Overview
The 10 days Burundi Rwanda Uganda safari is an ultimate tour introducing you to 4 of the East African states for wildlife and primate encounter. From Burundi, visit Kibira National Park, in Rwanda- Volcanoes National Park and in Uganda the key areas of interest include mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Bujumbura city tour & transfer to Kibira National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking
Day 3: Kibira National Park-Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking/gorilla trekking & Iby’Iwacu cultural visit
Day 5: Volcanoes NP-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 6: Gorilla trek & Batwa experience- evening
Day 7: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi canoe ride & relaxation
Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi to Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha game drive
Day 9: Game drive, boat cruise -QENP, Uganda
Day 10: Depart for Kampala or Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Bujumbura city tour & transfer to Kibira National Park
Meet your Burundi driver guide for a warm welcome and briefing about your 10 days safari in the 3 East African countries- Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. After, drive for 1-2 hours from Bujumbura city but after a city tour which includes visit to historical sites, markets, etc. With early arrival, check in at your accommodation nearby Kibira National Park.
Kibira National Park is located Northwest of Burundi and sits on the land area of about 400sq.kms at altitude of 1100 to 2660m. It is Burundi’s only montane forest park with a range of attractions including 98 mammal species, butterflies, 200 bird species (great blue turacos, white spotted fluff tail, black and white casqued hornbill), etc.
Accommodation
- Niyimpa Hotel, Guest House la Residence
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Travel time: 1-2 hours
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking
After breakfast, leave for briefing about Kibira chimpanzee tracking rules and to be assigned to a park guide to lead you through chimpanzee trek 3-5 hours primate adventure. Enjoy great adventure to see chimpanzees, explore more about their behaviors, habits, etc with a chance to meet other primates like baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.
Accommodation
- Niyimpa Hotel, Guest House la Residence
Day 3: Kibira National Park-Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Enjoy early breakfast, after exit Kibira National Park Burundi for 6 hours’ drive to Volcanoes National Park in the Northwestern Rwanda. Volcanoes NP is one of the smallest parks in Rwanda, but a significant habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, over 200 bird species, flora and others.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
- Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel/Kinigi Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel time: 6-7 hours
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking/gorilla trekking & Iby’Iwacu cultural visit
Enjoy an early breakfast, after you will be part of the exhilarating golden monkey trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park for 2-4 hours inclusive of 1 hour of magical encounter. Being a rich habitat, other species such as primates, birds will be spotted in addition to chimpanzees. Get back to the lodge after one hour of close encounter with golden monkeys and relax during the afternoon at the lodge. In the evening, the local guide will lead you through cultural tour in Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
- Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel/Kinigi Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Volcanoes NP-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and check out. Meet the driver for transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Katuna or Chanika border. A breathtaking view of rolling hills from Rwanda and Kabale, Southwestern Uganda will leave you amazed.
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma Community
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs/Buhoma Lodge
Day 6: Gorilla trek & Batwa experience- evening
Visit Buhoma or other sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for briefing on gorilla trekking rules and to be allocated to park guide. 20 habituated gorilla families live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, but in your group of 8 visitors, you will be visiting one. Trekking gorillas here may last for 2-6 hours, but includes one hour for photo taking and having a deep understanding about their habits, behaviors, etc.
Return from a magical encounter with mountain gorillas, relax and in the evening, you will be visiting the Batwa community. Interact with the Batwa, the original forest keepers, learn how they used to live as hunters and gatherers, etc.
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma Community
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs/Buhoma Lodge
Day 7: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi canoe ride & relaxation
Wake up early for a hot cup of tea/coffee, drive to Lake for an excursion- enjoy a canoe ride and in the evening, relaxation at the shores with cool breeze giving you a remarkable treat. Dine and spend a night in the reserved lodge.
Accommodation
- Budget: Bushara Island Camp
- Midrange: Arcadia Cottages/Lake Bunyonyi Eco- Resort
- Luxury: Birdnest @Bunyonyi
Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi to Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha game drive
After a heavy breakfast, meet your driver in Uganda for transfer to Ishasha sector, enjoy a short game drive with sightings expected ranging from tree climbing lions, birds, elephants, buffaloes, etc. Proceed to your pre-booked accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda.
Accommodation
- Budget: Mweya Hostel/Bush Lodge tents
- Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge
Day 9: Game drive, boat cruise -QENP, Uganda
Leave your lodge as earlier as 6:00am for a game drive 2-3 hours via Kasenyi Plains/sector in a 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof. Your game drive comes with a pack of excellent sightings from buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes, birds and many more. Drive back and enjoy lunch, have an afternoon relaxation and you will be transferred to Mweya for a boat cruise lasting for 2-3 hours. A range of animal sightings should be expected on a boat cruise including crocodiles, hippos, aquatic birds like skimmers, fish eagle, plus buffaloes, elephants and others.
Accommodation
- Budget: Mweya Hostel/Bush Lodge tents
- Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge
Day 10: Depart for Kampala or Entebbe
You will check out of the lodge and your driver will make a return journey to Kampala or Entebbe city. Depending on the route, expect to take 7-8 hours driving with en-route lunch.
End of safari
Safari inclusions
- Game drives
- Boat cruise
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- Golden monkey permits
- Accommodation
- Travel in 4×4 car
- Professional driver guide
Safari exclusions
- Visas
- Passports
- Cigarettes
- Telephone
- Laundry
