3 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Tour

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National park

Day 3: chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk

Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National park

Day 5: Gorilla trekking and cultural visit

Day 6: Hike Dian fossey’s grave and a visit to twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo

Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

• Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 2: Game drive and afternoon Launch cruise
• Day 3: Transfer to Kampala

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, your safari guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. The drive into the city usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at your hotel or enjoy a short tour of Kigali. One peaceful place to visit is Nyandungu Eco-Park. This restored wetland has walking trails, indigenous trees and several bird species. It receives fewer visitors than many city attractions. If you enjoy coffee, stop at one of Kigali’s specialty coffee cafés. Rwanda produces high-quality Arabica coffee and many cafés explain how it is grown and prepared.

Kigali is Rwanda’s capital and the country’s main entry point. The city is known for its clean streets, green hills and organised neighbourhoods. Besides museums and markets, Kigali has art galleries, coffee shops and cultural centres that introduce visitors to Rwanda’s history and daily life. Accommodation options include The Retreat by Heaven(luxury), Hotel des Mille Collines(mid-range)and ONOMO Hotel Kigali (budget).

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, begin the journey to Nyungwe National Park. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours through Rwanda’s rolling hills. Your first stop is the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza. The museum explains Rwanda’s traditional monarchy and displays the long-horned Inyambo cattle.

Continue to Huye, where you can visit the Ethnographic Museum. Its collections explain Rwanda’s culture, history and traditional lifestyle. As you continue south, the scenery changes into tea plantations covering the hillsides. Many visitors stop briefly at Gisakura Tea Estate to enjoy the beautiful views. Arrive at Nyungwe National Park during the afternoon.  If time allows, enjoy a short guided walk around the lodge to watch birds and small forest wildlife.

Nyungwe National Park lies in southwestern Rwanda and protects one of Africa’s oldest mountain rainforests. The park covers over 1,000 square kilometres and supports a rich variety of wildlife. It is home to chimpanzees, 13 primate species, hundreds of birds, orchids, butterflies and large forest trees. Nyungwe is also known for its canopy walkway and scenic hiking trails. Accommodation options include One&Only Nyungwe House (luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (mid-range) and Gisakura Guest House (Budget). 

Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk

Wake early for breakfast before driving to the park headquarters for a briefing. Experienced rangers will explain the tracking rules before leading you into the forest. Chimpanzees move quickly through the trees, making every trek different. Their loud calls often echo through the forest before they become visible.

After locating the group, spend one hour observing their natural behaviour. Watch them feed, groom one another and communicate through different sounds. Return to the lodge for lunch before visiting the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk.

The suspended bridge hangs about 70 metres above the forest floor and stretches for around 160 metres. From here, you can enjoy excellent views across the rainforest canopy. Look carefully for blue monkeys, colourful birds, butterflies, and giant forest trees. For travellers who enjoy quieter trails, the nearby Igishigishigi Trail offers beautiful scenery and receives fewer visitors than some longer hikes. Return to your lodge for dinner. Accommodation options include One&Only Nyungwe House (luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (mid-range) and Gisakura Guest House (budget).  

Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Leave Nyungwe after breakfast and begin the journey to Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours. Instead of travelling directly, follow the scenic road along Lake Kivu. This route passes fishing villages, coffee farms and viewpoints overlooking the lake. Stop in Kibuye for lunch while enjoying views across Lake Kivu.

Continue north through Gisenyi before arriving near Volcanoes National Park. If time allows, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The centre explains mountain gorilla conservation through interactive exhibits.

Volcanoes National Park is located in northern Rwanda within the Virunga Mountains. It is Rwanda’s only destination for mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. The park contains bamboo forests, volcanic slopes and afro-montane vegetation. It also protects several habituated gorilla families and the historic Karisoke Research Centre founded by Dian Fossey. Accommodation options include Bisate lodge (luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range) and Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (budget). 

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Wake before sunrise for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters. Park rangers will assign each visitor to a habituated gorilla family according to fitness level and gorilla location. The trek may take between 2 and 6 hours. Some families live close to the starting point while others move higher into the mountains. After finding the gorillas, spend one hour observing them. Watch the silverback protect his family. Young gorillas often climb trees or wrestle together while mothers care for infants.

After lunch, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village also known as Gorilla Guardians Village. Former hunters now share traditional dances, music, cooking methods, medicinal plants and local customs. The visit also explains how tourism supports conservation and community livelihoods. Return to your lodge in the evening. Accommodation options include Bisate lodge (luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique hotel (mid- range) and Da Vinci gorilla lodge (budget)

Day 6: Dian Fossey hike and visit to the twin lakes

After breakfast, begin the hike to Dian Fossey’s former research camp. The walk takes about three to four hours through bamboo forests and mountain vegetation. Along the trail, guides explain Dian Fossey’s work to protect mountain gorillas from poaching. You will also visit her grave and those of several gorillas she worked to protect.

