14 Day Uganda and Rwanda combined Safari LUXURY · 14/8/2019 · species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health

14 Uganda & Rwanda combined Luxury Safari

There is so much to experience on this exciting journey through Uganda, the so

called “Pearl of Africa”. Get very close and personal with the endangered gorillas and get an insight by the conservationists. With a little luck, you may even see

some tree-climbing lions. While you enjoy the scenery and in various national parks on the way, you can admire the whole diversity of Uganda. Not only exceptional

animals such as hartebeest and patas monkeys can be found in the national parks, but also hippos and chimpanzees. Enjoy an exciting water safari and get in touch with the local people in many small villages. This trip to Uganda offers

unforgettable experiences in the wild and allows a whole new look at the culture of this unique country in East Africa.

Rwanda is known as – the “Land of a Thousand Hills” thanks to the endless

mountains in this scenically stunning little country. Nowhere are the mountains more majestic than the Virunga volcanoes in the northwest, and hidden among the

bamboo forests are some of the world's last remaining mountain gorillas. For a change of scene, the shores of Lake Kivu conceal some of the best inland beaches on the continent, while Nyungwe Forest National Park protects extensive tracts of

montane rainforest, and is home to many primates. But it's not all monkey business – Kigali, the capital, is safe and sophisticated.

The country is flourishing, and tourists love this safe little country that has invested heavily in tourism and infrastructure over the last two decades. Forest birding,


crystal clear lakes, savannah safaris and authentic traditional culture encourage

visitors to Rwanda to stay longer.

Day 1, Arrival in Entebbe

On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by your Manya

Africa Tours guide who will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. This may take 15 to 40 Minutes depending on the traffic.

Overnight at The Boma. (BB)


Day 2 - The Wilderniss of Uganda and incredible views (Murchison Falls Nationalpark)

Today we drive to Murchison Falls National Park, a protected area of more than 4,000 square miles. On the way you will stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is a

reintroduction program that has successfully bred over a dozen white rhinos and is the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos.

The Nile flows directly through the park, attracting Nile crocodiles, hippos and the semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope. Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, the

Rothschild giraffe, warthogs, the big forest hog, Uganda kob, topi and water buffalo are just a few of the great mammals that you will see here.

If time allows, visit the Top of the Falls and feel the force of the River Nile under

your feet as the half a kilometre wide river narrows to just 7 m wide and cascades

down through a 45 m drop.

Paraa Safari Lodge, one of Uganda’s first safari lodges, is set within the

boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park, giving you easy access for game

drives. It’s well designed modern interiors, balconies and numerous swimming

pools overlook the River Nile, on its journey from the river’s source in Lake Victoria

to join Lake Albert.

Overnight at Paraa Lodge (FB)

Day 3 Boat Safari on the Nile

Your morning will start with an early morning game drive. You may choose to take

a packed breakfast to eat mid-morning or eat a full breakfast upon your return to


the Lodge. Admire the wildlife and birdlife of Murchison Falls National Park and

ask your driver guide lots of questions along the way. After the game drive, you will return for lunch and an hour or to use relaxation by the pool. One of the highlights

of this Safari will be the bottom of the majestic falls.

Overnight Paraa Safari Lodge (FB)

DAY 4 - Depart to Kibale Forest Nationalpark (Kibale Forest Nationalpark)

Today, your guide will drive you via Hoima to Kibale Forest National Park, a multi-faceted forest of 795 square kilometers. The forest is home to over 335 species of

birds (some very rare and only found here), and 13 species of primates including


chimpanzees. red colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest monkey, blue monkey, grey

mangabey, black faced vervet monkeys, baboons, pottos and bushbabies.

Kibale Primate Lodge borders the edge of the forest and is the closest lodge to the start of the chimpanzee trekking. The lodge provides comfort and style in the

wilds of Africa.

Overnight at Primate Lodge (FB)

DAY 5 - Chimpanzee-Tracking in the Jungle (Kibale Forest Nationalpark)

After breakfast, we report to the Ranger Headquarters of the Kibale Forest National Park at 8 AM to set out to find the chimpanzees living there. It's great fun to watch this active apes play and roam in the fruit trees.

The experienced ranger will introduce you to the various family members of the chimpanzee family and show you many more inhabitants of the forest. As you walk

through the forest on small trails, you will be told how the locals use the woodland

plants, e.g. also to combat some diseases. Even the elusive forest elephant, which is smaller and bears more coat than its brother from the savannah, moves in the

Kibale Forest. Sometimes even large mammals such as buffalo, large forest pigs and various antelope species can be admired.


In the afternoon, we will visit the neighboring Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Cleverly

constructed walking paths guide you through the papyrus that grows above your heads. With over 130 species of birds, colorful butterflies, eight species of primates

and the rare semi-aquatic sitatunge antelope, this area is a showpiece of responsible tourism.

