23-Day Roadtrip Uganda, Rwanda, Congo(DRC) and Burundi

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 3

Kampala– Rhino Trekking Ziwa Sanctuary and Wildlife Ranch– Gulu

After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart for Gulu through the famous Luwero Triangle. You will stop by the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Wildlife Ranch to participate in the rhino trekking on arrival. Afterwards, you will proceed north to Gulu. The rhinos are still in the sanctuary and plans to reintroduce them to the national parks that they exited before the extinction are underway. Your overnight stay will be at Churchill Courts or similar.

Main Destination:

Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch (Uganda)

Best Time To Go June to August and December to February (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Gulu Churchill Courts Hotel

Mid-range hotelin Gulu (City, Uganda)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 4

From Gulu Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast, you'll start your journey to Kidepo Valley National Park, the journey allows driving through the communities of Kalamajong people arriving in the evening. If time allows the guide can take a break in the communities of Kalamajong to learn more about these cultures. Your overnight stay will be at Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Kidepo Valley National Park (Uganda)

Best Time To Visit September to March (Dry season)

High Season September to March (The park rarely gets crowded)

Best Weather September to November (End of the rains)

Wildlife in Kidepo Valley NP

ElephantCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraCommon

GiraffeOccasional

LionOccasional

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

CheetahRare

Wild DogRare

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent)

Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP (Uganda) without fences

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 5

Game Drive Safari Kidepo Valley National Park

This will be a full day in Kidepo Valley National Park. A cultural visit to Kidepo is a wildlife bonanza with another game drive. In the afternoon, you will visit the nearby village of Karamojong. The Karamojongs are related to the Masai in Kenya and were mostly nomadic pastoralists. However, they have been recently introduced to farming and agriculture. You will learn more about the culture and their cultural dance here. Your overnight stay will be at Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Kidepo Valley National Park (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent)

Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP (Uganda) without fences

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 6

Wildlife Safari Kidepo Valley National Park and Karamajongo Community and Cultural Tour

A cultural visit to Kidepo is a wildlife bonanza with another game drive. In the afternoon, you will visit the nearby village of Karamojong. The Karamojongs are related to the Masai in Kenya and were mostly nomadic pastoralists. However, they have been recently introduced to farming and agriculture. You'll learn more about the culture and their cultural dance here. Your overnight stay will be at Kidepo UWA Bandas. An upgrade will be available at Kidepo Savannah and Apoka Safari Lodge.

Main Destination:

Kidepo Valley National Park (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent)

Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP (Uganda) without fences

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 7

Kidepo Valley National Park Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will have a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. It is a long journey and a great experience. You'll leave one of the most-rated parks in Africa. You will feel like staying more days and immediately start planning for when to return to Kidepo Valley National ParK, our former client to Kidepo. Your overnight stay will be at Gipir & Labongo Safari Lodge.

Main Destination:

Gulu (City, Uganda)

Accommodation:

Gipir and Labongo Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodgein Pakwach (Town, Uganda)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 8

Game Drive, Boat Cruise Safari and Top of Murchison Falls National Park

You will wake up for an early morning sumptuous breakfast so that intrepid explorers can begin with an early game drive in the peninsula between the Victoria & Lake Albert Nile. You will catch the highest concentration of wildlife in the wilds of Murchison Falls. After lunch, you will take a magnificent boat cruise to the base of the majestic Murchison Falls. The earth trembles to one of the world's most powerful falls of natural water while crocodiles soak up the sun with their vast jaws menacingly agape. You will then disembark the boat and hike up to the top of the falls which are impressive and spectacular before returning to the lodge. Your overnight stay will be at Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)

Best Time To Visit December to February (Easier to spot animals)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures)

Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Gipir and Labongo Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Murchison Falls NP (Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 9

Shoebill Tour to the Delta Boat Cruise Murchison Falls National Park -Kibale National Park

