18 days Rwanda Uganda Budget wildlife safari.

This 18 days Rwanda Uganda budget wildlife safari is an amazing wildlife trip that will enable you explore and discover the hidden gems of both the land of a thousand hills (Rwanda) and the Pearl of Africa (Uganda). It’s a great opportunity to encounter the world’s remaining endangered primate species, mountain gorillas and other primates, the African big five animals (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinos) and other wildlife species, all in their natural habitats. Additionally, the safari offers boat rides, city tours, guided nature walks, and cultural encounters

Safari highlights 18 days Rwanda Uganda Budget wildlife safari.

• Sport chimpanzees in Nyungwe national park
• Walk on the raised Nyungwe Canopy
• Relax with boat rides on Lake Kivu, Kazinga channel and Lake Bunyonyi
• Hike mount Bisoke
• Have an encounter with the golden monkeys in Volcanoes national park
• Trek the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Spot different wildlife on your game drives in Queen Elizabeth national Park, Muchison falls national park.
• Visit the Semliki National park for the hot springs
• Enjoy the thunderous flow of the Murchison falls.
• Walk the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Detailed itinerary 18 days Rwanda Uganda Budget wildlife safari.

Day 1 of 18

Destination: Kigali

When you arrive to Kigali International Airport, go through the appropriate steps with the immigration and meet our company representative who will take you through the rental procedures.  You will read through the rental agreement, ask questions about the rental (where necessary), if you agree with the terms and conditions, sign the contract, make payments of the rental balance and the vehicle key will be handed over to you to start your exploration.

Depending on your arrival time, spend some hours visiting the historical highlights of the city like the Kigali genocide memorial site, the markets, towering city buildings, craft centers and enjoying Kigali night life.

Day 2 of 18

Start: Kigali

Destination Nyungwe Forest National Park

From Kigali through the rolling hills of Kigali covered by terraced gardens and homesteads to the dense equatorial rain forest of Nyungwe, a prominent home for chimpanzees and other 12 primate’s species. The drive becomes more adventurous when you make a stop over at Kings Palace Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum for cultural encounters. Drive time is approximately 5-6 hours.

Day 3 of 18

Enjoy: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walk

This a day for venturing into the jungle to meet a group of human relatives – chimpanzees. This park is home to over 400 chimpanzees and other primate species. Following an early morning briefing at the park centre, you will be led by park rangers and guides into the park jungles. The one-hour encounter with e chimpanzees is a memorable experience.

After lunch, embark on a thrilling canopy walk, walk over a 60meter suspended bridge for two hours as you enjoy the park and its surroundings at an aerial view. you will luckily spot some wild creatures that spend most of their time in the forest canopy including monkeys and butterflies- a truly memorable experience.

Day 4 of 18

Start: Nyungwe Forest National Park

Destination: Lake Kivu – Gisenyi/Kibuye

After breakfast, check out and set off for 4 hours drive to Lake Kivu at Gisenyi one of the major towns on the shores of Rwanda’s largest lake. arrive at the lodge for lunch and later an afternoon boat cruise where you will get exposed to views of close and distant islands.

Day 5 of 18

Enjoy: Island hoping

Today, go on an island-hopping trip around Lake Kivu and check out a number of islands, each with its own unique charm. Explore the remote beaches, meet people from the nearby fishing towns, and enjoy beautiful places that are great for leisure and picnics. Somewhere on an island will be lunch.

You could also go on a sunset tour and see the sky turn into a rainbow of warm, bright colours as you sail over the calm water. These are great ways to relax and fully enjoy the lake’s peaceful beauty.

Day 6 of 18

Start: Lake Kivu -Gisenyi

Destination: Volcanoes National Park / Visit Ellen De generes Campus

Start your day with an early breakfast at the accommodation and later a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern province, a park popularly known for housing some of the worlds remaining mountain gorilla species. Check in for lunch and relaxation,

In the afternoon, Visit the Ellen De Generes Campus of Dian Fossey to learn about gorilla conservation efforts and the legacy of Dian Fossey. this place acts as a center for research and education about mountain gorillas and conservation of their natural habitat.

Day 7 of 18

Enjoy: Bisoke hike

This day in the popular gorilla park, you will join others at the park center for a briefing about hiking mount Bisoke, one of the five volcanoes that comprise this park. You will hike up the volcano for 3-4 hours.  At the summit, find a scenic crater lake and clear views of volcanos in the Virunga massif. After having enough photography and relaxation, descend the volcano and return to the lodge for accommodation.

