22 Days Of Uganda Rwanda Long Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari

Safari  overview

22 Days of Uganda Rwanda long gorilla trekking & wildlife safari. The 22 Days Uganda Rwanda Tour is one of the best long gorilla trekking & wildlife safari packages. Book our combined 22 days Uganda Rwanda tour and discover the hidden treasures in the two East African destinations; Uganda and Rwanda.

Myriad of mesmerizing wilderness experiences await you on this Uganda & Rwanda combo tour. These include double gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda; community/cultural visits, adrenaline adventures.

Expect also to get the best of the refreshing and cool breeze of Lake Kivu. Primates lovers still have great treat to chimpanzee encounters in the wild while on a visit to Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee Habituation Experience; colobus monkey tracking & canopy walk in Nyungwe.

This rewarding gorilla trekking and wildlife safari package also allows you to enjoy the most amazing views of the tree climbing lions plus other wildlife. Besides, you will have the best of Uganda’s most powerful waterfalls (inclusive of Murchison Falls) among other exciting activities.

If it’s the 22 days Uganda and Rwanda safari you have chosen, pack your bags and travel to Africa to experience what you have never seen before and by the time you leave, you will have fallen in love with the African Continent.

Top destinations to explore on this long Uganda safari include Jinja, Murchison Falls National Park, Semliki National Park, Amabere Caves,  Rwenzori Mountains, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Other tourist destination to explore on this captivating 22-day combined safari include Lake Bunyonyi, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Lake Kivu. Your tour will begin from Kigali in Rwanda and end in Uganda with adrenaline adventures in Jinja, then departure from Entebbe.

Day	Activity
Day 1:	Arrival and Kigali City tour
Day 2:	Drive to Nyungwe National Park
Day 3:	Participate in colobus monkey tracking and the Canopy walk
Day 4:	Transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 5:	Enjoy the Lake Kivu experience and proceed to Volcanoes National Park
Day 6:	Golden monkey tracking and a visit to the famous Iby’Iwacu Cultural village
Day 7:	Gorilla trekking
Day 8:	The Dian Fossey grave hike and connect to Uganda (Mgahinga National Park)
Day 9:	The Batwa cultural experience and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 10:	Explore the islands of Lake Bunyonyi and transfer to Bwindi National Park
Day 11:	Gorilla tracking and community visit
Day 12:	Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha sector
Day 13:	Game drive and boat cruise, then transfer to Kasese
Day 14:	Hike the Rwenzori Mountains and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 15:	All day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Day 16:	Transfer To Semliki National Park
Day 17:	Tour the Mpanga Tea Estates and transfer to Hoima
Day 18:	Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park but tour the shores of Lake Albert
Day 19:	Game drive and boat cruise
Day 20:	Transfer to Jinja
Day 21:	Tour the source of the Nile
Day 22:	Departure

Detailed  itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Kigali City tour

This day is dedicated for your arrival at Kigali Airport (KGL) and transfer to Kigali city to enjoy a city tour. You wouldn’t want to miss or ignore touring Kigali City, Africa’s cleanest City with lush as well as relaxing environment during your African safari.

Kigali is a calm city with many interesting places that can be toured. As per today’s schedule, expect to pay a visit to genocide memorial centers particularly the Kigali/Gisozi genocide site, Craft markets, local markets and many others.

• Accommodation: Hotel Chez Lando (midrange)
• Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Have one of the most delicious breakfast and transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park through the verdant and cultivated landscapes of south-western Rwanda.

There will be a stopover at Butare to tour the magnificent Murambi genocide memorial center, Ethnographic Museum, as well as Nyanza Palace and, will be in the same town before continuing to the Park.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel for Midrange
• Meals: Dinner

Day 3: Participate in colobus monkey tracking and the Canopy walk

Have breakfast, proceed to the jungles of Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will get the chance to track some of the largest communities of colobus monkeys in Africa.

The Black and white colobus monkeys are easily recognized because of their unique color. However, it’s not only the colobus monkeys you will encounter but rather a variety of bird species as well as other wildlife species that call the Forest home.

After one to 6 hours, you will sight the colobus monkey community and spend an entire hour before returning to the Lodge for lunch and relaxation.

The afternoon will again find you in the Forest, this time for the canopy walk (90 meters long and 40 meters high) that rewards you with the breathtaking views of the forest canopies with primates, birds, butterflies and tree species among others.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel for Midrange
• Meals: Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu

Have a hefty and refreshing breakfast before continuing to Lake Kivu, the country’s largest waterbody. At just 294 kilometers from the City, the journey lasts only 6 hours from Nyungwe Forest National Park but offers beautiful views of the hills of western Rwanda as well as Lake Kivu.

• Accommodation: Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu for midrange
• Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 5: Enjoy the Lake Kivu recreational experience and proceed to Volcanoes National Park

Have a delicious breakfast on the pristine shores of Lake Kivu then undertake one of the watersports including boat cruise, Wind surfing, kayaking, and jet skiing or cycling.

This whole day experience will take you through some of the treasures of the Lake. You will later continue to Volcanoes National Park, at approximately 110 kilometers/2 hours’ drive away.

• Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge for midrange
• Meals: Dinner

Day 6: Golden monkey tracking and a visit to the famous Iby’Iwacu Cultural village

Your first activity starts at 8:00 am, thus you are expected to wake up at least one or two hours earlier to prepare the right equipment and have breakfast before converging at the Park Headquarters.

This interesting activity allows you to see the extraordinary and endangered golden monkeys that occupy the bamboo forests of Virunga Volcanoes.

Golden monkey tracking lasts between 2 to 3 hours and once sighted, their golden coats and amazing behavior will take your breath away.

Later head back to the Lodge for lunch then proceed for the next activity-Iby’Iwacu Cultural village to experience the traditional Kinyarwanda culture.

At Iby’Iwacu, you will undertake a community walk (guided by a community guide) to different places such as to the traditional healer, a replica of King’s Palace, Batwa pottery and many others.

• Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
• Meals: Dinner

Day 7: Gorilla trekking

This is the highlight for the trip to Rwanda and starts with an early breakfast followed by converging at Kinigi Park Headquarters for a pre-gorilla trekking briefing on the dos and don’ts of the activity.

You will be allocated to the gorilla family before venturing into the jungles in search of the gorilla family and this usually lasts one hour to even 6 hours to spot the family.

Spend one hour watching them feed, play and socialize before heading back to the Lodge but later in the evening take a tour of the Musanze Caves to marvel at the tunnel-like features that were once refuge for Rwanda Royals during pre-colonial times.

• Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
• Meals: Dinner

Day 8: The Dian Fossey grave hike and connect to Uganda (Mgahinga National Park)

Enjoy your breakfast then hike to the gravesite of Dian Fossey-the American primatologist that died saving the mountain gorillas. The Karisoke Research Center where she used to live is situated on a raised ground hence is physically demanding.

At the Dian Fossey tomb site, you will also see the gravesite of digit-Dian Fossey’s favorite silverback that was killed by poachers and after the hike, you will connect to Uganda-Mgahinga National Park (68 kilometers/3 hours’ drive away).

• Accommodation: Mucha Lodge for midrange
• Meals: Dinner

Day 9: The Batwa cultural experience and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Leaving Mgahinga without enjoying the Batwa cultural experience will be the biggest mistake thus after breakfast, you will head for the Batwa Heritage Trail that leads you through the jungles to experience the Traditional lives of this pygmy group.

The highlight of the trek is the visit to Garama Cave, where the Batwa used to hide during conflicts and it’s from here that tourists get to listen to sorrowful songs by the women.

Head back to the Lodge to prepare for the journey to Lake Bunyonyi, the Lake of a thousand islands (about 80 kilometers away).

• Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco-Resort for midrange
• Meals: Dinner

Day 10: Explore the islands of Lake Bunyonyi and transfer to Bwindi National Park

Have breakfast then proceed for a boat cruise to explore some of the 29 Islands that make up this Lake. The serene waters, as well as the breathtaking views of Kigezi highlands, will make you fall in love with the area.

Later transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (about 73 kilometers away). You will arrive in the evening for dinner and relaxation at Gorilla Mist Camp (midrange).

• Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp
• Meals: Dinner

Day 11: Gorilla tracking and community visit

Much as mountain gorillas are also found in Volcanoes National Park, the experience in Bwindi is exceptional because you will encounter a more rugged terrain. Have breakfast before heading to the briefing point so that by 8:00 am you can head into the jungles to search for the allocated gorilla family.

After one hour to 6 hours, you will find the gorilla family and spend only one-hour taking photos and studying their behavior. Enjoy your packed lunch and descend to the lodge for relaxation.

The evening will be dedicated to visiting the nearby community where you will be amazed by the vibrant cultural performance of the Batwa as well as Bakiga Community.

You also get the chance to visit the local school to have an insight to how children learn without computers, electricity and even shoes but still dream of becoming tomorrow’s doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, and many others.

• Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp (midrange)
• Meals: Dinner.

Day 12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha sector

You will continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the famous Ishasha sector, the home of the rare tree climbing lions and the Crater Drive where several Crater Lakes will be explored.

This journey involves exploring the rolling hills of Kigezi highlands as well as the forested areas of Bwindi before arriving Queen Elizabeth Park where you will undertake a game drive to search for the tree climbing lions.

• Accommodation: Enganzi Game Lodge (midrange)
• Meals: Dinner.

Day 13: Game drive and boat cruise, then transfer to Kasese

Have breakfast before leaving for the game drive (at least 6:00 am) through the Kasenyi Plains and the magnificent Mweya Peninsular where numerous wildlife species including warthogs, elands, Lions, Defassa waterbucks, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, and buffaloes will be spotted. After 2-3 hours of the game drive, return to the Lodge for lunch and relaxation.

You will then have to continue for an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel where an array of aquatic bird species including pelicans, African fish eagles and Kingfishers will be spotted. Also, elephants and buffaloes will be sighted at the banks of the Channel as well as hippos and crocodiles in the water.

