10 Days Best of Rwanda safari and Uganda starting from Kigali Offering both Mounta Nyiragongo Hiking package or exploring volcanoes national park Rwanda for mountain karisimbi hiking, gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest Uganda, Savannah wildlife viewing and sunset launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park and lastly chimpanzee tracking or habituation in Kibale forest. This tour can ably end back in Kigali or Entebbe depending on clients plans
Tour Itinerary
We have 2 Hiking options for this itinerary offering Mount Nyiragongo Hiking in Congo and Mount Karisimbi Hiking in Rwanda; both are the two most rewarding volcanoes of the Virunga conservation region.
OPTION 1
Day 1: Meet at your Kigali hotel – Transfer to Gisenyi in Lake Kivu.
A tour guide from Wild Rwanda Safaris will meet you at your hotel to begin your tour. First you will visit the Gisozi genocide memorial site of Kigali after which have lunch and transfer you to Lake Kivu.
Dinner and overnight at Paradise Malahide, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Day 2: Hike Mount Nyiragongo Overnight at rim of the volcano
Have an early cup of coffee and be ready to transfer to Goma border where you will clear your Congo travel Visa – after which meet your new guide on the Congo side who will drive you to Mount Nyiragongo. All Nyiragongo hikes start from Kibati village, Goma in the Congo. Mount Nyiragongo hiking isnt as tough and requires sturdy shoes as you step on loose volcanic rocks from the previous eruptions taking you crossing all vegetation zones as you go up.
Be ready for the hike, good physical shape is very necessary and eases the hike for you. We recommend a walking sticks at the briefing point and a porter carry your backpack.
The view at the top is absolutely stunning in the night staring watching the glowing red lava.
Day 3: Descend the Volcano – Drive to Lake Bunyonyi crossing via Goma
The Nyiragongo descend is much easier than the hiking and your guide / drive will be waiting for you to drive you back via Goma to Gisenyi.
Cross back to Rwanda and drive to the lake Bunyonyi via volcanoes national park crossing into Uganda. Dinner and Overnight at Bakiga Lodge
OPTION 2
Day 1: Pickup in Kigali – Transfer to Volcanoes national park (2 – 3 hours)
Our guide from Wild Rwanda safaris will pick you up at your hotel. After Breakfast be ready to set off for Volcanoes national park. Today you have two option activities including visit to the genocide memorial site of Kigali, or drive to Volcanoes national park and in the evening head out to visit twin lakes of Burera and Ruhonda. Dinner and overnight at Davinci Gorilla Lodge / 5 Volcanoes lodge and Moutain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 2: Start Mount Karisimbi Hike with overnight at the Volcano
Karisimbi Hiking must be booked at least 2 weeks prior to the trekking date to secure your spot and Karisimbi package. Have breakfast at your hotel and drive to the Kinigi briefing offices and there after start the mount Karisimbi Hike. You will have a team of hikers who will guide you, and an armed soldier for security. The Karisimbi package includes a chef, food water tents, porters who carry all the staff to use for the hike.
Hiking mount Karisimbi is quite spectacular and a beautiful challenge with with overnight camping at the top of the hill. Dinner and overnight at the top of Volcano
Day 3: Descend Karisimbi volcano
Your chef will have your breakfast ready early morning before you begin the hike down the mountain. Your guide will be waiting for you. Time while descending depends on the physical ability moving at the pace of the slowest person in the group. The hike down can last from 4 hours to 8 Hours – Your guide will waiting on your arrival from the mountain ans be ready to transfer to Lake Bunyonyi national park
Day 4: Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi – Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park
Wake up today at leisure and have a beautiful breakfast overlooking lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s most beautiful lake with the largest number of birds. Today you will have a numerous option activities including canoeing, nature walks, zip lining, swimming, visiting different islands and later have lunch and transfer to Bwindi national park.
Dinner and Overnight Bakiga Lodge
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Visit Batwa Pygmies
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi guarantees an encounter with a family of mountain gorillas with very close views of the silverback gorilla and black backs comprising of a gorilla family.
It’s such an amazing experience to see the massive silverback and baby mothers, gentle animals at such close range. You have 1 hour to study them and take photographs.
Be sure to request for any easy, moderate and tough group depending on your level of fitness.
Your guide will be waiting for your return and drive you to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you will have an optional community visit to the Bwindi community, visit orphanage, schools or
visit the Batwa pygmies village. Dinner and Overnight Ichumbu Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga Lodge (Midrange), Gorilla Forest Lodge / Buhoma haven Lodge (luxury)
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP – View Tree Climbing lions in Ishasha
Have breakfast at your hotel and be ready to drive off for Queen Elizabeth national park in the ishasha sector where tree climbing lions are found. On arrival, you will have a game drive in the park in search for tree climbing ions as they hang in fig trees. Hotel for dinner and overnight at Enjojo Lodge / Ishasha jungle lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Day 7: Early Riser Game drive – Afternoon Launch Cruise
Have an early breakfast and set off for a game drive through queen Elizabeth national park driving towards the Kasenyi region of the park in search for wildlife in the savannah like lions, Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes. You will later have lunch and drive to the Kazinga channel where you will have a launch cruise.
Dinner and overnight at Park View Lodge / Enganzi Lodge (Midrange), Mweya safari lodge (Luxury)
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Today you will be driving to Kibale national park from Queen Elizabeth national park. Kibale national park is the best park for chimpanzee tracking in East Africa. The drive is approximately 2 hours drive to Kibale, check into your accommodation and have lunch. Later visit the crater region. Overnight and Dinner at Chimpanzee view cottages, Primates Lodge Kibale, Crater safari lodge
Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking – Visit Bigodi Swamp
Have an early breakfast at your lodge and your guide will drive you to Kibale national park kanyankyu offices for briefing before you start chimpanzee tracking. After chimpanzee tracking, have lunch at you hotel and drive to Bigodi eco swamp
Overnight and Dinner at Chimpanzee view cottages, Primates Lodge Kibale, Crater safari lodge.
Day 10: Drive to Kampala and Drop off in Kampala
Today is the last day of your safari,you will wake up at leisure and drive to Kamapala. Your guide will drive you to Entebbe international airport or at your hotel in Kampala.
End of Tour
