Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park en’ route Nyanza Palace and Butare National Museum 

Upon your arrival at Kigali international airport or after your morning breakfast at your lodge / hotel in Kigali, you will meet our professional driver / guide. He or she will brief you on your 20 days scheduled group Uganda – Rwanda tour. 

You will then embark on the drive to Nyungwe Forest national park. You will visit the Nyanza Palace and Butare national museum. At the Palace of King Mutara III Rudahigwa the former king of Rwanda, you will learn several traditional stories about leadership in Rwanda. 

Continue to Nyungwe forest national park, check in upon arrival for relaxation and spend the night over. 

Main destination: Nyungwe Forest national park

Travel distance: Approximately 219 kilometers

Travel time: 4 to 5 hours

Accommodation:

Nyungwe Forest Lodge or similar

Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest and transfer to volcanoes National Park

After delicious morning breakfast, you will embark on the amazing canopy walk – one of the most famous activities done in Nyungwe forest national park. The activity involves walking on a suspended bridge on top of the forests. It comes with amazing sightings of the surrounding areas as well as spectacular bird experience. 

You will return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch.

After lunch, check out of your lodge and embark on the drive to Volcanoes national park. It is a drive through rolling hills, human settlements and lush vegetation.  

Upon arrival, check in to your earlier booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight. 

Main destination: Volcanoes national park

Travel distance: Approximately 267.4 kilo meters.

Travel time: 4 to 5 hours

Accommodation:  

Amakoro Songa Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park and transfer to Uganda-Bwindi National Park

After a morning breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters for briefing about golden monkey tracking. You will learn the dos and don’ts of the activity. The tracking begins there and then and it takes 1 to 4 hours. You will be given a full hour to spend in the presence of these monkeys upon encountering them. The activity involves spectacular views of several bird and plant species some of which are restricted to the park. You will then return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, check out of the lodge and transfer to Uganda – Bwindi Impenetrable national park via Cyanika border and Kisoro town. 

Check in to your earlier booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and sleep over. 

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable national park

Travel distance: Approximately 78 kilometers

Travel time: 3 to 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge and Four Gorillas Lodge or similar

Mid-range / Moderate: Buhoma Havens Lodge, Agandi Lodge and Icumbi Gorilla Lodge or similar

Budget / Basic: Ride for a Woman Lodge, Broadbill forest Camp and Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge or similar

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and relaxation

After an early morning breakfast, meet your diver and go to the park headquarters for briefing about gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi starts at 8:00am and can take between 1 to 8 hours. The nearer the place where the gorillas spent the previous night, the faster the process of encountering them. Each gorilla family is trekked by a maximum number of 8 people per day.  Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is one of the most adventurous tourism activities Uganda has ever had. It involves walking the trails of the forest in search of these apes. The trails usually become tricky during the wet season but the experience is always paramount and spectacular. Upon encountering the gorillas, you will be given a full hour to spend in their presence. Take as many pictures as you wish but do not use flash light cameras. 

Return to your lodge for lunch. You will spend the rest of the day relaxing under the tree shade or in the swimming pool at your lodge.

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge and Four Gorillas Lodge or similar

Mid-range / Moderate: Buhoma Havens Lodge, Agandi Lodge and Icumbi Gorilla Lodge or similar

Budget / Basic: Ride for a Woman Lodge, Broadbill forest Camp and Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to lake Bunyonyi, do canoeing

After a relaxed delicious morning breakfast, check out of your lodge and drive to Lake Bunyonyi – Uganda’s deepest lake. You will drive through the rolling hills of Kisoro and Kabale and pass by tea plantations. The views of the surrounding areas are spectacular. 

Check in to your earlier booked lodge upon arrival and enjoy a lip-smirking lunch while you relax. 

In the afternoon, you will go to Kazinga channel for canoeing experience. The activity comes with spectacular views of the islands and surrounding hills of Kigezi region. Lake Bunyonyi is a true birder’s haven since it is a home to thousands of bird species some of which are rift valley endemics. 

