Combining Uganda and Rwanda, two fantastic countries, the highlight of this trip is the once in a lifetime chance to experience the ultimate wildlife encounter, witnessing the endangered mountain gorilla in their natural habitat in Bwindi national park. Journeying through other much overlooked destinations, we also visit Lake Mburo, home to leopard, hyena and buffalo and the stunning mountainous Volcano National Park in Rwanda in search of golden monkeys. The trip ends in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
Breakfast: 9
Lunch: 4
Dinner: 7
Explore Tour Leader
Local Guide(s)
Ranger(s)
Minibus
1 nights premium hotel
6 nights comfortable lodge
2 nights premium lodge
Moderate
Trip maximum 12
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Arrive in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, located on the shores of Lake Victoria.
For those arriving on time our Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5pm for the welcome meeting and after there will be the opportunity to have dinner at our lodge overlooking Lake Victoria. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Kampala at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Entebbe International Airport (EBB), which is 45 minutes from our accommodation. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might choose to relax by the outdoor pool or on the terrace overlooking Lake Victoria. Our lodge is on the outskirts of Kampala city, so if you'd like to explore the city in more depth the lodge can give advice and assist with arranging a taxi.
Cassia Lodge (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Lodge
After breakfast we'll depart Kampala and head west, driving for around for six hours to Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest game park in Uganda. Along the way we'll break for lunch. Although compact, Mburo is home to 68 different species of mammal including leopard, hyena and buffalo. This area is one of the only places in Uganda where you will find zebra. Upon arrival at Mburo, we'll check into our accommodation which has spectacular panoramic views over the plains.
Late afternoon we'll head out on our first game drive in search of game including impala, hyena, buffalo, waterbuck and zebra. Mburo National Park also contains an extensive wetland area home to numerous hippo and crocodile. We return to our lodge for dinner after which there is the option to sit outside under the magnificent Ugandan night sky around the fire.
Rwakobo Rock Safari Lodge (or similar)
Grade: Premium Lodge
Lake Mburo is the only national park in Uganda where you can experience a safari on foot due to the absence of lion and elephant. After breakfast we'll walk out on to the plains with our guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We'll spend around two hours exploring the African wilderness and should see giraffe, zebra, impala and numerous bird species as well as learning about the local flora such as acacia and papyrus.
After lunch we have the opportunity to take a boat trip on Lake Mburo in search of more birds including kingfisher, fishing eagle and white-winged warbler. As well as birds we hope to see hippo, crocodile and buffalo. See the budgeting section for more details.
After the sun has set we head out for a very special game drive in search of leopard. Although rare, Lake Mburo National Park is the best place in Uganda to see the leopard, especially during night game drives.Wildlife sightings can't be guaranteed, on average 7 out of every 10 groups are lucky enough see them.
The scenic drive to Bwindi National Park will take around six hours travelling through small villages, coffee and banana plantations and rolling hills. We will stop for lunch and to stretch our legs along the way.
We'll arrive in Bwindi National Park mid afternoon, home of the endangered mountain gorillas. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of Africa's most extensive belts of primary forest, with rolling hills and deep river gorges. This varied landscape is also home to a vast range of flora and fauna and rich birdlife. There will be time before dinner to take in the spectacular scenery, after dinner retire to the bar or sit round the fire pit and admire the amazing stars of the African night sky.
Haven Lodge and Rest Camp (or similar)
Today you'll experience what some people define a life changing event: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi! Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. It can take up to eight hours of tracking to find the gorillas, although two to four hours is more typical. But it will definitely be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play and rest, a unique and unforgettable experience! Around four hundred individual mountain gorillas live within the park, representing almost over half the worlds population.
Mountain gorillas (as opposed to lowland gorillas) are one of the world's most endangered species so the entrance and gorilla tracking fees revenue generated from tourism in protected parks such as Bwindi, offer them their only chance of survival. The cost of the gorilla permit is included in the holiday cost.
Distinct from their cousins who live in the open spaces and lowland forests of West Africa, mountain gorillas are found at an altitude of between 1520m and 3650m. Gentle giants and vegetarians, they are normally peaceful unless provoked. Our groups have been rewarded with the thrill of very close encounters.
Today you have the option of joining a guided nature village walk to explore the surroundings of Bwindi. Due to permit availability, we often will have to split the group in two for the gorilla trek. Those who didn't take part on the gorilla trek on day five will go on trek today.
Bwindi is home to over 120 mammal species and 360 species of birdlife many endemic to the region. You might spot red tailed monkeys or colobus monkey whilst out exploring. Amongst the bird species we might see are white tailed blue flycatcher, olive long-tailed cuckoo, black bee eaters, brown necked parrot and the African green broad bill.