Overnight Primates lodge (FB)


DAY 6 - Drive to Queen Elizabeth Nationalpark (Queen Elizabeth Nationalpark)

Your Guide will drive you through Kasese towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is at the foot of the Rift Valley. From time to time even the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains can be seen on the horizon. The landscape of northern

Queen Elizabeth consists of several dozen craters. With more than 600 species of birds, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers even greater diversity than other national parks in Uganda. On the way to the lodge you can observe a large variety

of wildlife such as elephants. Keep your eyes open for the hard-to-find leopards! Today's accommodation is high above the Kichwamba Ridge and offers breathtaking

views over the bottom of the Rift Valley. While the foothills of the Rwenzoris are in front of you, the eight mighty Virunga volcanoes rise to the other side.

Katara Lodge is perched high on the Kichwamba escarpment with breath taking views across the floor of the Rift Valley. Ahead of you are the foothills of the

Ruwenzori’s. To the left in the distance are the chain of eight Virunga volcanoes.

Overnight at Katara Lodge (FB)


DAY 7 - Game Drive & Boat Trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start your day early with a 6 o’clock coffee or tea wake-up call, ready for your early morning game drive. Make sure to ask the hotel staff for a packed breakfast that

morning. A popular route for the game drive is the Kasenyi sector, well-known for its lions that prey on Queen Elizabeth’s large population of Uganda Kob (antelope) that mate around this area. Wildlife to look out for includes elephants, antelope,

warthogs, Baboons and occasionally a hyena. If you are very lucky, you may spot a Giant Forest Hog, Africa’s largest pig. Keep your eyes peeled to spot an elusive

leopard!

After your Safari, you will head back to the lodge for a few hours relaxation by the pool and lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a boat for a water safari on the

Kazinga Channel at Mweya that connects the two lakes of Edward and George. This is likely to be a big highlight of your trip! The Kazinga Channel lies in central Queen Elizabeth, its banks fertile with large mammals such as hippo, elephant and

buffalo.

The expert Uganda Wildlife Authority guides will identify many of the Channel’s 100 bird species and you’re likely to see African Skimmers, Great White Pelicans,

Spoonbill and a number of Bee-eater species. Hippos wallow at the edge of the water, huge Nile crocodiles bask in the sun and elephants come down to drink. The Kazinga Channel boat ride is a brilliant opportunity to take some close-up wildlife

shots.

Overnight at Mweya or Katara Lodge (FB)


Day 8 - Trekking Kyambura George

After a good breakfast, we will spend the morning hiking Kyambura Gorge on the

edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The forest of Kyambura Gorge is home to a

diversity of birdlife and a small number of chimpanzees, and other primates such as

black-and-white Colobus and vervet monkeys. As we cross the river inside the

gorge, look out for the hippos, elephants and antelope that come to the water’s

edge to drink. Around Kyambura, away from the escarpment, you can request your

guide to take you to one of the caves around the Twin Lakes.

Overnight at Mweya or Katara Lodge (FB)


DAY 9 - Depart for Rwanda

In the morning we will leave QENP and continue our safari southwards to the

Ugandan-Rwandan border. At Kabale, one gets the first impressive view of the

volcanic mountains of the Virunga complex. Later we will cross the border to

Rwanda. From here, it no longer very far to Parc National des Volcans and you

can soon move to your lodge. Now you can prepare in a breath-taking landscape for

an amazing hiking the following days.

Overnight Gorilla Nest Lodge (FB)

Day 10 - Gorilla Tracking in Parc National des Volcans

You will be up early on the morning of your Gorilla Tracking for a good breakfast in preparation for the day’s physical activity. You will report for registration at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station by 8 AM. After a briefing by the rangers,

your gorilla trek will start. The trek usually takes between three and six hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a strong pair of walking boots or

shoes.

The rangers will guide you through the village gardens and into the jungle-like forest. They will escort you through the sometimes thick bush, occasionally hacking the dense undergrowth with a machete as you search to locate the gorillas. The

mountain gorillas are under 24 hour monitoring for their own safety, so you’re almost guaranteed to see them. The rangers monitor each gorilla family by keeping

in close radio contact.


In part due to gorilla tourism, the population of gorillas is slowly increasing but the

species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health must not be compromised by coming into contact

with human diseases (via our food, for example). To reduce transmission of disease from humans to gorillas, you will also be advised to keep a distance of 7 metres

from the gorillas.

An optional activity is a visit to the Iby’iwacu cultural village to watch a cultural

dance, meet a local medicine man, or even discover the house of a local king.

These cultural activities are popular with visitors and offer alternative incomes to

reformed poachers.

Overnight Gorilla Nest Lodge (FB)

Day 11 – Drive to the Place of many Birds Lake Bunyonyi

The day after your mountain gorilla trek, you will return to Uganda and drive to

Lake Bunyonyi, a lake of 22 islands, exquisite birdlife, otters, and optional

activities such as canoeing and community tourism experiences. Bunyonyi means

“little birds.” You will enjoy a picnic lunch en route. In the afternoon, take a walk to

photograph the islands from on high, or go on a nature walk.

