Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast at 8:00 AM, your safari guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala for a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, stop at the Uganda Equator Line for memorable photos and a brief demonstration of the earth’s hemispheres. The journey continues through charming villages, rolling hills, and vast cultivated farmlands before reaching the lush tea plantations that mark the approach to the park. Enjoy breathtaking views from the escarpment overlooking the sweeping savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on your travel time, lunch will be served en route or upon arrival at your lodge. Check in, freshen up, and unwind as you take in the peaceful atmosphere of the African wilderness.
Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start your day early with breakfast before setting out at 7:00 AM for a thrilling morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the Kasenyi Plains and other prime wildlife areas as you search for Africa’s legendary Big Five — including elephants, lions, buffaloes, and leopards — along with other fascinating species like Ugandan kobs, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, hyenas, and waterbucks.
After lunch, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. This scenic cruise offers excellent opportunities to spot large pods of hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and Nile crocodiles cooling off by the water’s edge. Keep your camera ready for the park’s vibrant birdlife, including African fish eagles, kingfishers, and the rare shoebill stork.
Conclude your day with a short evening game drive before returning to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by the peaceful sounds of the African wilderness.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After an early breakfast, depart at around 6:00 AM for chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest, one of Uganda’s best destinations to encounter these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Enjoy the thrill of watching chimpanzees swinging through the trees, grooming each other, and playing — a truly fascinating experience that highlights the closeness between humans and our closest relatives.
Following your trek, embark on a scenic road trip to Kabale, Uganda’s highest town at an altitude of about 2,000 meters. The drive offers breathtaking views of rolling hills, terraced farms, and vibrant countryside landscapes.
You will continue to the stunning Lake Bunyonyi, known as Africa’s deepest crater lake and affectionately called the “Place of Little Birds.” Relax by the lakeside, take in the tranquil atmosphere, and enjoy a delicious dinner before settling in for the night at your lodge overlooking the lake.
Day 4: Boat Ride on Lake Bunyonyi, Visit Batwa Community & Transfer to Kisoro
After breakfast, set out for a cultural walk along the southwestern shores of Lake Bunyonyi, where you’ll explore traditional villages and interact with the Batwa pygmy community. These indigenous people, once forest dwellers, share fascinating stories about their lifestyle, customs, and relationship with nature.
You may also witness locals crossing the hills from Rwanda to Uganda to trade goods at the nearby markets — a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural exchange.
In the afternoon, enjoy a peaceful canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi, gliding across its calm waters and passing by its picturesque islands surrounded by terraced hills. Later, embark on a scenic road trip to Kisoro, a charming town nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, where you’ll check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park and Transfer to Gisenyi, Rwanda
After an early breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up at 7:00 AM and drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for registration and a briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure. Accompanied by armed rangers and professional guides, you’ll begin your trek from the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes into the dense tropical forest in search of a mountain gorilla family.
The trek can take anywhere between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location and your hiking pace. Once you find them, spend an unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, play, and interact in their natural habitat — a truly life-changing experience.
After your trek, meet your guide at the park base and begin the scenic drive across the border into Rwanda, arriving in Gisenyi, a charming lakeside town on the shores of Lake Kivu. Check in at your lodge, relax, and enjoy the peaceful evening by the lake.
Day 6: Visit Hot Springs, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Center & Transfer to Kigali
After breakfast at 8:00 AM, start your day with a visit to the hot springs and Lake Kivu, where you can enjoy the stunning lakeside scenery and relax by the water. Around 11:00 AM, begin your scenic drive toward Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city.
Along the way, stop in Musanze for lunch before visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Center in Kinigi, a living museum that showcases Rwanda’s rich traditions and heritage. Here, you’ll experience the captivating Intore Dance, once performed by the elite warriors of Rwanda’s royal army. These dancers were trained in both combat and art, famous for their powerful rhythm and high jumps reaching over two meters.
