HEART OF AFRICA TOUR

Max no. of guests:

6

Duration:

14 Days/13 Nights

Port of Arrival/ Departure:

Kigali, Rwanda/ Kampala, Uganda

Dates:

All year

Price:

Dependent on pax

Overview

Do you have a sense of adventure and a love of nature and the great outdoors? Have you ever wondered if there is anywhere left on Earth that isn’t swarming with tourists and where the natural environment remains pristine? We present to you our epic ‘Heart of Africa’ tour which entails an unforgettable journey through the enchanting lands of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas. Feel the heat from a lava lake set inside an active volcano. Witness Africa’s Big Five and the world’s most powerful waterfall.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Our driver will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to Heaven Boutique Hotel. After having some time to check-in, relax and freshen up, your tour leader will meet you to give you the briefing on all the necessary information regarding your tour and answer any questions that you might have. We’ll have plenty of time to relax and explore before enjoying a traditional Rwandan dinner in one of the city’s best restaurants.

Day 2: Kigali City Tour

Dubbed the ‘Singapore of Africa’, Kigali is fast becoming one of the most developed cities in sub-Saharan Africa, a remarkable change in fortunes considering its recent dark history. The tour will begin with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about the tragedy of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi. Next we will be visiting the colourful neighborhood of Nyamirambo, where we will hear inspirational stories and enjoy lunch at a local centre for women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship. The city tour will also include a trip to Mount Kigali where we will enjoy panoramic views of the city, and a stop at one of Kigali’s bustling markets, Kimironko. We’ll finish the day with dinner at Ubumwe Grand Hotel Rooftop, where we’ll have another chance to see this beautiful city from one of its highest points.

Days 3 & 4: Musanze - Gisenyi

We’ll set off on a course west from Kigali toward the beautiful lakeside town of Gisenyi. The drive will take us through Rwanda’s beautiful rolling hills where we will have the opportunity to step outside the vehicle for pictures. A pit stop in Rwanda’s second city, Musanze is a fitting place to enjoy lunch before visiting the recently opened Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey International Gorilla Fund. We’ll then head to our final destination of the day, Gisenyi which is situated on the stunning Lake Kivu close to the Rwandan/DRC border. Here we will have time to relax and enjoy cocktails before enjoying dinner at the incredible Palm Beach Resort. The following day we’ll take a boat ride to the Kinunu coffee plantation to enjoy some of the local roasts and learn more about one of the nation’s largest exports.

Days 5 & 6: Democratic Republic of Congo - Mount Nyiragongo - Uganda

An early wake-up call will be required before departing Rwanda for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After passing through immigration, we’ll head to the base camp on the foothills of the majestic Mount Nyiragongo. Here we’ll meet the guides who will lead you to the summit of the active stratovolcano with an elevation of 3,470 m in the misty Virunga Mountains. This volcano is famous for having the world’s largest lava lake and witnessing it is an otherworldly experience. You’ll spend the night camping on the crater rim and descend the following morning ready for the long journey toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. We’ll make a stop for lunch during the picturesque drive toward Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge and have the afternoon to relax before enjoying a hearty traditional Ugandan feast.

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Gorilla Trekking

Another early morning will see us head to the gorilla trekking start point, where you’ll receive a safety briefing before venturing through the forest to find the endangered mountain gorillas. This is guaranteed to be one of the most profound and magical experiences of your life as you spend an unforgettable hour in the company of a wild gorilla family.

Days 8 & 9: Kibale National Park - Chimpanzee Trekking

It’s an early start again as we wake in anticipation of the long drive north toward Kibale National Park - Uganda’s hotspot for another of Africa’s large primates, chimpanzees. We’ll stop off for lunch and photo opportunities before arriving at the quaint Isunga Lodge, where we will have the rest of the day to relax before dinner. The following morning you will meet your guides who will lead you through the forest to get up close with a wild troop of chimpanzees. You’ll spend around one hour with our primate cousins but also have the opportunity to see many species of monkeys and birds.

