27 Days Uganda, Rwanda & Congo Safari
27 Days Uganda, Rwanda & Congo Safari combines 3 destinations in East Africa including Uganda the pearl of Africa, Rwanda the land of a thousand hills, and the Democratic Republic of Congo which all harbors the endangered mountain gorillas. During this 4 weeks mega East Africa safari, you will trek gorillas in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, visit the source of Nile, trek golden monkeys in Rwanda and view wildlife mostly in savanna parks of Uganda as shown below. This 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari starts in Uganda and ends in Rwanda.
Highlights of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport- Uganda
- Day 2: Transfer to Ngamba Islands-Uganda
- Day 3: Mabamba Swamp and transfer to Kampala-Uganda
- Day 4: Transfer to Jinja to source of the Nile and Sunset cruise -Uganda
- Day 5: Depart for Murchison Falls National park- Uganda
- Day 6: Game drive and launch cruise along the Albert Nile- Uganda
- Day 7: Transfer to Kibale National Park -Uganda
- Day 8: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi nature walk -Uganda
- Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park –Uganda
- Day 10: Game drive and Launch cruise- Uganda
- Day 11: Lion tracking experience -Uganda
- Day 12: game drive in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park-Uganda
- Day 13: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest national Park – Uganda
- Day 14: Transfer to Kisoro / Mgahinga National Park -Uganda
- Day 15: Golden Monkey tracking- Uganda
- Day 16: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for canoe ride – Uganda
- Day 17: Transfer to Ruhengeri – Rwanda
- Day 18: Golden Monkey Trekking – Rwanda
- Day 19: Dian Fossey Hike – Rwanda
- Day 20: visit Musanze Caves and Transfer to Gisenyi – Rwanda
- Day 21: Explore Gisenyi – Rwanda
- Day 22: Nyiragongo Hike (ascend) – DRC
- Day 23: Descend Nyiragongo and transfer to Goma – DRC
- Day 24: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park – DRC
- Day 25: Transfer to Bukavu – DRC
- Day 26: Lowland Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Beiga National Park – DRC
- Day 27: Transfer to Kigali – Rwanda
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport -Uganda
Welcome to Uganda: Upon landing at Entebbe international airport on day 1 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, our company representative who will be your safari driver will be waiting to welcome you in the pearl of Africa. Meet and greet then be briefed about your 27 days East Africa safari itinerary as you drive to your hotel in Entebbe for a relaxed evening as you open up your adventure with a city tour around Entebbe city. Enjoy your dinner and grab an overnight rest at your reserved hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Ngamba Island – Uganda
Visit Ngamba Island: After breakfast on day 2 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, you will be driven at the shores of Lake Victoria for a boat cruise to Ngamba Island which is situated inside Lake Victoria approximately 45Minutes on a boat cruise. Ngamba Island is a sanctuary that was put in place to protect the orphaned chimpanzee that were rescued from poachers. While at Ngamba sanctuary, you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts while in the habitat of chimpanzees and then be allowed to join the care takers in feeding the chimpanzees and closely interacting with them. You will spend a half day with chimpanzees then return to the lake shore for lunch. After lunch, you will visit Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) to view different wildlife species that have been preserved for research purposes including tigers that were recently re introduced from South Africa. Later in the evening, you will be returned to your hotel for a relaxed dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Mabamba Swamp and transfer to Kampala – Uganda
Visit Mabamba swamp and drive to Kampala: Arise from your bed in time on day 3 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari then be transferred to Mabamba swamp situated along the shores of Lake Victoria. This swamp is one of the best birding spots in Uganda offering you an opportunity to watch the rare shoebill stork and other aquatic bird species that reside in the swamp such as Heron, Duck, Kingfisher, sunbirds, and many more. Return to your lodge in time for lunch after which you will check out and be driven for a 1 hour road drive to Kampala the capital city of Uganda for dinner and overnight sleep.
Day 4: Transfer to Jinja to source of the Nile and Sunset cruise – Uganda
Transfer to Jinja and visit Source of the Nile: After breakfast on day 4 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, meet your driver for a transfer to Jinja with a stopover at Mabira forest reserve one of the natural forests in Uganda. You will drive pas thrilling sugarcane plantations, tea farms and many other attractions that lie along Kampala- Jinja road. Upon arrival in Jinja, have lunch and embark on a boat cruise to the source of the Nile.
Day 5: Depart for Murchison Falls National Park –Uganda
Drive to Murchison falls national park: Enjoy your breakfast on day 5 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari then check out of the lodge and be driven to Murchison falls national park the best savanna park in Uganda. Murchison falls national park is the oldest and largest park in with plenty of wildlife species and the mighty waterfall that is considered the world’s most powerful waterfall.