The Intore performance, which gained international fame during the 1958 World Expo in Brussels, remains one of Rwanda’s most treasured cultural displays. Dressed in traditional attire made from sisal fibers and ankle bells that jingle with every movement, the dancers perform with grace and intensity — symbolizing courage, unity, and friendship.
After this fascinating cultural experience, continue your journey to Kigali, where you’ll check into your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Kigali City Tour, Genocide Memorial & Transfer to Kibuye
After breakfast at 9:00 AM, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, a place of solemn remembrance honoring the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Here, you will learn about Rwanda’s tragic history, reflect on the resilience of its people, and gain a deeper understanding of the events that claimed over a million lives in just 100 days.
Following the memorial, enjoy a guided tour of Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital. Explore the city’s thriving markets, modern infrastructure, and picturesque mountainous terrain, showcasing a remarkable contrast between its recent history and its present-day prosperity.
After lunch in Kigali, embark on a scenic drive to Kibuye, a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Kivu, where you will check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Napoleon Island & Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
After breakfast at 9:00 AM, embark on a boat trip to Napoleon Island on Lake Kivu. This island, also known as Nyamunini Island, rises over 100 meters above the lake, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding islands and shoreline. From a distance, the island’s distinctive shape resembles the iconic hats worn by European army officers in the 18th century, earning it the name Napoleon Island.
Napoleon Island is home to fascinating wildlife and bird species. Tall trees provide a habitat for palm nut vultures and African fish eagles, while species like hammerkop and kingfishers are commonly spotted. The island is also famous for its large colony of straw-colored fruit bats, with as many as 40,000 bats roosting here.
After your island exploration, return to the hotel for lunch before embarking on a scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of East Africa’s most pristine rainforest reserves, where you’ll check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest & Transfer to Bujumbura, Burundi
After breakfast at 8:00 AM, depart your lodge for an unforgettable canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Begin the experience along the 2.1 km Igishigishi hiking trail, which leads to a 160-meter-long suspended bridge high above the forest canopy. This gentle hike offers occasional steep points due to the mountainous terrain, but it is manageable for first-time hikers and families.
As you walk across the canopy bridge, enjoy breathtaking views of the lush rainforest, spot native birds and monkeys, and capture memorable photos. Be sure to wear hiking shoes or boots, carry a rain jacket, water, snacks, and your camera for the best experience.
Return to your lodge around 12:00 PM for lunch before embarking on a scenic drive to Bujumbura, Burundi, where you’ll check in at your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 10: Drive to Gitega, National Museum & Burundi Drummers
After breakfast at 9:00 AM, depart for Gitega, the cultural heart of Burundi. Upon arrival, visit the National Museum to explore Burundian history, traditions, and cultural heritage.
After checking in at your hotel and enjoying lunch, immerse yourself in Burundian culture at the Gishora Drum Sanctuary. Witness an exhilarating performance by the world-famous Burundi drummers, known for their precise rhythms and captivating dances. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn traditional drumming and dance, making for an interactive and unforgettable experience.
Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 11: Drive Back to Bujumbura & City Tour
After breakfast at 8:00 AM, drive back to Bujumbura, Burundi’s largest city. Upon arrival, visit the Belvedere Hill, a prominent vantage point offering spectacular panoramic views of Lake Tanganyika and the surrounding cityscape.
After lunch, take a short drive of about 10 kilometers south to La Pierre de Stanley et Livingstone, the historic stone marking the spot where famed explorers Henry Morton Stanley and David Livingstone rested during their quest to discover the source of the Nile.
Return to your hotel in Bujumbura for dinner and an overnight stay, reflecting on the remarkable landscapes, history, and culture you’ve experienced throughout your journey.
Day 12: Departure from Bujumbura
After breakfast, enjoy some personal time for shopping or last-minute sightseeing in Bujumbura. Later, your driver will transfer you to Bujumbura International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable 12-day safari through Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
