Discovering Uganda/Rwanda with self-drive Kigali is the best way to explore the countries. Uganda is described as the Pearl of Africa, while Rwanda is described as the Land of a thousand Hills. Additionally, the two countries are blessed with a host of exotic topographical features coupled with vast natural resources.
The best way to explore Uganda/Rwanda is by hiring a 4×4 rooftop tent vehicle and travel privately to your desired destinations. With so many places to go and things to do, here’s a comprehensive itinerary of how to see the best of Uganda and Rwanda in 11 days.
Arrive at Kigali Airport and overnight. Proceed to Volcanoes National Park for the golden monkey trek before connecting to Uganda via Cyanika Border. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, enjoy the gorilla trek and thereafter, we head for safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our next stop is Hoima City (en route Murchison Falls NP). In Murchison, enjoy the roaring rapids and wildlife encounter in Uganda largest conservation area. To finish the Big 5 list, we head to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking. Finally, drop off in Entebbe.
Day: 1
On arrival at Kigali Airport in Rwanda, you will perform clearance and thereafter, proceed (out) to meet the waiting assigned representative. He/she will welcome you to Rwanda and then head to board the car for the transfer to the booked hotel and hand over the car to you and he gives a short briefing about the car and your safari if interested. You will check in and take your rest recovering from jet lag, adjusting to time difference.
Day: 2
Kigali city tour (Morning) and transfer to accommodation in/close to Volcanoes National Park. After breakfast you will drive around Kigali City for the city tour. Expect excursion to places like; the national museum, local markets, art and craft shops, genocide memorial ground. Thereafter, you will transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the D.R.C Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Day: 3
You will arrive at your reserved accommodation/ camp and decide to; either take rest awaiting next day’s activity or consider some activity. Optional (with extra cost): If interested, you may consider moving out for either; twin excursion – canoe trek or visit to the cultural village to gain some insight of the traditional Rwanda. Otherwise, relax – enjoying the facility.
Day: 4
Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park and transfer (via Cyanika) to Bwindi, Uganda. The activity starts at (7:00 am) just like gorilla trekking. It starts with a short briefing from the park ranger at the RDB Office and thereafter, you will proceed to trek the golden monkeys through the rain forest of the volcanoes National Park.
After an actual encounter (that lasts an hour), return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. After lunch, drive off to Cyanika Border Post. From Cyanika, and cross border into Uganda and overnight at a property located at the edge of the Bwindi National Park where you will undertake the gorilla trekking tomorrow.
Day: 5
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest and Lake Bunyonyi. Breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing from a ranger guide on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure trip. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular. The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists.
The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The encounter of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is outstanding. Return to the accommodation and have a good rest after a strenuous trek. Optional extra cost: If interested, you can move out to encounter the local Batwa community. Otherwise, continue with your relaxation.
Day: 6
Game viewing Ishasha for tree-climbing lions and connect North Queen. Be up early, have breakfast and embark on a transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lions. Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable.
From Ishasha South, you will head to the booked accommodation in the North Queen/camping. Check in and take rest. Optional (no cost): If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-evening game drive in the Kasenyi plains.
Day: 7
Morning game drive tour and afternoon boat trip – Kazinga Channel. Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Cape buffaloes, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards, though hard to spot among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. Optional (no cost): If interested, you may go for a brief late afternoon-to-evening game viewing and then, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day: 8
Chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge and transfer to Hoima – en route Murchison National Park. You will have early breakfast and proceed for the Chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura gorge. The gorge is home to habituated Chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species.
Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, return to the accommodation and check out. To help shorten the transfer time from Queen to Murchison Falls National Park, You will embark on a transfer that will see you overnight in Hoima City (that is en route Murchison).
Day: 9
Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and move for late afternoon/evening game drive/safari. You will enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the Hotel and thereafter, embark on a transfer to the Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison Falls, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopards, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely, the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you. At about 2 or 3pm, you can move out for wildlife sightings till about 6:30/7pm. Optional (extra cost). You may consider a breathtaking night game drive to have a rare encounter of the night life in the wild.
Day: 10
Morning game drive/safari and afternoon boat trip upstream to the falls. Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including Hippos and Crocodiles and several water birds. Optional (extra cost). If interested, continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Return to your accommodation and relax.
Day: 11
Drive to the top of the falls and head to Ziwa rhino sanctuary, then continue to Entebbe Airport. You will have breakfast and then drive to the top of the falls to truly appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Murchison Falls. From the top, you will embark on a transfer (not so long) to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Once in Ziwa, you will proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. From the rhino tracking, you will enjoy lunch and then continue with the drive to Entebbe Airport where you will catch flight (recommended for 18:00hr or later).
