26 Day Rwanda, Uganda, Congo DRC and Burundi Road trip
Welcome to an East African and Central African road trip that will start in Kigali, Rwanda and Traverse Uganda, Rwanda, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. On the course of this trip, there will be wildlife encounters, culture, gorilla habituation experience, Chimpanzee before hiking to the top of Bisoke and Sabinyi, low land gorilla trekking in kahizi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of congo.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali.
Explore the city, including the Genocide Memorial where you will learn more about what transpired during April 1994 genocide that claimed 1000s of lives & local markets. Overnight Step Town Motel.
Day 2: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Spend a day relaxing by Lake Kivu , take a boat cruise to Idwiji island to enjoy the scenery and birding, head to Karongi and do a tea/coffee plantation. Dinner and overnight at Cormoran Lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe
Drive from lake Kiivu to Nyungwe National Park. Settle in and prepare for hikes. Overnight Ken Barham Guesthouse.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
Morning Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe forest national park and Afternoon Canopy walk which lasts two hours, here you will be able to see bird species and lake Kivu on clear day. Dinner and overnight at Ken Barham Guesthouse .
Day 5: Hiking in Nyungwe
Hike in Nyungwe, choosing from various trails to experience its rich biodiversity among the hiking trails include Igishigishigi trail, Umugote trail, Karamba trail,Uwinka trail and Irebero trail. Overnight at Ken Barham Guesthouse.
Day 6: Trannsfer to Congo
Travel to Kahuzi-Biega Natinal Park via changugu border , the jouney takes about 6 hours reaching there in the evening for Dinner and Overnight at Nevida Tea & Breakfast
Day 7: Lowland Gorilla Tracking.
Morning Lowland Gorilla Tracking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo offers a unique opportunity to encounter the endangered Grauer’s gorilla in their natural habitat. Overnight at Nevida Tea & Breakfast.
Day 8: Waterfalls Hike andLwiro Chimps Rehabilitation Center
Explore the park with additional waterfalls Hike and Lwiro Chimps Rehabilitation Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically near Bukavu and Kahuzi-Biega National Park, to experience both nature and wildlife conservation efforts. Dinner and overnight at Nevida Tea & Breakfast
Day 9: Transfer to Volcanoes
Travel to Volcanoes National Park which will take about 7-8 hours. you’ll likely need to travel to Goma, then cross the border into Rwanda, and finally, travel to Volcanoes National Park. Dinner and overnight at the Garden Place hotel.
Day 10: Hike Mt. Bisoke
A popular 1-day hike to the crater lake, offering stunning views of the Virunga Mountains .The duration of the hike can vary from five hours to a full day, depending on your walking pace and the frequency of stops, you’ll traverse bamboo forests, encounter blooming Lobelia bushes, and have the chance to spot elephants and rare bird species. The Garden Place
Day 11: Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey trekking takes 3 to 4 hours, half day or full day depending on the movement of the monkeys in the forest, once they are found you will stay for one hour with these amazing shy monkeys to watch them eating, resting and playing. Dinner and overnight at the Garden place
Day 12: Karisimbi hike
Start the trek to Mt. Karisimbi the Rwanda’s highest peak (4,507m), with camping along the way on the mountain.
Day 13: Summit Mt Karisimbi
Reach the summit of Mt. Karisimbi and descend back to base camp, then return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the Garden Place
Day 14: Sabyinyo Hike
Hike Mt. Sabyinyo for panoramic views, It is a very challenging hike yet very rewarding. Definitely not for the faint hearted due to almost vertical and extremely steep climbs on wooden ladders, which can be tricky and dangerous in rain. Dinner and overnight at Garden Place.
Day 15: Transfer to lake Bunyonyi
Travel to Lake Bunyoni. Transfer from Sabinyo near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to Lake Bunyonyi, you’ll typically drive a significant distance, likely involving a multi-hour journey, through the western part of Uganda, potentially with stops along the way. Enjoy a relaxing day by the lake . Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi overland Camp.
Day 16: Lake Bunyoni, Uganda.
Enjoy a boat cruise around lake bunyonyi as you see sorrounding islands or visit Batwa( pygimies) Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi overland camp,
Day 17: Hiking and Nature Walks lake Bunyonyi
The rolling hills around Lake Bunyonyi provide excellent hiking trails with breathtaking panoramic views. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi overland camp.
Day 18: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable
Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south westen Uganda . Turn your ride from Bunyonyi to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park into an unforgettable experience. Settle in and rest at Rushaga gorilla camp
Day 19: Gorilla habituation experience
Gorilla habituation experience allows visitors to spend four hours with a wild gorilla family, offering a more immersive and intimate experience than standard gorilla trekking, which is limited to one hour. Dinner and overnight at Rushanga gorilla camp
Day 20: Hiking Adventure in Bwindi Forest
Explore the Ivy River Trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a 14 km hike offering encounters with diverse wildlife, bird species.Dinner and overnight at Rushaga gorilla camp.
Day 21: Transfer to Akagera national park
Travel back to Rwanda and head to Akagera National Park, The jouney take about 5-6 hours reaching there in time for Dinner and Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.
Day 22: Game drive and boat cruise
Mornig game drive where you will view wildlife in Akagera national park and Consider afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema. Dinner and Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge
Day 23: Transfer to Burundi
Travel to Gitega in Burundi. Enjoy a scenic drive from Akagera National Park to Bujumbura, known for its picturesque landscapes and abundant wildlife. Traverse through rolling hills and savannah plains on your way to Burundi. Settle in and relax at Jerusalem Hotel Gitega.
Day 24:Gitega Drum Sanctuary.
Visit Gitega Drum Sanctuary. you will learn about the Burundi culture and the political history of Burundi governance. You will also visit the drummers traditional experience entertainment by Burundi Drummers while enjoying a cold drink. Transfer to Bujumbura. Overnight at Club Du Lac Tanganyika.
Day 25: Bunjumbura city tour
Explore Bujumbura: visit local markets, the museum, and you will be taken to see the grave of Prince Louis Rwagasore, a hero of the independence in Burundi. You will then be guided on a climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of Bujumbura, offering a unique view over Lake Tanganyika.. Overnight at Club Du Lac Tanganyika.
Day 26: Departure
A leisurely breakfast you will bid farewell to the lodge then proceed to the airport to catch your onward international flight out ending your 26 days Rwanda Uganda, Burundi, DRC trip.