Days 10, 11 & 12: Murchison Falls National Park

We’ll set off a little later to allow for a lie in before heading further north toward one of Uganda’s crowning jewels. We’ll be staying in the spectacular Twiga Lodge which is situated on the borders of Murchison Falls National Park and close to the banks of the Victoria Nile River. We’ll spend the next two days on safari where we’ll have the chance to spot and take photos of a rich abundance of wildlife including lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, zebra, giraffe and much more! We’ll also get to marvel at the most powerful waterfall in world and take a boat trip along the Victoria Nile to spot some of the parks aquatic species such as crocodiles and a myriad of bird species.

Day 13: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - Kampala

It’s time to say goodbye to Murchison Falls Nationa Park as we set off in the morning for the final leg of the journey toward Uganda’s capital, Kampala. On the way, we’ll stop off at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where you will have the unique and incredible experience of trekking with Uganda’s only white rhino population. The sanctuary which hosts around 20 of these critically endangered animals is currently managing a project to re-introduce them back into Uganda. For the final night of this action-packed trip, we’ll spend the night at the comfortable Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.

Day 14: Departure

Unfortunately, the trip has come to an end. You will be transferred from your hotel to Entebbe International Airport in time to make your flight back home.

Accommodation

We have selected some of the finest hotels and lodges to ensure your trip will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

  • Kigali - Heaven Boutique Hotel

  • Gisenyi - Palm Beach Resort

  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

  • Kibale National Park - Isunga Lodge

  • Murchison Falls National Park - Twiga Lodge

  • Kampala - Sheraton Hotel

What’s Included?

Included

  • Airport transfers

  • Luxury SUV/4WD safari vehicle and driver (includes open roof top, window seat, A/C, WiFi, power outlets, and fuel for the duration of the trip)

  • Expert guide

  • Accommodation

  • Meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

  • Soft drinks (coffee, tea, water, juice)

  • All fees (park entrances and permits)

  • Visas (DRC & Uganda only)

  • Field guide books

 

Not Included

  • International flights to Rwanda/from Uganda

  • Visa fee upon arrival

  • Personal medical insurance

  • Telephone bills

  • Laundry service

  • Items of personal nature

  • Souvenirs

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • COVID tests/vaccinations

  • Tips

Our Values

As a responsible tour operator, we respect the natural environment, and the welfare of wildlife will always come first. We abide by guidelines that make sure the animals are not disturbed or impeded by our presence.

Reservations and payments

The reservation is considered formalised with the deposit payment of 30% of the tour price. Final payment must be made 30 days before the departure date of the trip.

We accept the following pay method: Bank transfer

Travel contract

When the reservation is considered formalised (payment in deposit), we will send a travel contract for you to return signed.

Cancellation policy

A deposit of 30% of the total cost is applied if the booking is made more than 30 days before the trip. For the bookings made less than 30 days before the trip, the price is charged in full amount.

The following penalties will be applied if the trip is canceled by the traveller:

  • 30 days or more before the trip: Loss of deposit

  • 15-29 days before the trip: 50%* of total trip cost

  • 7-14 days before the trip: 75%* of the total trip cost

  • Less than 7 days before the trip: 100%* of the total trip cost

If the cancellation is made by the company, all payments will be refunded.

*Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits as well as Mount Nyiragongo permits are excluded from the percentages above and are 100%-non-refundable.

Financial Protection

The payment for this tour is made through Go Discover Africa meaning you have the financial protection of booking through a registered tour operator. Please download our terms and conditions here.

Covid-19 Guarantee

We understand the global pandemic scenario, that's why we want to bring security to all our guests when booking a trip. If there is any COVID related cancellation Go Discover Africa compromises to do their best to refund all the payments made. Even if we can't guarantee a 100% refund due to the cancelation policies of some hotels and other suppliers, we will return all payments that are not compromised with cancelation fees made by third parties. Also, when possible, we will actively work for rescheduling trips with the least costs possible for our customers. We highly recommend our guests to upgrade their travel insurance in order to cover all COVID related cancellations.

Bookings

Our tour groups are small, allowing for a maximum of 6 participants so space is very limited.

To reserve your spot on this incredible journey, please fill out the contact form below.