Rwanda–Uganda Wildlife, Culture & Conservation Odyssey

Welcome to Rwanda! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you'll be warmly welcomed by your Africa Sustainable Journeys representative and transferred to your hotel.

Take time to settle in and relax after your journey. If time and energy allow, you may explore the surrounding area or nearby markets before returning to the hotel.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring authentic Rwandan cuisine and flavors — a relaxed introduction to the country's food and hospitality.

Overnight:                  Hotel Chezlendo

Meal plan:                  -,-,Dinner

Begin your exploration of Kigali with a city tour introducing you to Rwanda's culture, daily life and recent history.

Visit the Nyamirambo Women's Centre and explore a local market, where you'll gain insight into everyday life in Kigali and the work of local community initiatives.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important place of remembrance and education. The visit provides an opportunity to learn about Rwanda's history, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and the country's remarkable journey of recovery and reconciliation.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Overnight:                  Hotel Chezlendo

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, depart Kigali and travel north toward Kinigi, a rural community situated beneath the dramatic Virunga volcanic mountains.

On arrival, settle into a community homestay, where you'll be welcomed by your host family.

Direct-Benefit Experience: Your stay provides direct income to the local host welcoming you into their home.

Spend the day participating in hands-on activities that offer a genuine introduction to rural Rwandan life. Depending on the season and your host's activities, you may take part in farm-to-table cooking, community craft-making, farming activities or a visit to a local market.

Rather than simply observing rural life, you'll have the opportunity to participate, ask questions, share stories and learn from the people who live here.

In the evening, gather with your host family for a home-cooked dinner and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.

Overnight:                Artisan Homestay (Kinigi)

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the morning with further community engagement around Kinigi.

Depending on local activities, participate in everyday tasks such as light farming, food preparation or informal conversations with members of the community.

After lunch, visit the Dian Fossey Museum & Research Center to learn about Dian Fossey's pioneering work and Rwanda's continuing efforts to protect mountain gorillas.

Continue to the Gorilla Guardians Village for a community-led cultural experience featuring traditional music, dance and storytelling.

The experience provides an opportunity to learn how cultural heritage and local livelihoods are connected to the wider conservation landscape around Volcanoes National Park.

Return to your host family in the late afternoon for dinner and a relaxed evening.

Overnight:                Artisan Homestay (Kinigi)

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, leave Rwanda and travel toward Uganda, crossing into the landscapes surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Continue to Buhoma, a small community located on the edge of the forest.

After check-in, enjoy a relaxed afternoon or take a gentle walk around the local area. Depending on time, you may visit the local market or interact with members of the community.

Prepare for the following day's gorilla trek.

Overnight:                 Mahogany Springs

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day early with a guided trek into the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to the magnificent mountain gorillas. As you make your way along the forest trails, your expert guide will point out a variety of wildlife, including other primates such as colobus monkeys and baboons, as well as colorful birds and the rich plant life that makes this forest so unique.

After a rewarding trek through the dense, misty forest, arrive at the gorillas’ habitat for an unforgettable one-hour encounter with these gentle giants. Observe their behavior, interactions, and social structure up close while your guide shares insights into gorilla ecology and ongoing conservation efforts. Take a moment to soak in the breathtaking scenery of the forested hills, the chirping of birds, and the tranquil sounds of nature.

After this once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoy a packed lunch in the heart of the forest before returning along the trails, carrying memories of one of Africa’s most incredible wildlife encounters.

Overnight:                 Mahogany Springs

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is dedicated to a meaningful community experience with Batwa community members in the Bwindi area.

Rather than simply visiting to watch a cultural presentation, you'll spend time learning about Batwa history, culture, contemporary life and the experiences of communities affected by displacement from the forest.

Through a community-led initiative, you may participate in a practical activity selected according to current community priorities.

Possible activities include:

• Assisting with the construction or repair of a family home.
• Helping improve a classroom or school environment.
• Supporting improvements to a local health facility.
• Participating in another community activity identified by local partners.

Work alongside community members, sharing conversation and experiences while learning about the people and communities who call this region home.

The objective is not to arrive as a visitor with answers, but to participate respectfully in an initiative shaped around local needs.

Community Impact Experience: Your participation contributes to a practical community initiative supported through ASJ's local partnerships.

Return to your lodge in the evening.

Overnight:                 Mahogany Springs

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, traveling through the beautiful Ishasha sector. Take in the rolling savannahs, lush forests, and charming villages along the way. Ishasha is renowned for its unique wildlife, including the iconic tree-climbing lions, which you may have the chance to glimpse from a distance during the drive.

Overnight:                  Buffalo Safari Lodge

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up to the sounds of the savannah and start your day with an exciting morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Traverse a variety of landscapes, from open savannahs to dense forests and shimmering wetlands, keeping an eye out for wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This unique vantage point offers an unforgettable perspective on the park’s rich wildlife, with opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds against the backdrop of beautiful African scenery. Return to your lodge in the evening to unwind and reflect on a day filled with remarkable encounters.

