15 Days Congo, Uganda & Rwanda Tour

Airport meet at Kigali International Airport and transfer to a city hotel. Comprehensive briefing on the reversed Virunga circuit — DRC security protocols, visa documents, yellow-fever requirements, and Uganda permit confirmations for Bwindi and Kibale.

Evening at leisure in one of Africa's cleanest capitals. Optional short city walk along the car-free Nyarugenge district if arrival is early; tomorrow crosses into DRC and gorilla day one.

Drive to Gisenyi on Lake Kivu and cross Grande Barrière into Goma, DRC (allow 45–60 minutes for immigration). Transfer to Virunga partner lodge near Bukima with park escort.

En route, lava-field landscapes from Nyiragongo's eruption remind you of the volcanic setting. Evening ICCN safety briefing — armed rangers accompany all forest activities.

07:00 ICCN briefing and gorilla trek on Mikeno slopes — often the freshest permit of the three-country journey. Spend one hour with your assigned family in open bamboo zones.

Safari activity | Gorilla trekking in Virunga NP

First gorilla encounter in Africa's oldest park — ICCN rangers, armed escort, and the region's most affordable permit.

Afternoon Senkwekwe Orphan Gorilla Centre visit when open, or lodge rest. Optional Nyiragongo overnight trek extension on request.

Exit DRC and enter Uganda at Bunagana border with guide assistance on both sides — carry printed visa approvals and yellow-fever cards. Continue southwest through the Kigezi foothills toward Queen Elizabeth National Park — a long day (approx. 8–9 hours with border formalities).

Stop for lunch en route at a roadside town. The landscape opens to savannah as you approach the Kazinga Channel. Arrive Mweya or Katwe area by evening with views over Lake Edward. Tomorrow brings Kazinga boat and Kasenyi game drive.

Morning 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat safari — hippos, elephant and buffalo on the banks. Afternoon Kasenyi Plains game drive targeting lion, leopard and Uganda kob.

Safari activity | Kazinga Channel boat safari

Boat and savannah combination — Queen Elizabeth's classic hippo densities and predator plains in one full wildlife day.

Queen Elizabeth bridges savannah between Congo forest and Bwindi mountains ahead.

Morning game drive in the Ishasha sector scanning fig trees for lions. Continue through Kigezi highlands to Bwindi (approx. 4–5 hours total).

Evening gorilla briefing for tomorrow's UWA trek — second gorilla country of the journey.

Full UWA gorilla trek day in Bwindi montane forest. Trekking 2–8 hours depending on family location; one hour on contact.

Safari activity | Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Uganda gorilla day with UWA rangers — montane forest terrain contrasting with Virunga's bamboo slopes.

Afternoon rest at lodge. Porters recommended on steep, muddy trails.

Short transfer to Lake Bunyonyi (1–2 hours). Afternoon dugout canoe among 29 islands and optional Batwa community visit.

Safari activity | Dugout canoe on Lake Bunyonyi

Highland lake recovery — terraced hillsides and birdlife before the long drive north to Kibale.

Cool highland air aids recovery between gorilla days and chimp trekking ahead.

Drive north through Kabale and Fort Portal to Kibale National Park (approx. 5–6 hours). Optional crater-lake viewpoint stop near Fort Portal.

Evening at leisure near Kanyanchu. Tomorrow is chimpanzee trekking day.

07:00 chimp trek at Kanyanchu with UWA rangers. One hour with habituated community. Afternoon crater-lake tour or Bigodi Wetland walk.

Safari activity | Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale

Chimp day in mature rainforest — 13 primate species and excellent birding in the Bigodi papyrus fringe.

Long transfer north to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi (approx. 7–8 hours). The route descends from the Albertine Rift through Budongo Forest fringes and rolling savannah toward the Nile.

Enter park and check in at Paraa-area lodge by evening. Rothschild's giraffe and buffalo may appear roadside as you approach the river. Tomorrow is full Nile wildlife day — game drive and launch cruise.

Dawn Buligi circuit game drive on the northern bank. Afternoon Nile launch cruise to the falls base among hippos and crocodiles.

Safari activity | Murchison Nile boat cruise

Full wildlife day on the Victoria Nile — game drive and launch cruise below Murchison Falls.

Morning top-of-falls viewpoint where the Nile plunges 43 metres through a 7-metre gorge — photograph the Devil's Cauldron spray rainbow on sunny mornings. Then drive south toward Entebbe (approx. 6–7 hours).

Optional Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary stop for on-foot rhino tracking if time and energy allow — Uganda's only wild rhino experience. Overnight Entebbe or Kampala before Rwanda re-entry tomorrow. Pack a separate bag for the flight if you fly to Kigali rather than drive.

Fly or drive to Kigali (flight recommended — 1 hour vs 8+ hours road via Katuna or Cyanika borders). Aerolink and other carriers operate Entebbe–Kigali routes; we book according to your permit date.

Continue to Kinigi at the base of Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trek preparation and RDB briefing. Third gorilla country tomorrow — Rwanda Volcanoes finale at USD 1,500 per permit.

Evening at leisure in the bamboo-forest foothills. Prepare trekking gear identical to Bwindi day — gaiters, gloves, waterproof layer.

Early gorilla trek in Volcanoes NP with RDB rangers — third and final gorilla country. One hour on contact, certificate ceremony.

Safari activity | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP

Final gorilla trek on Virunga bamboo slopes — afternoon transfer to Kigali airport for departure.

Afternoon transfer to Kigali International Airport for evening flights. End of three-country gorilla circuit — Congo first, Uganda savannah and primates, Rwanda Volcanoes finale in fifteen memorable days.