Africa Taste of Ruanda & Uganda
The hilly Rwanda offers spectacular landscapes with fantastic views. The central plateau in the centre of the country is cut by numerous watercourses, the Virunga volcanoes are located in the border area to Uganda and the Congo. Lake Kivu in the west with deep bays, steep slopes and white sandy beaches is one of the most beautiful inland lakes in Central Africa. Rwanda’s greatest treasure is its unique animal world. In the Volcanoes National Park in the north you can observe some of the last remaining free living mountain gorillas and the Golden Monkeys.
Uganda’s national parks offer unforgettable safari experiences with a variety of animals. The special experience is the Gorilla Trakking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The highlights of your trip: Africa Taste of Ruanda & Uganda
– Kigali – the cleanest and fastest growing city in East Africa
– Lush green landscapes and active volcanoes
– mystical looking golden monkeys in the Virunga Mountains
– Encounter with wild gorillas and chimpanzees
Itinerary and highlights of Africa Taste of Ruanda & Uganda
Day 1 Arrival day Kigali
Our driver will meet you at Kigali airport and take you to your hotel. Depending on the time of day you will have the opportunity to visit the Genocide Memorial where you will get an insight into the recent history of Rwanda. Alternatively you can visit one of the lively markets or the Kandt Museum.
Day 2 Kigali – Virunga Mountains
After breakfast you drive on well developed roads towards the Virunga Mountains. Here you get an impression of where the name “Land of a Thousand Hills” comes from. You drive through small villages, past coffee and tea plantations and enjoy the view of the lush vegetation and the ever changing landscape. There is hardly any car traffic, the bicycle is the main means of transport for the rural population of Rwanda. In the afternoon you reach Ruhengeri at the foot of the Virunga Mountains.
Day 3 Virunga Mountains – Golden Monkeys Tracking
You will have an early breakfast at the lodge and then drive to the starting point of the Golden Monkey Tracking. In groups with a maximum of 8 visitors we will go to the Vulcanoes National Park, the habitat of endangered animals. Worldwide only here in the border area between Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo with about 4500 specimens there is the possibility to see the mystical looking golden monkeys. The habitat of the animals are the bamboo forests at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, the ascent is comparatively easy.
Day 4 Virunga Mountains – Kisoro
Uganda is the destination for today. After crossing the border you will reach Kisoro after about 2 hours driving time. A paradise for bird lovers, in the surroundings of your lodge you can see a large number of different, partly very rare bird species, such as the red kite. e.g. the white-tailed blue flycatcher and take pictures.
Day 5 Volcano ascent / Batwa visit
Today you have the possibility to choose your own daily program. For active people there is the possibility to climb one of the volcanoes, Mount Gahinga. After about 4 hours ascent you will reach the crater rim and enjoy the view into the crater. Alternatively you have the opportunity to visit a Batwa community. Here you will learn a lot about the Batwa traditions and their original way of life. Or you can use the day to simply relax in the beautiful garden of your lodge.
Day 6 Kisoro – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A particularly impressive scenic drive is scheduled for today. After breakfast we will head towards Bwindi National Park. Along winding roads with great views of the green terraced mountains and Lake Bunyonyi with its 19 islands you will reach the starting point for your gorilla tracking.
Day 7 The highlight of Uganda: Gorilla Tracking!
Today is one of the highlights of your tour through Uganda! The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees! This is the only forest in Africa where you can see both monkey species. As you advance along the wooded slopes, winding vines and bamboo plants into the densely overgrown jungle, you will learn many interesting facts about the Ugandan giants. While the monkeys go about their daily business undisturbed, you approach them quietly until you are only three or four metres away from them. You watch the gorillas and the gorillas will watch you.
Day 8 Bwindi Impenetrable Nationalpark – Lake Mburo Nationalpark
Today after breakfast you drive to Lake Mburo National Park, the second smallest in Uganda. Numerous rocks and hills with small valleys alternate. You undertake a game drive, typical for the park are zebras and antelopes together with long horned Ankole cattle. Besides these animals we also see hippos, impalas, reedbucks and waterbucks.
Day 9 Lake Mburo National Park – Entebbe
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the two parks in Uganda where it is allowed to go on a walking safari. You go on an exploration tour with an experienced ranger, footprints and animal excrements tell you which animals are nearby. It is especially exciting to see the wild animals from this close up. Around noon you will leave for the return journey to Kampala / Entebbe. Of course you will stop at the equator for a souvenir photo.
Day 10 Departure day Entebbe / activities of your choice
Depending on the time of departure, after your breakfast you have the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Botanical Garden with its large stock of trees from all over the world. Alternatively, we can organise a boat tour with bird watching for you. Afterwards flight home or start for the connecting journey, e.g. beach holiday on Zanzibar.
