This 15 Days Congo, Uganda and Rwanda safari package involves visiting some of the best national parks in Africa. The safari starts from Uganda and ends in Rwanda. The safari starts with a tour of Murchison Falls National Park (including Ziwa Rhino sanctuary), then Kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth National park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park among other Uganda safari destinations. After the safari in Uganda, travelers will cross to Rwanda to visit the Volcanoes national park and the then finally to Congo’s Virunga National Park.
While in Murchison Falls National Park, you will visit the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, go for a game drive, launch cruise and visit the top of the Murchison Falls. While in Kibale, the main activity will be chimpanzee tracking before transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park. While at Queen Elizabeth, you will go for a launch cruise and two game drives including one to see tree climbing lions. From Queen Elizabeth you will go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking and visiting the Batwa pygmies. You would then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda for relaxation, canoeing and birding before crossing to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. While in Rwanda, you will go for golden monkey tracking and another gorilla trekking expedition. The evenings in Rwanda will be spent visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. From the Volcanoes National Park, you will transfer to Lake Kivu for relaxation before crossing the next day to Virunga national Park to hike the amazing Nyiragongo Volcano. After hiking mount Nyiragongo and observing the boiling lava lake at the summit, you will cross back to Rwanda and complete your safari by touring the city of Kigali.
By the end of the 15 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, you would have a great impression of the biodiversity in the three countries. The tour can be rearranged to start in Rwanda and end in Uganda.
The tour cost will include:
- Full time safari van with a pop-up roof for the best game viewing experience
- An experienced and English-speaking Guide
- Fuel for the entire safari
- Gorilla Permits for Rwanda and Uganda
- Chimpanzee trekking permits
- Golden Monkey permits
- Activities in Lake Bunyonyi
- Activities in Lake Kivu
- Game drives
- Boat cruises
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation for 14 nights with meals and water
- Drinking Water and lunch when out of the hotel
- Pickup from Entebbe in Uganda and drop-off in Kigali Rwanda
- Park entrance fees
- Batwa cultural experience
- The Gorilla Guardians Village
- Kigali city Tour
The safari cost will exclude International flights, visas, insurance and personal expenses (cigars, beverages and wines).
PRACTICAL GUIDE
Gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking requires that you have good hiking boots, hand gloves, a raincoat, light snacks and enough drinking water. You need to hire porters in case you have heavy luggage or cameras. It is also important to prepare mentally to deal with the challenges of tracking primates. Being in good shape will help though it is not a requirement as you can read from our article about gorilla trekking for the elderly. Do not forget to give tip to the Guides, Rangers and hotel staff if you have some lose change. Tipping will help encourage them after the great services they offer with often little pay. We recommend between $10 to $15 as tip or an equivalent in the local currency.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Triangle:Â This is classed as a budget hotel but in reality, it offers high quality rooms and services. Hotel Triangle is situated in the very heart of Kampala city. They have different categories of rooms but each has free internet, Satellite TV, sofas, working tables, clean bathrooms, clean bedding and towels. You are entitled to modern and heavy breakfast with a lot of fruits. Other facilities in the hotel include meeting rooms with fresh local food, laundry services, a business Center, concierge service, security, a well-stocked bar, stationery, projectors and whiteboards.
Primates Lodge: Primates is a beautiful lodge offering both luxury and mid-range services. The lodge is owned by Uganda lodges. It is built in an area with beautiful natural surrounding with very professional staff. They offer 16 rooms of different categories. Some are standard cottages while others are luxury cottages. All rooms are well furnished with a lounge and free Wi-Fi. Other amenities include central lounge area, a dining terrace, a bar, a small library, room service, laundry services and an evening camp fire. Food is excellent and served by very friendly staff.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge: This luxury lodge is found 10 minutes away from the park entrance. It has 30 chalets which were built using local material. Each chalet is private and has a fireplace, free internet, modern bathrooms, a living room and a verandah. Other services include a bar, a restaurant, daily housekeeping, shuttle services, a large garden for relaxation and a picnic area. Most of the ingredients used for cooking are grown from the lodge gardens. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge stands out because it is a relatively affordable luxury lodge. If you are planning for gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, hiking the Virunga Volcanoes or visiting the grave of Dian Fossey, then this is one place you shouldn’t miss out.