21 Days Uganda Rwanda Explore – Overview

The 21 days Uganda Rwanda combined safari is one of the most comprehensive safaris that you can ever undertake in East Africa.

It offers a range of activities from water adventures at the Jinja – the source of River Nile, Kampala city encounter, Murchison falls National Park encounter, Chimpanzees in Kibale, Game in Queen Elizabeth National Park including the tree climbing lions, Gorilla tracking in Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi encounter, golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park or hiking Dian Fossey grave, Lake Kivu encounter and the splendid Nyungwe canopy walk. The 21 days Uganda Rwanda safari is well detailed and yet with enough space for relaxation.

21 Days Uganda Rwanda Explore – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda

Day 2: Encounter Jinja – the source of River Nile

Day 3: Encounter the city of Kampala.

Day 4: Drive to Murchison – the largest Savannah National Park in Uganda.

Day 5: Do game drive & Nile boat cruise

Day 6: Drive to Kibale National Park – the world’s primate capital.

Day 7: Do Chimp trekking & encounter Bigodi wetland

Day 8: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & do boat cruise on Kazinga Channel.

Day 9: Do game drive & Imaramagambo forest walk

Day 10: Relaxation

Day 11: Drive to mountain gorilla haven of Bwindi.

Day 12: Do gorilla trekking & visit the Batwa

Day 13: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 14: Full day chill at Bunyonyi Lake

Day 15: Drive to Volcanoes National Park

Day 16: Track Golden Monkeys and hike Dian Fossey grave

Day 17: Drive to Lake Kivu & do boat cruise

Day 18: Spend the whole day relaxing at the beach.

Day 19: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Day 20: Do canopy walk & colobus monkey tracking.

Day 21: Drive to Kigali.

21 Days Uganda Rwanda Explore – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda

Arrive in Uganda from your country of origin. You will find our courteous guide zealously waiting for you to take you through the wonders of the 17 days Uganda Rwanda Safari.

Upon arrival, you will have a brief introduction about the safari and the general overview of the situation in Uganda and Rwanda after which you will be transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation: Cassia lodge (Midrange/standard), The Lodge (Budget/basic) or Sheraton Hotel (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 2: Encounter Jinja – The Source of River Nile

Wake up very early to transfer to Jinja the source of the longest River in the world – River Nile 117km about 2 hours’ drive.

Do some water rafting, bungee jumping and encounter the source of the Nile on a cozy boat ride. You will have lunch in Jinja and return to Kampala in the evening.

Accommodation: Spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 3: Encounter The City of Kampala.

After breakfast, embark on Kampala city tour where you will explore into its rich attractions including Religious attractions such as Namugongo Martyrs shrine, Baha’i temple, Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedrals, Gadhafi and Kibuli Mosques among others; Cultural attractions such as the Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s palace, Kabaka’s lake among others, Historical attractions like Uganda Museum and various Monuments. You will have Lunch in Kampala and undertake this activity all day long before retiring for overnight in the evening.

Accommodation: Spend a night at your previous Hotel.

Day 4: Drive to Murchison – The Largest Savannah National Park in Uganda.

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park 348km about 6 hours’ drive from Entebbe. You will branch off at Nakitoma to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 175km from Kampala to encounter the magnificent white rhinos that only exist at this sanctuary in Uganda.

Continue with the journey to Masindi for lunch and proceed to the park to visit the top of the falls, where you will marvel at the roaring sound of the Nile waters as they make their way through an 8 meter grand canyon before falling 43m below the devils cauldron.

This land mark is described to be the greatest natural feature to have happened on River Nile – the longest river in the world.

Accommodation: Murchison River lodge (Midrange/standard), Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget/basic) or Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 5: Do Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Wake up early enough to catch up with the ferry crossing at 07:00am to the northern side where you will be able to do game drive.

You will be able to spot a range of game including; Giraffes, Jackson Hartebeest, Lions, Buffalo, elephant, Uganda Kobs, among other species.

Return from this activity at 11:00am and relax at the lodge till lunch time after which you draw closer to Paraa to catch up with the Nile boat cruise at 03:00pm.

On this boat ride, you will enjoy sights of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, water birds and other dwellers including the rare shoebill stork. Many animals are also seen drinking on the river side.

Accommodation: Spend a night at your previous lodge.

Day 6: Drive to Kibale National Park – The World’s Primate Capital.

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kibale national park 441km about 9 hours’ drive through the lush country side and magical scenery of the western rift valley plus the Rwenzori Mountains before arriving in Fort Portal and Kibale in the evening.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Chimps Nest (Midrange/standard) or CVK resort (Basic/budget).

Day 7: Do Chimp Trekking & Encounter Bigodi Wetland

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing about the Chimpanzee trekking activity at 08:00 am. Set off to the forest of Kibale full of birds, 13 primate species of which chimpanzee is among and other remarkable fauna.

The activity takes over 2 – 5 hours and one hour is available for you to interact with Chimps and take photos. Afternoon, proceed to traverse Bigodi wetland for birds, Sitatunga and a simple community encounter.

Accommodation: Spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 8: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Do Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel.

After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth 157 km taking approximately 3-4 hours. You will arrive early for lunch after which you will embark on the 2 hour Boat cruise at 03:00pm along the Kazinga Channel.

You will enjoy amazing sights of Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, plentiful of bird life on the channel side and remarkable fauna that quenches its thirst on the cool waters of Kazinga Channel. Drive to the lodge for overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Simba Safari Camp (Budget/basic).

