RWANDA – UGANDA

After breakfast, we will visit the Genocide Memorial — the main and most important memorial site dedicated to the tragic events of 1994, when around one million people were killed during the genocide against the Tutsi.

After the memorial tour, we will head towards the border with Congo, to the shores of the picturesque Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is one of the region's most picturesque natural gems. It is nestled among green hills that create unique landscapes.

The shores of Lake Kivu are adorned with cozy villages, while coffee plantations stretch across the surrounding slopes, adding a special charm to the local landscapes.

The water in the lake is known for its purity and clarity, making it safe to swim here.

Total travel time — 4–5 hours.

In the morning, we will enjoy a boat ride on the lake, during which we will visit a very colorful local fishing village.

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

In the afternoon, we will visit the cultural village of Ibi’iwacu, where you can see a traditional dance show reflecting Rwanda’s rich heritage. During the performance, local artists use energetic dances, traditional music, and authentic costumes to tell the story of their people’s history, customs, and cultural traditions.

Total travel time — approximately 3–4 hours

Today we will have the opportunity to see golden monkeys!

First, there will be a mandatory briefing, during which the rangers will explain the rules of conduct before we begin the trek.

After the briefing, we will embark on an exciting trek to see the golden monkeys—one of the park’s most fascinating inhabitants. The trek is fairly easy and usually takes between two and four hours, depending on where the animals are that day.

After the trek, we will travel to Uganda, go through passport control, and continue to the Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi.

We will check into our lodge in the Ruhinjia sector.

The total travel time is approximately 4 hours.

Today we will have a unique experience! After receiving instructions from the park rangers, we will head into the jungle to see gorillas in their natural habitat — such things are remembered for a lifetime! The trekking time can last up to 8 hours* depending on the location of the animals.

The mountain gorilla is the largest representative of the great ape family. An adult male can weigh up to 210 kg, and its height in a vertical position reaches approximately 1.8 meters, although these animals do not stand fully upright often.

Only about a thousand mountain gorillas remain in the wild, so they are among the rarest primates in the world. A significant part of the population lives in Uganda, in the Bwindi forest. Today, these primates can only be found in one region of Africa — in the areas near the borders of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.

In the evening, we will visit the Batwa pygmies. For many millennia, the Batwa lived in complete harmony with nature as hunters and gatherers. The mountain forests, in particular the territory of Bwindi National Park, were their only home, where they obtained food, gathered medicinal plants, and performed their rituals. In the 1990s, during the creation of national parks to protect mountain gorillas and biodiversity, the governments of the countries evicted the Batwa from their historical forest lands. Left without access to the forest, the Batwa faced a difficult process of adapting to modern life. They often remain one of the least protected social groups in the region, fighting for their rights to land and education.

We will see with our own eyes the modern lifestyle of the tribe and the conditions in which they live. We will also be able to buy handmade souvenirs from them that they make.

*If you do not want to go trekking to search for gorillas, you can stay at the lodge.

Today we have another early start. After breakfast, we’ll travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

In the afternoon, an exciting boat trip awaits on the Kazinga Channel—the main waterway of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This channel stretches for 32 km and connects two picturesque lakes, Edward and George, located at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains.

In the evening, we’ll check into our lodge and discuss our busy day over a cup of aromatic tea.

Total travel time—about 4 hours.

Today we will continue our introduction to Queen Elizabeth National Park. After breakfast, we will board jeeps and set off on a safari in search of lions and leopards. During the safari, you may also see other animals that live in the park: hyenas, elephants, warthogs, various species of hooved animals, and other wildlife.

After the safari, a long drive awaits us to Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, we will cross the Equator, where we will stop for a photo.

Travel time is 7–8 hours.

Early in the morning, we set off on a safari to Murchison Falls National Park — Uganda's largest reserve. Its territory covers about 3840 km² and impresses with its diversity of natural landscapes and richness of wildlife.

Over 76 species of mammals and about 450 species of birds live in the park. The elevation of the area varies from 619 meters above sea level in the delta region to 1292 meters near Rubondo Hill, creating diverse natural conditions.

The main jewel of the park is the Nile River, which crosses its territory and forms the majestic Murchison Falls. It is precisely this waterfall, where the mighty waters of the Nile break through a narrow gorge, that gave its name to one of Africa's most famous national parks.

In the afternoon, we transfer from jeeps to a boat. A boat safari awaits us — a journey by boat up the Nile upstream to the majestic Murchison Falls. During the route, we will be able to observe wildlife from close range: numerous groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and animals that come to the river to drink.

Then we will set off on a trek to the top of Murchison Falls, where impressive panoramas open up and the incredible power of nature can be felt.

After breakfast, we leave the lodge and head to the Budongo Forest—one of the grandest, most picturesque, and largest tropical forests in East Africa. About 600–800 chimpanzees live in the forest’s dense undergrowth. This is one of the best places in Uganda to see our closest genetic relatives in the wild. In addition to chimpanzees, eight other primate species live here: black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and baboons.

After lunch, we set off for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary—the only place in Uganda where white rhinos can be seen in their natural habitat. An exciting trek awaits us, offering a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent animals up close.

Travel time: 3–4 hours.

After breakfast, we continue our journey to Entebbe. Along the way, we will be accompanied by the picturesque landscapes of Uganda.

We check into the hotel, board boats, and set off in search of the mysterious shoebill stork. The Mabamba swamps, located on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, are considered the best place on the planet to observe this unique bird with its "prehistoric" appearance in its natural habitat.

Our journey has come to an end. After breakfast, we will have a transfer to the airport and fly home.

If you wish, you can go to Kenya to relax by the ocean.