The 17 days Congo, Uganda and Rwanda combined gorilla trekking safari is one of the best long gorilla tours you should book to enjoy diversity of experiences. It is an ultimate gorilla adventure package that is crafted for you to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Eastern lowland gorillas in Congo Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
This gorilla safari also takes you through excellent wildlife viewing experience in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park, trek to see rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest National Park plus a thrilling hike to the summits of Nyiragongo Mountain. Your long gorilla safari trip begins from Kampala and ends in Kigali Rwanda.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls – rhino trek enroute
Undertake a trip to Murchison Falls National Park after a leisurely breakfast. This is 5-6 hours’ drive on Kampala-Luweero-Masindi route. Branch to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola for rhino tracking.
The next stop will be at Masindi for lunch break and then you will access the park visa the southern gate (Kichumbanyobo).
Day 2: Game drive on the Northern section & Launch cruise on Victoria Nile
Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast and undertake a game drive via Northern section. 2-3 hours on a game drive today allows you capture amazing views of elephants, lions, antelopes, leopards, buffaloes and several others. Drive back while still enjoying views of more wildlife. Lunch break will be had at your lodge and it is at 2:00pm that you will undertake a launch cruise on Victoria Nile leading you towards the bottom of Murchison Falls.
The 2-3 hours launch trip gets you clear view of hippos, Nile crocodiles, aquatic birds among others. There is possibility for you also to undertake a hike to the top of the falls to witness how it squeezes itself into a narrow rock of 7m.
Day 3: Murchison Falls via Hoima to Kibale Forest National Park
Undertake a trip to Kibale Forest National Park through Hoima after your cup of tea or coffee. This is a little a long road trip taking between 6 and 7 hours driving. Lunch stop will be made at a hotel in Fort Portal Tourism City then drive 26kms to Kibale Forest National Park.
Day 4: Chimp tracking & travel to Kasese
After a hefty breakfast, your chimp trek begins with briefing. This is to give you an insight into the various guidelines for chimpanzee tracking at Kanyanchu Tourist Centre of Kibale Forest National Park Western Uganda.
Before undertaking your trek to view chimps, you will be assigned a park guide and start the actual search at 8:00am. This may take from 2-4 hours for you to complete tracking chimpanzees and only one hour will be had face to face with them then you return to the lodge.
Note, Kibale refuges 13 primate species meaning you should expect to view more than chimpanzees. Have a delicious lunch, check out of the lodge then undertake a road trip to Kasese.
Day 5: Explore the foothills of Rwenzori Mountain ranges
Report at Nyakalengija to be briefed by team from Uganda Wildlife Authority then you begin your day trek along the base of Rwenzori Mountains ranges. This is the 3rd highest mountain with its highest peak – Margherita rising up-to 5109m.
Today, expect mesmerizing views of this magnificent mountain, nearby lakes and other surrounding areas. Get back to where you began your exploration and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park to chill, dine and have a night stay in your lodge.
Day 6: Early morning game drive & launch trip on Kazinga Channel
Enjoy a hefty breakfast and get to the wild in your 4×4 drive car on a game drive. This takes you via Kasenyi Plains and your game drive takes 3 to 4 hours and lets you spot wildlife such as lions, buffaloes, topis, elephants, waterbuck, Uganda Kobs, leopards and others.
Retreat after photo taking and your exciting encounter to relax, have lunch before setting off on a launch trip on Kazinga Channel. This channel links Lake George and Lake Edward taking you 2-3 hours on a boat cruise with possibility to see hippos, crocodiles, aquatic birds and a lot more.
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi with en-route lunch
Breakfast early in the morning and take 3-4 hours driving to Bwindi in Kabale, Southwestern Uganda. En-route, don’t miss to enjoy great view of tree climbing lions at Ishasha-the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Proceed to your lodge for your night stay in Bwindi.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Have breakfast and after, undertake a gorilla trek immediately after briefing on guidelines at the park offices. The park guide who will be allocated to you takes you on a trek to view mountain gorillas at 8:00am and this covers from 2-6 hours.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 20 gorilla groups that are open for tracking and only one will be assigned to you. After 1 hour of close encounter with gorillas, get back to check out of the lodge then go relax in the evening along Lake Bunyonyi shores.
Day 9: Take a leisurely boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi & connect to Mgahinga national park
Have breakfast early morning and later, undertake a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi. This is one of the beautiful lakes and deepest in Africa with 29 islands. You will explore one of these magical islands, identify diverse birds and a lot more.
After, drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the smallest park in Uganda and a home to both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Day 10: Embark on volcano hiking along Sabyinyo Mountain
Have breakfast early in the morning and later, be part of the hike to Sabyinyo Volcano which is part of the Virunga Volcanoes. In the evening, you may opt for a cultural tour in the Batwa community then get back to relax at the lodge.
Day 11: Relax at the lodge & connect to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, spend the rest of your day chilling at the lodge then you drive to Volcanoes National Park. This takes you 3-4 hours and includes border crossing via Katuna/Chanika. Get to your lodge to chill, dine and have the best of your night.
Day 12: Embark on a trek to see mountain gorillas & drive to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, have a second trek to view mountain gorillas but in Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri, the Northern Province of Rwanda. You will trek one of the 10 habituated gorilla groups (Bwenge, Susa B/Karisimbi, Agashya, Umubano, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Susa A, Hirwa, Kwitonda and Ugenda).
Have an hour face to face with gorillas after a long trek of 2-6 hours then get back to have lunch before proceeding to Lake Kivu.
Day 13: Undertake a hike to Mount Nyiragongo
After a heavy breakfast, undertake a trek to Mt Nyiragongo for about 5-6 hours to the its summits. Enjoy the breathtaking views of this volcano’s powerful Lava Lake on its summits and have the best of it as it glows during the night.
Day 14: Slope down from Mount Nyiragongo
Begin sloping down to briefing point immediately breakfast. Spend a night near Lake Kivu area.
Day 15: Explore the Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu, King’s Museum, then drive to Bukavu in the South Kivu
Get up early for breakfast and your next tour will involve exploring Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu. You will also pat a visit to the King’s Museum and after, connect to Bukavu on the Southern Lake Kivu.
Day 16: Embark on Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega national park
Embark on lowland gorilla trek in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. 4 gorilla families have been habituated and ready for tracking in Kahuzi – Biega national park but only one will be assigned to you to explore. Your gorilla adventure may take 2-5 hours inclusive of a magical encounter for an hour. Relax, dine and retire for the night.
Day 17: Kahuzi-Biega National Park to Kigali
After a delicious cup of tea, transfer to Kigali. En-route, visit the National Museum in Butare before connecting to Kigali.