Bidding farewell to Bwindi, we cross from Uganda into Rwanda this morning, heading for Volcanoes National Park, within the scenic Virunga mountains. The journey involves crossing from Uganda into Rwanda at the Cyanika border crossing which typically takes around an hour to navigate through.
Home to a population of mountain gorillas as, we'll focus our wildlife viewing to the endangered golden monkey. Volcanoes National park currently hosts two habituated golden monkey troops which we will visit either on the afternoon of day seven or on day eight. Our lodge for the next two nights is situated in expansive gardens, with individual cottages fitted with fires to take the chill out of the evening air. The scenery is here is spectacular, with dense forests spanning 160 squared km and the towering Virunga volcano range dominating the park, the highest of which is over 4500 meters.
Ingagi Lodge (or similar)
A full day to explore Volcanoes National Park. In most cases the trek to see golden monkey will take place this morning. We'll be picked up from our lodge early and meet up with our ranger guide. Golden monkey live in the bamboo thickets located towards the base of the volcano. Typically it takes around an hour to reach the troop, however it can take longer depending on their exact location. Unlike gorillas, they tend not to go into the higher altitudes, so the trekking time is considerably less than the gorilla trek in Bwindi.
The endangered golden monkey live in troops of around 100, led by an alpha male. It is thought that there are only around 4,000 golden monkey left. They mainly feed on bamboo shoots , lichens and leaves. They are very active jumping from tree to tree which can make them challenging to photograph. We trek in groups of up to eight people so depending on the size of our group we may need to split into two groups. We will have an hour with these magnificent primates.
The rest of the day is left free, your leader will be able to make recommendations for optional walks in the area or you can relax back at the lodge.
After breakfast this morning, we drive south to the capital of Rwanda, Kigali. After lunch we will have a tour of the city including a stop at Mt Kigali for scenic views across the city and the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which opened in 2004 to mark the 10th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi people. It serves as a museum detailing the history and consequences of Rwanda's genocide and a place for people to grieve for lost friends and family.
Hotel Des Mille Collines (or similar)
Grade: Premium Hotel
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kigali.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Kigali at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Kigali International Airport (KGL), which is about half anhours' drive from the city centre.
Despite its location close to the Equator, Rwanda enjoys the benefits afforded by the cooling properties of the high altitude, with the mountains presenting decidedly cooler conditions than the rest of the country. The main wet seasons run from Mid-January to April and from mid-October to the middle of December, although rainwear is advisable at any time of the year. Year round average daytime temperatures are generally around 24C, with highs reaching the mid 30s Celcius and the average temperature in Kigali hovering around 19-20.
+2
2 Pin Round
Catholic, Protestant, Adventist, Islam
Kinyarwanda, vernacular Bantu, French, English, Kiswahili.
Although conditions are tropical, hot and humid in the centre and west, the rest of Uganda has a pleasant and comfortable climate. The dry season is generally from December to early March and June to the end of August/early September. Temperature can vary from around 28°C during the day to 12°C in the evening. High mountain areas become much cooler at night. Most of Uganda experiences a double rainy season. Rainfall is moderate, only exceeding 1250mm a year in the higher areas. But it may rain at any time of the year, particularly in equatorial rainforest such as Bwindi. Lake Victoria influences the local weather patterns considerably and ensures the surrounding region is wetter than elsewhere.
+3
3 Pin Flat
Christian, Roman Catholic, Islam
English, Swahili
Day 3 Lake Mburo: Boat safari: Approx. $36 USD per person depending on the group size Optional Cycle ride: 25 USD per person + $ 30 USD per group for UWA guide Day 6 Bwindi: Bwindi guided community walk: Approx. $30 USD per person Basket weaving community visit: Approx. $30 USD per person Porters are available and recommended on the gorilla trek. Local trained porters assist with the walk and can carry daybags. The suggest payment is in the region of $20 USD. Guided nature walk to the waterfalls in Bwindi - Approx. $70 USD per person
Temperatures are warm and humidity is high all year round. But as much of our route in Uganda and Rwanda is driving across high country or at a reasonable altitude, warm clothing is needed particularly at night and in the early morning. Do not bring green fatigues or camouflage jackets/trousers that might be considered of military origin. Lightweight, hard wearing gloves are useful for protecting hands during the gorilla search and helping grip vegetation. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers are recommended for protecting arms and legs against the forest and avoiding insects such as ants biting legs. Lightweight long wool socks which are comfortable for a mountain tropical forest are also recommended.
