This Safari starts from Burundi through Rwanda ending in Uganda. The tour takes you to the best national parks with in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Pick Up – Tour Water Falls & Culture
Pickup from your hotel in Bujumbura by our company tour guide after breakfast, drive off to the Source of Nile, and then Karera waterfalls .Enroute expect to view magnificent tea plantations and landscapes. From the karera waterfalls, drive to Gitega, the second town and colonial capital of Burundi. Visit of Gitega National Museum with its collection of artefacts, Gitega city administrative offices,Catholic location of Mushasha and its different schools, Overnight at Orange or Helena Hotel.
Day2: Drum beating tour in Gitega – Gishora
After an early breakfast, visit the drum sanctuary of Gishora one of the famous drum sites of Burundi known for it’s two ritual drums that were never beaten : Ruciteme (the one for whom we clear the forest) and Murimirwa (the one for whom we cultivate). Later transfer back to Bujumbura for Lunch and later head out to visit Rusizi national park where a possible boat tour in Rusizi river can let you explore closer the hippo , numerous birds and the joining point between Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika; Belvedere Climb offering a nice view of Bujumbura city ,Independance hero mounument.After we visit explorers Memorial, a huge rock in the Suburbs of Bujumbura commemorating the meeting between explorers Stanley and Livingstone. Dinner and overnight at club du lac Hotel
Day3: Transfer to Khauzi Biega NP in DR Congo.
After an early cup of tea, head out to Khauzi Biega NP in Bukavu, Eastern DR Congo, a home to lowland gorillas. Diner and overnight at Horizon Hotel/Orchids Hotel. Day 4: Lowland gorilla tracking and Transfer to Nyungwe National park In the morning, you will go for lowland gorilla tracking. On return, your tour guide will transfer you to Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda. Dinner and Overnight stay Nyungwe forest lodge (Luxury)/ Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range) /Gisakura Guest House
Day 5: Colobus monkey tracking and afternoon Canopy walk/nature walk/birding
Early rise for breakfast. Head out to Nyungwe forest headquarters for briefing before you entering the forset for colobus monkey tracking. You will encounter other primates like the black and white monkeys and various bird species. In the afternoon, you go for a forest canopy walk or nature walk to see the waterfalls. You will spot different species of birds. Have dinner and overnight at your Lodge.
Day 6: Transfer from Nyungwe NP – Volcanoes National Park
Have an early at your hotel and your guide will drive you off to Volcanoes National Park. The drive will take you via Lake Kivu were you will have clear views of the water body and take pictures of the beautiful area. Have lunch en route and continue with our interesting drive. Arrive late and check in to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Volcanoes Lodge ( Luxury)/ La Palme (Mid-range), Muhabura Hotel (Basic).
Day 7: First Gorilla Tracking and cultural walk.
After briefing from the senior park ranger you will commence your memorable gorilla trekking which normally takes 2 to 6 hours in the jungle. You will be allowed to stay in the presence of the gorillas for a maximum of 1 full hour. At the finish of this trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch and relax. In the afternoon if interested set out for a cultural walk around neighboring communities of the forest. Interact with the local people; learn about their way of living. After a wonderful evening, you return to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 8: Golden Monkeys Tracking – Transfer to Bwindi
Wake up early for your breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for briefing about the Golden Monkey, now listed as endangered because of their small numbers. Or you can opt to Hike to the Karisoke Gorilla Research Centre which Dian Fossey, the famous primatologist set up. Return to your lodge for lunch and drive off to Uganda crossing the border to Bwindi Gorilla forest. Dinner at Budget: Bakiga Lodge/ Gorilla Mist/Ruhiija Lodge.
Day 9: Gorilla tracking in Uganda – second trek
In the morning, assemble at the park headquarters for briefing from the park rangers about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. Proceed for the memorable adventure in the forest, an activity that may take 2-6 hours depending on the movement of the animals. Meet and stay with the animals for a maximum of one hour, then descend to the park headquarters and then to your Lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the evening, you may go for community walk in the community. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park
In the morning, you will set off to QENP passing via Ishasha sector where you will have game drives to view tree climbing lions, variety of bird species. Reach the park early enough for lunch. In the afternoon, gather at the Kazinga channel for a boat cruise along the channel where you will be rewarded with view of game as Hippos, crocodiles, buffalos, elephants as well as a variety of birds. Dinner and overnight : Kingfisher Lodge, Mid-range: Enganzi Lodge, Luxury: Mweya safari lodge.
Day 11: Game Drive & transfer to Kibale Forest NP.
Today wake up early for your breakfast and then go for game drive with a rewarding opportunity to see wildlife such as Lions, Leopards, Giant Forest Hogs, Cape Buffaloes, Elephants, Defassa Waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, Topis, Bush bucks and many more. On return, transfer to Kibale forest, home to primates. Dinner and overnight at chimpanzee guest house/Primates Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge. Day 12: Chimpanzee tracking and nature walk. In the morning after briefing from the park headquarters, you will enter the forest for chimpanzee tracking, where you will encounter other primates. In the afternoon, go for nature walk along the Bigodi wetland sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at Day 11.
Day 13: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Wake up early for a long drive to Murchison falls national park. Arrival late evening for dinner and overnight at pakuba Lodge/Paraa safari lodge/Red Chili Hotel.
Day 14: Game drive and launch cruise
After breakfast, you will set out for the morning game drive in the Northern sector of the Park. Look out for some of the big Five animals such as Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes and if you are Lucky, you will be able to see Leopards. You will also be able to see animals such as Rothschild giraffe, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Bushbucks and also other Antelopes. Return back for lunch and in the afternoon, experience the 3 hours launch cruise along the Nile. This will get you close to the bottom of the falls and en route, you will be able to see a variety of Hippos, Crocodiles, and a lot of other animals alongside the river banks taking water. If you are lucky, you can also spot the rare shoe bill stork and other variety of bird species in the area. Dinner and overnight
Day 15: Transfer To Kampala.
In the morning, set off the park with en route visit to Visit the Top of the falls for a view of the gorge where the mighty Nile river squeezes in to a 7 meter gorge dropping 40 meters. The falls are spectacular and thunderous with a beautiful rainbow displayed on sunny days. Later,proceed to Kampala with optional visit to the Rhino sanctuary at Ziwa for Rhino tracking. You will reach Kampala in the evening and transfer to Entebbe airport for departure or overnight in Kampala.
End of Safari