10 Days Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari will take you to Africa’s most incredible countries for Mountain gorillas. Bwindi forest gorilla trekking experience is the most exciting place and activity for any travellers to Africa. Bwindi forest is located in the southwestern part of Uganda close to the Rwanda-Uganda border at the edge of the Rift Valley. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of Uganda’s oldest national park with diverse rainforest of over 25,000 years ago and contains about 400 plant species. Bwindi Impenetrable national park inhabits half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world and it is divided into 4 sectors including; Buhoma sector which is the oldest trekking sector, Rushaga sector which has the largest number of gorilla families, Ruhija sector and finally Nkuringo sector. Bwindi forest also shelters some species of mammals including the forest elephants and the different species of antelopes. The park is also rich with different bird species including Albertine Rift endemics.
Rwanda is incredibly interesting to visit in its incredible scenic hilly landscapes making her famous as “Land of a thousand hills” rich in biodiversity. This 12 Days Uganda-Rwanda Safaris is the best way to spend your safari in Uganda and Rwanda taking you Rwanda’s most visited primates’ destinations that is Volcanoes national park and Nyungwe national park with a bit of relaxation during the trip at Lake Kivu and Kabuye. Volcanoes national park is the most popular park unique for gorilla trekking along with other 2 parks in Uganda and 1 in Congo. Apart from gorilla trekking, Volcanoes national park is also a home to the endangered golden monkeys and a few of the forest animals and the park hosts about 200 different bird species. Nyungwe forest national park on the other hands is home to the endangered chimpanzees and 12 other species of primates. Trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest is one of the most scenic experiences under the montane rainforest and walking on a canopy above the forest is an added beautiful experience.
In Congo, the trip features visiting Mount Nyiragongo which is the active volcano on the Virunga Mountain with active boiling lave. This 10 Days trip will start and end in Kigali Rwanda simply because Rwanda is the nearest place to access all the national park. It also requires an earlier arrival in Rwanda before your cross to Uganda to Bwindi forest. It’s important to note that the Democratic Republic of Congo is not an East African country and therefore note that your Rwanda Visa expires immediately you cross into Congo so you will have to reapply for another while at the border and find it ready after the tour.
Highlights of the 10 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari
- Day 1: Arrival in – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking experience
- Day 3: Canoe ride at Lake Mutanda – Transfer to Volcanoes national park
- Day 4: Golden Monkey tracking and community tour
- Day 5: Community tour and transfer to Gisenyi – Goma
- Day 6: Day 6: Hike Mount Nyiragongo Volcano
- Day 7: Descend down the Volcano – Kibuye
- Day 8: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park – Canopy walk
- Day 9: Chimpanzee trekking – Forest walk – waterfalls hike
- Day 10: Return to Kigali – Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up in Kigali and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
On the 1st day of your 10 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari, depending on your location in Kigali, you will be picked up by our company representative/guide who will then transfer to Bwindi national park in Uganda, located in the south-western part of Uganda close to Rwanda border. It covers about 4 hours’ drive with en route lunch. On arrival to the park, you will proceed and check in your lodge for relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Mid-range option: Ichumbi Gorilla lodge
- Budget option: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking experience.
On the 2nd day of your 10 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari, breakfast is served quite early since you are required to report at the park headquarters by 7 am for a briefing about Gorilla trekking by the park officials. By 8 am, you will connecting to then starting point after you have being allocated a group to trek along with your trekking gears. The time taken trekking is not guaranteed between 2-8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas hiking up and down the impenetrable forest to find the gorillas.