After descending, enjoy lunch before visiting the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. These peaceful lakes sit beneath the Virunga Volcanoes and remain less crowded than many popular attractions. Take a short canoe ride with local fishermen or enjoy a guided village walk along the lakeshore. If time allows, visit a nearby coffee cooperative to learn how local farmers grow and process Arabica coffee. Return to your lodge for dinner. Accommodation options include Bisate lodge (luxury), Five Volcaones hotel (mid-range) and Da Vinci gorilla lodge (budget)

Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After an early breakfast, drive to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing before golden monkey tracking. Golden monkeys live mainly in bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains. They move quickly through the trees and often feed on bamboo shoots, fruits and insects. Spend one hour observing these lively primates after locating the troop. Their playful behaviour provides excellent photography opportunities.

Return to the lodge for lunch before crossing into Uganda through the Cyanika Border. Continue to Lake Bunyonyi. The journey takes about 4 to 5 hours including border formalities. As you approach the lake, the scenery changes into rolling hills covered with terraced farms. Small villages overlook the water creating one of Uganda’s most beautiful landscapes. If time allows, enjoy the sunset from one of the lakeside viewpoints.

Lake Bunyonyi lies in southwestern Uganda between Kabale and Kisoro districts. It is one of the deepest lakes in Africa and is surrounded by green terraced hills. The lake has 29 islands, each with its own history and local stories. It is also one of the few lakes in Uganda considered safe for swimming because it has no crocodiles or hippos. Accommodation options include Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi (luxury), BirdNest Resort Bunyonyi (mid- range) and Bunyonyi Overland Resort (budget)

Day 8: Boat Cruise on Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, take a guided canoe or motorboat cruise across Lake Bunyonyi. Your guide will explain the history behind several islands including Punishment Island. According to local tradition, unmarried pregnant girls were once abandoned there. Today, it serves as a reminder of changing cultural practices. Continue to Bwama Island where an old missionary settlement once operated a leprosy treatment centre.

Visit Sharps Island to learn about local education projects established during the colonial period. For a quieter experience, stop at one of the smaller islands where local families continue traditional farming and fishing. After lunch, enjoy a guided walk through nearby villages. Meet local farmers growing sorghum, beans, potatoes, and vegetables on the surrounding hillsides. You may also visit a women’s craft group producing handmade baskets using traditional weaving methods. Return to your lodge before sunset. Accommodation options include Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi (luxury), BirdNest Resort Bunyonyi (mid-range) and Bunyonyi Overland Resort (budget). 

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before leaving Lake Bunyonyi. Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on your trekking sector, the journey takes about 2 to 4 hours. The road climbs through terraced hills before entering dense rainforest. Along the way, stop at local markets where farmers sell fresh fruits, honey, handmade baskets, and traditional crafts. If your accommodation is near Buhoma, consider visiting the nearby Munyanga River Trail during the afternoon. This quiet forest walk offers opportunities to see butterflies, birds and several monkey species. Travellers staying in Rushaga or Nkuringo may enjoy scenic viewpoints overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley in southwestern Uganda. It protects one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and is home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world. The park also supports many bird species, primates, butterflies and unique plant life. Accommodation options include Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (luxury), Mahogany Springs Lodge and Gorilla Mist Camp ( mid- range), Ride 4 a Woman Guest House and Broadbill Forest Camp (budget)

Day 10: Gorilla Trekking and Community Visit

Wake early before heading to the park headquarters for your briefing. Park officials will assign each visitor to a habituated gorilla family. Assignments depend on fitness levels and gorilla locations. Begin your guided trek through Bwindi’s rainforest. The hike may last between 2 and 7 hours. Dense vegetation, steep slopes and narrow trails make every trek different. After locating the gorillas, spend one hour watching them interact naturally. Observe the silverback leading his family while young gorillas play around nearby. After lunch, visit a Batwa community.

The Batwa were among the first people to live in Bwindi Forest before the park became protected. Community guides explain traditional hunting methods, forest survival skills, medicinal plants, music, and storytelling. This visit provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between conservation and local communities. Return to your lodge for dinner. Accommodation options include Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Luxury), Mahogany Springs Lodge and Gorilla Mist Camp (Mid-range),Ride 4 a Woman Guest House and Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget). 

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, leave Bwindi and drive north towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes about 4 to 5 hours. Enter the park through the Ishasha Sector, which is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a slow game drive while searching for lions resting in large fig trees. Besides lions, you may also see elephants, buffaloes, topis, Uganda kobs and warthogs. Continue towards the Mweya Peninsula, passing open grasslands, crater lakes and volcanic landscapes. If time allows, stop at the Katwe Explosion Craters. These viewpoints offer panoramic views across the western Rift Valley. Arrive at your lodge during the evening.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited savannah park. It stretches from the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains to Lake Edward. The park contains open grasslands, forests, wetlands, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel. These habitats support a wide variety of wildlife and birds. Accommodation options include Mweya Safari Lodge and Kyambura Gorge Lodge (luxury), Elephant Plains Lodge and Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (mid-range), Pumba Safari Cottages and Bush Lodge (budget)

Day 12: Morning game drive and Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Leave early for a sunrise game drive across Kasenyi Plains. Morning is the best time to search for lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes and Uganda kobs. Your guide will also explain animal behaviour and the park’s different habitats. Return to the lodge for lunch before heading to the Kazinga Channel.

