This 22 days East Africa safari takes you to Rwanda, DR Congo, Burundi and Uganda for amazing wildlife, adventure and cultural experiences. Major highlights on this comprehensive tour include gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and game drives in Rwanda and Uganda. Hiking the Nyiragongo in Eastern DR Congo is another leading adventure encounter on this safari as well cultural experiences in Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda.
22 Days East Africa safari – Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Guardian’s cultural tour
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and transfer to Gisenyi
Day 4: Transfer to Virunga national park for Nyiragongo volcano hike
Day 5: Transfer back to Gisenyi and continue to Bujumbura
Day 6: Visit Rusizi national park
Day 7: Visit Karera waterfalls and Gishora drum sanctuary
Day 8: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
Day 9: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
Day 10: Transfer to Kigali en route visit King’s Palace Museum
Day 11: Transfer to Akagera national park
Day 12: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 13: Transfer to Kigali capital city
Day 14: Kigali city tour
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park, Uganda
Day 16: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 17: Transfer to Kibale national park
Day 18: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
Day 19: Excursion to Semliki national park and back to Kibale
Day 20: Transfer to Murchison falls national park
Day 22: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 22: Transfer to Kampala en route Ziwa rhino tracking on foot experience
Detailed itinerary of the 22 Days East Africa safari
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali City and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On arrival at Kigali airport, your guide will welcome you and brief you about the tour. Set off and transfer to Ruhengeri in northern Rwanda. If you reach early in the day, after you settle into the lodge, you can visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the world’s largest gorilla conservation organization.
Volcanoes national park contains five of the eight Virunga volcanoes including Mount Karisimbi (4,507 meters), the highest, Mount Bisoke (3,711m), Mount Gahinga (3,474m), Mount Muhabura (4,127m) and Sabinyo (3,674m). The vegetation covering the volcanoes includes tropical forests, bamboo, hagenia hypecerum and sub-alpine with rare plants like giant lobelias which support rich biodiversity including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, 178 species of birds, and some mammal species like forest buffaloes. Diner and overnight at Gorilla Solutions Lodge (budget) or Tiloreza Eco Lodge (midrange) or Virunga Lodge (luxury).
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Tour
After breakfast, you will head to Kinigi Park Visitor Center to start your gorilla trekking at 7 a.m. The park rangers will take you through a briefing on gorilla rules and then accompany you into the forest to search for gorillas. Once located, visitors will spend a maximum of one magical hour observing how they feed, play, and groom each other. The trek can last for 1 to 5 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Hike back to the lodge for lunch and later in the late afternoon go for a community cultural experience.
Visit the Gorilla Guardian’s village, a non-profit organization that engages the local community including ex-poachers through livelihood projects. Here you will witness some of the fascinating Rwandan cultural traditions such as Intore dances and the rhythms of traditional songs of the gorillas and instruments like drums and flutes. Enter the King’s palace replica seat ceremonially on a throne under the guidance of a village elder. The Gorilla Guardian’s village offers a wide range of things to do including visiting a traditional healer for his stunning metaphysic, Batwa pottery makers, basket weavers, and a local brewery. Savor the moments and return to the lodge for diner and overnight.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Lake Kivu
Enjoy a morning adventure to track the golden monkeys and spend 1 hour observing the fascinating primates known for their beautiful color and agility to navigate through the bamboo trees. Return to the lodge for lunch, leave Ruhengeri and transfer southwest via through the rolling hills along the Congo-Nile divide to Gisenyi town, a town on the shores of Lake Kivu. Check in at the lodge Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel.
Day 4: Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
Leave Lake Kivu in the morning and take an exciting excursion to Virunga national park headquarters at Kibati ranger post. Mount Nyiragongo having erupted over 32 times is Africa’s most active volcano. Reaching its summit 3,470m (11,386ft) and sleep on the rim of the active lava lake is truly a surreal experience. Once you return to Kibati, you will regroup with your guide and transfer back to Gisenyi. With its beautiful lakeside setting, Gisenyi offers plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind including sunbathing on Rubavu beach or boat trips.
Explore the option of trekking lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Beiga national park, a UNESCO world heritage site famous for harboring 250 lowland gorillas. Those intending to see them will travel to Bukavu in DR Congo and stay there for a night before returning to Rwanda.
