16 DAY UNTAMED UGANDA & RWANDA 4X4 ODYSSEY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN UGANDA

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our Guest Representative welcomes you to Uganda. Each guest receives a welcome bag and our representative assists you to transfer your luggage to the waiting safari jeep and proceed to resort for a night – a thirty minutes to an hour drive from Entebbe itself. Meals and overnight at Lake Victoria Serena resort Entebbe (BB)

Visa to travel to Uganda

Yes – Visa required

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda. The old system of obtaining visas on arrival has been phased out. Tourists now need to obtain e-visas 7 days in advance of travelling to Uganda. Please confirm with your local travel agency or airline before you purchase your flight ticket.

DAY 2: DEPART FOR MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK (Takes 5hrs by road)

This scenic drive from Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziiwa Rhino Sanctuary will take approximately 7hours. Abiding by the park rules, it would be advisable to depart Entebbe or Kampala between 7am-10am arriving at Chobe safari lodge main entrance gate before 7pm. Enroute to your host lodge, you will track white rhinos at Ziiwa Rhino Sanctuary followed by hot lunch. Ziiwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is located in Nakasongola district and is the proud home of the only wild rhinos in Uganda. The Rhino re-introduction project is a project of Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Presently the sanctuary is home to fifteen (15) southern white rhinos. The sanctuary has become increasingly popular with tourists; for rhino trekking, bird watching, nature walks and relaxation. Proceed to Chobe Safari Lodge for meals and overnight.

DAY 3: GAME DRIVE & BOAT TRIP TO THE BOTTOM OF MURCHISON FALLS

Breakfast will start at 6.30am followed by early check out. Embark on a morning game drive enroute to Paraa Safari Lodge through the unexplored area of Murchison Falls National Park. Driving through Tangi gate to the northern bank of the River Nile enables you to watch herds of wild animals grazing and these include; Elephant, Giraffe, Buffaloe, and with chances of seeing lions hunting too. On arrival at the lodge, check in your rooms and return back to the restaurant for hot lunch.  After lunch, you will be picked by your naturalist guide for a transfer to the pier in time to join your crew on the boat for a trip of a life time to the bottom of the falls. If you choose to hike to the top of the falls, expect to be refreshed by fresh spray of the Nile.  And on arrival at the top of the falls – time permitting, join your driver/guide for another rewarding game drive enroute to the lodge.

Overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge

DAY 4: BOAT TRIP TO THE NILE DELTA AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE

Early wake up with coffee or tea served in your rooms. Walk to the lobby and join your naturalist driver guide and transfer to the pier for your water safari to the Nile delta. This half day water safari activity in search of the elusive shoebill stock starts at exactly 7am and ends at 1200hrs with hot breakfast served on the boat. Disembark off the boat and walk to your waiting safari jeep for another game drive before you transfer back to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure with an option of relaxing by the poolside reading one of your favourite books or join your naturalist driver guides for another sunset game drive on the shores of Lake Albert and the Nile delta giving you high chances of spotting a Leopard and other cats you could have missed the previous day. Meals and overnight at the Lodge

DAY 5: DEPART MURCHISON FALLS FOR KIBALE NATIONAL PARK (Takes 8-10hrs by road)

Early breakfast, check out and start for Kibale National Park. This section of your journey covers approximately 8 to10hrs and you will be driving through the countryside along the Albertine escarpment of the Western Rift Valley and Bunyoro Kingdom. As you see in the photo, Bunyoro Kingdom is blessed with people that have maintained their cultural heritage. Meals and overnight at Primates Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge

Remark: Considering the long hours on the road, we are happy to suggest an option of a scheduled flight from Pakuba airstrip (MFNP –Kibale/Queen Elizabeth National Park – flying every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and requires a minimum of 4passengers.

DAY 6: FULL DAY CHIMPANZEE HABITUATION EXPERIENCE IN KIBALE NP (Takes 4-6hrs)

After your breakfast, prepare to report to the ranger station in Kibale National Park for the chimpanzee habituation experience. A life time experience with these delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees, follow them throughout the day they make their nests in the evening. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7: DEPART KIBALE –QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK (Takes 3-4hrs by road)

Check out and start for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Driving at your own space, you stop at the imaginary equator line for a photography moment. You will also drive with drive through the Kasenyi sector on the northern sector of park. Kasenyi is best known for the lions which prey on large population of Uganda Kob that live in this area. Later proceed with your sunset game drive enroute to the lodge arriving in time for dinner. Check in at the lodge and spend some time on   your room verandahs that offer panoramic views of the park and enjoying the cool breeze of the Kazinga Channel. Meals and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/Mazike Lodge

