(For Walk-in clients and international clients who want one or two days). Safaris start from either Kigali or Kampala. These short excursions could best be done on weekends.
Departure dates: Daily
Itineraries that include a visit to the gorillas are subject to availability of permits at time of booking.
For all categories of accommodation, ALL drinks (except bottled water) are excluded in the safari cost and clients are to pay for them directly to the hotels/Camps or Lodges. A supplement for the extra night will be required.
Uganda
1. K. Kampala City Tour
Kampala , the capital of Uganda, is spread over a number of green hills and takes its name from Kasozi k'impala, "the hill of antelopes". The city grew around the court of the Kabaka of Buganda with British officials and Indian merchants settling on adjoining hills. It is a charming green city, with its many gardens and attractive views of the surrounding countryside and Lake Victoria. There is a wide range of hotels and restaurants.
The Kasubi Tombs - the traditional royal tombs of the Kabakas of Buganda - are a fine example of Ganda architecture. Do not miss the colourful Nakasero fruit and vegetable market, the general goods market and the crafts market.
There are a number of interesting buildings in the city, including the buildings that housed the colonial administration and the houses of the Indian merchants, the Parliament, the museum and buildings of different religious faiths and the Namugongo Martyrs' Shrine, where 22 martyrs were burnt alive around the late 19 th century.
Other interesting places include: The Baha’i’ Temple is the only one in Africa and Kabaka’s man-made Lake in Rubaga. Barkcloth, basketware, pottery, gourds, kikoi cloth, carving, traditional weapons and musical instruments are some of the souvenirs available for purchase.
Itinerary
The Parliament, the museum and buildings of different religious faiths, the Namugongo Martyrs' Shrine, the colourful markets and the Kasubi tombs are the main places of interest. Traditional crafts can be bought. There is a wide range of hotels and restaurants.
2. Jinja Tour (1 Day)
Excursion details: Start for Jinja, via Mukono. Detour to Mabira Forest, the hugest in Central Uganda. Proceed to Jinja past the Owen Falls Dam, Uganda’s largest dam. Visit the Source of the Mighty River Nile, see local merchant shops. Your trip ends with Bujagali Falls on the other end of the Nile. Return to Kampala late afternoon. Excursion Ends.
3. Whitewater Rafting in Jinja (1 Day)
Excursion details: Start early for Jinja. Raft for half- or full day in the Nile. Be prepared for a tough, arduous, vigilant day in the falls of the Nile, with your life jackets. Lunch on the mainland or one of the many islands. Time permitting, a visit to the Source of the Nile and Ssezibwa Falls in Mukono District on your way back to Kampala. Arrive in the evening. Excursion Ends.
4. Entebbe (1 Day)
Excursion details: Start at 08h00 for Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Visit Ngamba Chimpanzee Island on Lake Victoria to see orphaned chimps in near-natural land. Afterwards, a short excursion to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre for primates including chimps and monkeys; birds; fish and crocodile. Other animals there include lion, buffalo, bush pig and the recently re-introduced rhino. Transfer to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Excursion Ends.
5. Game and Birds in Lake Mburo and Mabamba (2 Days)
This can be described as a weekend excursion but for those who have the time, other days are also manageable. Mabamba Swamp is well known for the rare shoe bill stork, which lies undisturbed in this thick wetland.
Excursion details
Day 1: Drive on the southbound road; past captivating attractions en route: look at royal drum makers, brief stop at the Equator and be in both hemispheres at once, drive past the roadside markets aerated with fruit and vegetables. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park. Boat trip and an evening game drive. O/N: Mantana Mburo Camp (FB).
Day 2: Time permitting, early morning game drive. Return to Kampala via Masaka; time permitting detour to Mabamba Swamp for birding – you may see the rare shoe-bill stork! Lunch en route, arriving late afternoon (HB). Excursion Ends.
