16 days Uganda Rwanda Cultural Tour

Day 1

Arrival Entebbe

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and after finalizing the formalities, you shall be welcomed by your guide, who will then drive you to your hotel.

Day 2

Mabamba Swamp, Kampala City Tour

After breakfast, you will head to Mabamba Swamp located on Lake Victoria a large tract of marshlands with various channels which provide the perfect habitat for countless water birds. In the afternoon after a traditional lunch enjoys a city tour in Kampala. Visit Kabaka’s palace in Lubiri and get to learn about the rich culture of the Baganda. Later proceed to the Uganda Museum, Rubaga Cathedral, and Namirembe Cathedral. In the evening, you will drive to Ndere center to enjoy a variety of traditional dances.

Day 3

Drive To Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Today you drive to Murchison Falls National Park. On your way to the park, you will have a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. After the complete extinction of the rhino population during the Civil War 20 years ago rhinos in Uganda got resettled in the context of a project of the Rhino Fund. After your lunch, drive to Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 4

Game Drive and Launch Cruise on the River Nile

After an early breakfast, proceed for a game drive. This is a beautiful drive across the savannah, Borassus Palm Forest, and grassland down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile heads north. Drive in the open African savanna in search of Lions, Leopard, Hyenas, Buffalo, and Elephants and enjoy spotting various Bird species such as the Secretary Bird, and Black Chested Snake Eagle. In the afternoon, go for a boat ride up the Nile, to Murchison falls, whence the park derives its name. Enjoy these spectacular falls where the Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gap and at the bottom bask Huge Nile Crocodiles. You will then hike to the top of the falls where you will experience the deafening roar.

Day 5

Drive to Fort Portal

Today you will drive to Kibale National Park. Along the way you will see several Tea Plantations, you may have a stop and learn how Tea is grown, picked and processed.

Day 6

Chimpanzee Tracking, Visit a Local School

After breakfast, you will go for Chimp tracking and enjoy a wonderful forest experience.
Kibale’s 795km2 National Park contains one of the most beautiful and varying tropical forests in Uganda. This is home to 13 species of primates including chimpanzees. The park’s highest point is at 1590m above sea level. In the afternoon, after your lunch at Tinka’s homestead, you will visit a local school within the community. In the evening you will enjoy the cultural dances of the Kibale Community.

Day 7

Visit to Amabera Ganyina Mwiru, Toro King’s Palace. Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After your breakfast, you will drive to Amabera ga Nyina Mwiru one of the seven wonders in Uganda located in the Kabalore district. Amabera ga Nyina Mwiru is translated as the “Breasts of Nyina Mwiru” named after the daughter of King Bukuku, then ruler of the Batembuzi dynasty. You will later proceed to Toro King’s palace in Fort Portal. You will have an opportunity to learn about the culture of the Batooro and visit the Karambi tombs, and the burial grounds of the Toro Kings. You will later be driven to Queen Elizabeth National park.

Day 8

Game Drive, Boat Ride at QENP

Have an Early Morning Game Drive. There are over 100 mammal species that include Lions, Hippos, Buffaloes, Leopard, Spotted Hyenas, Elephants, and the elusive Giant Forest Hog in this park. The Primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Blue, Black faced Red Colobus, Red tailed monkeys, and Olive Baboons. In the afternoon, you shall have a boat ride on Kazinga Channel. Queen Elizabeth boasts of one of the highest bio diversity ratings of any game park, from the open Savannah to Rain Forest, dense Papyrus Swamps, and Crater Lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward.

Day 9

Drive to Ishasha Sector, Community Visit and Game Drive

Drive to Ishasha the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival in Ishasha, you will have a tour through community farmland where you will learn about farming, local medicinal plants, and how the community people keep the elephants away from their crops.
In the evening you will have a game drive in search of the unique tree-climbing lions. Only here do the lions have the habit of climbing the trees.

Day 10

Drive to Rwanda

After breakfast, you will drive to Rwanda fondly known as the “land of a thousand hills.” Enjoy the stunning landscapes along the way.

Day 11

Gorilla Trekking

Today you will experience a unique highlight of your trip. You will visit the mountain gorillas of our planet. You will be led by an experienced Ranger who will tell you interesting facts about the gorillas. In the afternoon you can relax in your hotel or alternatively, you can explore the city on your own in Ruhengeri.

Day 12

Drive to Gisenyi

You shall leave Ruhengeri and proceed to Gisenyi. You will have a boat ride on Lake Kivu and later take a walk through the fashionable lakeside resort and visit the fishing village and learn about their way of life. Later in the evening, take a walk to the Congo border.

Day 13

Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to Nyungwe Forest. Nyungwe Forest National Park protects the largest single tract of Montagne forest remaining in Africa. It is a remarkably rich center of biodiversity, with 86 mammal species, 280 birds, and about 100 varieties of orchids. It is the most important birding site in Rwanda.

Day 14

Nynugwe Forest Guided Canopy Nature Walk

Early morning, you will be served breakfast and enjoy a canopy walk with in the forest. Specifically, the canopy walk is good for spotting a variety of bird species within the forest. While enjoying the canopy walk, look out for birds like the Rwenzori Turacco, black and white casqued hornbill, and also do not miss spots of large troops of Colobus monkeys. In the afternoon, you can relax.

Day 15

Drive to Kigali

An early morning breakfast is followed by a drive to Kigali. On the way visit Nyanza King’s Palace. Nyanza was the headquarters of the ancient Rwanda Kingdom before the arrival of the Europeans. The compound has the modern palace constructed by King Mutara in 1934. You shall proceed to the National Museum of Butare and the genocide memorial of Murambi and later visit the Ntarama church which was highly affected by the genocide. In the evening you will have dinner at Heaven Restaurant while being entertained by traditional dancers

Day 16

City Tour and Departure

Today, you will enjoy a city tour in Kigali and visit the market place to learn about the various foods in Rwanda. Later, visit the Genocide Museum in the suburb Gisozi. In the evening depart for the Airport.