In the evening, you will return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight. 

Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi

Travel distance: Approximately 80 km

Travel time: 2 to 3 hours

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Birdnest Resort or similar

Mid-range / Moderate: Bunyonyi Rock Resort or similar 

Budget / Basic: Supreme Adventure Park or similar

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, do a game drive in search of tree-climbing lions. 

After a morning breakfast at your lodge, you will check out and embark on the drive to Queen Elizabeth national park particularly the Ishasha sector. The journey involves driving the savannah plains of the rift valley as you draw closer to Queen Elizabeth national park. You will enjoy the views of the great Mt. Rwenzori in Kasese. 

Check in to your earlier booked lodge for lunch and some bit of relaxation. 

In the afternoon, you will embark on an amazing lion tracking in the Ishasha sector. You will spot the tree climbing lions sitting on the branches of the trees. If it is the right season, you may land on a pair mating and taking those memorable pictures.

Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight. 

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth national park – Ishasha sector

Travel distance: Approximately 90 kilo meters.

Travel time:  1 to 3 hours

Accommodation:

Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge or similar. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 7: Another game drive in Ishasha as you transfer to Mweya for an afternoon boat ride on the Kazinga channel

After a morning breakfast at your lodge, check out and embark on an en ’route game drive from Ishasha sector towards Mweya region. During this game drive, you will get an opportunity of spotting something in Ishasha which you might have missed the previous day.  Other than tree climbing lions, you will see animals such as buffaloes, elephants, leopards, Uganda kob, bushbucks, to mention but a few. 

Upon arrival, check in to your earlier booked lodge and have lunch. 

In the afternoon, you will go to Mweya for an amazing boat cruise. The boat cruise will introduce you to multiple bird and animal species that converge on the shores of Kazinga channel. You will see water dwellers such as hippopotamuses and crocodiles. You will learn about different fish species caught on this amazing water channel that connects Lake Edward to Lake George. 

Return to your lodge in the later hours of the day for dinner and overnight. 

Accommodation:

Mweya Safari Lodge or similar 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Morning game drive in Mweya and transfer to Kasese

After a delicious morning breakfast at your lodge, check out and embark on a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth national park. This is an opportunity for you to explore the deeper parts of this national park. The Kasenyi sector is dominated by elephants but you will encounter several animal and bird species. Birds in Queen Elizabeth national park include but not limited to; the gray crowned heron, the handsome francolin, the rare saddle-billed stork, the martial eagle and the gray crowned crane. You will encounter animals such as the African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, topi, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, Nile crocodile, leopard, spotted hyena, to mention but a few.

You will continue to Kasese town, check in to your earlier booked lodge / hotel for lunch and relaxation. You may spend the rest of the day reading a magazine or a book in your in the compound. 

Main destination: Kasese

Travel distance: Approximately 60 kilometers

Driving time: 1 to 2 hours

Accommodation:

TJ Global Hotel Kasese, Springs International Hotel Kasese or similar

Day 9: Whole day adventure hike to Rwenzori Mountains and transfer to Kibale National Park

After a morning breakfast at your lodge, you will meet your driver and drive to Rwenzori national park headquarters. It is here that you will be briefed and start on the hiking. You will either use the Rwenzori central circuit or Kilembe trekking route. You will encounter different primate species and levels of vegetation ranging from bamboo thickets, shrubs, moss, fungi, to mention but a few. Depending on your fitness, you will hike up to an elevation that you feel is the maximum since it is difficult to hike to the top of this mountain in just one day. Sit somewhere on the rock and enjoy scenic views of the surrounding areas.  

You will meet your driver and embark on the drive to Kibale national park with lunch en’ route. 

The journey comes with scenic views of the lush vegetation, human settlements, scenic physical features such as crater lakes, plantations, etc.

Check in to the lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight upon arrival.

