en suite with hot ‘bush’ showers, running water for hand basins and a flushing ‘eco-friendly’ toilet.
The thatched central lounge and dining area provide a comfortable setting for meals and relaxation, although we often serve meals ‘al fresco’ next to the river. In the evening, the outdoor fireplace is the perfect place for guests to relax with sundowners and share their day’s experiences.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (luxury)
Day 3&4; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Located in Nkuringo Sector, on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is a great luxury choice for tracking the most exciting mountain gorilla groups in Bwindi.
This property sits on a ridge overlooking the misty treetops of the forest, giving you an unmatched view of the great rainforest. The service is award winning with 5 World Travel Awards since 2016.
Virunga Lodge (luxury)
Day 5&6; Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
This premium luxury Rwanda lodge is perched high on a ridge with the finest views in Africa, overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze valley to the west and Lake Bulera and Ruhondo to the east. Each of our ten luxurious bandas has a private terrace from which guests can watch the sunrise over the dramatic landscape of mountains and lakes, an individual fire place, a shower room with a double vanity.
Lake Kivu Serena (Luxury)
Day 7: Gisenyi
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel celebrates the shores of this African Great Lake as a destination of astonishing beauty, where pristine beaches and the sparkling waters of Africa’s sixth largest lake come together in breathtaking fashion. Your arrival is greeted by a bright, open-plan lobby giving way to a private stretch of beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests. You’ll experience unparalleled warmth, hospitality and relaxation at a tropically inspired hotel in Gisenyi, Rwanda.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival and transfer Hotel
Arrival at Entebbe international airport, go through the airport Covid-19 checks as required by CAA and the government of Uganda. Your private assigned driver/guide will be on the other side waiting to transfer you to your booked hotel.
Accommodation before your Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari trip commences is not included here but can be arranged at your discretion.
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your Africa safari experience begins on this day with a countryside road trip towards western Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the most revered savanna park in the country.
Expect to meet the big African safari game animals like elephant herds, buffalo, massive herds of antelope, lions and leopards. On the Kazinga Channel boat safari, you’ll be able to catch sight of all the animals that come to the shores to take a sip of the fresh water and the impressive display of birdlife.
You’ll have an early morning game drive after your breakfast and after your sumptuous bush lunch, head onto the waters of Kazinga Channel for a boat safari.
Accommodation and meals
Ishasha Wilderness Camp (luxury); Breakfast, Lunch, Dinners and Drinking water
Day 2: Queen Elizabeth National Park
with your packed lunch and after breakfast, your Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari’s second day begins with another morning game drive to find some of the animals you missed the previous day.
Have your picnic lunch in the bush and after drive towards the tree climbing lions of Ishasha to find these impressive cats at their games. Expect to see the elephants, leopards, buffalo and other wild animals.
Accommodation and meals
Ishasha Wilderness Camp (luxury); Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Drinking water
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable NP
After breakfast, you’ll embark on another road trip southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. This park of the Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari will showcase Uganda’s raw natural countryside that the world has not yet fully explored; the rolling hills, emerald green blanket, backdrops of stunning mountain sides and myriad faces of natives dotted along the highly. Relax back and let the soft wind blow over your face, and enjoy every minute of the countryside trip.
Check-in time for lunch and take take a nature walk around the villages to see first-hand, the African people and their cultures uninfluenced by modern development. Your gorilla tracking experience will begin the next day.
Accommodation and meals
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (luxury); Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Drinking water
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Take an early breakfast and join your Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari driver for a quick drive to the trailhead. Of course, you’ll carry your packed lunches because we don’t expect a quickie on this one, right?
You’ll be briefed by the park rangers and then escorted into the misty jungles to find your nemesis. These gentle giants light up all your natural love for the wild and alter all your perceptions about wild creatures that occupy jungles across the world. It’s a moment you want to keep forever so make sure you’re ready to be rewarded for your courage to come to Africa. You will not stay with them for more than one hour, the intelligent guys think you may agitate their inner beings and maybe transfer some diseases (you know) if you stay longer.
After your encounter, you’ll be led back to the lodge but first, set up yourself a cool picnic spot in the jungle and have your packed lunch.
You can choose to take the Batwa trail if you still got the guts for it. The Batwa are the native tribe that occupied the jungle before it was turned into a National Park and closed off to them. Today they occupy the boundaries of the forest and showcase their cultures to visitors. In our part to support the Batwa communities, we take our visitors through some of their prepared showcases.
Retire to the lodge for the evening. We’ll be crossing the border into Rwanda the next day.
Accommodation and meals
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (luxury); Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Drinking water
Day 5: Cross The Border into Rwanda, Volcanoes NP
Via Cyanika border, the Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari takes a twist traversing the Rwanda territory for the good things. Covid and border restrictions may apply, be prepared to follow through with the guidelines so that you don’t get delayed.
From the border, you’ll drive into Volcanoes National Park (not too far from the border) and check out the legendary Dian Fossey’s resting home. That little lady, with a massive heart, took all the guts to protect the mountain gorillas from savages and let the world know about the treasure we had buried deep in our African jungle, so a visit to her grave is warranted, take a knee!
After that heartfelt moment, check into the lodge, have your dinner and relax the evening away. This Africa safari adventure continues tomorrow.
Accommodation and meals
Virunga Lodge (luxury); Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Drinking water
Day 6: Optional Activities
Option 1: Chose to stay in and enjoy the lodge’s activities like Rwanda cultural group performance, a nature walk and tales about Rwanda’s history, cultures and people.
Option 2: Take another shot at the gorilla tracking challenge. Taking another shot at the gorilla trekking experience is sure to give you an impressive bag of memories.
If you chose to track Rwanda’s gorillas, you’ll have to have secured another gorilla permit. Rwanda’s gorilla permit costs US$1,500 per person. Nkuringo Safaris will process that for you.
Option 3: Track the endangered golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. These little cute monkeys light up the jungle with golden cuteness. Also, you will be taking a nature hike into the jungle, so watch out for the outstanding jungle features and let your wild spirit float free in the African rainforest jungle.
Accommodation and meals
Virunga Lodge (luxury); Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Drinking water
Day 7: Gisenyi – Lake Kivu Resort Holiday
After breakfast, transfer to Gisenyi town which is located on the shores of Lake Kivu. On arrival, check into the hotel and later relaxing activities; swimming, sport fishing and boat cruise. The cruise will provide you with a spectacular view of Kibuye and Gisenyi towns.
Accommodation and meals
Lake Kivu Serena hotel (luxury); Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Drinking water
Day 8: Transfer to Kigali
With careful consideration of your flight time, take a stroll around the city and experience the Kigali mixed cultures, peoples, cuisine and sounds. Your private Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari driver will be there in time to whisk you off to the airport in time for your flight back home.
End of the Uganda Rwanda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari.
No Accommodation
Breakfast, Lunch and Drinking water
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Private/Tailor-made Safaris
What is a tailor-made safari?: A Tailor-made safari or private safari is a vacation trip in Africa that is crafted around the traveller’s preferences—likes, expectations, recommendations and travel style—with the guidance of an expert safari consultant. The trips listed above can all be customized to each individual for a perfect safari holiday.
With a wide range of experiences, attractions and great expectations to choose from, putting together a perfect Africa safari vacation can be a daunting task, especially when it’s your first time visiting Africa. And buying a pre-planned Africa safari package may not cut it.
Nkuringo Safaris consultants will listen and learn about your dream of Africa, what type of traveller you are, what moves your emotions, makes you smile and what lasting memories you expect. We’ll then—with you—craft an Africa safari holiday, take care of all the ground handling and take you to your dream with little or no hustle on your part.