Day 5: Transfer to Burundi, the Heart of Africa
Depart Gisenyi after breakfast and transfer to Bujumbura capital city via the Nemba-Gisenyi border town. The journey offers scenic views of Lake Kivu can take 6 hours. Arrive in Bujumbura and check into your hotel. Located on the northeastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbura offers waterfront hotels, cafés, and restaurants. You can take a boat ride to enjoy sunset views.
Day 6: Rusizi National Park
You will visit Rusizi national park which is 15 km northwest of Bujumbura city and enjoy a game drive and boat cruise on River Rusizi. The park is home to hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water bird species such as African skimmer, white faced whistling duck, and white winged terns. The park’s forests are home to over 5 primate species including blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, velvet monkeys, and the nocturnal Senegal bush baby. There are also wildebeests and Sitatunga antelope. Return to Bujumbura late afternoon and unwind on the shores of Lake Tanganyika before diner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Visit Karera Waterfalls and Gishora Drum Sanctuary
Take a day trip; 162 km (3-hour drive) southeast of Bujumbura to Karera Waterfalls and Gishora Drum Sanctuary, a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Burundi. Karera waterfalls are 80 meters tall, making for a must-visit gem. Spend some time walking around and appreciating the natural beauty and then drive to the Gishora Drum Sanctuary, which is about 30 minutes away. Meet the local artisans who will take you through a guided tour. Learn the history of the sacred drums and witness a traditional drumming performance after which you begin your journey back to Bujumbura.
Day 8: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Depart from Burundi and transfer back to Rwanda entering Nyungwe national park via the western Gisakura entrance gate which is 170 km (4-hour drive). Arrive early afternoon and you may visit Gisakura tea plantations on an evening community tour. Enjoy diner and overnight stay at Nyungwe Top View Hotel.
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
Embark on a thrilling adventure in search of chimps accompanied by Rwanda Development Board rangers into Cyamudongo forest, which is part of the larger Nyungwe national park. Chimps are usually more active and easier to spot in early mornings. Once they’re located, you will spend one hour observing how the fascinating great apes feed, play, groom. Chimps share 98% of their DNA with humans, making them man’s closest cousins. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, go for a canopy tour, walking 50 meters above the forest floor offers panoramic views of Nyungwe forest.
Day 10: Nyungwe to Kigali Capital City
Transfer to Kigali city en route visit the King’s Palace and Ethnographic museum in Butare town. The museum showcases artifacts, photographs, and exhibits related to Rwandan royalty monarch and culture. Part of the Rwandan royal heritage is the Ankole Watusi long horn cows. A herd of these cows are also showcased as part of traditional ceremonies, making for a great cultural experience. The tour of the King’s Palace lasts about 1 to 2 hours so you will continue reaching Kigali early afternoon. Check into your hotel for diner and overnight.
Day 11: Kigali to Akagera National Park
Akagera national park is 2-hour drive east of Kigali city and offers a remarkable conservation story worth learning about at the park headquarters with the Behind-the-Scenes-experience. The park lost its rhinos and lions during the genocide against in 1994. Thanks to the commitment of Rwanda government and African Parks Network partnership, rhinos and lions were reintroduced in 2015.
They have since increase in number due to effective law enforcement conservation. The Big Five mammals which include over 50 lions, leopards, over 40 rhinos, 120 elephants, and many buffaloes can be seen with varying degrees of success. Among other species include Maasai giraffes, plains zebras, and 11 antelope species such as impalas, topis, elands, and waterbucks. Enjoy diner, campfire and overnight at either Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (luxury).
Day 12: Game Drive and Boat Excursion
Early morning game drive in Akagera national park offers a fantastic opportunity to spot the Big Five among other species like zebras, Maasai giraffes, impalas, topis, and warthogs. Return to the lodge for lunch after which you go for an afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema to search for hippos and Nile crocodiles. The lake attracts a plethora of over 480 birds among the water species such as shoebill stork and papyrus gonolek, kingfishers, herons, and African fish eagles. Return to the lodge for diner and overnight.
Day 13: Akagera to Kigali Capital City
After breakfast, you will take a final wildlife drive from south and exit the park via the Nyungwe entry gate in the north and proceed to Kigali city.
Day 14: Kigali City Tour
Take the whole day to explore the pleasant clean environment of Kigali capital city. Some highlights include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you will pay respect to some of the 250,000 victims of the genocide against Tutsi in 1994. Continue to discover contemporary Rwandan art at the lively Inema art gallery and meet artists and even participate in workshops. You will have lunch in Nyamirambo and take a guided tour through the neighborhood, supporting local women’s projects for responsible tourism.
