HIGHLIGHT OF THIS TOUR
On this trip you will admire some of East Africa's most amazing treasures
Like Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Angolan Colobus and bleu Monkeys, Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison National park, Visit of the Kigali genocide memorial center, Source of the river Nile, Bujagali and Murchison falls, Lake kivu, Albert and Lake Victoria, Butare National museum, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine- Equator line, White water rafting and Entertainment by Intore dancers.
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali airport- you will be welcomed by our Driver and local guide - transfer to the Hotel- Briefing- Dinner and Overnight in Kigali the capital city of Rwanda at Mille collines or Okapi Hotel.
Kigali city was founded in 1907 as small colonial outpost by Dr. Richard Kandt, the first German colonial resident of Rwanda. The city has made tremendous progress since 1994 genocide. Considered one of the safest and friendliest of African capitals, Kigali city is blessed with a moderate high altitude climate. It is inhabited by approximately 1 million people, mainly a Hutu majority of Bantu origin and a Nilotic Tutsi minority, after years of terrible problems, have once again begun to appreciate the benefits of peace.
The Rwandan capital provides both a comfortable and welcoming introduction to the Land of thousand hills and an ideal insight of Modern Rwanda.
Day 2: Today will have Short city tour in Kigali and its surrounding- visit of the Kigali genocide memorial museum - Late in the Afternoon- transfer to Kinigi the home of mountain Gorillas. (2hours drive) - Stay night at Muhabura Hotel or at Kinigi GH.
The Exhibition in the Kigali genocide Memorial centre tells the history of Rwanda leading up to genocide in 1994 and catalogues the details of the genocide using photographs, video, written accounts and artifacts. It includes personal testimonies and a moving memorial to the children of the Rwandan genocide. The exhibition also has a section called “wasted lives”, which reflects on the holocaust and genocides in Armenia, South-West Africa, Bosnia and Cambodia. The Kigali Memorial centre has gained a word-wide reputation for the powerful exhibition; take your time to absorb its message.
Day 3: Trekking in the forest on the edge of the Virunga mountain chain to find one of the last mountain gorilla families in the world-- back in the afternoon and transfer to Gisenyi to have rest and admire the beautiful lake Kivu- (1 hour Drive)- Stay night at Serena Hotel or Mosantu GH
The Lake Kivu is a large deposit of fresh water that marks the western border with DR Congo and one of the Great Lakes of Africa. The lake is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. Beneath the lake lie vast reserves of approximately 55 billion cubic of dissolved methane gas which have not been exploited. Lake Kivu is a tourist center, safe to swim, There are nice beaches, gorgeous landscapes and the sunsets are regularly stunning.
Day 4: After breakfast- Have a boat tour on the lake kivu- Then proceed after lunch to Butare via Kibuye where you will visit the Rwandan historical national museum, Night at Ibisi or Credo Hotel. (4 hours drive)
The National Museum in Butare was donated in 1989 by the Belgium government and gave back a part of the ethnographic collection acquired during the colonial period. The design and concept of the museum was realized in co-operation with the Royal Museum for Central Africa of Tervuren, Belgium. The modern building has different sections and displays a wide collection of monochrome pictures, traditional artifacts and objects, tools and different craft products. Ethnographic objects are grouped together according to theme giving excellent information on the daily life. Traditional ceramics and basketry are still manufactured and belong to the finest handicrafts of the region. The National Museum remained surprisingly untouched during the civil war in 1994.
Day 5: Early morning Transfer to Nyungwe Forest- (2 hours Drive) After breakfast at Uwinka park station- we start the trekking in the forest to find the Blue monkeys, Angolan colombus monkeys among others- Overnight at Gisakura guest house.
Nyungwe Forest national park is a preserved part of rain forest which houses 13 species in all, including humankind’s closest living relative the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L’hoest monkeys and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angolan colobus which may be over 300 individuals. These are the largest troops of this species known in the world! Nyungwe forest counts 25% of the African Primates!
There are l’hoest monkeys and blue monkeys present and often observed around Uwinka, requiring less strenuous hiking.
Day 6: Morning after Breakfast- Transfer to Butare- Visit of Butare museum- At the museum of Butare you will have a spectacular performance of the national ballet with the Intore-dancers. The performance is regarded by many as one of the highlights of their tour in Rwanda. Stay a night at Ibis or Credo hotel.
The “Intore”, once the elite of the traditional Rwanda army, were not only trained as military but also in high jump and dance. They were known for their remarkable technique allowing them to jump over 2m40. The Intore became worldwide famous as dancers in 1958 when the World Expo was held in Brussels. Today Intore dancers are part of the rich Rwanda folklore.
