Uganda - Rwanda: Safari in the Africa of the Great Lakes

The Ziwa Sanctuary, located between Kampala and the Murchison Falls National Park, is a privileged stopover for wildlife enthusiasts.
In Kampala, you will discover a bustling capital where colonial heritage and local cultures coexist. The mosques and cathedrals are part of the urban landscape and testify to the religious and cultural diversity of the city.
The experience at the sanctuary revolves around observing rhinoceroses, which you will have the opportunity to encounter in their natural environment.

In the afternoon, accompanied by experienced trackers, you will set out on foot in search of rhinoceroses in the savannah plains. This approach helps minimize environmental impact and preserve the tranquility of the animals. Before departure, guides will present you with safety guidelines and accompany you in observing these mammals.
An encounter with a rhinoceros is a memorable moment of the journey. During this walk, you will also observe local flora and varied wildlife. The Ziwa Sanctuary is home to over 250 bird species, which the rangers will help you identify and understand.
This experience at the Ziwa Sanctuary fosters a direct approach to Uganda's nature and wildlife.

Your day begins with a guided walk in search of the shoebill, a rare species that can be observed in the marshland areas of the Ziwa sanctuary. This morning excursion also allows you to identify other bird species present in this environment rich in biodiversity.
After this morning outing, you head towards the Murchison Falls National Park, located in the north of the Albertine Rift.
Upon arrival, you enjoy lunch at the lodge before setting off for a safari in the heart of the park.

The Murchison Falls Park is known for its waterfalls, where the Nile passes through a narrow gorge before plunging into the canyons. This site also attracts travelers interested in wildlife observation.
During your safari, you will be able to observe different species such as elephants, buffalo, warthogs, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, as well as lions and many bird species, including ibis. Discovered in 1864, this park today harbors significant biodiversity and a large concentration of African mammals.
The Nile, which flows through the park, structures the landscapes by creating a contrast between the savanna plains and areas of denser vegetation, offering an environment conducive to wildlife observation.

After leaving Murchison Falls National Park, you will take a dirt track leading to the heart of the Nile Delta, an area marked by the presence of papyrus marshes. You will reach the Waseko fishing village, where local life is organized around fishing activities, rhythmed by variations in water and wind.
On the Waseko market square, you will discover a diversity of products, often intended for exchanges with Congolese traders. Among the local specialties, tilapia and catfish are smoked on large racks, according to traditional methods. This stop immerses you in the daily life of fishing communities in the region.

Continuing your journey, you will travel along the western branch of the Albertine Rift, where Lake Albert extends with its steep banks. You will observe herds of zebu accompanied by Alur pastors, while women tend to cassava and cotton crops and maintain traditional thatched-roof dwellings.
You will then pass through Butiaba, a former lake port, located on a narrow strip of land bordered by borassus palms, extending into the waters of Lake Albert. This place bears witness to the past activity and natural setting of the region.
The road continues by climbing the rift cliffs, offering views over the valley. You then cross an agricultural area before reaching Kabwoya Reserve, a protected area conducive to wildlife observation and landscape discovery.

The day begins with a walk discovering the shores of Lake Albert, a wild region offering exceptional landscapes. The reserve, created in 2002, is home to rich wildlife, including buffalo, hippopotamuses, Uganda kob antelopes and warthogs, as well as many primate species. Bird lovers will also find their happiness there, although the beauty of the landscapes is the main attraction of this region.
This stop is a pleasant detour for travelers heading from Murchison Falls National Park to the Kibale Forest, where you will then head.

The adventure continues on a laterite track crossing Uganda's rural areas, in the heart of traditional countryside and villages. The journey from Hoima to Fort Portal takes you through altitude plateaus, where deep valleys reveal rivers sometimes transformed into marshes. Along the way, you cross several villages, meeting places for farmers transporting their harvests.
As you progress southward, the landscapes evolve with the appearance of vast tea plantations. After the Kyanjojo junction, the terrain becomes more pronounced, announcing the approach of the Rwenzori Mountains, known as the Mountains of the Moon. On clear days, their peaks can reveal themselves before your arrival at the edge of the Kibale Forest.

After exploring the Kibale tropical forest, you will head to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in the heart of the Albertine Rift. This park extends around Lakes Edward and George, connected by the Kazinga Channel, which you will discover during a boat cruise, ideal for wildlife observation.
The park presents a diversity of landscapes, between extinct volcanoes, crater lakes, marshes and grassy plains. These natural environments are home to varied wildlife, including numerous bird species observable along the channel, where buffalo and elephants come to drink.
On the hills, candelabra euphorbias structure the landscape and shelter different species, such as Ugandan kobs, lechwe kobs and bushpigs.

Leaving the Mweya Peninsula, you will head towards the Ishasha Plains, a region of the Queen Elizabeth National Park known for observing lions perched in trees, a behavior characteristic of this area.
The Ishasha region is home to diverse wildlife, including Uganda kob, topis and buffalo roaming the open plains. You will also explore the Lake Edward marshes as well as savanna areas located around the Kigezi massif, where you may observe elephants and various bird species.
This sector offers a wildlife safari experience in the heart of a natural environment conducive to observing fauna.

Your day begins with a morning wildlife observation tour in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will once again admire the rich fauna of this emblematic region.

After this stage, you will take the road towards the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, recognized for being home to mountain gorillas.
Along the way, you will cross a succession of landscapes, between grassy hills dotted with herds watched over by Banyaankole pastors and valleys where banana and coffee crops extend. These panoramas illustrate the diversity of agricultural landscapes in the region.
You will spend the night on the edge of the Bwindi National Park, before continuing your discovery of this natural environment.

Leaving the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you will cross landscapes with varied shades of green. Eucalyptus trees structure the agricultural plots, while cypresses line the tracks and rice paddies occupy the valleys.
As you progress, the track offers you views of the volcano chain, visible over much of the route. At Kisoro, you take the lava road leading to the Rwandan border, before reaching the shores of Lake Kivu.
You will spend the night in Gisenyi, in a hotel located facing the lake, with a clear view of its waters.

Your day around the Lake Kivu begins by crossing Rwandan landscapes, taking a laterite track that winds through a large tea plantation. You will be able to observe the work of the pickers and discover the gestures related to this local crop.
From hill to hill, you cross villages bordered by cassava and sweet potato fields. As you gain altitude, you enjoy views of the shores of Lake Kivu and the numerous islands that dot its waters. This stage allows you to understand the landscapes and atmosphere of this region of Rwanda.

Stop at Karongi for lunch at Cormoran Lodge, a hotel located on the shores of the lake. In the afternoon, you depart for a boat excursion in Kibuye Bay, heading towards Napoleon Island, known for its shape and the presence of bat colonies. This navigation allows you to observe the lake landscapes from another angle.

The morning is dedicated to a moment of relaxation on the banks of the Lake Kivu, in a setting conducive to observing the landscapes and discovering the atmosphere of the place.

After lunch, you will head towards Kigali, the capital of Rwanda and the economic and administrative center of the country.
With a population of approximately one million inhabitants, Kigali is spread over several hills, offering views of the surrounding area. Depending on available time, you may visit certain sites in the city, including the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Center, an important place of remembrance.
You will also have the opportunity to stop by local supermarkets to do some shopping.

At the end of the day, transfer to Kigali airport for your return flight, marking the end of your stay in Rwanda.