Rwanda
1. Kigali City Tour (1 or half Day)
EXCURSION DETAILS: Kigali , the capital of Rwanda, is an attractive city spread over many hills for which Rwanda is well known. The City has a pleasant, buoyant air and its people are some of the most friendly in the world.
The markets, the handicraft shops and the genocide sites are some of the main places of interest. The range of hotels and restaurants is steadily increasing. Time permitting, visit the Nyabugogo market, the Moslem quarter in Nyamirambo, the Franco-Rwanda cultural centre and a genocide memorial. Attend a traditional dance (subject to availability at time of tour). Excursion Ends.
2. Kibuye (1 Day)
Kibuye is a port town on Lake Kivu, one of Africa's largest and deepest lakes. Once there enjoy a swim in the clear waters of Lake Kivu, or take a boat ride to the nearby islands, or water ski along the scenic shores.
Excursion details
Start for Kibuye; drive through beautiful countryside, crossing rivers and valleys full of agricultural produce. On your way, detour to Ndaba falls and enjoy the clean air and mountain view. Go water skiing, or take a boat out on the lake to see the various islands. Swim in the refreshing, bilharzia free waters of Lake Kivu or stroll about in the town sprawling across a number of hills. Return to Kigali. Excursion Ends.
3. Akagera National Park (1 Day)
The park has beautiful swelling plains with woodland and rolling grassland. It is covered by an extensive series of lakes allowing water animals and birds to laze around the banks. The largest park in the past, the game is recovering after years of war, poaching and human presence, with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and lion and different antelope appearing once again. Accommodation and the road system are being renovated.
Excursion details: Drive to Akagera National Park, East of Rwanda. Early morning game drive, carrying a packed lunch for leopard, giraffe, buffalo. Zebra is also abundant. In the afternoon ride on local canoe on one of the lakes. Time permitting, visit a fishing village and return to Kigali (HB). Excursion Ends.
4. Gorilla tracking and birding in Parc National des Volcans (1 Day)
Parc National des Volcans (PNV) is also habitat to a vast array of golden monkeys and a vast array of birds, amounting to over 185 species including the Rwenzori turaco, Grey Capped Warbler and the Yellow-vented Bulbul.
Excursion details: An early start, start at about 06h00 or earlier. Drive the two hours North of Kigali to Ruhengeri. Enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. Transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters to track gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV). Gorilla tracking through the forest, hills and swamps can be tough, arduous and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest, but coming face to face with the great primates is well worth the effort. Lunch. Later in the day return to Kigali
. (HB). Excursion Ends.
5. Lake Muhazi (1 Day)
Excursion details: Drive to Lake Muhazi; through beautiful countryside, crossing valleys full of agricultural produce. Go water skiing, or take a boat out on the lake to see the various islands. Swim in the refreshing, bilharzias free waters of the Lake or stroll about in the nearby villages rambling across a number of hills.
Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted include a safari car for the itinerary stated, accommodation on a shared basis and meals (in Kampala/Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board), 1 boat/launch trip, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit.
Prices do not include airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes, all personal expenditure such as tips, telephone calls, laundry and drinks. For single rooms, the supplement (SRS) has to be paid. Fees for mountain climbing, fishing and other specialist activities will attract an extra charge where not stated.
Prices are quoted in US Dollars. At the time of booking, clients should confirm with us the prevailing exchange rates for Pounds and Euros, if they wish to pay in those currencies. At the time of booking, the client(s) will need to pay for all gorilla permits needed in full otherwise a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of a safari paid, whichever is higher.
Key to Itineraries:
| O/N: |
Overnight |
| FB |
Accommodation on Full Board basis. All meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) are included in the safari cost. |
| HB |
Accommodation on Half Board basis. One meal (either lunch or dinner) as well as breakfast are included in the safari cost. |
| BB |
Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis. Only breakfast is included in the safari cost at the stated property. |
| B |
Accommodation on Bed Only basis. All meals at the stated property are not included in the safari cost. To be paid for directly by the client. |