Main destination: Kibale Forest national park

Travel Distance: Approximately 107 kilometers

Travel time: 2 to 3 hours

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Papaya Lodge or similar

Mid-range / Moderate: Chimpanzee Forest guesthouse or similar 

Budget / Basic: Kibale Forest Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast lunch and dinner

Day 10: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and afternoon traditional and conservation experience (Bigodi wetland walk)

After a morning breakfast, drive to the Visitors’ center for briefing about chimpanzee trekking. You will start on the trek in the forests of Kibale and get to interact with these apes. Spend an hour in their presence and get to create those memories. The trek comes with spectacular views of different plant, birds and animal species. 

Return to your lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will go for a walk in Bigodi wetland which is a home of multiple bird species. You will also get a chance of interacting with members of the surrounding communities for a traditional experience. You will learn about their ways of life, taste their locally brewed beer and local foods. It is here that you can donate something a gesture of giving back to these communities. 

In the evening you will hike to the top of the world for spectacular views of the surrounding areas.

Return to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight. 

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Papaya Lodge or similar

Mid-range / Moderate: Chimpanzee Forest guesthouse or similar 

Budget / Basic: Kibale Forest Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Visit Amabere ga’nyinamwiru caves, and Nyakasura falls

After a morning breakfast at your lodge, check out and drive to Fort Portal. You will visit Amabere ga’nyinamwiru and learn about the traditions of the people of Toro region. You will also pay a visit to Nyakasura falls and enjoy the waters as well. 

After lunch at a hotel in Fort Portal, you will have a short Fort Portal city and visit the Karambi Royal tombs, Toro Kingdom palace, local markets, etc.

Check in to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight. 

Accommodation:

Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Fort Motel or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Relaxed breakfast and transfer to Murchison falls National Park, do an afternoon game drive

After a relaxed morning breakfast at your hotel, check out and embark on the drive to Murchison falls national park – Uganda’s biggest national park – a home to the world’s strongest waterfalls. You will have an en’ route lunch.

Upon arrival check in to your earlier booked lodge and go for an afternoon game drive. This will introduce you to the many animals and bird species of the park including the big four animals that is lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. 

Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight. 

Main destination: Murchison falls national park 

Driving distance:  Approximately 284 kilometers 

Driving time: 5 to 6 hours

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Paraa Lodge or similar

Mid-range / Moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar

Budget / Basic: Parkside Safari Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 13: Extensive morning game drive in Murchison falls, afternoon launch cruise hike to the top of the falls

You will start your day with a morning breakfast and then meet your driver / guide and go for a wonderful game drive.  During this game drive, you will see quite a number of bird species, some of which include rift valley endemics while others can never be seen elsewhere in the world. Some of these birds include but not limited to the following; Abyssinian ground hornbill, Occasional black-headed lapwing, common gray crowned crane, common Senegal thick-knee, and Shoebill. 

After the game drive, you will return to your hotel / lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Later on, you will go for an afternoon boat cruise at the Nile River for another spectacular experience. This comes with photographic moments and mesmerizing water experience down the bottom of the falls. You will encounter a number of aquatic animals such as the Nile crocodile and hypotenuses and other bird species. 

Continue and hike to the top of the falls and see how the water roars like a hungry lions as it cuts through the gorge. It is from here that you will meet your driver who will drive you back to your hotel or lodge.

Upon arrival, relax, have dinner and spend a night.  

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Paraa Lodge or similar

Mid-range / Moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar

Budget / Basic: Parkside Safari Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14: Transfer to Kidepo valley National Park, and enjoy en route landscapes 

Day 14 of the 20 days Scheduled Rwanda – Uganda safari starts with an early morning breakfast. This is followed by checking out of the lodge and meeting your driver / guide. You will head to Kidepo Valley national park in north eastern Uganda. The journey is characterized by driving through spectacular landscapes. You will make short stopovers and visit abandoned places that were a formerly houses before the wars in northern Uganda. 

You will have lunch en’ route and check in to your earlier booked lodge upon arrival.

Have dinner and spend the night over in a relaxed mood. 