Meeting the gorillas is one of the most fascinating lifetime experiences. You will observe and take pictures of them at very close range. After an hour with the long-awaited gorillas, your guide and rangers will lead you back to the starting point where your driver will readily be waiting to transfer you back to the lodge for a restful evening. Dinner and overnight stay at the same lodge as above
Day 3: Lake Mutanda canoe ride and Transfer to Musanze
On the 3rd day of your 10 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari, meet your driver after breakfast and drive to Lake Mutanda for a boat trip and visit some of the coffee farms around the area, have lunch then drive to connect to Musanze in Rwanda crossing via Cyanika border. Musanze is the home of Volcanoes national park where we find the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda. Proceed to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: 5 Volcanoes Gorilla lodge
- Mid-range option; Le Bambou Gorilla lodge
- Budget option: Hotel Muhabura
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking – Volcanoes national park
After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for briefing about the golden monkeys. Volcanoes national park is also a home to the fascinating Golden monkeys, the park shares boarders with Virunga national park in Congo; it also has the most scenic as it stands at 3 volcanoes of Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo.
Later you will begin hiking over the volcanic terrains in search of the monkeys in the bamboo forest. It may take you 2-6 hours to find them depending on their location and you will be given 1 hour to spend with them while taking pictures before to return to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 5: Community tour and transfer to Gisenyi – Goma
After early breakfast, drive to Iby’cuwa cultural village and learn more about the Banyarwanda traditions and culture. Have lunch then connect to drive to Gisenyi before you cross to Goma town in Democratic Republic of Congo as your base for Nyiragongo hike. This will take you roughly 5-7 hours to reach Goma. Arrive in the afternoon and check-in your lodge for relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Mikeno lodge for luxury
- Mid-range option: Lac Kivu Lodge
- Budget option: Hotel Linda for budget
Day 6: Hike Mt. Nyiragongo Volcano
On the 6th day of your 10 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari, wake up early for breakfast at your hotel and set off for Kibati Patrol post, where the nyiragongo Volcano hike starts from. Hiking formally starts off at 9:00 am, with briefing about the hike and what to expect. You are advised to pack right for the hike, and to hire a porter. Start your hike with your guide and armed guards for your security. Hiking usually last the entire day, and the pace is determined by the groups’ fitness level. Please note that the group moves in one group and rests at the same time. When you reach the top, you will check into your cabins and in the night, go out to watch the beautiful sight of the boiling lava.
Day 7: Descend down the Volcano – Kibuye
You will have breakfast before you descend back to starting point of the hike. Later transfer to Gisenyi via Goma where you will have lunch. Proceed to connect to Kibuye where you will check-in your hotel to relax. Depending on your interest and time, you will enjoy a boat cruise along visiting the local fishing villages and islands. Dinner and overnight stay at
Accommodation options; Moriah Hill Resort for budget/Cormorant lodge for mid-range
Day 8: Drive to Nyungwe Forest – Canopy walk
On the 8th day of your 10 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari, After breakfast, you will set off to Nyungwe forest located in the south western part of Rwanda. The park is best known for its habitant of primates species like the chimpanzees and plus owl-faced and colobus monkeys and canopy walk. Have lunch and connect to your hotel to rest or do an activity of you interest as you will be advised by your guide. Dinner and overnight stay at
- Budget accommodation option: Gisakura Guest house
- Mid-range option: Nyungwe Top hill hotel
- Luxury option: Nyungwe Forest lodge for luxury
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trek – Forest walk – waterfalls hike
After breakfast, transfer to the park offices for briefing and after enter into the tropical rain forest to search for the shy chimpanzees in the branches of the trees and take unforgettable photos and videos. Lunch and later in the evening experience the canopy walk which offers clear view of plants, primates, birds, butterflies very close. Also meet your ranger guide to start your forest walk into the rainforest. On a good day encounter different primates’ species and reach the waterfalls with great views of Lake Kivu, DRC, belts of tea into the forest. After spending time at the falls, return and connect to your hotel to rest. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 10: Return to Kigali and departure
Take an early morning breakfast then embark on your journey back to Kigali city. Proceed to Kigali with en route lunch; if time is available visit the Butare genocide memories and muse. Proceed to Kigali with en route lunch; if time is available visit the Butare genocide memories and muse. Proceed to Kigali with en route lunch; if time is available visit the Butare genocide memories and muse. Proceed to Kigali with en route lunch; if time is available visit the Butare genocide memories and museum. Arrive Kigali city late evening and the driver will drop you off at your hotel as you wait for your departure flight time.
End of the 10 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo Safari
