Friday 7th March – Bujumbura (Burundi)

• Arrive at your own leisure into Bujumbura. The capital city of Burundi is well connected with many East African Countries, Addis-Abeba and Brussels. Self-transfer to our centrally located hotel. Pre-tour accommodation and airport pickup can be arranged for a fee.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and guide.
• We’ll head out for dinner at a local restaurant and get to know your fellow group members and guide.
• Overnight stay in stay in Bujumbura.

Saturday 8th March – Bujumbura

Morning

• At 9:00am, we’ll start the Bujumbura city tour including The Explorers Memorial. At this very place history was literally written. David Livingstone, explorer and missionary, went on a European geographical expedition to find the source of the River Nile, ultimately leading to his disappearance. Years later, Henry Morton Stanley went on an expedition to explore the Congo Basin. This led to their chance encounter with the famous words from Stanley “Doctor Livingstone, I presume?”.
• Our tour continues to the Independence Hero Mausoleum & Unity Monument which overlooks the scenic Lake Tanganyika and the capital city. Here you can find the National motto, “Unity, Work, Progress”, inscribed on the monument which represents the national unity. It is celebrated on the 5th of February every year.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll continue onwards to Rusizi National Park, located north of Bujumbura. The Rusizi River runs through the park and we’ll take the opportunity to observe hippos from our boat. The river is famous for sightings of Gustave, a notorious Nile crocodile.
• We’ll continue to Saga Beach to enjoy a stunning view of Lake Tanganyika. This location is a perfect way to watch the local fishermen go about their business and you can enjoy a nice cold beer too.
• After a busy day, we’ll have dinner followed by a few refreshing drinks in a local establishment in Bujumbura.
• Overnight stay in Bujumbura.

Sunday 9th March – Bujumbura – Gitega – Karera Falls

Morning

• Early morning start with breakfast at our hotel.
• Today, you’ll discover the natural beauty of Burundi along our road trip. We’ll make rest stops along the way to enjoy the stunning scenery.
• Along the journey, we’ll make a stop at a local tea plantation, here you can explore the tea fields and learn about its history.
• We’ll drive to Gitega in our private air condition transport. There, we are going to visit the amazing Gishora drummer’s village. The cultural importance of Gishora has led it to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. You’ll experience and understand why when you visit this magnificent village.
• We continue on the scenic route south of Burundi to the spectacular series of waterfalls of Karera Falls, which were also added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. You can take your time here and take in the natural beauty.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the fall before we head back to Bujumbura. During our journey we’ll be passing through many rural villages. If we’re lucky, we may attend a traditional Burundian wedding.
• After our scenic drive we’ll have dinner in Bujumbura followed by drinks as we’ll depart Burundi the following day.
• Overnight stay in Bujumbura.

Monday 10th March – Bujumbura – Rwanda – Bukavu (DR Congo)

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel before we get the morning flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Rwanda has recently been known as one of the prime examples of countries which have managed to recover from a devastating war and become a real, ecofriendly tourism destination.
• On arrivaln we’ll drive to Butare, a cultural and historical hub of Rwanda.

Afternoon

• In Butare, we’ll visit the Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda, one of the best museums in East Africa, and discover Rwanda’s rich history, culture, and traditions.
• You’ll experience the vibrant Intore dance performance, a traditional Rwandan dance that was historically performed for the royal court. It is also known as the “Dance of Heroes”.
• Overnight stay in Butare.

Tuesday 11th March – Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda

Morning

• After breakfast, we’ll drive to the Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests.
• Upon arrival, embark on a morning canopy walk, a thrilling experience that offers panoramic views of the dense rainforest from a suspended bridge high above the forest floor. As you walk among the treetops, keep an eye out for a variety of bird species, butterflies, and primates moving through the branches below.

Afternoon

• In the afternoon, we’ll set out on an exciting Colobus monkey trek. Nyungwe is home to large troops of these striking black-and-white primates, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. As you hike through the forest, your guide will share insights into their behavior, habitat, and the conservation efforts in place to protect them.
• Overnight stay in Nyungwe, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the rainforest.

