8 Days Rwanda, Congo & Uganda Safari : This 8 Days Rwanda, Congo & Uganda Safari offers tourists one of the best safari experiences in Africa. This safari involves encounters with lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National park as well as chimpanzees found in nyungwe forest national park among others. This tour starts in Rwanda to Congo then back to Rwanda where you will later travel to Uganda and then back to Rwanda
Safari Highlights of the 8 Days Rwanda, Congo & Uganda Safari
- Day 1: Transfer to cross DR. Congo – Bukavu
- Day 2: Lowland Gorilla tracking tour in Kahuzi Biega – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest national park
- Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walkway
- Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park (6-7 hours’ drive)
- Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking – community tour
- Day 6: Cross to Uganda via Cyanika border – Bwindi Impenetrable national park
- Day 7: Gorilla trekking experience
- Day 8: Return to Kigali and departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to cross DR. Congo – Bukavu
Depending on your location in Kigali, you will meet your safari guide who will also be your safari driver to transfer to Bukavu. It’s about 7-8 hours’ drive through the Nyungwe forest national park with amazing views of the rolling hill in Rusizi with stopovers for lunch and refreshments. Cross through Cyangugu border after finalising with the immigration process and proceed to Bukavu town, which is the nearest town to Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Upon arrival at Bukavu town, connect to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay at Panaroma Hotel for mid-range
Please note that your Rwanda Visa will expire after crossing into Congo so you will apply for another immediately and you will find it ready on return.
Day 2: Lowland Gorilla tracking tour in Kahuzi Biega – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest national park
In the morning, you will head for the memorable adventure of tracking the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National park. Tracking lowland Gorillas is very amazing, lowland Gorillas differ from mountain gorillas, the lowland gorillas are bigger in size, usually takes 1-4 hours to track the lowland Gorillas. The lowland Gorillas stay in bigger families as compared to mountain gorillas; you will not regret the safari effort once you meet the amazing Gorillas! Later in the afternoon, your driver will drop you off at the Rwanda-Congo border to return to Rwanda. Connect to Nyungwe forest national park, dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel for mid-range option
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walkway
Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest with your backpack. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3-5 hours depending on their location. On finding them, spend an hour while taking pictures and videos.
Later afternoon, connect for the 2 pm canopy walk experience. You will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk-a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees; you will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving below you. Proceed to check-in your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park (6-7 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, meet your driver and transfer to Volcanoes national park with en-route lunch and optional boat trip on Lake Kivu. Thereafter, connect to Volcanoes national park, check-in your reserved lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight stay at Le Bambou Gorilla lodge for mid-range option
Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking – community tour
After early morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for briefing from the park warden about the endangered golden monkeys. After connect to the tracking starting point and enter the forest to search for the rare golden monkey. This activity can take about 1-5 hours and is done at closer view of the other primates in the park like the redtailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys among other. After viewing the rare golden monkeys for an hour while taking pictures and studying their behaviours.
Later afternoon/evening, connect to visit Iby’wacu Cultural Village-a Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood-based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will be guided around the place as you enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies and a guided community walk. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at booked lodge as above
Day 6: Cross to Uganda via Cyanika border – Bwindi Impenetrable national park
After breakfast, check-out and set off to cross to Uganda. It’s about 4-5 hours’ drive to connect to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. Upon arrival, check-in, have lunch and spend your afternoon on a Batwa community experience the return to the lodge to relax, dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma Haven lodge for mid-range
Day 7: Gorilla trekking experience
Have breakfast and transfer you to park offices for briefing about Mountain Gorilla trekking by a local guide. The time taken is usually between 2-8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Meeting the gorillas unexpectedly is one of the most captivating lifetime experiences. You will have a chance to observe and take pictures at very close range. You will observe adults feeding and groaning among themselves. After an hour with the long-awaited gorillas, your guide and rangers will lead you back to the starting point where your driver will readily be waiting to transfer you back to the lodge for a restful evening.
Day 8: Return to Kigali and departure
Take an early morning breakfast then embark on your journey back to Kigali city. Proceed to Kigali with en route lunch. Depending on your departure flight details, you will do an optional city tour. The driver will drop you off at a location you advise or at Kigali airport for your onward flight back home.
