10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, & Burundi Safari: A Journey Through Nature and Culture

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali City and Check in at Serena Kigali

Upon your arrival in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to the luxurious Serena Kigali Hotel. Situated in a prime location, Serena Kigali combines sophisticated elegance with Rwandan hospitality. Check-in and unwind in your elegantly furnished room, featuring modern amenities and stunning views of the cityscape. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps exploring the hotel’s lush gardens, relaxing by the pool, or indulging in a rejuvenating spa treatment. As you settle in, prepare for the exciting adventures that await in the days ahead on your 10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari.

• Destination: Kigali City
• Accommodation: Serena Kigali Hotel – Upmarket Hotel https://www.serenahotels.com/kigali
• Meals: Dinner and Breakfast

Day 2: Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum, Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund & Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Start your day with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum, a poignant and informative site that provides deep insight into Rwanda’s tragic past. The memorial is dedicated to those who lost their lives during the 1994 genocide, and the museum provides a moving narrative of Rwanda’s journey from tragedy to hope. It’s an essential stop to understand the strength of the Rwandan people and their resilience.

Next, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park, a journey that will take you through lush rolling hills and scenic vistas. Upon arrival, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an organization dedicated to the protection and research of the endangered mountain gorillas. Learn about the life and legacy of Dian Fossey, the pioneering primatologist who dedicated her life to studying these incredible creatures.

In the afternoon, visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you will experience Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage. Engage with local communities, enjoy traditional dance performances, and learn about the customs and lifestyles of Rwanda’s indigenous people. After a full day of culture and history, you’ll check in at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, where you’ll spend the night surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Volcanoes National Park.

• Destination: Volcanoes National Park
• Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – Upmarket Safari Lodge https://3bhotels.com/branches/mountain-gorilla-view-lodge/
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Afternoon Relaxation

Day three is the highlight of your Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari —mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Early in the morning, after a briefing by your expert guide, you’ll embark on an exciting trek through the lush, mist-covered forest in search of the magnificent mountain gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from one to several hours, depending on where the gorilla family is located. When you do find them, you will spend an unforgettable hour observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, interacting with one another, and feeding. The experience is nothing short of magical and a true highlight of any wildlife enthusiast’s journey.

Afterward, return to Mountain Gorilla View Lodge to relax and reflect on the experience. You can unwind in the lodge’s serene surroundings, enjoy a massage, or simply take in the spectacular views of the volcanoes. Enjoy a peaceful evening and an overnight stay in the lodge.

• Destination: Volcanoes National Park
• Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – Upmarket Safari Lodge https://3bhotels.com/branches/mountain-gorilla-view-lodge/
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park & Afternoon Drive to Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation

On day four, your Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari adventure continues with golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. These rare and endangered primates are smaller and more colorful than mountain gorillas and are equally captivating to observe. Like gorilla trekking, the golden monkey trek takes you through the dense forest, where you’ll get the chance to see these monkeys as they move through the trees and interact with each other in their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, leave the Volcanoes National Park behind and journey to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most beautiful and serene destinations. Known as the “Lake of a Thousand Islands,” this picturesque lake offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush hills. You will check in at Birdnest Resort Bunyonyi, where you can unwind and take in the breathtaking views. Whether you choose to relax by the lake, take a boat ride, or simply enjoy the natural beauty, this evening offers a welcome break to recharge for the next stages of the Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari.

• Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
• Accommodation: @Birdnest Resort Bunyonyi – Upmarket Safari Lodge https://birdnestresort.com/
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Day 5: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park through Ishasha for tree climbing Lions. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge

On the fifth day, depart from Bwindi and embark on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. En route, traverse the Ishasha sector, famous for its unique population of tree-climbing lions. With luck, you’ll witness these majestic predators lounging in the branches of fig trees, a rare and unforgettable sight. Continue to the luxurious Mweya Safari Lodge, nestled on a peninsula within the park, offering panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel and the Rwenzori Mountains. Settle into your comfortable accommodations and enjoy the tranquil surroundings as you prepare for the next day’s wildlife adventures.

• Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge – Upmarket Safari Lodge https://mweyalodge.com/
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Day 6: Have Morning Game Drive, Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel, Afternoon Game Drive at Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – Over Night at Chimpundu safari lodge

On the sixth day, embark on an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, and antelopes, as the savannah comes alive. Afterward, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, offering exceptional views of hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species along the water’s edge. In the afternoon, take another game drive to capture any missed wildlife sightings before heading to Kibale Forest National Park. Upon arrival, check in at the luxurious Chimpundu Safari Lodge, where you’ll unwind in comfort and prepare for the chimpanzee tracking adventure that awaits in the lush forests of Kibale.

• Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
• Accommodation: Chimpundu Safari Lodge – Upmarket Safari Lodge https://chimpundulodge.com/
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest and Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Walk

On the seventh day, venture into the dense Kibale Forest for an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking experience. Guided by expert trackers, you’ll navigate the lush vegetation to locate a community of chimpanzees, observing their playful interactions and complex social behaviors up close. After this unforgettable encounter, return to your lodge for a brief rest. In the afternoon, embark on a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. This vibrant wetland is home to diverse bird species, primates, and other wildlife, offering rich opportunities for photography and peaceful immersion in nature. Return to Chimpundu Safari Lodge to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures.

• Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
• Accommodation: Chimpundu Safari Lodge – Upmarket Safari Lodge https://chimpundulodge.com/
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Day 8: Transfer to Entebbe Airport and Air Transfer to Burundi

On Day 8 of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari, you will be transferred from Kibale Forest to Entebbe Airport, where you will board a flight to Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel in the city, where you can rest and enjoy the evening at leisure.

• Overnight at Hotel Club Du Lac Tanganyika

Day 9: Bujumbura to Gitega

Visit the former royal site and the sacred drum sanctuary in Gishora. After breakfast by 07:30 at your hotel in Bujumbura, drive to Gitega. From Bujumbura to Gishora takes about 2 hours and half depending on the stopovers along the way, with the beautiful landscape and Tea plantation en route to Gitega.

On arrival at Gishora, we meet the team chef of famous drummers and take a sit to attend a fascinating show combining the sound of the drumbeat to dances, heroic poetry and traditional songs which take around one hour. After the show we drive from Gishora to Gitega city for lunch at Tropitel hotel; after lunch, drive to Muramvya province, where we are going to visit a pygms village called “Busekera”, in the Handcrafts village you attend a small demonstration of traditional dances; and come back to Bujumbura at 6pm.

Gitega is the current political capital of the country since 2019, a city located exactly in the middle of the country and the ideal city where one can get acquainted with the historical and cultural heritage of Burundi, in the national museum of Gitega.

• Dinner at Hotel Club Du Lac Tanganyika

Day 10: Bujumbura city tour and Rusizi national park

Departure at 7:30, after breakfast, we start our Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari by a boat ride in the Rusizi national park, from Rusizi River until to Lake Tanganyika to see hippos, birds and crocodiles, visit the living museum, drive to the memorial stone of the meeting of explorers David Livingston and Henry M. Stanley, return downtown for lunch/Buffet.

After lunch, visit the various monuments of the city including the Independence Square (in the car), the mausoleum of the hero of independence, Prince Louis Rwagasole, and the unity monument “Ubumwe”, and then transfer to the airport. End of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari.

10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari Terms and Conditions

Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions of Our Services.

We advise all our clients to read carefully the terms and conditions of our services as confirming the 10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari with us is an indication that you fully understand and accept the terms and conditions described below.

Bookings

Reserving Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey permits requires us to have your full payment of the permit fees.

Before confirming the 10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari, the client must inform us of any preferences and special requests with regard to issues like medical needs, diet, requirements relating to disabilities and any other requirements so that we prepare to meet them where possible.

We provide accommodation bookings, restaurant meals, excursions and other services in cooperation with independent suppliers. Many lodges and hotels used during the tour have limited capacity. It is essential therefore to make reservations well in advance of your planned trip.

All information provided in the client itineraries is given to the best of our knowledge and based on the most current information available. We therefore cannot be liable for modified information from third parties.

In the event that a client wishes to amend his/her reservation in any way, we will make the preferred adjustment where practicable and possible and confirm accordingly. We reserve the right to charge an amendment fee relative to the actual costs, which will be added to the total invoice.

We reserve the right to change and re-adjust the tour schedule, transportation, accommodation and services indicated in the itinerary in the event of unforeseen circumstances before arrival. Any changes to the itinerary will be communicated to the client as soon as possible.

Prices

The prices quoted for the 10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari are as per the itinerary and include the following services, unless stated otherwise: overnight in hotels, guesthouses, tents or lodges; all meals as indicated; sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary; park entrance fees and ranger fees; airport transfers where applicable; ground transportation; English speaking driver/guides and bottled mineral water in the vehicle.

The following expenses are not covered in our itinerary charges: international and domestic air fares, visa and passports, meals not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks other than the mineral water provided in the vehicle, tips and gratuities for the guides and accommodation staff, laundry, travel insurance and other items of a personal nature.