Wednesday 12th March – Nyungwe – Karongi (Rwanda)

Morning

• Rise early for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience in the dense forests of Nyungwe National Park. You’ll follow expert trackers deep into the jungle to locate one of the park’s habituated chimpanzee groups.
• After the trek, depart for Karongi, a stunning lakeside town along the shores of Lake Kivu.

Afternoon

• In the afternoon, set off on a relaxing boat ride on Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. You’ll explore small, beautiful islands scattered across the lake.
• One of the must-visit spots is Napoleon Island, known for its distinct shape resembling Napoleon’s hat. The island is home to a bat colony, where thousands of fruit bats hang from the trees.
• Overnight in Karongi

Thursday 13th March – Karongi – Rubavu – Musanze (Rwanda)

Morning

• After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive north to Rubavu, another picturesque lakeside town on the shores of Lake Kivu.
• As you travel along the renowned Congo Nile Trail, one of Rwanda’s most spectacular routes, you’ll admire the coffee plantations, and stunning lake views. This winding path follows the contours of Lake Kivu, providing opportunities to stop for photos.

Afternoon

• Upon arrival in Rubavu (formerly Gisenyi), you’ll have time to explore this laid-back town, known for its beautiful beaches, colonial-era architecture, and lakeside atmosphere.
• In the evening, enjoy a guided city tour of Rubavu, including a visit to the hot springs, a natural geothermal site where locals gather for relaxation and traditional healing practices.
• We’ll continue the journey inland to Musanze.
• Overnight stay in Musanze

Friday 14th March – Musanze

Morning

• Musanze is widely regarded as the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. This region is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and as the home of the legendary mountain gorillas.

Optional Activity: Mountain Gorilla Trekking (extra cost, $1000). For those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience, embark on an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure. Accompanied by expert guides and park rangers, you’ll trek through the dense bamboo forests in search of one of Rwanda’s habituated gorilla families. Once you find them, you’ll spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants as they go about their daily lives, playing, foraging, and interacting with their young. The trek can range from a few hours to a full day, depending on the gorillas’ location.

Alternative Activities for Non-Trekkers:

• If you are not trekking, you will visit the Burera and Ruhondo twin lakes, formed by ancient volcanic activity. Take in the breathtaking views, spot local fishermen in their traditional wooden canoes, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of this hidden gem.

• Then, you’ll gain insight into the traditions and way of life of one of Rwanda’s indigenous groups, the Batwa (Pygmy) community in Kinigi. The Batwa were the original forest dwellers of this region and have a deep connection to the land. During the visit, learn about their history, storytelling traditions, hunting techniques, and how they have adapted to modern Rwandan society.

• You’ll also visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village. This community-led initiative showcases Rwandan traditions, music, dance, and history while providing former poachers with sustainable livelihoods through cultural tourism.

• Overnight stay in Musanze.

Saturday 15th March – Kigali

Morning

• After breakfast, we’ll drive back to the Rwanda capital, Kigali.
• On arrival, we’ll see the Presidential Palace Museum (also known as the Rwanda Art Museum), which used to belong to Juvenal Habyarimana. You can still find remains from his nightclub, a plane wreck, and several hidden rooms.

Afternoon

• We’ll continue to visit Kigali and explore small neighbourhoods mixing with the locals and capturing amazing pictures of our experiences before heading for lunch.
• Next, we’ll visit an important site: The Kigali Genocide Memorial. The memorial commemorates the loss of 250,000 people during the Civil War. This was a dark time in Rwandan history that spilled across its border which you’ll learn about during the tour.
• We take a stroll around the Kigali City Market for some last minute souvenir shopping.
• Visit to the Hôtel des Mille Collines, made famous by the film Hotel Rwanda. During the Rwanda Genocide it became famous as it housed more then 1000 refugees.
• Dinner in Kigali followed by drinks in town.
• Overnight stay in Kigali.