We recommend strong waterproof walking boots due to nature and altitude of the forest. Its essential to have shoes that have good ankle support (the ones that come above the ankle bone).
20Kg
One main piece of baggage (a soft bag or holdall for ease of loading onto vehicles) plus a small daypack to carry your water, packed lunch, camera and binoculars.
Take a torch (ideally a head torch), insect repellent and a personal water bottle. Binoculars will be useful for game viewing as is a camera with telephoto lens for close-up wildlife shots. Accommodation has mosquito screening where necessary so nets are not required. Walking poles are strongly recommended. A hat and long socks so you can tuck your trousers in for the gorilla trek are also recommended. We strongly recommend that if you intend to take part in the optional bike ride on this tour, you bring your own cycling helmet with you. Cycling helmets will be available to hire locally from a reputable supplier, but we cannot guarantee the structural integrity of local equipment. Most insurance providers require helmets to be worn whilst cycling, so in the event of an accident, it is likely that any insurance claim will be invalidated if you are not wearing a helmet.
Our first hotel outside the Kampala enjoys fine views of Lake Victoria with an expansive dining room and terrace overlooking the lake and surrounding rolling countryside. It's the perfect spot to relax after your flight. The modern bedrooms are spacious with balconies, flat screen TV's and well appointed en suite bathrooms. The hotel has free wi-fi, a bar and a outdoor swimming pool. In Lake Mburo National Park we use a lodge built on a outcrop offering great views of the park. There is a waterhole beneath the dining area where zebra, warthog, impala and bushbuck congregate to drink. The bedrooms are located either in spacious cottages which are dotted around the hill, all offering wonderful views or a larger thatch building. The heart of the property is the striking main lodge where the dining room and well stocked bar is located. There is also a small outdoor swimming pool. Our lodge in Bwindi National Park is ideally located close to the starting point of the gorilla trek, managed by members of the community which enables all profits generated to be invested back to community projects. The bedrooms all have balconies with fantastic views of the forest, the perfect spot to sit back with a drink listening to the sounds of the forest, the birdlife is amazing. The lodge has a restaurant and a bar. It's possible to take part in community walks to discover some of the surrounding villages. Moving onto Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda we use a property ten minutes outside the entrance to the park set in five hectares. Rooms are in large individual cottages with a fire to take the chill off the mountain air and hot water bottles provided at night. Our last hotel on the trip is in Kigali located in the central business district with easy access to the city centre within a walking distance. A modern property with a large outdoor swimming pool , spa, choice of restaurants and bar, it's an ideal location to explore the city.
Dietary requirements:
It’s very important that you let us know of any dietary requirements at least 60 days prior to the departure of your trip because your Leader will pre-plan menus and shop for the majority of the food prior to departure. In Uganda there is very limited availability for specialist food products along the way and leaders will need to pre-advise accommodations of any specific requirements so they can ensure they have options. Please note, without prior notice or if your requirements change while on the trip Explore cannot guarantee all requirements will be catered for.
If you have a specialist diet, including but not limited to vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant and/or coeliac, we strongly recommend you bring some snacks with you as options will be limited, particularly in rural parts of Uganda where specialist food products in supermarkets are very limited and restaurants will often have one or two alternative options on their menus. With prior notice our leaders will always ensure there is a meal for you, however, we must stress we cannot guarantee variety or choice.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry. Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend you also check the FCDO website for the latest advice on entry requirements. Information can change at any time.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
UK nationalities need a visa to enter Uganda and are required to have a visa before the trip. Visas will not be issued on arrival. Visa can be applied for at the Ugandan High Commission in London or online. You can find full details of how to apply on the website of the Ugandan High Commission in London. You should give yourself sufficient time to apply for a visa and make sure when applying that the start date and validity covers the period you wish to travel. Rwanda - You must have a visa to enter Rwanda as a visitor. As a citizen of a Commonwealth country, you can get a free 30-day visa on arrival. You can also apply for an East African Tourist Visa. This is valid for 90 days and allows multiple entry into Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. You can apply for this visa on the 'e-visa' website. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. Please note you are required to have 6 months remaining validity on your passport and a yellow fever certificate to enter Uganda. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. As of 14 November 2022, all travellers to Uganda are required to complete a mandatory Digital Health Declaration form and generate a QR code within 24 hours of arrival. This is applicable for all points of entry/departure, where you may be required to show proof that you have completed the form to health officials, airlines or border staff.
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
We recommend protection against malaria, measles, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A, polio and yellow fever. You must travel with your Yellow Fever vaccination card. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.