Prices quoted to our clients are subject to change without notice and are not guaranteed until confirmed in writing.

We reserve the right to adjust prices at any time should there be any fluctuation in the exchange rate or increase in the cost of any element of the tour. The company will however make every effort to minimize any increases.

Payment

• 10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari will be booked and confirmed upon receipt of a 30% deposit of the basic program rate.
• For gorillas, Chimps & Golden Monkey permits, a full advance payment of the permit fee is required in order to make the reservation.
• The payment balance is due no later than 45 days prior to the safari, unless agreed otherwise.
• Bookings made within 45 days before arrival must be paid in full at the time of confirmation.
• If payment is not received in accordance with the above, we shall have the right to cancel the booking.
• Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer or cash, before the start of the safari. Note that payments by credit card attract a 5% service charge.
• Credit card transactions must be made at least two months prior to the start of your safari. We do not accept Travelers cheques.

Tour Execution

It is a privilege to see animals in their natural habitat and as such, we cannot guarantee wildlife or game viewing. You must take caution when viewing the animals and carefully follow the instructions given by either the tour guide or wildlife rangers.

A gorilla or chimpanzee permit guarantees clients an opportunity to track the primates in question but does not guarantee that the animals will be in plain sight.

The mode of transport used will be dependent on the number of clients and the route taken, based on the specifications of the chosen itinerary. Every effort is made to ensure that vehicles are provided in a roadworthy condition but no liability can be accepted for a puncture, breakdown, damage, or any delay as a result of the poor road conditions.

All Rights

We reserve the right to alter any route or arrangement, to cancel the operation of any scheduled tour or vary the safari services in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as road closures, bad weather, problems with national parks or hotels and security considerations. In such cases, alternative arrangements will be made as circumstances permit.

We reserve the right to refuse any person from participating or continuing the 10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari if, in our opinion or in the opinion of any other person in authority, the person concerned behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, hazard or inconvenience to any third party, damage to property or to environment and ecosystems. No refunds will be made and we shall not be liable for expenses incurred as a result of the termination.

Cancellations and Refunds

All cancellation requests must be made in writing and shall be effective on the dates they are received by us.

The following cancellation charges apply to the basic program rate:

• 100 days or more prior to arrival – 10% of the safari cost
• 46 – 100 days prior to arrival – 20% of the safari cost
• 16 – 45 days prior to arrival – 35% of the safari cost
• 0 – 15 days prior to arrival – 45% of the safari cost

We reserve the right to deduct all expenses incurred from money advanced.

Gorilla permits are non-refundable but can be rescheduled.

No refund will be made for any unused service, late arrival, or no-show up of any of the members of the booked tour unless communicated on time.

Liability

It is the responsibility of the travel agency to ensure that all members of the 10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari have the appropriate passports, visas, travel permits, health certificates and other documentation required for the safari.

Travel poses risks. Whilst every care is taken, you are advised to take adequate insurance cover as our company accepts no responsibility for any personal illness, injury, delays, loss or damage of property from any cause whatsoever.

We will make every effort to ensure that all arrangements and services offered as part of the Africa safari are carried out as specified in the most efficient way possible. However, the company does not have direct control of the provision of services by suppliers and, whilst every supplier is chosen with the utmost care, our company does not accept liability for errors or omissions of such suppliers.

We Cannot Accept Liability

We cannot accept liability or pay compensation for unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the company or its staff, including flight delays/cancellations or force majeure such as war or threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist acts, border closure, acts of government or other authorities, strikes, thefts, epidemics, road closures, industrial disputes, natural disaster, extreme weather conditions, fire, technical and/or mechanical problems to transport and all similar events beyond the company’s control.

It is the responsibility of the clients to take proper medical and practical precautions in regard to health and safety. Medical advice should be sought well before travelling. Clients are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance before coming to Uganda.

The respective laws of Uganda govern our company’s liability to passengers carried in our vehicles. All claims are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Uganda.

Complaints

We shall try to ensure that our company exceeds the expectations in every area of the 10 Days Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi Safari arrangements. However, suggestions are very much appreciated in order to keep improving the quality of the service.

Complaints must be reported immediately to our representative and to the supplier of the service in question, who will do their best to resolve the matter. If the problem is not solved to your satisfaction, the complaint should be reported in writing not later than 30 days after completion of the tour.

Liability for any complaints not notified in accordance with the above-described procedure cannot be accepted.

Thank You for Taking Time to Read These Terms and Conditions!