The 15 days Uganda Rwanda tour involves exploring two magical East African countries; Uganda and Rwanda. This package incorporates both game viewing in the savanna grassland parks and primate adventures. On this tour, you have the opportunity to embark on a city tour in Kampala, white water rafting at the source of the Nile-Jinja, visit Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will take part in game drives and boat cruise; Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking. It also takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park for you to trek mountain gorillas. Your 15 days Uganda Rwanda tour will start from Kampala/Entebbe and end in Kigali-Rwanda.
What you should expect on your 15 days Uganda Rwanda tour
• Game drives
• Boat cruise
• Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
• Chimpanzee tracking
• Cultural experience
• Nature/forest walks
• Kampala city tour
• White water rafting
• Ground transportation by 4×4 drive safari van or Land Cruiser
• Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
• Bottled water
• Border crossing from Uganda to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
Highlights of your 15 days Uganda Rwanda tour
Day 1: Kampala city tour
Day 2: White water rafting at the Source of the Nile-Jinja
Day 3: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 4: Morning game drives and launch/boat trip
Day 5: Visit the King’s Palace and drive to Fort Portal
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and guided nature walks at Bigodi Wetland
Day 7: Drive to Semuliki National Park
Day 8: Connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 9: Game drive along with Ishasha sector and a boat cruise along Kazinga Channel
Day 10: Forest walks in Kyambura Gorge and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 11: First gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 12: Drive from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 13: Connect to Volcanoes National Park; visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Day 14: Second gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 15: Drive to Kigali capital city
Detailed itinerary of your 15 days Uganda Rwanda tour
Day 1: Kampala city tour
Following your early arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet your driver-guide who will brief you on what your package is comprised of and later, connect to Kampala to kick start your city expedition (in case you arrive early) where you will pay a visit to Kasubi tomb site. Kasubi tomb site is an essential cultural and historical site in the Buganda Kingdom because it is where the Kings of Buganda were buried. In case time allows, you will also pay a visit to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine and Bahai Temple.
Travel time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Where to stay
Serena Hotel Kampala/Protea Hotel (Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Mid-range), Kampala Club Hotel Shangri/Red Chili Hideaway (Budget)
Day 2: White water rafting along the Source of the Nile-Jinja
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy your breakfast and later, drive to Jinja where you will take part in white water rafting along the Source of the Nile. On white water rafting, you have a chance to explore the various grades of rapids and after, you will have lunch then drive back to Kampala.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Where to stay
Serena Hotel Kampala/Protea Hotel (Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Mid-range), Kampala Club Hotel Shangri/Red Chili Hideaway (Budget).
Day 3: Drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
Have breakfast early in the morning in a hotel in Kampala and later, drive to Murchison Falls National Park about 4-5 hours’ drive. Murchison Falls National Park is situated in Northwestern Uganda and you will drive via Kampala-Gulu highway and en-route, you have a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for you to track rhinos. After, drive to Masindi to have lunch then connect to Murchison Falls National Park through Kichumbanyobo park gate.
Travel time: 4 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay
Bakers Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge/Chobe Safari Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange), Fort Murchison-at the tents/Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget)
Day 4: Game drive via the Northern Bank and boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison falls
Enjoy your breakfast at your respective safari lodge and after, you have an exciting morning game drive via the Northern Bank of Murchison Falls National Park. This will take you about 3-4 hours and comes with astonishing sights at diverse wildlife species including oribis, Uganda kobs, African bush elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hartebeests, birds and many more. After fun-filled wildlife experience, return to the lodge to have lunch as you wait for the 2:00 pm launch trip to the bottom of Murchison Falls.
At 2:00 pm, you have a rewarding boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls which may take you about 3-4 hours and along the way, you will spot out schools of hippos, basking crocodiles, water birds as well as other wildlife species that roam along the banks. You will hike to the top of the falls to witness the powerful Murchison Falls as it squeezes itself in a narrow gorge of 7 meters, take pictures and then meet your driver-guide ready to drive to Hoima along Butiaba.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Where to stay
Hoima Cultural Lodge (Mid-range) or Hotel Kontiki (Budget).
Day 5: Pay a visit to King’s Palace and drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Breakfast early in the morning and later, you will pay a visit to the King’s Palace for you to explore unique cultures, traditions of Banyoro. Thereafter, drive to Fort Portal approximately three hours or more and along the way, you will enjoy incredible views of tea plantations. Arrive early enough to check in at your lodge in Kibale Forest National Park.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation choices in and around Kibale National Park
Primate Lodge/Ndali Lodge/Crater Safari Lodge (Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range), Kibale Forest Camp (Budget)
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and guided nature walks in Bigodi Wetland
Wake up early in the morning to take your tea or coffee and later, drive to Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing on the dos and don’ts that you have to observe while on a trek to see chimpanzees. At 8:00 am after you have been assigned to the park ranger guide, you will begin your search for chimpanzees and this will take you about 2-4 hours. While on chimpanzee trek, you will also come across other primates, birds and unique plant species.
