Kigali to Uganda safaris have presently become common unlike in the past. Yes, most travelers today prefer flying into Kigali Rwanda and driving to Uganda for tourism. Whereas most travelers focus on Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking, there are many more travel activities to d in Uganda starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. The drive time from Kigali to Uganda is roughly 5 hours via the Cyanika border in Kisoro district and Kihihi border in Kabale District. At times, travelers have asked which travel activities one can do in Uganda starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. African Apes Tours brings you Uganda tourist activities to do starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. These include:
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Following the double increase of Rwanda gorilla permits from $750 to $1500, Uganda became a center of gorilla tours in Africa. Yes, Uganda is apparently the most visited gorilla safari destination in Africa which receives the highest number of travelers from all over the world. Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking entails flying into Kigali airport and trekking in Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National parks in southwestern Uganda. For short tike travelers, you can a 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. This trip starts at 3” 00 am with a pick up from Kigali and a 5 hours’ drive to Bwindi to catch up with a pre gorilla trekking briefing at the respective gorilla park headquarters in Uganda. After the gorilla trek, travelers are driven back to Kigali for the return flights. Uganda gorilla permits cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Yes, fly into Kigali Rwanda and trek Uganda’s golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Travelers are picked up from Kigali and drive to Mgahinga Gorilla park through the Cyanika border in Kisoro district. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to over 5000 golden monkeys hence the best destination to see these endangered species. A golden monkey trekking permit costs $100 inclusive of the park entrance fee, conservation, and rangers fee.
Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience
Enjoy the experimental gorilla habituation experience in the Rushaga sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Part starting from Kigali Rwanda. Gorilla Habituation is the training and familiarization of wild gorillas to the presence of people before they are introduced for trekking. The experience allows travelers to spend four hours in the company of gorillas which gives them ample time to learn and enjoy the human-like characters of gorillas. A gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 but the magical experience is worth it. African Apes Tours & Travel is at your service to book and arrange a tailor-made gorilla habituation experience trip at affordable rates. A 1 Day gorilla habituation experience is possible with a pickup from Kigali at 3:00 am and drop-off at the end of the trek.
Batwa cultural trail
Visit and experience the traditional forest life of Batwa pygmies in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda with Magical Africa Safaris. The experience entails visiting Ngarama cave where Batwa pygmies used to perform rituals and offer sacrifices to their gods. Also, travelers take part in various Batwa’s indigenous activities such as fruit gathering, collecting honey, hunting and picking medicinal herbs among others. Also, a traditional performance is made to entertain travelers and introduce them to the traditions, norms, and beliefs of batwa pygmies. Batwa cultural trail costs $80 per person for a half-day encounter with traditional Batwa pygmies.
Boat Cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy a cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second deepest Lake in southwestern Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is roughly 2 hours drive from Kigali hence the nearest travel destination in Uganda from Rwanda. A cruise on Lake Bunyonyi is a chance to explore different islands of the lake which include Punishment island where Bakiga pregnant unmarried women would be taken and left to die in isolation. Other islands on Lake Bunyonyi include Bushara island, Bugara island, Bwama island and Bucuraniko island which means upside down. Other tourist activities to do around Lake Bunyonyi include blacksmith, community visits, bird watching, and zip-lining among others.
Game Viewing and launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National park
Moreso, fly into Kigali Rwanda to do game viewing and lunch cruise in Queen Elizabeth, Uganda’s second-largest National Park after Murchison Falls National park. A transfer from Kigali to Queen Elizabeth is via Kabale to the Ishasha sector home to the famous tree-climbing lions. Enjoy game viewing in the open savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National park for excellent views of wild animals such as lions, elephants, buffalos, hippos, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and impalas among others. Do not miss a launch cruise on Kazinga channel which connects Lakes Edward and George. The distance from Kigali to Queen Elizabeth National Park is roughly 5 hours’ drive via Kabale Mbarara Ishasha route. Other tourist activities in Queen Elizabeth National park include chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge and crater lake exploration.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
You can also visit t trek chimpanzees in Kibale forest National park starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Kibale forest is home to the highest number of chimpanzees in Uganda hence the best place for chimpanzee trekking and habituation experience. The distance from Kigali to Kibale Forest is roughly 7 hours via Kabala Mbarara Kasese road.
Volcano Hiking
Enjoy a hike to the summit of any Virunga Volcano i.e Mt Muhabura (13,540 ft), Mt Gahinga (11,394 ft) and Mt Sabyinyo (12,037 ft) in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Both Volcanoes can be hiked in one day and a stand at any of the three summits offers you great views of other Virunga Volcanoes in Rwanda and Congo, Virunga conservation area and local communities.
In general, there are lots of tourist activities and attractions to see and do in Uganda starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Contact African Apes Tours today, book your Rwanda Uganda safari for lifetime experiences.