Day 9: Do Game Drive & Imaramagambo Forest Walk

Wake up at 06:30am for an early morning game drive along the Kasenyi tracks to catch up with the early risers and the nocturnal as they get back to their hiding places.

You might be able to see amazing wildlife including; Elephants, Lions, Leopard, Buffaloes, Antelope family species among others.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation till lunch time after which you will transfer to Immaramagambo forest to do an evening forest walk.

You will spot a range of birds, amazing tree species and the cozy atmosphere generated by this tropical forest.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 10: Relaxation

This is a full day availed to you to relax, do some swimming, read a novel, and do sun bathing.

Accommodation: You will spend it at your lodge.

Day 11: Drive to Mountain Gorilla Haven of Bwindi.

After breakfast, transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha sector where you will be able to see tree climbing lions. Proceed to Bwindi 150km about 5 hours’ drive from Mweya. Arrive in the afternoon for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Silverback Lodge (Midrange/standard), Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury/upmarket) or Bwindi View Bandas (Budget/basic).

Day 12: Do Gorilla Trekking & Visit The Batwa

Wake up early enough to take breakfast and to gather at the Park headquarters Buhoma at 08:00am for briefing about the whole gorilla trekking activity.

After briefing, you set off for the 2 – 8 hour gorilla trekking encounter. This involves memorable trek through the jungle of Bwindi with rugged landscape that poses a challenge for occasional trekkers.

The dense thicket lives to justify its name as an impenetrable forest. It is that life time occasion when you suddenly come into sight with the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.

Upon encountering them, you have one hour of direct interaction while taking photos and asking some questions regarding gorillas from your respective guide.

Return to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening, you can reach out to the Batwa Village to have a look at these short threatened people and their way of life.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 13: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Lake Bunyonyi one of the deepest lakes in Africa and famously known as a lake of a thousand islands with Bilharzia free waters.

It is 110km about 4 hours’ drive from Buhoma. You will arrive in time for lunch and the boat cruise to enjoy the sights of the 29 islands that comprise Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Birdnest@Lake Bunyonyi resort (Luxury/upmarket), Arcadia cottages (Midrange/standard) or Byoona Amagara (Basic/budget).

Day 14: Full Day Chill at Bunyonyi Lake

Spend the whole day relaxing on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi. You can opt for another boat cruise or canoeing or mountain biking or Birding or swimming or local culture encounter.

 Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 15: Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, embark on your transfer to Volcanoes National Park 134km over 5hours’ drive. You will enjoy the majestic views of Kigezi highlands and Virunga Volcanoes. Arrive in Ruhengeri for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Muhabura Hotel (Basic/budget), Lapalme Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Mountain Gorilla View Hotel (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 16: Track Golden Monkeys And Hike Dian Fossey Grave

After breakfast you can either embark on tracking golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park where you will have a chance to see these rare and endangered primate species that only dwell in the Virunga volcanoes.

The activity is very interesting as you marvel at these beautiful creatures with stunning golden skins and unique nose structure as they swing through tree branches and the Bamboo stems. It takes about 4 hours starting at 08:00 at the park headquarters Kinigi.

Alternatively, hike the Dian Fossey grave at Karisoke research center to see her grave and that of digit her great silverback and a tour around the research center at Karisoke with a lot of collections about Mountain gorillas.

It takes 3 – 4 hours and involves a relative hike. You will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the evening you can opt for a cultural tour to the Iby’ wachu village or a nature walk to the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 17: Drive to Lake Kivu & Do Boat Cruise

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Kivu- one of the biggest Lakes in East Africa. Upon arrival, you will undertake a rewarding boat cruise to navigate through its magnificent islands which offer the distant sights of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Upmarket/luxury), Palm Beach (Budget/basic) or Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu (Midrange/standard).

Day 18: Spend The Whole Day Relaxing at The Beach.

You have a whole day at Kivu Lake enjoying a range of activities that you can choose from including; fishing, cycling, hiking, water sports such as Kayaking, catamaran, Jet Ski and win surfing.

Accommodation: Spend a night at your previous hotel

Day 19: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After your morning cozy breakfast amidst the thrilling fresh air from the Lake, embark on your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park 220km taking approximately 5 hours’ drive. You will have lunch en route and arrive in Nyungwe in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Nyungwe forest lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Nyungwe top hill lodge (Midrange/standard) or Gisakura guesthouse (Budget/basic).

Day 20 : Do Canopy Walk & Colobus Monkey Tracking.

After breakfast, embark on the colobus monkey tracking to get exposed to the largest grouping of these species in the while of Africa.

The activity is very interesting as you marvel at their uniquely designed skins with a natural blend of black and white.

You will return to the lodge for lunch and simple relaxation. In the afternoon, you will embark on the famous Nyungwe canopy walk which takes 1 -2 hours and you will be exposed to the upscale offerings of this largest montane forest in East and central Africa including birds and primate species that dwell in the high layers of the forest. The canopy of the forest is in its self a rewarding encounter on this activity.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 21: Drive to Kigali.

After an early breakfast, embark on the return journey to Kigali City. It is 268 km approximately 6 hours’ drive from Nyungwe forest National Park thus offering an opportunity to visit Butare museum, Murambi memorial and Nyanza palace en route.

End of The 21 Days Uganda Rwanda Explore.

Getting There