• Overview
  • Trip Outline
This safari brings you some of the interesting areas of the Great Lakes Region:Akagera National Park with its unique landscapes of grasslands, swamps, and hills; Volcanoes National Park with the endangered mountain gorillas, Lake Kivu and its hundreds of islands. South western Uganda is home to the chimpanzees of the Kibale forest, the snow capped peaks of the Ruwenzori, the extensive plains and the impressive Kazinga Channel of Queen Elisabeth National Park, the green terraced landscape surrounding Lake Bunyoni, and the dramatic range of the Virunga volcanoes. HIGHLIGHTS Akagera NP Kibale Forest NP Queen Elisabeth NP Discover on foot the mountain gorillas Lake Kivu and its islands PRACTICAL ASPECTS You will cover tracks and roads in comfortable vehicles Cold lunches, warm and varied dinners Equatorial type of climate (25 - 30ºC), some nights can be fresh, mostly at high altitudes Experienced, English speaking guides during the whole safari

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Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival

Meet on arrival at the airport. Transfer to Kigali. Overnight in Kigali

Day 2

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Early start to the Akagera National Park. The Highlands, home to the shy oribi and to the elusive topi, afford breathtaking views of the undulating Hills, rolling grassland and the extensive series of lakes linked by papyrus swamps.
Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and waterbuck are some of the game roaming this peaceful heaven. There is also an abundance of remarkable bird life with over 500 bird species to be observed in the many diverse habitats of the park. Overnight in the park

Day 3

RWANDA – UGANDA

A good road links Kayonza with the border post of Kagitumba. On the Ugandan side, the road winds through the beautiful hillside that characterizes much this southern region of the country. Lunch at Mbarara. Continue via Ibanda to Kibale National Park. Overnight near to the park

Day 4

KIBALE NATIONAL PARK

Morning guided nature walk, visit Kibale forest in the search of chimpanzees. Afternoon, bird watching in the Bigodi swamps. Overnight near to the park

Day 5/6/7

QUEEN ELISABETH NATIONAL PARK

The Rwenzoris form a majestic backdrop, as we cross the Equator and enter Queen Elisabeth National Park. Explore a few of the crater lakes typical for this region. Two full days of game viewing.
The shores of Lake Edward are the mating grounds of the Ugandan cob and home to the elephant and hippo.
Lions and leopards prefer the Ishasha savannah, with chimpanzees to be found at the bottom of the Kyambura.
There are thousands of birds everywhere. With a bit of luck, you might catch a glimpse of the rare Shoebill Stork during the especially rewarding launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel which links Lake Edward and Lake George. Overnight in the park

Day 8

RIFT AND HIGHLANDS

After a last early morning game drive, relax at the lodge or take a guided nature walk. In the afternoon, climb the Albertine rift escarpment to arrive at Lake Bunyonyi. Overnight on the lakeshore

Day 9

SOUTHWESTERN UGANDA

Visit Kabale, a small, busy town. Stroll along the shores of beautiful Lake Bunyonyi.
After lunch we take the steep road to Kisoro, lying on the foot of the majestic Virunga Volcanoes Range. Cross into Rwanda and arrive at Kinigi. Overnight near to the park

Day 10

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Tracking the gorillas through the unique vegetation can take several hours of challenging walking in wet, muddy conditions. To see a gorilla at the end of it, certainly makes the trek worthwhile. Overnight near to the park

Day 11

LAKE KIVU

Leisurely drive to Gisenyi. Lunch at a beach restaurant. On your way to Kibuye, you will have the chance to stop in villages, browse around the local market place and enjoy the fantastic views over Lake Kivu and its ragged shoreline. Overnight in Kibuye

Day 12

DEPARTURE

Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lakeshore or a refreshing early morning swim. After a wholesome breakfast, leave the gleaming waters of Lake Kivu and journey back to Kigali, through the beautiful countryside of the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’. Transfer to the airport