Day 6: Game drive and launch cruise along the Albert Nile – Uganda
Game drive and Boat cruise: Arise from your bed as early as possible on day 6 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, have breakfast and be driven to the most visited part of the park where game drive is conducted amidst mammals such as Lions, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, Hartebeest, waterbucks, Uganda kob, and many other Mammals that thrill in the park. After game drive, return to the lodge for lunch then embark on an afternoon launch cruise upstream to the base of waterfall where you will enjoy a panoramic view the water gushing out of a tinny hole. Look at the shores as well for a chance to spot hippos and other mammals that visit in search of water during hot sun.
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Uganda
Transfer to Kibale forest national park: Enjoy your breakfast on day 7 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari then meet your driver for a transfer to Kibale forest national park a home to 13 species of primates which include Chimpanzees, Red tailed monkeys, black and white Colobus monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey and many more without forgetting plenty of birdlife and some mammals. Enjoy an enroute lunch and upon park arrival, proceed to check in your lodge for dinner and overnight sleep.
Day 8: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi nature walk – Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking and nature walk: On day 8 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, have an early breakfast then meet your driver for a transfer to Kanyanchu visitor’s center for a briefing before setting off on an adventurous chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale forest. During the trek, you will be rewarded with an encounter with other primates since the forest harbors 13 primates and some mammals like bush pig, forest hog, forest elephants, warthogs, several bird species, and plant species among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and embark on a guided evening walk in Bigodi wetland where you will encounter with bird species and different botanical species.
Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park: On day 9 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, have a relaxed breakfast at the lodge then check out and be driven to Queen Elizabeth national park. Being a full day drive, you will enjoy an enroute lunch then proceed to fort portal town where you will briefly stopover and head to the caves “Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru” and a visit to the crater lakes as you proceed to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Day 10: Game drive and Launch cruise – Uganda
Game drive and launch cruise: After an early breakfast on day 10 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, set off for an early morning game drive in the savanna in Kasenyi plains where day game drives are conducted. Look out for Elephants, lions, buffalos, waterbuck, Uganda Kob, antelopes and many more. After game drive, return to your lodge for lunch after which you will embark on a 2-3 hours boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel that will reward you with a view of several mammals including Crocodiles, Hippos, and other mammals that visit in search of water.
Day 11: Lion tracking experience – Uganda
Lion tracking experience: On day 11 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, have your breakfast then embark on Lion tracking experience which is one of the best way to get closer to the King of the jungle as most tourists usually miss out on sighting the lions. With lion tracking experience, you are on a sure deal of encountering with the lions. To track the lions, rangers use trackers to allocate the exact spot where lions are then drive the tourists to them.
Day 12: Game drive in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park – Uganda
Game drive in Ishasha sector: After breakfast on day 12 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, check out of lodge, meet your driver with a packed lunch box and be transferred to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park for another game drive to look for the mighty tree climbing lions. Tree climbing lions are the major tourist attractions in Ishasha sector. You will as well encounter with other mammals in this part of the park while searching for the tree climbing lions. After game drive, have an enroute lunch and exit Queen Elizabeth national park for Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park: After lunch, you will be driven to Bwindi impenetrable national park a home to a huge population of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable national park is situated far in south western part of Uganda and it comprises of the impenetrable forest. Upon arrival, check in your lodge for dinner and have an overnight sleep.
Day 13: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park – Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi: After breakfast on day 13 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, you will be transferred to the trail head where you will attend to briefing by the rangers about the dos and don’ts about gorilla trekking, and later on penetrate into the forest to search for the gorillas in their natural habitats. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi lasts between a few minutes to about 7 hours and upon finding the gorillas, you will spend only one hour in their presence taking photographs and viewing them closely. After spending an hour with gorillas, exit the forest and return to your lodge for a relaxed dinner and overnight sleep.
Day 14: Transfer to Kisoro / Mgahinga National Park – Uganda
Drive to Mgahinga gorilla national park: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on day 14 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari then check out and be driven to Mgahinga gorilla national park situated in Kisoro. Mgahinga gorilla national park is yet a home to the endangered mountain gorillas harboring only one Nyakagezi gorilla family. While in Mgahinga gorilla national park, you will check in your lodge then be transferred to Lake Mutanda for a canoe ride.
Day 15: Golden Monkey tracking- Uganda
Golden monkey tracking: After breakfast on day 15 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, pack some drinking water and some snacks then be driven to the park headquarters for briefing after which you will penetrate the forest to search for the habituated golden monkeys in their natural habitats. Tracking golden monkeys lasts from a few minutes to about 4 hours and upon finding them, you will spend only one hour in their presence interacting closely after which you will exit the forest and be driven back to your lodge for lunch. You may spend your evening at leisure or opt for a batwa trail.