The afternoon boat cruise offers one of Uganda’s best wildlife viewing experiences. Large groups of hippos spend much of the day in the water. Nile crocodiles rest along the banks while elephants and buffaloes visit the shoreline to drink. The channel also supports many bird species including African fish eagles, pelicans, kingfishers and saddle-billed storks. After the cruise, visit the Katwe Salt Lake community if time allows. Local guides explain traditional salt mining methods that have supported nearby families for generations. Return to your lodge before sunset. Accommodation options include Mweya Safari Lodge and Kyambura Gorge Lodge (luxury), Elephant Plains Lodge and Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (mid-range), Pumba Safari Cottages and Bush Lodge ( budget)

Day 13: Community Tour and Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, visit the Katwe Salt Lake community if you did not visit the previous day. Local guides explain traditional salt mining methods that have been practised for generations. Continue north towards Kibale National Park. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours and passes through tea plantations, crater lakes and small trading centres.

Along the way, stop at the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes. This beautiful area has dozens of volcanic crater lakes surrounded by forest and farmland. Many visitors pass through without stopping, making it one of western Uganda’s hidden gems. You can also visit a tea estate near Fort Portal. Learn how tea is harvested before enjoying views across the green hills. Arrive at your lodge during the afternoon. If time allows, enjoy a short nature walk around the property. Accommodation options include Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), Turaco Treetops (mid-range) and Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (budget).

Day 14: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi community walk

Wake early before driving to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing. Experienced rangers will lead you into the forest in search of chimpanzees. The trek may last between 1 and 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees spent the previous night. After locating them, spend one hour observing their behaviour. Watch them climb trees, gather food, groom one another and communicate with loud calls.

Return to the lodge for lunch before visiting the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-managed wetland supports monkeys, birds, butterflies and many wetland plants. Continue into Bigodi Village where local guides explain traditional food preparation, coffee processing, banana brewing and basket weaving. This experience provides a closer look at everyday life outside the national park. Return to your lodge before sunset. Accommodation options includeKyaninga Lodge (luxury), Turaco Treetops (mid-range), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (budget)

Day 15: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, leave Kibale and begin the journey north to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive takes about 7 to 8 hours through Hoima and the Albertine Rift region. Along the way, stop at the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve viewpoint overlooking Lake Albert. This peaceful location offers beautiful scenery.  Continue through small villages before entering Murchison Falls National Park. If time allows, enjoy an evening drive near the northern bank where giraffes, elephants and antelopes often gather before sunset. Relax at your lodge overlooking the Nile or nearby savannah.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park. It stretches from the shores of Lake Albert to the Karuma area in northern Uganda. The park is divided by the River Nile which flows through the landscape before forcing its way through a narrow rocky gorge to form Murchison Falls. The park protects open savannah, woodlands, riverine forests and wetlands that support a rich variety of wildlife. Accommodation options include Paraa Safari Lodge and Nile Safari Lodge (luxury),Pakuba Safari Lodge (mid-range), Fort Murchison Lodge (budget)

Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start wildlife safari with an early breakfast, pick up by our company guide who will brief you about your safari. Then drive off to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route to the Park, you will stop over at the equator for souvenir shopping also witnessing the water experiment at this point. Proceed to Mbarara town for Lunch, later continue journey reaching Mweya in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at Mweya safari lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (Luxury)/Hippo Hills camp or Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (mid-range)/ Simba safari lodge (Budget)

Day 2: Game drive and afternoon Launch cruise

Have an early breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive in Kasenyi area to search for a variety of wildlife animals missed out in the previous game drive. Later visit the Katwe explosion craters. Here you will spot Kitagata Lake and the enormous Kamengo Crater and this will give you a clear view of different wildlife around the Park. In the afternoon, go for the launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel where you will be rewarded with wildlife sights of species like the Hippopotamuses, Waterbucks, Crocodiles and a variety of Water Birds like the black bee-eater, several species of falcons and the raptors. Dinner and overnight stay at Mweya safari lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (Luxury)/Hippo Hills camp or Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (mid-range)/ Simba safari lodge (Budget)

Day 3: Transfer to Kampala
After your breakfast, you will transfer back to Kampala. En route take a morning game drive as you exit the park and spot different animals on your way. Have lunch en route in Mbarara town. Reach Kampala in the evening and drop off will be at either your Hotel in Kampala or at the Airport for your outbound flight back home.

End of Safari

This Safari Package Covers:
Game drive and launch cruise fees
Park Ranger Fees
All relevant Government Taxes
Full Board Accommodation and en-route meals as indicated in the itinerary.
Full-time English speaking Driver/Guide
Ground Transportation by a 4×4 safari vehicle
Airport transfer, as long as your flight is on the same day on which the safari ends.
The Safari Excludes
Airfares
Visa Fees
Personal Insurance
Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities

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