9 DAYS UGANDA ADVENTURE AND CULTURAL SAFARI - 9 Days

Day 1: Entebbe to Kampala
Arrive Entebbe for a warm meet and greet to transfer to Kampala for the night. A drive around Kampala city will be possible if your flight arrives early in the day. Check into your overnight hotel and rest. Dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge – mid-range facility Meal plan: dinner

Day 2: Kampala – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Our driver guide will pick you up from your overnight accommodation at 6:45am to head westwards to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Make a first stop over at the Equator crossing for photography and coffee for those who may wish to have some. Have lunch in Mbarara and thereafter drive on to the park arriving in the evening for a sunset game drive. Queen Elizabeth National Park is possibly Uganda’s most popular National Park with a population of about 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species and lies at an altitude of 1350m above sea level at the highest point and 910m at the lowest point. This park is also endowed with a fascinating history and magnificent scenery views of the Rwenzori (“mountains of the moon”) among others. The park‘s first name was Kazinga National Park and later christened Queen Elizabeth National park after Queen Elizabeth 11 ‘s visit. A game drive in search of wildlife provides good chances to see lions, hyena, hippopotamus, warthogs, elephants, and Cape buffalo among others. Dinner and overnight at Elephant Plains - mid-range facility. Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
From 6:00am - an early morning game drive along Kasenyi and Queens Mile provides good opportunities for visitors to encounter elephants, buffalo, water bucks, warthogs, lions, Uganda Kobs, lakes and a variety of birds. Your game drive will last up to about 4 hours; thereafter return to the lodge for refreshments and breakfast. Embark on the journey to Bwindi with packed lunch. Arrive Bwindi to rest and unwind in preparation for the next day’s long awaited gorilla tracking experience. Dinner and overnight at Mahogany Springs Lodge - upmarket facility. Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – gorilla tracking
The day is dedicated to Gorilla tracking which begins at 8:00 am with a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Please bring with you a rain jacket, long pants drinking water, snacks, good comfortable hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent etc. for a great experience. The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy Primates in the group you have been booked for. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorillas which is perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The tracking may take between 2 and 8 hours but it’s a well worth the effort. Time permitting, on return from the jungle you will go for a village walk/community visit for a great opportunity to see how the indigenous people live. This is delightful moment to have in Bwindi as it gives you the opportunity learn and take time to appreciate the life of the local people. Dinner and overnight at, Mahogany Springs Lodge – upmarket. Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Bwindi National Park – Lake Bunyonyi
Relaxed breakfast and full of memories about the mountain gorillas transfer to Lake Bunyonyi also known as the home of many little birds. Drive to Lake Bunyonyi via Kabale a region popularly known by many tourists as the ‘Switzerland of. Africa. Arrive in the afternoon to have lunch, rest and unwind. A sunny day will provide an opportunity to go out in the evening to encounter a beautiful sundowner. Dinner and overnight Arcadia Cottages - mid-range Meal plan: breakfast lunch, dinner

Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi – Relaxed breakfast and thereafter a morning cultural visit to the Batwa Pygmies community to explore their life style and do some birding along Lake Bunyonyi. Afternoon boat trip to the islands for a guided nature walk, and sightseeing. Dinner and overnight at Arcadia Cottages - mid-range Meal plan: breakfast lunch, dinner

Day 7: Rwanda – Ruhegenri – Cultural experience
Today we start off early full of life memories about the gentle giants of Bwindi and the Batwa people, heading out by 6:30am after breakfast aiming to reach the Rwanda border early enough to beat the border queues in good time - lunch is en-route. Cross over and head straight to Ruhengeri. Arrive to check in and spend the afternoon visiting a local family in Ruhengeri community. Learn from them how to make local crafts, and cook like an indigenous person. Have a look at some local music instruments, watch a local dance and share a meal if time allows. Dinner and overnight at La Palme Hotel - mid-range Meal Plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Ruhengeri – Kigali
After breakfast we drive to Kigali to enjoy more cultural experiences. Visit the genocide memorial center to understand Rwanda’s genocide experience and how they have recovered from it. Go to a modern but traditional market with an African historical heritage where local artists & food vendors show case their goods. This Cultural Village also houses events, workshops, festivals and music shows. This is a good place to understand Rwanda’s history and growth through the years to date. Have lunch in Kigali City. After lunch, visit Juru Park the highest point of Kigali for great views of the City and its country side. Complete your tour with a visit to Crystal view cocktail lounge on 8th floor of Top Tower Hotel for a feel of Rwanda’s post genocide developments. The great views atop this hotel attest that Rwanda is indeed the “land of a thousand hills” Dinner and overnight at Mills Collins Hotel - mid range facility Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Today we depart to Kigali airport at the scheduled time for the flight home. Meal plan: breakfast