In the morning, you will take the boat cruise downstream the river to the delta searching for the rare shoe-bill stork. This will be followed by a transfer to the Coffee Lodge. It is an eco-friendly coffee estate and farm specializing in high-quality washed Robusta coffee that will give you an insight into coffee processing while you take on a coffee tour.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Chimp trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather January to February and June to July (Least rain)

Wildlife in Kibale NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

ElephantOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

LionVery Rare

LeopardVery Rare

HippoRare

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Accommodation:

The Coffee Lodge

Mid-range lodge1-2hr drive from Kibale NP (Chimps, Uganda)

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 10

Uganda Coffee Tour Experience at Clarke Farm and Coffee Lodge

While you’re staying at the Coffee Lodge, you have the whole day to do the Uganda coffee tour experience. The coffee guide will show you every step of coffee preparation from the seeds to the garden and the cup. After a leisurely morning breakfast, you'll Visit Clarke Farm and experience the amazing hilltop views, and explore the river and forest walks. Try activities such as bouldering and mountain biking, walking or jogging on the farm trails, or have an exciting guided tour of the farm by Jeep. Round off your stay by roasting some Clarke Farm coffee & enjoying the fresh local and intercontinental prepared dishes. Your overnight stay will be at the Coffee Lodge.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

The Coffee Lodge

Mid-range lodge1-2hr drive from Kibale NP (Chimps, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 11

The Clarke Farm and Coffee Lodge Transfer to Kanyanchu, Kibale National Park

After a leisurely morning breakfast, you will leave the beautiful Coffee Lodge & Clarke Farm for Kanyanchu, Kibale Forest National Park the home of chimpanzees. The drive through farmlands, tea estates, and countryside offers you the greatest spectacle. Your overnight stay will be at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Mid-range guest housejust outside Kibale NP (Chimps, Uganda)

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 12

Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Experience, Kibale Forest National Park

The Uganda chimpanzee trekking experience is a unique opportunity that will allow you to follow a chimpanzee group in its daily activities. Accompanied by Kibale reserve researchers and rangers, you will be on the forest floor to watch the chimps search for their fruits and vocalize. Then, you will follow them for an hour observing the full gamut of their behavior. You will be part of the Uganda Wildlife Authority initiative to trek the chimpanzees without changing their natural environment. It’s one of the great moments of your safari! In the afternoon, you'll do the community and swamp walk offered by the members of the Bigodi Community. It’s one way of learning about the traditional culture of Africa. Your overnight stay will be at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Mid-range guest housejust outside Kibale NP (Chimps, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 13

Kibale National Park - Queen Elizabeth National Park with Rwenzori Mountain National Park (Backdrop)

After a leisurely morning breakfast, you'll do the crater lakes drive as you proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive provides you with a chance to see beautiful, cool crater lakes. The drive has Great views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Mount Stanley, at 5,109m in Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo's highest peak in addition to Ruenzori Mountain being the third highest peak in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Kenya in Kenya. Uganda is among the 13 countries that an Equator line passes through. At the Kikorongo Equator line, you’ll make a brief stopover for the moment of picturesque and then proceed to the hotel. Your overnight stay will be at Kazinga Wildness Safari Camp or similar.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp

Budget lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 14

Game Drive and Boat Cruise Safari, Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you'll participate in a morning game drive. The drive through the Kasenyi Plains is a spot for predators hunting their prey. The game drive provides you with an excellent opportunity to view animals such as jackals, bushbucks, forest hogs, buffaloes, elephants, and kob as they go about their daily routines. In the afternoon, you'll head to a fantastic launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel and observe beautiful birds and wildlife. A Ugandan wildlife safari without a boat cruise safari on the Kazinga Channel is considered incomplete. The channel attracts a large concertation of wildlife and birdlife to quench their thirst. This boat launch safari would certainly expose you to these creatures. After the boat safari, you will enjoy the evening game viewing as you return to the lodge. Your overnight stay will be at Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp or similar.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp

Budget lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 15

Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable NP via Ishasha Sector

The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is famously known for tree-climbing lions. After an early morning, breakfast, you will begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with a stopover at Ishasha sector for a game drive and thereafter proceed to Bwindi Forest National Park. Your overnight stay will be at Gorilla Mist Camp or similar.