Day 16: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Canoe ride – Uganda
Canoe ride: After breakfast on day 16 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, check out of the lodge and meet your driver for a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale district where you will enjoy an afternoon canoe ride exploring different islands situated on this lake. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Africa. While on a canoe ride, you will be rewarded with a view of stunning terraces, rolling hills and many more that are eye catching.
Day 17: Transfer to Ruhengeri – Rwanda
Transfer to Ruhengeri: Enjoy your breakfast at leisure along the shores of Lake Bunyonyi on day 17 of After an early breakfast on day 10 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari after which you will check out and start your journey with a drive from Uganda to Rwanda where you will proceed to Ruhengeri where you will proceed on a visit to the twin lakes of Burela and Ruhondo before proceeding to your reserved lodge for dinner and overnight sleep.
Day 18: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes national park – Rwanda
Golden monkey trekking: After breakfast on day 18 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, head into the forest to enjoy a second golden monkey trek since one will be done in Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda. These golden monkeys are trekked in Volcanoes national park starting with briefing before penetrating into the forest to search for these gentle primates in their natural habitats taking about 2-5 hours. After trekking golden monkeys, return to your lodge for lunch and opt to spend your evening at leisure or have a visit to Ibyiwacu cultural village for a cultural tour.
Day 19: Dian Fossey Hike – Rwanda
Dian fossey hike: After breakfast on day 19 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, meet your driver with packed lunch and be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing before hiking up the Dian Fossey tomb that is situated along Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke on Karisoke research center. This hike is so rewarding with plenty of encounters along the way. The hike is abit straining since you have to ascend and descend back at the same day. Lunch will be picnic packed lunch while dinner will be at the lodge.
Day 20: visit Musanze Caves and Transfer to Gisenyi – Rwanda
Visit Musanze caves: After breakfast on day 20 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, enjoy an adventure in Ruhengeri where you will visit the Musanze caves that were crucial during the ancient days where the local kings in Rwanda would crowned in these caves as well as acting as the hiding grounds during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. After exploring the caves, you then have your lunch and be driven to Gisenyi for a relaxed evening along the shores of Lake Kivu.
Day 21: Explore Gisenyi – Rwanda
Full day in Gisenyi: After breakfast on day 21 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, arise at the beautiful Lake Kivu for breakfast then take on a boat cruise, have nature walks and community tour in the neighboring communities. This is a full day adventure so explore most of the attractions in Gisenyi.
Day 22: Nyiragongo Hike (ascend) – DRC
Nyiragongo hike (ascend): Have your breakfast served in time on day 22 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari then pack enough drinking water, snacks and al that you require while at the summit of Nyiragongo and be ready for border crossing as early as 8:00 am after obtaining your Congo visa, proceed to get your Hiking permit and finally be driven to Kibati ranger post for briefing before starting to Hike Nyiragongo. The hike is tiring but so rewarding with a lot of encounters. You have a whole night by yourself at the summit watching the boiling Lava Lake.
Day 23: Descend Nyiragongo and transfer to Goma – DRC
Descend Nyiragongo and transfer to Goma: After breakfast on day 23 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, you will join other hikers and rangers for a descent back to Kibati where you will then be picked and returned Goma for your lunch. Spend your evening at leisure or have a city tour.
Day 24: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park – DRC
Gorilla trekking Congo: Arise from your bed as early as possible, have breakfast served and start your day 24 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari with a transfer to Bukima in Virunga national park where briefing for gorilla trekking will be done. After briefing, penetrate the forest with armed rangers and local guides to search for the habituated gorillas in their habitats. The trek lasts from a few minutes to many hours but you will only spend one hour in their natural habitats closely interacting with then then exit the forest back to your lodge for leisure.
Day 25: Transfer to Bukavu – DRC
Transfer to Bukavu: have your breakfast in time on day 25 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, check out and be driven from your lodge to Bukavu one of the best place for an overnight before proceeding to Kahuzi Beiga National park for Eastern lowland gorilla trekking.
Day 26: Lowland Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Beiga National Park – DRC
Lowland gorilla trekking: After breakfast on day 26 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, pack enough water and a lunch box then embark on a drive to Kahuzi Beiga national park which is about 1 hour drive. Arrive in time for a briefing after which you will enjoy a thrilling adventure of trekking the Eastern lowland gorillas. Democratic Republic of Congo is indeed blessed with bot the 2 unique gorilla species that is Mountain gorillas in Virunga national park and Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Beiga national park. After finding the lowland gorillas, you have only an hour with them and after return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 27: Transfer to Kigali – Rwanda
Drive to Kigali for departures: After breakfast on day 27 of 27 days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari, check out of the lodge and meet your driver for a transfer from Bukavu to Kigali Rwanda where you will be dropped off at your hotel in Kigali or direct to Kigali Imternational airport for a flight.
END OF 27 UGANDA, RWANDA AND CONGO SAFARI