DAY 8: FULL DAY GAMES & WATER SAFARI ON THE KAZINGA CHANNEL

A wakeup call at 6 .00 am, drink some coffee/tea and join your naturalist driver guides for an early morning game drive which is usually most rewarding. The Kasenyi sector on the northern side of park is best known for the lions which prey on large population of Uganda Kob that live in this area. Another common- but unexpected-sighting with in Queen Elizabeth is the Giant Forest Hog, Africa’s largest pig, which is usually associated with dense forests rather than semi-open thickets. Head back to the lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon embark on one of the boats for a water safari on Kazinga Channel. The 36km Channel connects two Rift Valley lakes: Edward and George. These are named after Queen Victoria’s son and heir, Edward VII and his own successor, George V. Early explorers in Africa often had to cope with inhospitable terrain and travel by boat was especially difficult. You will also have an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds that greeted these early pioneers in comfort. Meals and overnight Mweya Safari Lodge /Mazike Lodge

DAY 9: DEPART QUEEN ELIZABETH FOR BWINDI via ISHASHA SECTOR (Takes 3-4 hrs by road)

Today you will start for Bwindi, passing through the southern sector of the park, known as Ishasha. This remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park is famed for its tree-climbing lions. It is a fabulous sight to see the lions draped from the trees and nowhere in Africa do you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low limbed fig trees of Ishasha. After hot lunch break on the bank side of the seasonal Ishasha river, then set off for Bwindi enjoying an evening sunset drive and arriving in time for dinner at your host lodge in Buhoma. Meals & Overnight at Engagi Lodge/ Mahogany Springs Lodge

DAY 10: GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI NATIONAL PARK (Takes 1-7hrs)

There is an early morning entry into the gorilla sanctuary of about 900+ of these beautiful creatures in the world. Arrive before 8am for registration and a brief with tracking guidelines. The guides will then take you through the bush pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. These apes are shy and once you are close to the group the guides will ask you to leave behind your bags as no food items should be carried close to them. It is an experience you can share through your camera lenses as you watch and photograph what Africa has to offer. Meals and overnight at the Lodge

DAY 11: HIKE THROUGH BWINDI TO MGAHINGA NP (Takes 4-6hrs)

You may choose to drive from Buhoma to your host lodge at Mgahinga National Park and this section of your journey is approximately 4-6 hours.

OR

With luggage in the vehicle, embark on a 3 hour + behind the scenes hike of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The hike starts from Buhoma north of Bwindi to Nuking south of Bwindi. This is the perfect activity to take in the surroundings of the forest on your way to Mount Gahinga Lodge. If you are lucky you may even cross paths with Mountain Gorillas and other species of primates.

Meals & overnight at Mount Gahinga Lodge

DAY 12: FULL DAY GOLDEN TREKKING IN MGAHINGA NP (Takes 4-6hrs)

An early morning wake cup call, followed by hot breakfast, you will walk to briefing point with your packed lunch and bottle of water to meet your range guides. Golden monkey trekking begins at 08.30am and once you find them, you will spend an hour with these beautiful creatures who live in large groups and are quite playful. You will have a free afternoon with an option of visiting the community or relaxing in your rooms. Dinner and overnight at Mt Gahinga Lodge

Day 13: DEPART MGAHINGA FOR LAKE KIVU, RWANDA

After breakfast and a packed snack, you will start for Lake Kivu, Rwanda through Cyanika border. Proceed to the border, go through customs and cross into Rwanda. Enroute to your lodge, you will have stops on the way for amazing views of the Volcanoes and twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo. Proceed with your drive arriving at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in time for dinner and overnight.

Day 14: AFTER SAFARI ESCAPE

Breakfast and spend your day at leisure. The hotel is serenely sited on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa, and surrounded by extensive tropical gardens. The tastefully open- plan Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offers the ideal after safari escape. If you are also keen on African culture, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel is the right place for you. The hotel works with the local community to promote Rwanda’s national heritage and showcases performances of traditional Intore music and dance. Optional also activities include: Boat rides to Lake Kivu Islands and the coffee farms, Paradise Islands Cruise – 30-minute ride (with a potential for sundowner cocktails) and a Boat ride to Kibuye. Meals and overnight at Lake Serena Hotel

DAY 15: TRANSFER TO KIGALI

After a hearty breakfast, check out and start for Kigali city. Driving at your pace through rural Rwanda, you will arrive at your Hotel des Mille Collines in time for hot lunch. Later, check in your hotel room and with each room giving you uncompromised views of Kigali City. You may choose to relax by the balcony of this first grand hotel of the country and that became famous for its role in the movie the Hollywood movie ‘Hotel Rwanda’ in 2004 or join your naturalist guides for a brief tour of the city. You will take a walk around the city centre and the craft markets to shop souvenirs that you will carry back home for your loved ones.

DAY 16: KIGALI HIGLIGHTS & ONWARD FLIGHT

Breakfast and later join your naturalist driver guide for a full day tour of Kigali. Highlights of your tour will include the Kigali Genocide Memorial centre, the former presidential palace, Hotel des Milles Collines, Camp Belguim and sum up your day sampling delicious meals at local restaurants.

Later, you will return back to the hotel to freshen up and transfer to Kigali International Airport in due time for your onward flight. Please note that check-in for international flights should be done 2 hours prior to departure of the flight. In the departure hall (after check-in) you will find a small restaurant, a sitting area and several duty-free shops for your convenience.