Main Destination:

Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda)

Accommodation:

Gorilla Mist Camp

Mid-range lodgejust outside Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 16

Optional Uganda Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Today is an optional gorilla trekking and a permit is required at an additional $700 or you can do an alternative Batwa Community tour as you transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the ranger station, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After a briefing by a ranger guide, you'll enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary depending on the movements of gorillas. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long-savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity. After your day experience, you will transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Your overnight at Gorillas Hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

LionNone

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Volcanoes Hotel

Mid-range hotelin Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 17

Optional Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park

Today, you can participate in the Rwanda gorilla trekking. A gorilla trekking ticket is required. Alternatively, you can participate in the Bisoke Volcano hike.
Early morning breakfast will be followed by a transfer to Kinigi Park headquarters for a trekking briefing and then a hike up into the rainforest to a troop of magnificent mountain gorillas. Each troop has its 24-hour guard, so their location is known. You usually have an hour with them, time to sit and observe them at very close quarters indeed. After the day experience, you will return to the lodge. Your overnight stay will be at Gorillas Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Volcanoes Hotel

Mid-range hotelless than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 18

Golden Monkey Volcanoes National Park - Nyungwe Forest National Park

You will start early on your first morning for a trip to track the golden monkeys. These primates are beautiful, endangered, and more agile than the mountain gorillas. They live in bamboo thickets on the lower slopes of the mountains. Tracking them acclimatizes you perfectly to the slight altitude. After the day's experience, you'll travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Your overnight stay will be at Ken Barham Guesthouse or similar.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit June to September (Dry weather, best chimp trekking)

High Season June to September (Popular gorilla trekking time in Volcanoes NP)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Nyungwe NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

EAR Ken Barham Guest House

Budget guest houseless than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps, Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 19

Optional Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk - Rusiizi

This is an optional Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy walk at an additional cost of $300. Alternatively, you can participate in the Tea Factory and Estate Tour.
At 4:30 am, you will enjoy an early morning breakfast or order a packed breakfast. This will be followed by a meeting with the ranger guide at Gisakura and then a transfer to Cyamudongo and or Uwinka visitors center to begin with chimpanzee trekking. Subsequently, there will be a canopy walk that starts at the Uwinka visitors center and then transfers to Lake Kivu, Cyangungu. Your overnight stay will be at Peace Guest House or similar.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Peace Guest House

Budget guest housein Cyangugu (Town, Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 20

Rusiizi, Rwanda - Kahuzi Biega National Park, Congo (DRC), Lowland Gorilla Trekking

After an early morning breakfast, be prepared with your passport to cross the border at Rusizi (1) and proceed to Kahuzi Biega National Park to participate in the lowland gorilla trekking on arrival. You’ll be accompanied by the ranger guide and his team of trackers to hike into the forest in search of the gentle giants. Once you find them, you’ll be allowed to stay with them for an hour. After the experience, you will return to the start point and then transfer back to Bukavu and or to Rwanda provided there’s available time for crossing the border. Your overnight stay will be at Nediva Bed and Breakfast or similar.

Main Destination:

Kahuzi Biega National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Nediva Bed & Breakfast

Mid-range guest house1-2hr drive from Kahuzi Biega NP (Gorillas, Congo (DRC))

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 21

Kahuzi Biega NP, Congo (DRC) - Kigali, Rwanda

After an early morning DRC farewell breakfast we shall embark on the journey to Rwanda and onwards to Kigali city. Upon your arrival in Kigali, Rwanda if time allows visit the Kigali Genocide museum before checking in at the lodge. Overnight at StepTown Hotel or similar.

Main Destination:

Kigali (Rwanda)

Accommodation:

Step Town Motel

Budget hotel located in Kigali (Rwanda)