After a magical encounter with chimpanzees, you will return to have lunch and some rest before you connect to Bigodi Wetland for a guided nature walk. On a nature walk, you will come across several species of primates including L’Hoest monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys; birds especially the great blue turaco.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation choices in and around Kibale National Park
Primate Lodge/Ndali Lodge/Crater Safari Lodge (Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range), Kibale Forest Camp (Budget)
Day 7: Drive to Semuliki National Park
Rise early in the morning to have breakfast and later, check out ready to drive to Semuliki National Park a home to over diverse mammal species including primates especially blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, chimpanzees; 336 species of trees. In the afternoon, you will visit the Sempaya hot springs and later, get back to the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay
Semuliki Safari Lodge/Ntoroko Game Lodge (Luxury), Kirimia Guesthouse (Mid-range), Bandas and Campsite in Semuliki National Park.
Day 8: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Begin your day with a delicious cup of tea or coffee and later, connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park, approximately 3-4 hours. Get to the park early enough to have some rest and lunch in the afternoon, you will set off for afternoon game drive via Kasenyi Plains. A game drive along Kasenyi Plains rewards you with amazing sights at diverse wildlife species especially warthogs, African bush elephants, waterbucks, lions, buffaloes and many more.
Travel time: 3-4 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay
Mweya Safari Lodge/Ishasha Wilderness Camp/Kyambura Game Lodge (Luxury), Bush Lodge/Enganzi Game Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Hostel/Bush Lodge in the tents (Budget).
Day 9: Game drive via Ishasha sector and launch trip along Kazinga Channel
After early morning breakfast, you will have morning game drive via the Ishasha sector on the southern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. While here, expect to see the tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes and birds among others. After the 3-4-hour wildlife experience at the Ishasha area, drive back to have lunch.
In the afternoon, you have a launch cruise via Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. On a boat cruise/launch trip, expect to see hippos, crocodiles, water birds as well as other wildlife species.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay
Mweya Safari Lodge/Ishasha Wilderness Camp/Kyambura Game Lodge (Luxury), Bush Lodge/Enganzi Game Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Hostel/Bush Lodge in the tents (Budget).
Day 10: Nature/forest walks in Kyambura Gorge and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today, you will be served with breakfast and later, connect to Kyambura Gorge for the morning forest walk. This is for you to explore the different species of primates and birds that thrive within Kyambura Gorge’s forest. Later, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and at Savanna Resort Hotel, you will make a stopover for lunch before connecting to Bwindi.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay
Buhoma Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge (Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Buhoma Community Camp (Budget)
Day 11: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up to enjoy your cup of tea or coffee and later, you will gather at any one of Bwindi’s trailheads for briefing (Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo or Rushaga region). Because this adventure requires some physical wellness, you need to come with some packed lunch and bottled water. You will be allocated to one group to trek and park ranger guide to take you through the trek to see mountain gorillas. The gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include among others Kutu, Bitukura, Mucunguzi, Nshongi, Bushaho, Bikingi, Oruzongo, Habinyanja, Christmas, Katwe, Mukiza, Mubare, Rushegura, Nkuringo, Bweza, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Rwingi. On finding gorillas, you have an hour of face to face encounter with these massive creatures, take as many pictures as you can, learn about their behaviors.
After, return to the lodge to rest and spend your evening experiencing unique cultures, dances, music performances and traditional practices of Batwa pygmies.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay
Buhoma Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge (Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Buhoma Community Camp (Budget).
Day 12: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy your cup of tea or coffee and later, check out from your lodge and drive to Lake Bunyonyi. This lake is comprised of 29 magical islands and several bird species. You will take a canoe/boat ride to one of the islands while enjoying incredible sights at varied bird species.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay
Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Luxury), Bunyonyi Safari Resort (Mid-range) or Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Budget).
Day 13: Drive to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you will check out from the lodge prepared to embark on a road trip to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. This involves border crossing from Chanika or Katuna border and arrive at your gorilla lodge to enjoy lunch and have some rest. You will spend your evening enjoying incredible cultural dances, music performances at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park
Kinigi Guesthouse/Hotel Muhabura (Budget), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge (Luxury).
Day 14: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Gather at Kinigi park headquarters for briefing after breakfast. Each day, 8 trekkers are allowed to trek one habituated family and you will be accompanied by one experienced park ranger guide. Volcanoes National Park is positioned suitably in northwestern Rwanda and it is comprised of 10 habituated families; Sabyinyo group, Hirwa, Bwenge, Susa A, Karisimbi group, Agashya, Amahoro, Umubano, Ugenda, and Kwitonda gorilla group. A trek to see mountain gorillas can take you about 2-6 hours which also includes an hour of magical encounter, photography and exploring their body gestures and behaviors. Later, return to the lodge to have rest and night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park
Kinigi Guesthouse/Hotel Muhabura (Budget), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge (Luxury).
Day 15: Drive to Kigali capital city
After breakfast, check out from your lodge and then drive to Kigali capital city, about 2-3 hours. You will pay a visit to the Gisozi genocide site to learn what took place during the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
End of your 15 days Uganda Rwanda tour
15 Days Uganda Rwanda tour includes
• A gorilla permit in Rwanda at $1500 per person and Uganda at $600 although this price is due to change to $700 starting 1st, July 2020.
• Game viewing
• Park entry fees
• Boat cruise
• Chimpanzee tracking permits at $150 but from 1st July 2020, they will be booked at $200.
• Ground transportation in a 4×4 drive safari van or land cruiser
• Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
• All activities in the travel plan except the optional ones
• Bottled water
• Relevant government taxes
15 days Uganda Rwanda tour excludes
• Tips
• Laundry services
• Telephone calls
• Beverages
• Cigarettes
• Airfares
• Travel insurance
Other Related Uganda Rwanda Safari
7 days combined Uganda Rwanda gorilla tour