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Best Of Uganda & Rwanda [17 Nights/16 Days]

From USD: ____________ PER PERSON SHARING DBL, OR TWN ROOM. SINGLE ROOM SUPLEMENT USD: ____________

ENTEBBE – KIBALE N. PARK– QE N. PARK – BWINDI – VOLUCAOES N. PARK (RWA) – LAKE KIVU – NYUNGWE FOREST N. PARK – KIGALI.

Day 1:: Arrival at Entebbe //..

Arrival at Entebbe, transfer to the Lake Victoria Serena Resort. The Resort & Spa is a vision of charming Mediterranean architecture, pastel color palettes and lush, green fairways overlooking the sparkling waters of Africa’s largest lake. With its terraced rose gardens, rustic bridges, arched pool terrace and shaded colonnades, this privileged enclave feels more like a Tuscan hillside village than a five-star golf resort and spa on the outskirts of Kampala. It consists of 124 individual rooms, including ten suites, of which two are presidential suites. Other amenities include a golf course, a marina, a conference center and a luxury residential complex. The entire resort sits on a prime lake-shore piece of real estate that measures an estimated 275 acres. Overnight: Lake Victoria Serena Resort – BB.

Day 2:: Kampala City Tour //..

Breakfast at the resort. Depart at 09h00 for City Tour of Kampala, including visit to Lubaga Catholic Cathedral, view but don’t visit the Buganda Parliament at Bulange, view but don’t visit the Old Kampala Grand Mosque, visit Namirembe Anglican Cathedral, visit the Kasubi King’s Tombs [if open at the time of your travel, - currently it’s completely closed to any visitors]. From Kasubi Tombs, view Makerere University – the region’s oldest university, Mulago National Hospital, City Square, Law Courts, Parliament Building. Buffet lunch at Kampala Serena Hotel. After lunch visit Nakasero Market, and then return to Lake Victoria Serena Resort.

Day 3:: Kampala – Kibale Forest National Park //..

Start at 0730, and drive westward towards Kibale Forest National Park. Lunch at Garden Restaurant in Fort Portal City. Afterward, drive on to Ndali Lodge – our destination outside the park. Afternoon free to take a free optional walk to view the nearby lakes. Dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge.

Day 4:: Explore Kibale Forest National Park //..

Breakfast at the lodge, morning chimp-tracking in the Kibale National Park. You get a chance to hear the noisy chimps and other primates crashing around through the high canopy of the forest. Warm lunch at the Primate Lodge – if not so, we shall have carried our own picnic lunch boxes. In the afternoon, visit the village of Bigobi, visiting a village primary school. If it is school holiday, we shall instead visit Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary in Magombe Swamp - a haven for birds! Back for dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge.

Day 5:: Kibale Forest - Queen Elizabeth N. Park //..

Wake up for early check out & breakfast. From 08h00 - start morning drive via short-cut to Queen Elizabeth. Visit Katwe Salt Works to see where Uganda’s Table salt is mined, before check-in and lunch at Mweya Safari Lodge. A brief siesta before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge – [Deluxe Rooms].

Day 6:: Explore Q. Elizabeth N, Park //..

After early breakfast at the lodge, we head out for a full morning game drive returning to our lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy a Sunset Boat Trip – [Departure at 1600 Hours] on UWA’s (Uganda Wildlife Authority) new 30-seater boat - on the Kazinga Channel to reveal more of the water birds and animals this park offers. Dinner and overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge - [Deluxe Rooms].

Day 7:: Qn. Elizabeth N. Park – Bwindi Forest N. Park //..

After breakfast ata our lodge, we depart for Buhoma – Bwindi. There are washrooms at the park exit point on our way to Ishasha – a section of Queen Elizabeth Park – famous for tree-climbing lions. Lunch at our destination in Buhoma – Gateway into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In the afternoon - Optional: Dinner and overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge, or similar.

Day 8:: Explore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest //..

With picnic lunch boxes provided by your lodge depart for early morning gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – returning later to park headquarters to pick up our trekking certificates. In the afternoon - Optional: Enjoy a walk of Buhoma Village to visit handicraft shops and view Bakiga Dances entertainment by orphans and students of the village. Dinner and overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge, or similar.

Day 9:: Bwindi Forest N. Park / Uganda – Kisoro - Volcanoes N. Park / Rwanda //..

Starting early, we drive through scenic countryside to Traveler’s Hotel in Kisoro for lunch. After lunch proceed to Cyanika Border for border crossing into Rwanda. Inside Rwanda, view Lake Burera, and Ruhondo, before checking in for dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, or similar. NOTE: At the border crossing from Uganda to Rwanda, we keep our same vehicles, and drive into Rwanda!

RWANDA SECTION:

Day 10:: Explore Volcanoes National Park //..