Day 15: Kigali city to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda
Travel to southwest Uganda via the border town of Cyanika and settle into Lake Mburo national park, the smallest savanna park with 65 mammal species and over 350 bird species. This park offers an opportunity to see a combination of impalas, elands, plains zebras, Uganda kobs, and Nubian giraffes. Lake Mburo also is also part of the Ankole community which is renowned for the graceful Ankole long-horned cattle. Explore the Ankole culture at Mpogo Safari Lodge to gain unique insight into their traditions, values, and daily life.
Day 16: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Rise before sunrise for an early morning game drive in search of antelopes, Burchell’s zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, and leopards. Return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax. Later in the afternoon, go for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to look for hippos and Nile crocodiles. Among other wildlife such as Sitatunga, and buffaloes may be seen along the shores. Birders will enjoy a plethora of water species such as the African fish eagles, African fin-foot, kingfishers, and hamerkops. Return for diner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 17: Lake Mburo to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, travel to Kibale national park, the primate capital of the world famous for harboring 13 primate species including 1,400 chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, Ugandan mangabeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, velvet monkeys, L’hoest monkeys. There are also nocturnal primates like galagos and potos, which you can look out for on a night forest walk. From Lake Mburo to Kibale is 239 km (5-hour drive) via Ibanda-Kamwenge route. Arrive early afternoon and settle into your lodge for overnight stay. Chimpundu Lodge (luxury) or Kibale chimps Villas (budget)
Day 18: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
Get to Kanyanchu park headquarters to begin your unforgettable chimpanzee trek. Accompanied by Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers, you will be able to spend 1 magical hour with man’s closet relative. Chimps share 98% DNA with humans. Return to your lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon take a nature walk in Bigodi swamp which offers primate and bird viewing opportunities.
There are 8 primate species, over 200 birds as well as butterflies, moths, and local medicinal plant species. The swamp walk lasts for 2-3 hours. Bigodi is community managed conservation project, ensuring that visitors contribute positively to the community while respecting the environment, ensuring that visitors contribute positively to the community.
Day 19: Excursion to Semliki National Park
Take a day trip to Semliki national park visit the hot Sempeya hot springs known for their intense heat and impressive geothermal activity with a boiling point of over 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). Semliki is famous for harboring 40% of Uganda’s total bird count, with over 300 species not found anywhere else such as Congo serpent eagle, Nkulengu rail and piping hornbill.
The park also offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Batwa pygmies, the original forest people. Learn about their rich cultural heritage including traditional hunting and gathering practices and the pre-historic ancient fire making Batwa style. Return to Kibale en route visiting the stalagmites and stalactites associated with a legend of Nyina Mwiru, a revered figure of the Chwezi dynasty.
Day 20: Kibale to Murchison Falls National Park
Embark on a 253 km (5-hour drive) via the Fort-Kagadi-Hoima, a scenic route that offers spectacular views of the Butiaba rift valley escarpment, Lake Albert and Congo Blue Mountains over the horizon. Enter Murchison through the Mubako gate and cross the New River Nile Bridge to the northern part of the park. Check into the lodge for diner and overnight stay at Pakuba Safar Lodge (midrange).
Day 21: Game drive and Boat Cruise
Get up early for a guided game drive and explore Murchison falls national park’s 96 mammal species including lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas. Herbivores are so common elephants, buffaloes, Nubian giraffes, warthogs as well as antelopes like topis, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and oribis. Return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy a boat cruise safari along River Nile search for Nile crocodiles and hippos. You may encounter elephants and buffaloes quenching their thirst and wallowing along the shores.
There are 451 species of birds in the park of which the river attracts water species including kingfishers, African fish eagles, Egyptian goose, and Goliath herons among others. The boat will stop 10 meters way from the bottom of Murchison falls, giving you a close view of the devil’s cauldron and then return to Paara you drive back to the lodge for diner and overnight.
Day 22: Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Transfer to Kampala city
After breakfast, transfer to Ziwa rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking experience and later continue to Kampala capital city of Uganda. Uganda’s rhino population became extinct due to poaching and conflict in the 1980s. However, the work of Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife authority resulted in the restoration of the species in 2005. Ziwa is now home to 50 southern white rhinos, making for a successful conservation story. Arrive in Kampala for diner and overnight at Kampala Serena Hotel or La Petit Village Hotel or transfer to Entebbe airport for your departure flight.
