Adventure in Uganda and Rwanda: safaris, primates and great lakes

Located halfway between Kampala and Murchison Falls National Park, the Ziwa Sanctuary constitutes a key stopover for travelers following this itinerary.
In Kampala, the dynamic capital, you discover a striking blend of styles, where colonial heritage mingles with local cultures. Mosques and cathedrals coexist there, creating a characteristic urban landscape. Most travelers then continue their journey to Ziwa to observe these impressive rhinoceroses up close in their natural environment.

In the afternoon, you set out on foot with professional trackers in search of rhinoceroses in the vast savanna plains. After a briefing on essential safety guidelines, you are guided through the sanctuary's ecosystem to approach the animals in their natural environment. This encounter, conducted with respect for wildlife, constitutes a memorable moment of your experience.

During the walk, you also discover the richness of the local flora and fauna. The Ziwa Sanctuary is home to over 250 bird species, which the rangers help you observe and identify. An authentic immersion in the heart of nature.

After breakfast, you set off on a guided walk in search of the famous shoebill, as well as many other bird species found in the region.

Following this birdwatching visit, you drive towards the Murchison Falls National Park, located at the northern tip of the Albertine Rift. Lunch at the lodge.

The afternoon is dedicated to a safari in the heart of this emblematic park, renowned for its waterfalls and wildlife diversity. You can observe elephants, buffalo, warthogs, ibis, lions, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and many other species, particularly along the waterways. Discovered in 1864, this park is home to significant biodiversity and a large number of African mammals. Crossed by the Nile, it offers panoramic views of the African savanna and bush.

Dinner and night at Murchison River Lodge – thatched tent.

At the exit of the park, a narrow track leads you through the papyrus of the vast delta to the fishing village of Wanseko. Here, life is organized to the rhythm of the catches, in the heart of a maze of channels whose course varies according to winds and floods. Water is omnipresent, and the local market comes alive around a great diversity of goods, often exchanged with smugglers from Congo. Fish, tilapia and captain fish, is smoked on large racks.

The western branch of the Rift is occupied by the Lake Albert and its coastal fringe. You encounter herds of cattle kept by Alur pastors, recognizable by their bearing, while women cultivate cassava, cotton and maintain the thatched roofs of their traditional huts.

At Butiaba, a former active port, a narrow strip of land bordered by borassus palms extends into the warm waters of the lake. The site offers a peaceful atmosphere. The road then climbs the steep cliff of the Rift, crosses an agricultural region and leads you to the Kabwoya Reserve.

Dinner and night at Lake Albert Lodge.

Created in 2002, the Lake Albert reserve is home to buffalo, hippopotamuses, Uganda kob, warthogs and many species of primates. While wildlife is well represented, it is especially the landscapes that leave a lasting impression on visitors. This stop is an interesting detour for those traveling between Murchison Falls National Park and Kibale Forest. A guided walk allows you to discover the shores of Lake Albert on foot.

The day continues with crossing rural Uganda, traveling along a winding laterite track between Hoima and Fort Portal. You cross a region of elevated plateaus cut through by deep valleys, where rivers transform into marshes. Numerous villages dot the route, serving as exchange points for farmers transporting their harvests on their backs. This region's economy is based mainly on agriculture and livestock.

Further south, vast tea plantations stretch as far as the eye can see. After Kyanjojo, the terrain becomes more rugged, announcing the foothills of the Rwenzori Massif. If the sky is clear, you may glimpse snow-capped peaks. You arrive in late afternoon at the edges of Kibale Forest.

Dinner and overnight stay at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge.

You will join today the Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in the heart of the Rift. This remarkable park encompasses Lakes Edward and George, connected by the natural Kazinga channel, which you will explore during a cruise.

Between extinct volcanoes, crater lakes, marshes and vast grassy plains, the diversity of landscapes creates great ecological richness. More than 500 bird species are recorded there, which you will have the opportunity to observe along the channel, where buffalo and elephants come to drink. On the hills covered with candelabra euphorbia, you may also encounter Uganda kobs, Uganda hartebeest and hylocheres.

Dinner and night at Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge.

You are leaving today the Mweya peninsula to reach the Ishasha sector, known for its lions resting in trees, a characteristic behavior of this region.
In the vast plains of the Kigezi mountain range and the Edward Lake marshes, you can observe a high concentration of wild animals: large herds of Uganda kobs, topis, buffalo, as well as elephants and many bird species.

Dinner and night at Enjojo lodge.

The day begins with a wildlife observation circuit in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering a final opportunity to observe savanna wildlife.

You then take the road towards the Bwindi National Park. Along the way, you cross rolling landscapes where bare grass hills are roamed by herds of Banyaankole pastoralists. The steep valleys shelter dense plantations mixing banana and coffee plants.

Dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp – standard room.

Leaving Bwindi, you cross landscapes with multiple shades of green: the bluish-green of eucalyptus trees that delineate the plots, the dark green of cypress trees bordering the tracks, and the tender green of rice fields nestled at the bottom of narrow valleys.
Along the track, you enjoy a clear view of the volcanic chain. At Kisoro, the lava road branches off towards the Rwandan border. You continue towards Lake Kivu and spend the night in Gisenyi, in a hotel with a view of the lake.

Dinner and night at the Palm Beach.

You enjoy the morning on the shores of Lake Kivu before heading to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda and the country's economic and administrative center. Built on several hills, Kigali has approximately one million inhabitants.

Weather permitting, a city tour is planned, including the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Center as well as a stop for some souvenir shopping in local supermarkets.

Transfer to the airport at the end of the day for your return flight.