Day 8 of 18

 Enjoy: Golden monkey tracking

Another day in Volcanoes national park for golden monkey tracking activity. Golden monkeys are another group of endangered primates. These animals always reside in the bamboo forested zones. This is a light trek that takes 3-4 hours including one hour of photographic encounter. You will also see different birds and tree species.

In the afternoon   head to Ibyiwacu cultural center for a taste of Rwandan culture and tradition. enjoy their music, cultural dances, traditional exhibits and don’t forget to buy some souvenirs from their craft shop.

Day 9 of 18

Start: Volcanoes National Park (Musanze)

Destination: Lake Bunyonyi

From Musanze trave to Lake Bunyonyi, crossing via Cyanika border post. Enjoy a canoe ride to explore some of the 29 islands. A visit to the Punishment island and Bucaranuka island is greatly rewarding. You will have clear sights of different birds’ species as the lakes name suggests, and the local fishermen doing their daily work.

Day 10 of 18

Start: Lake Bunyonyi

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable national park

After a relaxed breakfast, drive at your pace as you enjoy the scenic landscape of Uganda’s hilly southwestern region to Bwindi impenetrable national park.  Check into the accommodation on arrival. In the afternoon consider visiting the Batwa community to see and learn about their rich culture, history, traditions and how they spend their daily lives amidst their proximity to the rain forest park.

Day 11 of 18

Start: Bwindi Gorilla Park

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Enjoy: Gorilla tracking

Today is the highlight of your adventure: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast and briefing from park rangers, embark on your trek through the dense forest with the leadership of game guides, the hike is challenging but rewarding. You’ll have a chance to observe the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, and their behaviors up close. After your trek, return to your lodge for lunch as you reflect on this extraordinary wildlife encounter.

Day 12 of 18  Enjoy: Scenic transfer and game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Transfer from Bwindi national park with a scenic game drive through Ishasha sector as you observe well to spot climbing lions.  From Ishasha, drive to Kasenyi sector where you will spot other wildlife including leopards, warthogs, bushbucks, Topis, Uganda Kob and many other wild animals in the vast park savannas.

In the afternoon, go for a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga channel which connects lake George to Lake Edward. Expect to see hippos and crocodiles, water birds and other wildlife at the shores.

Day 13 of 18

Start: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Destination: Semliki National Park

Following an early morning breakfast, set off for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth nation park for about three hours. Later set off for Semliki national park, via Fort portal town. Drive time is approximately 3-4 hours.

In Semliki National Park, Visit the Sempaya hot springs, a major highlight of this park. Observe the bubbling water and the rising steam and get to learn the geothermal processes that make this spring phenomena. you can take part in the exciting and unique experience of boiling eggs or plantain in the super heated water. this place provides opportunity for research, cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Day 14 of 18

Start: Semliki National Park

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

This is long day drive taking you through stunning encounters including clear views of the Rwenzori ranges, and the beautiful countryside. Arrival will be in the late evening. Go direct to the accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Day 15 of 18

Enjoy: Game drive, boat cruise and top of the falls

Wake up for an early game drive in the Nyamsika plateau a part of the park with the largest portion of wildlife including Cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbucks. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, shy sitatunga, bush duiker, warthog and bush pig plus large carnivores including lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. Crocodiles and hippos will be seen along the banks of the Nile, and several bird species.  In this park you will luckily spot the big four except the rhinos. After lunch an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile exposes you to aquatic life including hippos and crocodiles.  When you hike to the top of the falls, enjoy watching the thunderous water falls plunges into  a 7 meter gorge at  the devils cauldron. The hot sunny creates magical rainbows into the splashing droplets. the waterfalls  offer beautiful moments during your adventure.

Day 16 of 18

Enjoy: Morning game drive and transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Start the day with a morning game drive to spot some animals you may have missed the previous day. In the afternoon, transfer to Ziwa rhino sanctuary. On arrival, relax at the accommodation as you prepare for the next day.

Day 17 of 18

Enjoy: Rhino tracking and transfer to Kampala.

This day’s opportunity gives you an opportunity to walk with another group of wild endangered species in their natural habitat. Rhinos in this sanctuary move freely in a 27 square meter ranch. With the leadership of trained guide, you will walk in the sanctuary for 2- 3 hours depending on the location of the rhinos. You will watch them in a distance as you take photos. This adventure enables you to have a complete sight of the big five after visiting Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison Falls National Park where you saw the other big four.  After lunch travel to Kampala.

Day 18 of 18

After a relaxed breakfast, you can go for simple tour and visit the iconic cultural place, the Kabakas palace and Bulange.  Before transferring to the airport, communicate with your rental company you agree on the drop off point since the vehicle has to be returned to Rwanda.  Transfer to the airport for your flight back home