Overnight at Bird’s Nest (FB)


Day 12 - Depart to Lake Mburo National Park

In the early morning we will drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo. Enjoy driving

through Kabale “Gorilla Highlands” which is also known as the Switzerland of

Africa. You will marvel at how people farm this steep land. The altitude is 2,347

metres (7,700 feet) above sea level at its highest point, making Kabale higher than

most parts of Uganda.

By contrast, Lake Mburo the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks can

be hot and dry.

Rwakobo Rock is a peaceful and secluded retreat adjacent to Lake Mburo

National Park where you can breathe in the essence of wild Uganda. The 8

comfortable and spacious cottages are dotted around the hill, all very private and

offering great sunset views. This idyllic spot is situated just over 1Km from the

Nshara Gate of Lake Mburo National Park. Day or night excursions into the park are

very worthwhile.

Two overnights at Rwakobo Rock (FB)

Day 13 Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is one of the few national parks in Uganda where you can do a walking

safari, to see some of its 350 bird species, and impala, eland, buffalo, oribi,

Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck. Burchill’s zebra are

Lake Mburo’s most striking inhabitants, although the recent relocation of giraffes

from Murchison Falls National Park adds to the park’s interest. In the evening, you

can even go for an optional nocturnal game drive. Highly recommended!


On this day, choose between the early morning walk or the afternoon boat ride on

the lake.

DAY 14 - Depart for Entebbe

After breakfast, we start our journey back towards Entebbe International Airport,

stopping for a picnic lunch and a fun photo opportunity at the Equator. From here, your Manya Africa Tours driver guide will escort you to your guesthouse in

Entebbe for your last night in Uganda. After an exciting and unforgettable journey and one last dinner together, your guide will wish you a safe journey.

Including Jeep

2 people sharing

4 people sharing

6 people sharing

Single person supplement

USD per Person from

$ 5,597

$ 4,726

$ 4,548

$ 564.00

2 pax 4 pax 6 pax

For Uganda and Rwanda itineraries and costs - customised to your

specification and price range - please get in touch with Manya Africa Tours!

Please note:

1. Prices are valid for 2018.

2. The Gorilla Tracking included in this safari depends on the availability of gorilla trekking permits at the time of booking. These permits are strictly limited and sold out in advance, especially during peak seasons of Christmas and school

holidays. We therefore strongly recommend booking early. 3. The safari indicated here is essentially an offer. Changes in the course of the

journey, the duration of your tour, the number of travelers, as well as the choice


of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavour to

stick as closely as possible to this programme. For the majority of itineraries, we can offer luxury, midrange or budget versions of this safari upon request.

4. Sometimes it is not possible to adhere to the travel plan as described in this itinerary, due to weather and road conditions, authority regulations,

organizational requirements, etc. Occasionally, the planned route of the tour has to change according to the situation on the ground. We must therefore explicitly refuse liability for adherence to the journey plan.

5. By booking this safari, the client accepts Manya Africa Tours’ terms and conditions of business, available to read on our web site.

6. For FAQs, including what equipment to bring for your Gorilla tracking, please visit our website.

Included

- All accommodation on Half Board (HB), Full Board (FB) or Bed and Breakfast (B&B) basis as quoted in the text

- Safari vehicle and fuel - English speaking tourist guide - 1 gorilla permit per person

- 1 chimp permit per person - Game drives and walks

- Entrance fees to the national parks - All boat tours - Taxes

- Free mineral water in the vehicle during the tour - AMREF emergency evacuation insurance

Excluded

- Visa fees

- Drinks / alcoholic drinks - Additional meals

- Tips - Activities not part of the described programme

- International travel insurance

Optional


- German or another language speaking Safari-Guide

- Other activities highlighted as optional in the itinerary


Included:

Safari vehicle, fuel, guide, 1 Gorilla Permit per person, 1 Chimp Permit per person,

all National Park entry fees, all activities as described despite optional activities

Not included:

International flights, visa fees, tips, beverages, personal items

Please note: that the prices and the program can change due to availability or

other unplanned conditions like road conditions, weather etc

Please observe our Additional checklist for Gorilla Tracking

• Long sleeve shirts and trousers (old clothes recommended as they can get

very dirty and torn from the thorns and jungle foliage)

• Insect repellent and sunscreen

• Hat and sunglasses (although once in the jungle you are in the shade)

• Gardening gloves to protect your hand from the thorns and vines

• Good ,comfortable sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support

• Long socks to truck your trousers into

• Rain jacket

• Camera with lenses of different mill metres

• Waterproof rucksack (or plastic bags inside your rucksack)

• Plenty of water (the camp provides a packed lunch and lots of water

• For evenings at the camp it is worth taking a warm fleece as evenings can be

chilly. For the daytime light, casual clothes generally suffice.

Documents

14 Day Uganda and Rwanda combined Safari LUXURY · 14/8/2019 · species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health