The warriors dance is a jewel of the choreographic heritage of Rwanda. Dressed with a mane made of sisal fibre, Tied up on ankles, little bells jingle on each step, giving the warriors dance a thrilling rhythm. Throughout the Intore ballet, physical confrontation turns into artistic rivalry and then at “the end” comes out into a vigorous hug of the warriors. This is the most artistic gesture of friendship mutual aid and protection
Day 7: Morning after break fast- Drive 3 hours to the lake Bunyonyi in Uganda via the Gatuna Border- Night at Bunyonyi Overland camp.
Lake Bunyonyi ("Place of many little birds") lies in south western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. Located at 1,962m above sea level, it is about 25km long and 7km long. The depth of the lake is rumored to vary between 44m and 900m, which if true would make the lake the second deepest in Africa. It is one of the few lakes in the region that is free of bilharzias and safe for swimming. The lake is also known for its crayfish. High lights: relaxing, scenery, swimming, bird watching, canoeing & boat trips - camping at the shores of the lake or at one of the islands.
Day 8: After a morning Boat tour on the Lake Bunyonyi- Transfer in the afternoon to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The road winds up into the forested hills and the views are breathtaking- and you have plenty time to admire them because the stretch is unsurfaced that you can only drive very slowly. It passes through deep-farmed valleys. The drive is reminiscent to what one would experience driving through central Europe--indeed this region of Uganda is often referred to as "Little Switzerland."- Overnight at Jacana Lodge or Ishasha Camp.
The southern sector of the Queen Elizabeth, especially in Ishasha part, is famous for its tree-climbing lions. The concentration of game, with large herds of Uganda cobs, Topis and buffalos, is found in the savannah highlands and at the Lake Edward flats, where the number of elephants is on the rise.
Day 9: After breakfast set off with parked lunch for Ishasha sector part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, to spot some tree-climbing lions, and some other wild animals like Topis, Elephants large herds of Uganda Kobs and buffaloes.
Late in the afternoon enjoy the unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of Hippos, buffalos, elephants and many animals may be seen drinking at the water's edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species- Overnight at Mweya safari lodge.
Day 10: Early morning after Break fast- drive to Kibale forest national park- we cross the Equator. The landscape becomes more tortuous as we reach the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks we can see in the distance. Leave the main road and on a bumpy track reach Kibale Forest at lunch time. After Lunch, a guided walk will be organized; we'll hopefully encounter families of chimps and Red Colobus monkeys, all superb photographic opportunities. Late in the afternoon come back and stay a night at Ndali Lodge / Rwenzori View Guest House.
Day 11: This morning we will have another guided walk, this time through the Bigodi Swamps. The Kibale Association manages the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for Rural and Environmental Organization, formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. While on our guided walk around the swamps, we can distinguish many from the approximately 137 bird species found here, including the Snowy Headed Robin Cat, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Emerald Cuckoo and a variety of weavers, warblers, greenbuls and sunbirds. There is also an abundance of butterflies, and rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus- Night at Ndali Lodge
Day 12: Depart from Kibale by road to Murchison Falls National Park (6hours Drive)- Night at Para safari lodge.
Murchison falls National park is best all-rounder in Uganda, with animals in plentiful supply and the raging falls easily accessible by boat. The falls are awesome when viewed up close; they were once described as the most spectacular thing to happen to the Nile River along its 6700km length. The gorge through which the Nile passes is just 6m wide, making this possibly the most powerful natural surge of water to be found anywhere in the world.
Day 13: Murchison National Park- After breakfast set off for a game drive cross on the ferry up to Pakuba, there you may get a chance to see some animals like lions, leopards, hyenas, foxes, giraffes, and many others. Come back to the hotel for lunch and then get ready for a launch drive along the Nile up to the button of the falls. Chances of sighting the shoe bill stork are many though not a guarantee, continue up to the bottom of the falls where you will see marine animals like the crocodiles, schools of hippos and many species of birds.
Day 14: Morning after Breakfast- Depart from Murchison Falls by road to Jinja (8 hours drive) - Enroute have a Stopover for lunch at Kampala and then Proceed to Jinja town to visit the source of Nile, the major north-flowing river in Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. However, recent findings suggest that the Amazon River may be longer - arriving in the afternoon and overnight at sunset Hotel.
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Day 15: Jinja- This day can be dedicated for white water rafting in Jinja. Alternative you will be visiting the source of the Nile River and Bujagali Falls and when time allows you can visit the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine and continue to Kampala – Night at Speke or Hotel Diplomate.
Day 16: Personal Goodbye- Shopping in Kampala and transfer to the airport for Departure Flight.
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