You will be back from the boat cruise by 5:00 pm then transfer to Kasese in a journey that lasts only 2 hours hence arriving in the evening.

• Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge for midrange
• Meals: Dinner

Day 14: Hike the Rwenzori Mountains and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Set off for the Rwenzori Mountains after a hefty breakfast to enjoy one of the most extraordinary hiking experiences which takes you through the raised landscapes of the magnificent mountains.

At the breathtaking trek on the landscapes of Mount Rwenzori, you will enjoy views of the glaciers and ridges. Return to the Lodge at 4:00 pm to continue to Kibale Forest National Park.

• Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse for midrange
• Meals: Dinner

Day 15: All day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

Have a hefty breakfast and continue to the Kanyanchu visitor center as early as 6:00 am for an all-day chimpanzee habituation Experience. . Unlike chimpanzee tracking where you will spend only one hour with the habituated chimpanzee community.

During chimpanzee habituation you will be able to spend the whole day to watch them wake up, forage, groom, play and finally nest in the evening before setting off. This extraordinary experience can only be enjoyed in Uganda.

• Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
• Meals: Dinner

Day 16: Transfer To Semliki National Park

Breakfast will be at the same lodge before setting off to Semliki National Park (at about 78 kilometers/2-3 hours away) through the scenic and cool Fort Portal Town. Expect to relish the breathtaking views of the Mountains of the Moon before finally arriving Bundibugyo district and finally the Park.

On arrival, you will undertake the Sempaya Nature walk (2-4 hours) that leads you to the female hot springs of Sempaya (locally referred as Nyansimbi) as well as the male (Bitente) with the highest sprouting up to 2 meters high.

You can even boil eggs, Irish potatoes or plantains for just 15 minutes. It’s not only the hot springs that will excite you but also chances of encountering several primate species. Also, visit the Bambuti pygmies within Ntandi (5 kilometers away).

Enjoy your picnic lunch before driving back to Fort Portal where you will tour the mysterious Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves-the breast-like features that are historically linked to the Chwezi people.

The appearance of the features will amaze you but the legend behind it will blow your mind.

• Accommodation: Mountains of the Moon for midrange
• Meals: Dinner.

Day 17: Tour the Mpanga Tea Estates and transfer to Hoima

Have breakfast and proceed to Mpanga Tea Estates which you will explore through cycling. Get a chance to see how the tea you enjoy is picked and processed before setting off for Hoima for dinner, relaxation and overnight at Hotel Kontiki.

Day 18: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park but tour the shores of Lake Albert en route.

You will transfer to Murchison Falls National Park after breakfast via the Albertine escarpment with a stop in Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs on the shores of Lake Albert where you will be impressed by how traditional skills are used to extract salt.

Arrive in Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon. Murchison is found in the Albertine area, Northwestern Uganda. You will check in your pre-booked lodge.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Meals: Dinner

Day 19: Game drive and boat cruise

Today, the rewarding 22 Days Uganda Rwanda Tour begins with breakfast at the Lodge and proceed for an early morning game drive.

On a game drive, expect to spot the early risers like lions, leopards, and hyenas while coming from a hunt and heading to their hideout as well as the antelopes, giraffes and warthogs. Return to the Lodge for snacks or late breakfast and relax as you wait to go for the next activity.

Lunch will be served early so that you can head for an afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the magnificent Murchison Falls where Nile crocodiles, Hippos, antelopes, buffaloes, and elephants are seen basking on the shores. Several  bird species like Kingfishers, African fish eagles, pelicans and others can be spotted.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Meals: Dinner

Day 20: Transfer to Jinja

Have breakfast and transfer to Jinja with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district to track the amazing white rhinos to complete your experience of meeting the big five animals.

Proceed to Jinja arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight at King Fisher Resort in midrange.

• Accommodation: King Fisher Resort
• Meals: Dinner

Day 21: Tour the source of the Nile

Did you know the Source of the Nile River is in Uganda? This 22 Days Uganda Rwanda Tour takes you to this spectacular tourist site. At the Source of the Nile in Jinja, you will be  able to explore it during a safari.

After, transfer to the source of the Nile and stand on the spot John Speke (the first European explorer to see River Nile) stood. Also, you will see the spot where this River starts its journey to the Mediterranean Sea then go back to Kampala.

Day 22: Departure

Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your return flight. Today marks the end of the most memorable 22 Days Uganda and Rwanda tour package.

End of your 22 Days Uganda Rwanda tour

Inclusions

• Full board accommodation as well as enroute meals
• Ground transportation with comfortable 4WD vehicle
• Full time English speaking driver/guide
• Park entrance fees (for visitor and vehicle).
• Chimpanzee Permits (tracking and Habituation Experience)
• 2 Gorilla permits
• Rhino tracking fees
• Airport transfer so long as the flight is on the same day the safari ends.
• Ferry crossing and other activities in the itinerary.
• Other activities included on the itinerary

Exclusions

• Personal insurance
• Visa fees.
• Personal expenses such as tips, cigarettes, laundry, beverages, buying souvenirs and others.
• Activities not included in the itinerary