Main destination: Kidepo Valley national park

Travel distance: Approximately 369 kilometers

Travel time: 6 to 7 hours

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Apoka Safari Lodge

Mid-range / Moderate: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Budget / Basic: Apoka Rest Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 15: A day of game drives -morning and evening 

After a morning breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive. This will help you explore the deeper parts of Kidepo valley national park. You will enjoy sightings of ostriches and several animal species such as leopards, lions, giraffes, zebras, to mention but a few. 

Return to your lodge for lunch before embarking on the afternoon game drive which gives you an opportunity of seeing what you might have missed during the day. Every game drive in the savannah plains of Kidepo Valley national park is Unique in its own way. New sightings and new encounters always at your disposal. 

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight 

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Apoka Safari Lodge

Mid-range / Moderate: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Budget / Basic: Apoka Rest Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 16: Cultural experience with the Karimojong in the Morungole Mountains

After a morning breakfast at your lodge, you will meet your driver / guide and embark on the hike to Morungole Mountains.  You will encounter the Karimajong people who will bless you with quite a number of sightings. You will enjoy their ways of dressing, local foods and learn about their ways of life. They are traditional nomadic pastoralists who determine success by the number of cattle one has. You will see them perform rituals. 

Return to your lodge for a late lunch and embark on a guided nature walk or spend the rest of the day in the compound of your lodge.

Have dinner and spend the night over.

Accommodation:
Luxury / Upmarket: Apoka Safari Lodge

Mid-range / Moderate: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Budget / Basic: Apoka Rest Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 17: Transfer to Sipi falls, and enjoy the scenic-en-route landscapes

After a morning breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and drive to the magical Sipi falls via Moroto with scenic views along the way. Drive through the rugged landscapes, rolling hills and lush vegetation. 

You will drive through grass-thatched houses, have lunch en’ route.

Check in to the lodge upon arrival, relax, have dinner and spend an overnight. 

Main destination: Sipi falls

Travel distance: Approximately 352 kilometers 

Travel time: 7 to 8 hours

Accommodation:

Sipi River Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 18: Hike Sipi falls and transfer to Jinja 

After a morning breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and drive Sipi falls offices. You will embark on hiking either 3 or 2 of the three waterfalls at the foothills of Mt. Elgon depending on your fitness. Take as many pictures as you wish.

You continue with lunch en’ route and go to Jinja city the source of River Nile.

Check in to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight. 

Main destination: Jinja City

Travel distance: Approximately 165 kilometers 

Travel time: 3 to 4 hours

Accommodation:

Jinja Nile Resort Uganda, Jinja Grand Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 19: Adventurous white water rafting along River Nile in Jinja

After a morning breakfast, you will go to the source of the Nile for a spectacular White water rafting experience. It is a supernatural experience that is loved by all travelers who come to the source of the Nile. You will return to your lodge for a relaxed lunch.

In the afternoon, you can do a short Jinja city tour and get more used with the place. 

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and spend the night over. 

Accommodation:

Jinja Nile Resort Uganda, Jinja Grand Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. 

Day 20: Transfer to Entebbe for Departure via Kampala City 

Finally, the final day is here! It starts with a delicious morning breakfast at your lodge. This is followed by checking out and embark on the drive to Entebbe International airport. Depending on the time of your outbound flight, you can do an optional Kampala city tour. You visit places like Kasubi Royal tombs, Namugongo Martyrs shrine, Old Kampala mosque, Uganda Museum, the Independence Monument, to mention but a few. 

Have lunch at any hotel of your choice in Kampala and continue to Entebbe International airport for an outbound flight.

Thus the end of your 20 days Rwanda – Uganda scheduled tour. 

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch 

SPECIAL NOTE: Love Uganda Safaris would like to inform you that, during your 20 days scheduled group Uganda – Rwanda tour, you will be interacting with animals and birds in their natural habitats NOT in cages or a zoo. We therefore request that you understand us in case you miss some of these animals or birds in the areas they are expected to be. However, from our experience and up to date information from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as well as national parks’ management, we are 85% sure that you will see these animals and birds in their respective areas.