Overnight:                 Buffalo Safari Lodge

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set off in the morning on a scenic drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale National Park, winding through rolling hills, patchwork farmland, and bustling villages that reveal the rhythm of rural Ugandan life. The journey itself is a feast for the eyes, offering glimpses of the countryside’s natural beauty and vibrant communities.

As you approach Kibale, the landscape transforms into dense, emerald forests, alive with the calls of birds and the chatter of primates. The forest is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, along with monkeys, baboons, and a rich diversity of bird species, creating a remarkable setting for wildlife encounters.

Upon arrival at your lodge, check in and take time to unwind. Relax and soak in the tranquil surroundings, enjoying the serene atmosphere and the natural beauty of the Kibale forests before dinner and a restful evening.

Overnight:                Crater Safari Lodge

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day begins as you enter the lush, emerald expanse of Kibale National Park, a sanctuary of towering trees, winding trails, and the calls of vibrant wildlife. The journey into the forest immerses you in the sights and sounds of one of Africa’s most important conservation areas, where every rustle of leaves or distant call hints at the presence of the park’s famous inhabitants.

Your morning is dedicated to chimpanzee habituation, a hands-on conservation experience that allows you to observe these remarkable primates in their natural habitat while supporting research and protection efforts. Follow the forest trails under the guidance of expert rangers, witnessing chimpanzees’ social interactions, playful behaviors, and unique personalities. Along the way, notice the rich diversity of the forest—from colorful birds to monkeys swinging overhead—illustrating the complex ecosystem that depends on careful stewardship.

After this rewarding encounter, return to your lodge to unwind, reflect, and savor the peaceful forest atmosphere.

Overnight:                Crater Safari Lodge

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park. Visit the top of the falls, where the Nile River plunges 43 meters into a breathtaking cascade. Take in the stunning scenery and feel the mist on your face.

Check-in at Pakuba Safari Lodge and relax, surrounded by serene scenery. Prepare for another exciting day of adventure. 

Overnight:                  Pakuba Safari Lodge  

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take a morning game drive to catch a glance of the early risers and nocturnal animals going back to their hideouts. Following Victoria Nile and Buligi tracks through open savannah grassland, you will appreciate the rich diversity of wildlife in the Park-embowered in various eco-systems. Later in afternoon go for the boat cruise that will give you another unique perspective on the park's wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and water-birds. Return to Lodge for a relaxing evening.

Overnight:                  Pakuba Safari Lodge  

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls National Park and continue south toward central Uganda.

Along the way, visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, an important conservation area supporting Uganda's reintroduced rhinoceros population. Enjoy a guided rhino experience and learn about the sanctuary's conservation efforts, including the protection and monitoring of Uganda's rhino population.

Continue your journey through the Ugandan countryside toward Sentema, passing rural communities, farms and changing landscapes along the way.

Arrive at Sentema Farm Lodge, settle into your accommodation and enjoy the peaceful farm setting. The afternoon is free to relax and take in the surrounding countryside ahead of the community and cultural experiences planned for the following days.

Overnight:                    Sentema Farm Lodge

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up to the fresh country air and the sounds of village life, then begin the day with a guided farm walk. Explore the fields and gardens, learning about the crops grown locally, their traditional and medicinal uses, and the role of agriculture in everyday Ugandan life. Engage with local farmers, gain insight into their daily routines, and understand the close connection between the land and the community.

Afterward, enjoy a hands-on cooking and dining experience with women from Sentema, preparing traditional Baganda dishes such as Luwombo over a traditional stove. This interactive session provides a window into daily life, family traditions, and the culinary heritage of the Buganda Kingdom. Share stories with your hosts as you cook and then savor the meal together in a warm, communal setting.

In the afternoon, embark on a cycling tour through the surrounding villages and countryside, discovering local homesteads, schools, and markets along quiet backroads. This leisurely ride allows you to connect with the community, observe daily life in rural Uganda, and experience the rhythms and hospitality unique to the Baganda culture.

Return in the evening for dinner at the lodge and reflect on a day filled with learning, cultural exchange, and authentic Ugandan experiences that will leave lasting impressions.

Overnight:                  Sentema Farm Lodge

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, begin your journey toward Entebbe Airport. Along the way, make a meaningful stop at a local primary school in Entebbe, where each participant will plant a tree, leaving a lasting positive impact on the community and the environment. This is a unique opportunity to give back and create a tangible memory of your journey.

Finally, proceed to the airport for your departure flight, taking with you lasting memories of warm encounters, new skills, and a deeper connection to Uganda’s natural and cultural heritage.

Overnight:                  -

Meal plan:                  Breakfast, Optional Early lunch , -