Thousand Hills Safari Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, located in Uganda where you will meet your local guide. From here, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Entebbe
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Murchison Falls National Park

Enjoy a full breakfast at the B&B, then depart making your way towards Murchison Falls National Park. The first stop along the way is a nature walk at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, where endangered white rhinos roam freely and you’ll learn about their rhino breading project. Here, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at the on-site restaurant. Depart the sanctuary for Murchison Falls, which is the largest national park in Uganda and home to a unique blend of scenery, ranging from palm tree savannahs, grassland acacia and lush, tropical forests.

Note: Prepare for a 6-hour drive on today’s transfer, including bumpy, dirt roads once in the park
Overnight Location: Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Murchison Falls National Park Safari

Indulge in a traditional African breakfast, then hop in a 4X4 safari Land Cruiser to discover the endemic wildlife of the savannah. Set out in along the Nile River in Lake Albert, Northern Bank, keeping eyes peeled for lions, giraffes, elephants, waterbucks, buffalos, bushbucks, spotted hyenas and on the rarest occasion, the elusive leopard. Kick back at the lodge and enjoy lunch looking out over the breathtaking property. After a break, set out for an on-water safari, jetting along the river Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls. Keep your binoculars close, as the river is teeming with wildlife, such as crocodiles, hippos, and plenty of unique birds: pelicans, Egyptian geese, kingfisher, African eagles, and plenty more to discover. Top off a fantastic day with a walk to the top of the stunning Murchison Falls, located right along the Nile.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Transport to Fort Portal

Enjoy breakfast before departing for a scenic ride along the Lake Albert and Rift Valley escarpment. Pass through the capital town of Bunyoro Kingdom—Hoima— enjoying pretty views over banana, sugarcane, coffee, cocoa, tea plantations. Stop for a lunch pitstop at Bugoma Jungle Lodge. After about a 7/8-hour drive, arrive in Fort Portal, the capital town of Tooro kingdom, nestled between the Rwenzori Mountains— the biggest mountain range in Africa.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Fort Portal
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Chimpanzee Trek in Kibale Forest

After an early morning wakeup and breakfast, set out to trek in the forest of Kibale to meet the local, friendly chimpanzees. If you’re not an early riser, this activity can be arranged for the afternoon. After working up an appetite, enjoy a hot lunch back at the lodge. Then, spend the afternoon on an eco-tour site in Bigodi, a small village where you’ll chat with the locals, learning their culture, traditions and customs. Hop in the car for a two-hour transfer that will take you to Queen Elizabeth National Park for the night.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park

Delight in a leisurely breakfast, before setting out on a long game drive through the famed northern sectors of Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as sections within the Kasenyi village and along Lake George. Watch as elephants, hyenas, lions, buffaloes, waterbucks, Ugandan kobs roam freely among the savannah. Post lunch, head out on an exciting boat safari, flying along the Kazinga channel, home to plenty go buffaloes, hippos and even elephants—making for a fantastic photo opportunity. In the evening, prepare for a short transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Park.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Ishasha
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Ishasha Game Drive

After a quick breakfast, head out for an exciting early morning game drive in Ishasha, which is known for excellent lion spotting—just keep eyes towards the high branches of acacia trees where the lions frequent. After, depart further south from the Queen Elizabeth sector, towards the Lake Bunyonyo region, famed for its natural beauty and unique landscape. Upon arrival, head out to the island on the lake that is home to the “Twa” tribes’ people and enjoy the tranquility Lake Bunyonyi offers.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bunyonyi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Boat safari on Lake Bunyonyi

Following breakfast, all aboard the boat safari for an incredible wildlife and birding experience across Lake Bunyonyi! Fly across the water, keeping lookout for the endemic species that call the lake home, as well as countless islands. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, then enjoy the quick transfer to the Bwindi Forest National Park area, where you have the option to set out on a gorilla tracking expedition or relax at the lodge.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Mountain Gorillas

Enjoy a delectable breakfast, before setting out on an optional trek of a lifetime through the forest to spot one of the habituated mountain gorilla families, nestled up in the peaks. Follow the guidance of a local park ranger, as you explore stunning mountain trails, then relax with a packed lunch. Spend about an hour observing the gorillas, while respecting their environment, and maybe even grab a photo or two before returning to the lodge. In the evening, cross the border into Rwanda from Cyanika, before enjoying an organized Iby’lwacu cultural village tour in Kinigi.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Kinigi
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Trek Volcanoes National Park

Following breakfast, visit the beloved Volcanoes National Park, where you can find the tombs of Dian Fossey, or walk to the Old Karaoke Center to visit the mountain gorillas. Another option is to set out on the golden monkey trek, visiting the endemic endangered primates that call Volcanoes National Park home (book both activities in advance). Be sure to bring your provided water and packed lunch on either trek. In the afternoon, prepare for the 3-hour journey to Kibuye, following the shores of Lake Kivu for a stunning drive.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kibuye
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Discover the shores of Lake Kivu

Following breakfast, visit the beloved Volcanoes National Park, where you can find the tombs of Dian Fossey, or walk to the Old Karaoke Center to visit the mountain gorillas. Another option is to set out on the golden monkey trek, visiting the endemic endangered primates that call Volcanoes National Park home (book both activities in advance). Be sure to bring your provided water and packed lunch on either trek. In the afternoon, prepare for the 3-hour journey to Kibuye, following the shores of Lake Kivu for a stunning drive.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kibuye
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Grab your packed breakfast for an early 6 a.m. departures for Nyungwe Forest National Park. Here, trek through the jungle in search of chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, such as the Rwenzori colobus, the Hoest Monkey, the silver monkey, owl faced monkey, red tailed monkey, velvet monkey and olive baboon. Discover verdant rolling hills covering 970 sq km, which is the largest uncontaminated piece of tropical forest in all Eastern Africa. Enjoy a piping hot lunch back at the lodge and put your feet up for the rest of the afternoon.
Overnight Location: Resort in Kibuye
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Visit the cultural towns of Butare and Nyanza

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your last day of the trip! Drive to the town of Butare, the cultural capital of Rwanda, which is home to the university and the National Museum. Browse the local artisan handicraft stores, where you can find Rwandan art and souvenirs, like handmade baskets and weaving. Continue to your next stop: Nyanza. This town was once the political capital of Rwanda, but it now known for the antique Royal palace, which features original items dating back hundreds of years that once belonged to King Mwami. Finally, arrive at Kigali International airport and depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast