18 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Tour, Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Wildlife Viewing, Scenery & Community Tours

18 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Tour – Overview.

The 18 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Tour is an extended 18 days Uganda Rwanda trip taking you Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee tracking, wildlife viewing, mountain hiking, scenery & community tours.

The 18 Days Uganda Rwanda safari adventure features white water rafting in Jinja, boat cruise to the source of River Nile, Sipi falls encounter, wild game viewing in Pian Upe, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park with opportunities to encounter lions, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, Impala, Roan antelope, eland, cheetah, tree-climbing lions, buffaloes, jackals, Jackson’s hartebeest, topis among others.

It also allows you to explore the critically endangered mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park known as the primate capital of the world, volcano climbing / golden monkey tracking, or Batwa heritage tour in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and remarkable relaxation on Lake Bunyonyi dubbed the lake of a thousand Islands because of its 29 Island, recreational encounter in the scenic beaches of Lake Kivu and eventually the genocide memorial site tours in Kigali city.

18 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Tour – Highlights

• Day 1: Do Jinja tour. Do half-day rafting and afternoon boat cruise to the source of the Nile
• Day 2: Transfer to Sipi falls and Visit Sipi falls
• Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. Do a game drive in Pian Upe en route
• Day 4: Do game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park and afternoon Karamojong Community tour
• Day 5: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Drive through the former Kony war zone
• Day 6: Do morning game drive, afternoon Nile launch cruise, and hike to the top of the falls
• Day 7: Transfer to Kibale. Whole day drive
• Day 8: Do morning chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon
• Day 9: Transfer to Semliki National Park and do the Sempaya nature walk to explore the hot springs. Visit the Amabere ga’ Nnyinamwiru caves and Fort portal Crater Lake hike and optional Batooro naming ceremony in the evening
• Day 10: Transfer to Kasese on the foothills of Mount Rwenzori. Visit the Bunyangabu beekeepers, Ruboni community craft village, and Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa
• Day 11: Do whole day Mount Rwenzori hiking exploring the legendary mountains of the moon
• Day 12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and afternoon Kazinga Channel launch cruise
• Day 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha in search of tree climbing lions
• Day 14: Do mountain gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 15: Do sunrise boat cruise and transfer to Mgahinga National Park
• Day 16: Do Volcano Climbing / Batwa heritage trail / Golden Monkey tracking and cross to Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park)
• Day 17: Do gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi) for relaxation
• Day 18: Transfer to Kigali and visit the Gisozi genocide memorial

18 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Do Jinja tour. Do Half-day Rafting And Afternoon Boat Cruise to The Source of The Nile

Transfer early in the morning to Jinja to catch up with half-day white water rafting exploring the Nile cascades as the legendary Nile River flows past these impermeable rocks that have stood in their way for centuries past.

You get to your rafts and maneuver with the waters under the guidance of the experienced rafting team.

You enjoy the amazing adventure amidst the cheers of the locals as they spectate on the riverside. You retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to the source of the Nile for an impressive Nile boat cruise to explore the source of this legendary river.

The boat exposes you to counts of birds perching on the overhanging trees and the river banks. Retire for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Jinja Nile Resort (Upmarket / Luxury), King Fisher Resort (Midrange / Standard) or Source of the Smile Guesthouse (Budget / Basic).

Day 2: Transfer to Sipi Falls And Visit Sipi Falls

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Sipi Falls driving through impressive landscapes of eastern Uganda marked by extensive rice fields and sugar cane plantations not forgetting the natural swamps that mark the flat stretches in the area.

Arrive in Sipi for lunch and after embark on the hike to the Sipi falls.

The hike to this amazing feature is very impressive offering the views of the soothing waters and the landscapes beyond not forgetting farmlands of the Bagisu. Retreat for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Lacam Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Crown’s nest camp site (Budget / Basic).

Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. Do a Game Drive in Pian Upe En-route

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeast of Uganda.

You will drive through impressive landscapes overlooking the Karamoja Plains and make a game drive in the famous Pian Upe Game Reserve where counts of wildlife such as Jackals, Civets, Spotted hyenas, Servals, Leopards, Wildcats, Vervet monkeys, Patas monkeys, Olive baboons, vervet monkeys, Topi, Cape buffalo, Common eland, blue and common duiker Günther’s dik-dik, Klipspringer, Waterbuck, Ugandan Kob and Bohor and mountain reedbuck among others. Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Nga’ moru Wilderness (Midrange / Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 4: Do Game Drive in Kidepo Valley National Park And Afternoon Karamojong Community Tour

After breakfast, embark on the game drive encounter in the impressive dry Savannah landscapes of Kidepo Valley National Park.

The park is one of the beautiful parks that Africa has ever had and is dotted with counts of wild game including lions, elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, cheetah among other wildlife.

You drive through the Narus Valley where animals tend to congregate as there are many water points there. The stretch to Kidepo Valley offers you chances of encountering Ostrich.

Retreat from the 3 – 4 activity and relax at the lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, you embark on the exploration of the Karimojng pastoralist communities with their impressive heritage that surrounds these authentic people.

They take you around their homesteads, cattle Kraals, their cultural Manyattas and can attend to their musical performances. Retreat in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Nga’ moru Wilderness (Midrange / Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 5: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Drive Through The Former Kony War Zone

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park which is the largest National Park in Uganda perched in a natural rolling Savannah combretum crossed by the might Nile River leaving a permanent natural landmark – Murchison Falls which is the most powerful in the world and noted to be the greatest natural feature to ever happen on the Nile River.

You will drive through areas of Kitgum and Gulu which are noted to be former dwelling grounds of the Lord’s Resistance Army headed by Joseph Kony.

The area is now war-free and you only encounter the remains of the war and some people that are still undergoing war trauma. Arrive in Murchison Falls National Park in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).

Day 6: Do Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Nile Launch Cruise, And Hike to The Top of The Falls

After an early morning cup of tea at the lodge, head to the park for a morning game drive which tends to last 3 – 4 hours exploring the park’s wilderness in detail.

The activity is conducted in the northern section of the park which is a common dwelling ground for counts of wildlife including lions, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, elephants, Buffaloes, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribis, Kobs among others.

Retreat from the activity back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Paraa Jetty for an afternoon Nile launch cruise departing at 2pm to the bottom of the falls.

The boat offers you opportunities of encountering Nile Crocodiles, Hippos, and the vulnerable shoebill stork not forgetting other wild game drinking water on the river banks.

The stretch to the bottom of the falls and the eventual hike to the top of the falls exposes to the thunderous roar of the Nile River which is the longest in the world as it squeezes its self to pass through a less than 8m ravine forming a plume of spray marked by a trademark rainbow as it falls 43m below to what has been termed as the Devil’s Cauldron. Retire from the 3-hour activity for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale. Whole Day Drive

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park 441km about 9 hours’ drive passing through verdant countryside landscapes with rural homesteads and plantations. You will arrive in Kibale in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guest house (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic).

Day 8: Do Morning Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk in The Afternoon

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center at 8 am to catch up with the briefing session about the Chimpanzee trekking experience.

After the briefing, you head to the forest of Kibale in search of common Chimpanzees. Hiking through amazing forest landscapes marked with lush flora which is inhabited by a range of bird species, and wildlife including other 12 primate species such as Black and white colobus monkeys.

The chimp trek takes 2 – 5 hours and involves one full hour of direct encounter with chimps as they forage, play, make pant hooting calls and socialize.

Retreat from the activity and return to the starting point. You enjoy your packed lunch and then embark on the transfer to Bigodi Wetland for an afternoon walk.

The 2 hours guided walk exposes to a range of bird species as the wetland has 138 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco. The wetland also has impressive swamp animals like Sitatunga Antelope.

Retreat from the activity and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Luxury / Upmarket), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guest house (Budget / Basic).

Day 9: Transfer to Semliki National Park And Do The Sempaya Nature Walk to Explore The Hot Springs. Visit The Amabere ga’ Nnyinamwiru Caves And Fort portal Crater Lake Hike And Optional Batooro Naming Ceremony in The Evening

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Semliki National Park driving through Fort Portal town and eventually continuing to Semliki.

Upon arrival, you undertake the Sempaya Nature Walk exploring the hot springs at Sempaya both male and female.

The walk does not exceed 4 hours and then you transfer back to Fort Portal. As you transfer to Fort Portal, you will branch off near Nyakasura School following a downward slopping murram road to visit the Amabere ga’ Nnyinamwiru caves which are impressive breast-like features to which the locals attach great tradition to.

You will also hike the Fort Portal Crater lake field and summit the famous Kyeganywa hill that has impressive views of the crater lakes and hollows below and the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day.

Retreat from the activity and transfer to Fort Portal in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight. You can have an optional Batooro pet naming ceremony and have an opportunity to encounter the experience of pet name-giving.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Mountains of the moon Hotel (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic).

Day 10: Transfer to Kasese on The Foothills of Mount Rwenzori. Visit The Bunyangabu Beekeepers, Ruboni Community Craft Village, And Rwenzori Art Foundation

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kasese on the foothills of the legendary mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori range.

You will drive through impressive landscapes with impressive scenic views of the area before making a stop at Bunyangabu beekeepers to have an encounter with the local people demonstrating the bee king business and the products that get from it.

You will continue to visit the Ruboni Community craft village where a group of village women has dedicated themselves to demonstrate considerable dexterity and skill in the craft-making industry.

You will also visit the Rwenzori Art foundation which is apparently the only bronze casting center in the whole of Africa.

There is a range of sculptures at the site and you can buy a souvenir. It also presents a participatory experience where you can engage yourself in the casting process. Retire for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic).

Day 11: Do Whole Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking Exploring The Legendary Mountains of The Moon

After breakfast, embark on the whole day exploration of the legendary mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori Mountains towering to 5,109m above sea level with snow-capped peaks.

The day’s adventure is a thrilling encounter of the mountain foothills exploring its lush flora that have earned it a status as a world heritage site.

Mount Rwenzori stands as the tallest mountain range in Africa since Kilimanjaro and Kenya are free-standing. Retreat from the activity and retire relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic).

Day 12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park And Afternoon Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise

After an early morning cup of coffee, embark on the game drive in the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park extending to the Kasenyi tracks exploring the park’s unique landscape dotted with counts of wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, jackals among others.

The activity lasts 3 – 4 hours after which you return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you transfer to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos.

The Kazinga Channel which stretches to 45km in length at one time had great concentrations of Hippopotamus in the region which prompted the management to carry out the great Hippo culling of the 1960s.

You enjoy the view of the Nile crocodiles not forgetting another wild game drinking on the channel shores.

Retreat from the 2-hour activity, do a game along the channel track as you head to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget / Basic).

Day 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do Game Drive in Ishasha in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwest of Uganda.

You have a game drive in the Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions along with other wild game. The tree climbing lions tend to lie on fig tree branches in the mid-morning sun.

After this encounter, continue on the drive to Bwindi arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget / Basic).

Day 14: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking And Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi  

Wake up for a stimulating breakfast before gathering at the respective park headquarters at 8 am for a briefing about gorilla trekking and allocation of the respective gorilla family to track.

You head to the Bwindi forest with its remarkable mist in search of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.

The trekking encounter takes you through impressive hikes exploring the rewarding forest landscapes that are marked with rugged terrain which is at times challenging to explore.

The duration of the activity is between 2 – 8 hours inclusive of one (1) hour direct encounter with these species as they forage, socialize and make their playful tactics with the frightening eyes of the Silverback.

You are free to take as many photos as you wish before you retreat from the activity to return to the starting point.

After this encounter, you will return to the starting point and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket / Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange / Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget / Basic).

Day 15: Do Sunrise Boat Cruise And Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on a sunrise boat cruise on the lake exploring the scenic landscapes of the lake, and reach out to some of its 29 Islands amidst the rolling hills of Kigezi.

The 3 – 4 hour boat cruise is a rewarding adventure worth undertaking. Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury),  Mucha Hotel (Midrange / Standard) or Amajambere iwacu Camp (Budget / Basic)

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You will undertake a walk from the south of Bwindi traversing the rural landscapes of Kisoro with impressive scenic views of the Area and the Virunga Volcanoes before arriving on Lake Mutanda.

You embark on a canoe paddle exploring the lake’s Islands while aiming at crossing it. You proceed to Kisoro where you connect with the vehicle to drive to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Midrange / Standard) or Amajambere iwacu Community Camp (Budget / Basic).

Day 16: Do Volcano Climbing / Batwa Heritage trail / Golden Monkey Tracking And Cross to Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park)

After breakfast, you embark on any of these activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

You can opt to undertake the golden monkey tracking where you have an opportunity to encounter the other critically endangered apes known to be living only in the Virunga massif on a world scale.

Alternatively, you can undertake Volcano climbing where you can opt to submit any of the three volcanoes namely; Gahinga, Muhabura, or Sabyinyo.

Any of the three can be summited in one day. The last option would be undertaking the famous Batwa heritage trail which takes you to explore the ancient heritage of the Batwa that used to inhabit the forest.

You retreat from any activity of your choice and embark on the transfer to Rwanda driving along the impressive Virunga massif arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gorilla Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), La Palme Hotel (Midrange / Standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget / Basic).

Day 17: Do Gorilla Trekking And Transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi) For Relaxation

Gather at Volcanoes National Park headquarters Kinigi after breakfast at your place of stay to catch up with briefing at 8 am local time.

If you arrive early before, you have an opportunity to attend the impressive Kinyarwanda dance performance and drinking a hot cup of Rwandan coffee till the briefing time.

You attend to briefing our respective gorilla groups allocated to you on spot and then embark on the drive to trailheads of each gorilla family.

You head to the slopes of the volcanoes in search of these critically endangered apes. You have one hour with them gain at them as they forage, socialize, and the silverback demonstrating its manhood.

The encounter tends to last 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla movements and the gorilla family allocated to you.

Retreat from the activity and transfer to Gisenyi – Lake Kivu 110km about 2 hours’ drive. Arrive on the romantic beaches of Lake Kivu which is the largest lake in Rwanda.

You have options of undertaking a sunset boat cruise, swimming, or other water sports like windsurfing. Alternatively, you can do sunbathing on the shores. Retire from dinner, relaxation, and overnight.

Accommodation: Serena Hotel Lake Kivu (Upmarket / Luxury), Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu (Midrange / Standard), or Paradise Malahide (Budget / Basic)

Day 18: Transfer to Kigali And Visit The Gisozi Genocide Memorial

Following your breakfast at the lodge, embark on the transfer to Kigali city. Upon arrival, you will tour the Gisozi genocide memorial to pay tribute to the counts of Rwandese that lost their lives during the bloody genocide that befell the country in the year 1994.

The Gisozi site is a collection of the remains of some of the victims. There is a detailed themed interpretation of the entire genocide occurrence. Retreat from the activity to mark the end of your safari.

End of the 18 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Tour

Please note that upon your request, we can change(customize) the tour destinations, hotels, and number of days to suit your desire .just contact us call us 24/7 on the phone

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