8 Days private Congo, Uganda safari holiday to explore Uganda the pearl of Africa for game viewing, chimpanzee and mountain gorilla trekking, launch cruise at kazinga channel and a hike to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo in Congo.  The tour starts from Entebbe Uganda ending in Kigali Rwanda.

Trip activities

• Mountain gorilla trekking
• Game viewing
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Nyiragongo volcano hiking
• Batwa community visits
• Launch cruise

Trip summary

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale Forest National park

Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodo wetland walk

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth  & Boat Cruise

Day 4: Ishasha game driving & transfer to Bwindi forest

Day 5: Gorilla trekking & Batwa pygmies

Day 6:  Transfer to Gisenyi

Day 7: Nyiragongo Volcano Hike

Day 8: Descend & transfer to Kigali

 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale Forest National park

Our driver guide will pick you from airport or your hotel in Entebbe and depart for Kibale Forest home to the highest population of chimpanzees. Enjoy the scenic drive via Mityana with a short stop at Nakayima tree to learn about the spiritual beliefs of this tree. Proceed for a lunch break in Fort portal and later drive to Kibale Forest. Dinner and overnight at Primates Lodge/ Ndali Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest Camp.

Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking &Bigodi wetland walk

Have an early morning breakfast, get your packed lunch and transfer to Kanyanchu information center to register and be briefed about the rules and regulations of Chimpanzee trekking.  Thereafter, embark on a steep hike through dense forest to meet the chimpanzees. Hiking time varies depending on where chimpanzees will be located that day but you are 99% assured of meeting them. At sometimes, the loud shouts, screams and hooting of chimpanzeesalert you on their where about.  You  will spend an hour with a chimpanzee community, learn and enjoy their social behaviors which make them more of  human beings.  Besideschimpanzees, you stand high chances of seeing other primates like Vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, white and black Colubus plus baboons among others. Hike back to the lodge for refreshment and in the evening join a nature walk to Bigodi wetland to enjoy and feel the serenity of thisnatural environment.  Dinner and overnight at Primates Lodge/ Ndali Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest Camp.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth  & Boat Cruise

After breakfast, check out and set off to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Enjoythis 3 hours drive via fort portal to reach in the afternoon. Check into the lodge and embark on a boat cruise at Kazinga channel that connects lakes Edward and George.  The 3 hourscruise is a thrilling experience which offer you spectacularviews of numerous bird species on the river bank, wild water animals, neighboring fishing village and animals grazing in open savannahs. Enjoy the cool breezes and fresh air freshening up your whole experience. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/ Kasenyi Safari Camp, Simba Safari Camp, Marafiki Safari Lodge.

Day 4: Ishasha game driving &transfer to Bwindi forest

Wakeup on a cup of coffee and drive through the park to Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions.  Look out for the kings of the jungle resting up in the acacia tree. Also, this game drive offers you memorable stunning views of numerous animals including elephants, Leopards, buffalos, elands, Topis, Waterbucks, Warthogs and Uganda kobs among others grazing and hunting in open plains. Drive out of Queen Elizabeth Park, have lunch enroute and proceed to Bwindi Forest Via Kihihi in Kabale district. Overnight stay at Mahogany springs Lodge/ Buhoma Lodge/ Buhoma Community Camp/ Bakiga Lodge.

Day 5: Gorilla trekking & Batwa pygmies

Rise up early, have breakfast and with your packed lunch transfer o the respective Bwindi park head quarters for registration and pre gorilla trekking briefing.  You will put in groups of eight and given a gorilla family to trek. At 8:00am, begin the hike through the jungle forest in search of the allocated gorilla family. Hiking time may be short or long depending on the location of gorillas and their speed of movements.  On reaching them, embrace and observe the   unique characters of these endangered species, take pictures and enjoy the playful juveniles. Hike back to the lode for refreshment and if time allows visit Batwa pygmy communities for extensive cultural experience and interaction. Overnight stay at Mahogany springs Lodge/ Buhoma Lodge/ Buhoma Community Camp/ Bakiga Lodge.

Day 6:  Transfer to Gisenyi

In the early morning, you will have breakfast, check out and transfer to Rwanda. Enjoy the epic drive via the rolling hills of Rwanda to Gisenyi. Relax and chill at the beaches of Lake Kivu. Overnight at Kivu Serena Hotel/ Paradise Malahide Hotel.

Day 7: Nyiragongo Volcano Hike

Wake up very early and at 5:00am, cross to Goma proceeding to the Kabita patrol, village where Nyiragongo hiking begins.   Register and attend a short meeting about the do’s and don’ts of hiking plus safety tips. At 10:00am, start off this thrilling but strenuous hiking adventure.   Hiking to the summit of Nyiragongo strata Volcano at   3,470 meters above the sea level takes roughly 7 hours or less depending on speed of the slowest person in your group. Camp at the summit to enjoy the boiling   lava lake that is clearly seen at night.

Day 8: Descend & transfer to Kigali

In the morning wakeup to enjoy the sunrise, have a cup of coffee and descend to meet your driver guide at the base of the Volcano. Drive through  Rwanda   catch up with your flight at  Kigali airport.

End of the tour

Tour Inclusions

• Full time English speaking guide
• Gorilla trekking permit
• Nyiragongo Volcano permit
• Chimpanzee permit
• Kazinga launch cruise
• Park entrance fees
• All activities in the itinerary
• Accommodation and meals
• Bottled drinking water
• Ground transport
• Miscellaneous

Tour Exclusions

• International flights
• Driver guide/porters tip
• Alcoholic beverages
• Visa and visa fees
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary