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Crystal SafarisPlot 4333, Block 244, Kisugu - Muyenga, Kampala, Uganda

Phone: +256 (0) 414 345 742 / Email: [email protected]

8 DAYS UGANDA,,RWANDA GORILLA & WILDLIFE SAFARI

SAFARI OVERVIEW

This 7 Days Uganda Rwanda gorilla & wildlife safari offers you an opportunity to explore primates,wildlife and scenery in Uganda and Rwanda. The safari starts in Kampala – Uganda and ends in Ki-gali – Rwanda. You undertake Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale National Park where you have chances to encounter largest populations of habituated chimpanzees in the region alongside other 12 species of primate, Bigodi wetland walk for birds and swamp animals like Sitatunga, re-warding game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth where you have chances of encountering li-ons, buffaloes, elephants, Antelopes, Hippos and Nile crocodiles in Kazinga channel and a wider pool of birds. The double gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Volcanoes will give you a different taste of trekking these critically endangered apes in different terrain and environment. The mixture of these safari products qualifies this Uganda Rwanda trip worthy undertaking.

Detailed itinerary

DAY 1:PICK UP FROM THE AIRPORT

Pick up from the airport you will be welcomed by one of representative from crystal safaris and youwill be transferred to your hotel or lodge for dinner and overnight at

Luxury: Serena hotel Kampala

Midrange: Cassia Lodge

Budget: Red Chili Rest camp Kampala

DAY 2:KAMPALA-TRANSFER TO KIBALE NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kibale National Park 358km about 7 hours’ drive from Kampala. You will enjoy the scenic views of the farmed hill sides of Uganda not forgetting the views of Mubende inselbergs.

Crystal Safaris, Kampala, Uganda - Phone: +256 (0) 414 345 742 / Email: [email protected]



You will reach in Kibale in time for lunch check-in at the hotel after lunch and there after you will embark on the trek. The trek involves passing through the jungle of Kibale dubbed the primate capi-tal of the world with over 13 species of primates some of which you will luckily come across duringyour Chimpanzee trekking including colobus monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboon, Red tailed monkey among others. The enchanting songs of Birds will keep you entertained in this 2 – 5 hour trek.

One full hour is at your disposal to explore the Chim-panzees in detail and ascertain the external considerationsas to why they are dubbed man’s close relative. Watch the chimpanzee as they eat fruits, play, socialize and swing in tree branches as you take as many photos as youcan. Encounter Bigodi wetland sanctuary in the afternoonto take the rewarding swamp walk with amazing bird sights including the Ruwenzori Turaco and swamp ani-mals like Sitatunga. The communities around Bigodi of-fer a close touch of tourist – host interaction. Dinner at,

Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge

Midrange: Crater Safari Lodge

Budget: Crater Safari Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 3: TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK $ DO CRATER DRIVE

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 4 hours’ drive from Kibale. The journey offers the scenic views of the magical Mountains of the moon that stand high up in the clouds at an elevation of 5,109m above sea level towards the west. You will ar-rive in Queen Elizabeth National park early for lunch after which you will embark on the crater drive in the afternoon for amazing scenic viewing.

The range of explosion craters lay in a se-quence justifying the work of the earth processes that characterized the area. Crater lakes like Lake Nyamunuka, Lake Murumuli and Lake Kitagata can be seen on this drive. Dinner and overnight at,

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge




Budget: Marafiki Safari Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

DAY 4:QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK GAME DRIVE $ BOAT CRUISE

Wake up very for a cup of coffee before setting of for the game drive activity in the savannah game park of Queen Elizabeth. The early departure at 06:00 gives you an opportunity to see night hunters like hynas getting back to their hiding places and early risers setting off to look for what to eat.

The drive through the Kasenyi tracks gives a probable opportunity to see a range of game including; Lions, buffalo, elephants, elusive leopard (if too lucky), antelopes among other wildlife. Return to the lodge after this 3 -4 hour game drive and relax till lunch time. After lunch, you will gather at Mweya for a recreational afternoon launch cruise leaving at 03:00pm taking 2 hours ex-ploring the magical offerings of KazingaChannel including the sights of water birds and wild game drinking on the channel side, the Nile crocodile and the

Hippos. The 45m channel that stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward has tranquil waters that always give pleasure and psychological satisfaction to any traveller on Uganda safaris. Retire from the boat at 5 pm for overnight. Dinner and overnight at your Queen Elizabeth National Park lodge.

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge

Budget: Marafiki Safari Lodge


DAY 5:TRANSFER TO BWINDI & VISIT TREE CLIMBING LIONS EN-ROUTE

After breakfast, transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi (Rushaga) 309km about 7 – 8 hours’ drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you have chances of spotting tree climbing lions lying on treebranches in the midmorning warm sunshine. Proceed to Bwindi in the evening and check to your lodge for relaxation and overnight at,




Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge

Midrange: Gorilla Safari Lodge

Budget: Gorilla Safari Lodge


DAY 6:GORILLA TREKKING

It is this long waited date when you will come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas that only exist in Bwindi and Virunga Volcanoes. You will wake up early for a heavy breakfast be-fore gathering at the Park headquarters Rushaga for briefing at 08:00 about the conduct of gorilla trekking.

You will head to the forest after briefing in search of these apes and though the trekis a bit challenging, it is one of those ac-tivities that you will never forget to have done in Uganda. The 2 – 8 hours activity involves hiking up the hills, descending down the valleys, walking through swamps and maneuvering the way through thickets which have formed the background of this Impenetrable forest before coming in direct contact with goril-las. The one full hour is at your disposal to maximize your experience with gorillasas you them forage, play, socialize and also gaze at you in a sign of welcoming and saying good bye. The experience is

rewarding and worthy undertaking. Your picnic lunch will take you through the activity after which you will descend to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening, you can visit the communities in Rubuguri area to have a taste of the surrounding people. You will spend an overnight at,

Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge

Midrange: Gorilla Safari Lodge

Budget: Gorilla Safari Lodge


DAY 7:TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK &CAVES WALK




After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park 93km from Rushaga. You will drive along the stunning views of Virunga Volcanoes that connect the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The scenic views of Lake Mutanda – a re-known lava dammed lake gives you the taste of the influence of volcanic activity in the formation of landform

features.

Continue on the drive to arrive in Volca-noes National Park for lunch and short relaxation after which you take on a caves walk activity to marvel at this nat-ural feature with great historical signifi-cance in the traditional Rwanda as they provided refugee for the Kings and stor-age for supplies during times of war. Retreat for overnight at,

Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Midrange: Gorilla Volcanoes Musanze

Budget: Kimigi Guest House


DAY 8:GORILLA TREKKING & TRANSFER TO KIGALI CITY

Wake up very early for breakfast such that by 8:00am, you are already at the park headquarters –Kinigi for briefing and eventual gorilla trekking experience. During this session, you are allocated to a gorilla family to track and if with a special case, rangers can be consulted for special arrange-

ment. You will head off to the volcanic lush vegetation in search of gorillas.

The trek is quite thrilling as you go through amazing landscapes amidst bird sights and other wildlife crossing includ-ing monkeys, wild pigs and if lucky wildelephants. The trek takes 2 – 8 hours as gorillas are unpredictable thus packed lunch is required. The jungle sounds willaccompany you up to that long waited moment of direct contact with gorillas. You will see them as they forage, play,

socialize and sometimes charge. The state of wonder that will engulf your heart could leave your camera film with no space for other encounters. The full one hour is enough to optimize this experi-




ence after which you will retreat to the starting point to embark on your 116km journey about 3 hours’ drive to Kigali city to mark the end of this safari.

END OF SAFARI

QUOTATION BASED ON 2 PAX SHARING

BUDGET: 2 PAX $3827

MIDRANGE: 2PAX $4223.

LUXURY: 2 PAX $5305.

INCLUSIVE

Accommodation on full board Two gorilla permits per person Uganda & Rwanda Park fees Ground transportation in a 4WD Services and allowances of an English speaking driver-guide Nature walks Community walks Game drives Boat cruises Park fees Complimentary mineral water in the safari vehicle. All arrival and departure transfers.

EXCLUSIVE

All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc. Tips Travel Insurance Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Any local or international flight and departure taxes. Laundry services. Any other item(s) not included in our itinerary.


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