Uganda and Rwanda Safari

After breakfast, your tour will start with a visit to Ntarama Church, where mass killings occurred during the 1994 genocide. The church was the site of the deaths of more than 5,000 people and remains a powerful reminder of the horrifying violence that took place during Rwanda's infamous genocide. While visiting the church, you'll also learn more about the efforts to reunite Rwanda's people following the genocide.

We'll then proceed to Nyamata Church, where a further 2,500 people were massacred during the genocide. The church is also closely associated with the barbaric treatment of women during the genocide, and you'll learn more about the incidences of mass rape, brutalization, and even the horrific use of HIV as a weapon of genocide.

You'll then be taken to the village of Mayange, where a revolutionary project to reconcile the perpetrators and survivors of the 1994 Genocide by having them live side by side is underway. You'll be taken on a guided tour of the Reconciliation Village, learning about how the healing process between victims and perpetrators is taking place.

Accommodation:

Hotel De Mille Collines

Meal Plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, it’s time for the lengthy transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The drive takes roughly five hours. As your big splurge for this trip, the resort spoils with an exclusive location on a private tea plantation surrounded by virgin forest. Each of the luxury suites overlooks the treetops from their generous balconies, while outdoor showers and rain-soaking tubs allow you to unwind in perfect privacy. Dining is all-inclusive here too, so be sure to arrive in time for your three-course lunch.

In the afternoon, there are plenty of ways to explore your surroundings. These range from the decadent (a visit to the hotel’s five-star forest spa, anyone?) to the culturally enriching (a tea plantation tour and traditional tea ceremony, perhaps, or a visit to the craft stalls of local Banda Village). Dinner is a four-course extravaganza served in the magnificent dining room, where floor-to-ceiling windows overlook stunning tea plantation views. Expect farm-to-table cuisine inspired by traditional Rwandan recipes and served in gourmet style.

Accommodation: 

Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge

Meal Plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You’re up before dawn again, this time for a guided chimpanzee trekking experience into the heart of ancient Nyungwe Forest National Park. On your journey through the forest in search of one of two habituated chimpanzee troops, look out for the park’s other 12 primate species, including endangered golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and Ruwenzori colobus. Once you find the chimpanzees, you’ll have an hour with them – during which time you’re likely to be astonished by the familiarity of their behavior as our closest living relatives. Note that permits for this activity must be booked through the Rwanda tourist board in advance.

Accommodation: 

Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge

Meal Plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The afternoon is dedicated to relaxation, and as the only truly relaxing day of our itinerary, we suggest you make the most of it. There are plenty of activities on offer at the resort, allowing you to do as much or as little as you like. Sign up for a soothing massage, perhaps, or spend the morning sunbathing on the private beach. The extensive gardens are known for their varied birdlife, while kayaking and fishing tours give you the chance to experience Lake Kivu from the water. If you’re up for hiking, you can even join a guided tour of a local village or coffee plantation. On this day, all meals are at the hotel.

Accommodation: Paradise Malahide

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Explore Lake Kivu's scenic shores on a short excursion, to find tranquility on the clean, warm water, meet the fisherfolk at sunset as they paddle out for night fishing. Go on a day trip where you'll stop for lunch on a small island or on an overnight adventure staying at remote campsites on uninhabited islands, guesthouses or lodges to discover authentic coffee experiences, markets and the most amazing scenery.

Accommodation: 

Virunga lodge

Meal Plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Wake up early and take your breakfast before transferring to the headquarters in Kinigi. The briefing starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:00am. From there, you will be taken along other trackers to the starting point which is at the foot of the Volcano. The scenery is beautiful with dense green forest and the five volcanoes standing in all directions. Finding the monkeys is easy because they love eating bamboos which are found on the lower slopes of the Volcanoes. After finding them, you are allowed one hour with them. You are free to follow them if they move about.

Expect to have close encounters with them which will allow you to get nice photos of them. Unlike mountain gorillas, golden monkeys don’t mind flash cameras. In fact, they love being photographed. Taking good photos is not easy because of their mobility but you will have no issues with videos. Golden monkeys are very playful primates, and you will be amazed as you watch them demonstrate their natural skills in climbing trees and picking tasty shoots from the edges of bamboo trees. They love potatoes and will not hesitate to go out into human gardens to get a few. You will learn more about their behavior and why they are endangered.  You will return to the starting point after one hour with the Golden Monkeys.

Accommodation: 

Virunga Lodge

Meal Plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

At Red Rocks Rwanda, you will have a full day of activities as indicated below. In the evening, you will be hosted at a local home where storytelling and an opportunity to gain experience more about the people of Rwanda will be provided.

Activities at Red Rocks

• Morning Bike ride to the Twin lakes
• Banana Beer Production
• Animal husbandry
• Village walks

Accommodation: 

Virunga Lodge

Meal Plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a heavy breakfast, you will depart for Bwindi impenetrable national park- a home to half of the endangered Mountain gorillas in the world. It is a scenic drive with an en route game drive in Ishasha sector that offers an opportunity of viewing the tree climbing lions at a closer range and later continue to Bwindi with lunch en route. Arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight stay at your booked lodge.

Accommodation: 

Bwindi Lodge

Meal plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wake up to an early morning breakfast and depart the lodge with packed lunch and drinking water. Report to the headquarters for briefing and head into the forest for gorilla trekking. The activity could take 4-8 hours depending on the movements of the gorillas. During the trek, you may spot other primates and different bird species which are good for kin bird watchers. Return to your lodge. Have your lunch and thereafter check out for a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical — you could admire them all day.

Accommodation: 

Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Meal plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

You will enjoy a scenic drive through lush greenery, steep landscapes, rugged hills and a mass of serene countryside, to Lake Mburo National Park situated in the Western region of Uganda. Once you arrive at the park, you will unwind and set out for a guided nature walk and hike through the woodlands where you will see several forest birds and mammals. A hike to the top of the hill will reward you with a spectacular view of nine of the region’s fourteen lakes.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a 2-hour boat cruise on Lake Mburo. You will spot crocodiles and hippos at the banks, and a variety of water birds. Besides sailing, you can crown your excursion with spot fishing on the lake.

Accommodation: 

Leopard Rest Camp

Meal plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

In the early morning, you will hit one of the park’s networks of game tracks for viewing opportunities. While driving through, you will sight many wildlife species including zebras, elands, waterbucks, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas and topis. In the afternoon, you will embark on a 2-hour boat cruise on Lake Mburo. You will spot crocodiles and hippos at the banks, and a variety of water birds. Besides sailing, you can crown your excursion with spot fishing on the lake.

Accommodation: 

Kampala Serena

Meal plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, embark on the tour to the Royal Palace enjoying the impressively located hill of the Kingdom overlooking the Fort Portal town in the shadows of the mountains of the moon. The Palace features a great architectural building that is worth exploring. You tour the palace; explore the royal regalia and the interpretation of the King Coronation process. You retreat from the palace tour and transfer to Karambi Royal tombs to explore the tombs of the former Kings of Tooro including the founding father of the Kingdom – King Kaboyo. You listen to their great history and then retreat to the Fort Portal town for lunch. In the afternoon, you participate in the Batooro name giving ceremony which is a central practice among the Batooro as they give the pet names to their children including Apuuli, Acaali, Akiiki, Araali, among others. It is an exciting culture adventure that will see you get a pet name.

Accommodation: 

Protea Hotel, Entebbe

Meal plan: 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Airport Transfer