10 day Rwanda Uganda Hike
Rwanda and Uganda’s epic scenery, pleasant climate and magnificent wildlife make the two sister countries a remarkable destination for those who wish to explore on foot. The best hiking to is from the western half of the Rwanda and South Western Parts of Uganda.
From all the way from unlimited hikes in Nyungwe Forest along the fringes of Lake Kivu to the chains of Volcanoes that are shared between Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. On this 10 day Rwanda Uganda Hike, you will explore some of the best hiking opportunities the two sister countries have to offer.
10 day Rwanda Uganda Hike Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda and Rwanda City Tour
Welcome to the land of a thousand hills! This small but scenically stunning country is thus known for its endless rolling green hills, which you will experience on your fly-over to Kigali International Airport. There are many activities in Kigali to do on your city tour like visits to the Kigali Genocide museum, craft markets browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer
The Genocide Memorial is a place of commemoration for the 250,000 victims buried in mass graves here and an important remembrance of the unfathomable brutality of the 1994 genocide
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park & Afternoon Canopy / Nature walk
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful rainforest in Africa. The forest is incredibly biodiverse with 13 known primate species residing here, from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our nearest relatives, the chimpanzees.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters, you will go for a forest canopy on one of East Africa’s first canopy walks. The network of suspension bridges will lead you on a 1.5 hour walk over a deep gorge, through beautiful and lush vegetation and difference animal habitats.
Day 3: Optional Hikes in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Uwinka Trail: This is considered a difficult hike; this 17.8 km trail takes hikers through rather lovely ravines and is the perfect place to listen to early morning bird calls.
Imbaraga Trail: Geared toward medium hikers, the trail rewards hikers with the sight of four scenic waterfalls and any of them will be refreshing after trekking a little less than 10 km
Irebero Hike: This 3.4 km trail loops around two of the highest peaks in the park and provides views of Lake Kivu in Rwanda
Accomodation : Nyungwe top view hotel midrange
Day 4: Boat tour on Kivu lake in Kibuye and Drive to Musanze
From the rainforests of Nyungwe you will drive 3 hours along the shores of Lake Kivu this is a perfect way to break the long journey to Musanze, Kivu Lake is one of the African Great Lakes in the Albertine Rift, creating a natural border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Boat tour is a fantastic way to explore Lake Kivu’s scenic coastline and its many beaches, coves and islands. Fishermen in traditional boats ply the blue waters as they go about their daily life. After a boat trip, you will drive 3 more hours to Musanze town home to Volcanoes National Park
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Day 5: Mount Bisoke Hike
For those keen to summit Mount Bisoke, a crater lake awaits at the top, which lies at 3,700m. This trail takes anything from five hours to a whole day. Our day will start at 7.00am at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, where you will be assigned your guide and start the hike at an elevation of 2,700m.
During the ascent, you’ll be trekking through a number of different vegetation zones. On the lower slopes you’ll pass through bamboo forest, the preferred food of golden monkeys and mountain gorillas. The summit is dominated by a large crater lake, and on a clear day the views are far reaching. This is a great place to relax and enjoy your lunch, before starting your descent.
Fitness requirements: This trek can be quite strenuous and requires a good level of physical fitness. You will be trekking at altitude, up steep slopes and over rough terrain.
Day 6: Transfer to Uganda via Chanika Boarder and Hike Mount Sabyinyo
Sabyinyo Volcano is the oldest of the range and lies between 3 countries (Rwanda, DRC and Uganda). The name Sabyinyo is derived from the Kinyarwanda ward “iryinyo” meaning tooth. Standing at 3645m above sea level, this Volcano is known to be home to diverse biodiversity such as golden monkeys, the oldest monkey’s species found in the Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and also the side of Uganda.
As you climb to the top, you may see or hear the singing of different bird species like Ruwenzori’s Turaco, Mountain greenbul, Speckled mousebird etc. A hike to the summit of Mount Sabinyo will give you a chance to be in 3 countries and once (Uganda, Rwanda and Congo) while having some of the best views you will ever have provided the weather is great.
Accommodation: Traveller rest camp
Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park / optional nature walk
Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park : another exciting and scenic drive to some of the oldest forests on the African continent. The drive to Bwindi will show you the Ugandan countryside and villages with beautiful rolling hills that most people refer to as the switzerland of Africa. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley.
Night at Bakiga Lodge, half-board
Day 8: Gorilla trekking and Relax at Lake Bunyonyi
Today is the big day: trekking the gentle giants! Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. The time to complete the gorilla trekking can be as little as 2 hours to as much as 7 hours!
Your gorilla encounter will be an exciting (for some also challenging) journey along forested (sometimes slippery) slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gentle giants. After gorilla trekking, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, which is undeniably the loveliest lake in Uganda. Bunyonyi (literrally “place of many little birds”) contains 29 islands, many of which are inhabited and terraced for agriculture.
Night at Bird Nest, half-board
Day 9: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Your journey to Kibale Forest will be your longest drive on this tour (around 6:30 hours), but pprobably the most scenic. The drive will take you through tea plantations, lively village markets and over rolling hills of lush green countryside that is so characteristic of western Uganda.
The various ecosystems in this space are reputed to harbor the highest density of primates in all of Africa. The rare red colobus monkey as well as the black and white colobus are just some of the primates you may encounter on your forest walks here. Go for a Community Tour in the afternoon for an interesting and inclusive visit of the community and its different crafts. An authentic immersion in the Ugandan rural daily life.
Night at Kibale Forest Camp, half-board
Day 10: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Entebbe Airport
No other animal reminds us so much of ourselves as the chimpanzee. Besides many common features and mannerisms, chimpanzees also share 98% of our human DNA, making them our closest living relatives.
Experience in Kibale Forest you will have the opportunity to follow an experienced guide into the forest to observe these fascinating creatures at a close range. Watching them interact with each other and go about their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging is an incredible experience.
Afternoon transfer to Entebbe airport