After breakfast, embark on a Golden Monkey excursion for most of the morning. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon visit to the nearby Iby’Iwacu Traditional Village. Dinner and overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, or similar.

Day 11:: Explore Volcanoes National Park //..

After breakfast, morning Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park – your ultimate chance to come face to face with a Mountain Gorilla Silverback. Return to the lodge for usual lunch or late lunch, depending on the results of the trekking. In the afternoon visit Musanzi Market and a Handicraft Village (where we get Gorilla Certificates). Dinner and overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, or similar.

Day 12:: Volcanoes National Park (Ruhengeri) – Gisenyi //..

Drive to L. Kivu Serena Hotel in Gisenyi. Short City Tour of Gisenyi, visit the coffee COOPAC cooperative and the fishing villages nearby. Lunch at our destination hotel and afternoon is spent at leisure on the shores of Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight: L. Kivu Serena Hotel.

Day 13:: Gisenyi (on Lake Kivu) – Kibuye (on Lake Kivu) – Nyungwe Forest N Park //..

After breakfast, take a speedboat trip departing at 09h00 to the town of Kibuye, passing by the Napoleon Hat Island – visiting the island to see bats is NOT recommended! Early lunch at Moriah Hill Resort. After lunch, drive on with a stopover at a Genocide Memorial Church, heading to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Dinner and overnight: Nyungwe House, or similar.

Day 14:: Explore Nyungwe Forest N. Park //..

Leisurely breakfast, at the lodge. Departing at 09h00, choose to do either Canopy Walk or Bird Watching Walk or Grey-cheeked Mangabey Trekking. During your walk is the time to watch the forest’s birdlife too. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, take a Black-and-White Colobus Monkey trekking followed by a walk to the Tea Plantation, returning to the lodge early evening for dinner and overnight: Nyungwe House, or similar.

Day 15:: Nyungwe N. Park - Huye – Nyanza – Kigali City //..

Breakfast at the lodge, drive to Huye with a visit to the workshop of the Tin Smith of Huye. Lunch at Ibis Hotel. Visit the National Museum in Huye. On the way to Kigali, visit the Nyanza King’s Palace. Arrive in Kigali in the evening for buffet dinner and overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel, or similar.

Day 16:: Kigali City Tour //..

After breakfast, depart for City Tour of Kigali, including the Kamp Kigali, Hotel des Mille Collines, Sainte-Famille Church, Kimironko Market, Richard Kandt House, Genocide Memorial of Gisozi and Parliament Building. NOTE: Trip Leader will decide which places to be visited BEFORE lunch / which ones will be visited AFTER lunch. Lunch at Braccheto Restaurant – NOT BACK at our hotel. Tonight we enjoy a farewell cocktail and farewell dinner at our hotel. Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel, or similar.

Day 17:: Kigali City – Excursion to Ntarama & Nyamata – Depart Rwanda //..

Breakfast at the hotel; depart at 09h00 to visit the Ntarama and Nyamata Genocide Sites, returning to our hotel for buffet lunch. Spend the rest of the day in your reserved dayroom available till 18h00 - NO DINNER - but transfer to Kigali Airport for your homebound international flight. End of Services.

SAFARI INCLUDES:

• All meals and accommodation as per the itinerary.
• Game drives, all nature walks and trekking as per itinerary.
• All safari transport in comfortable 4x4 vehicle(s) land cruisers.
• All airport transfers and porter age at all hotels and lodges.
• Cost of Uganda Gorilla Permit USD: 700.00 per person.
• Cost of Uganda Chimpanzee Permit USD: 200.00 per person
• Cost of Rwanda Gorilla Permit USD: 1500.00 per person.
• Boat trip on Lake Kivu between Gisenyi and Kibuye.
• Visit to the Iby’Iwacu Traditional Village.
• All national parks and reserves entrance fees.
• Daily exploration and unique cultural discoveries.
• Services of experienced English or French Speaking driver–guides.
• Mineral water (1.5 litres per person per day on safari OUTSIDE lodge).
• One free ultimate African gift to each tour member.
• Free WIFI at Serena Properties–may not be the case at other lodges.

SAFARI EXCLUDES:

• All international air transportation.
• Visa fees - US$ 50.00 per passport holder to enter Uganda.
• Visa fees - US$ 50.00 per passport holder to enter Rwanda.
• Intl departure tax of US $20 per person, unless included in air-ticket.
• Tip for driver guide (budget upwards from US $ 6.00 per person per day).
• Any other form of tip - (budget approx. US$ 5.00 per person per day).
• Any item (s) of personal nature i.e. laundry, internet, phone bills.
• Drinks of any nature, such as lodge bottled water, beers, wines, etc
• Any other item (s) not included on the above list.
• Any deviation (s) from the above itinerary. Any form of insurance.