Sunday 16th March – Kigali – Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Group A members: Tour concludes in Kigali, Rwanda. YPT is able to arrange post-tour accommodation and airport drop off for a fee. We are also able to provide advice for ongoing flights.
• Group B members: Arrive at your convenience into Kigali. The capital city of Rwanda is well connected with flights from many African Countries, London, Amsterdam and Dubai.  Pre tour accommodation and airport pickup can be arranged for a fee.
• A 6:00am start for our journey to the Pearl of Africa, Uganda. We’ll have plenty of interesting stops along the way as we pass through Rwanda. One thing you will notice is its green hilly landscape, famously known as “the land of a thousand hills” and extremely friendly residents.
• Your smooth border crossing into Uganda will be accompanied by your experienced western and local guides.

Afternoon

• This route wouldn’t be complete without a quick stop at Lake Buke Bunyoni, one thing you will notice is the sound of birds. The name of the lake derives from the native word “small birds” hence why Lake Bunyoni is known as the “Place of many little birds”. We’ll have lunch in the local area.
• We continue onwards to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP, or Queens), which is probably the best National Park in the country where you can encounter African lions.
• Dinner and drinks at hotel.
• Overnight stay in our hotel at the QENP.

Monday 17th March – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Early rise, as we start the first game drive at 6.00am. For several hours we’ll drive around the park to try to spot the Big 5: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo. Although no guarantees, this is the best park to find them.  We’ll be able to the amazing wildlife throughout the park: Uganda homes some the best protected species!

Afternoon

• We’ll take a break after the first game drive, to visit a local village located within the national park where we will have lunch.
• Around 2:00pm we’ll hop on a boat to cruise along the Kazinga Channel, this is another great opportunity to spot wildlife in their natural environment.
• As the evening cools and the park stirs with the sound of animals, it’s time for another trip. At 4:30pm we’ll opt for another game drive around the park, hoping to see elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, lions, and rhinos.
• Dinner at Hotel.
• Overnight stay in our hotel at the QENP.

Tuesday 18th March – Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kampala

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Today we’ll focus on finding the incredibly intelligent chimpanzees, as QENP is also known for its large population of chimps.
• We’ll take a short hike through a valley where there’s a population of chimps. You’ll be able to observe the troops from a safe distance.

Afternoon

• We’ll then head back and relax and have lunch. Once we’re ready our journey continues to the capital of Uganda, Kampala. On our road trip, you will have time to rest after those busy few days at the national park.
• Pass through the equator by foot. You’ll have plenty of time to take pictures with The Equator Monument. You can watch the Coriolis Effect demonstrated, it’s a pretty peculiar phenomenon.
• Dinner and much deserved drinks in Kampala after a busy few day seeing amazing wildlife.
• Overnight stay in Kampala.

Wednesday 19th March – Kampala

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Our day beings with city tour of Kampala, this is fantastic way to explore and learn about the fascinating history of Uganda.
• We’ll visit the Gaddafi Mosque, formally known as the Uganda National Mosque. The impressive mosque is the largest in East Africa and was a gift from The Colonel to benefit the Muslim population in the region.
• Then we’ll see the Kasubi Royal Tombs and learn more about the traditional houses in Uganda. These days it’s a UNESCO heritage site.

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch in Kampala, which boast many regional traditional dishes as well as many international cuisines to choose from.
• We’ll make a trip to Kabaka’s Palace, where the Kabaka (King) reside. Although the monarchy was discontinued briefly by the Ugandan Government, The Buganda royalty still continues.
• No tour to Kampala is complete without learning about Idi Amin and visiting his Torture Chambers. Even till today Idi Amin is referred to as the “butcher of Uganda”.
• Our final visit will be at the film studios of Uganda better known as Ugawood – which is ever emerging and making a global impression.
• In the evening we’ll head to a restaurant for our farewell dinner and drinks.
• Overnight stay in Kampala.

Thursday 20th March – Kampala

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Group B & C members: End of the tour depart at your own convenience. YPT can arrange additional nights in Kampala and airport drop off for a fee, we are more than happy to provide advice for ongoing flights.
• Continue further with YPT and board the Uganda Airlines – UR122 departing Kampala at 8:00am and arriving 8:25am in Juba ready for our South Sudan Tour. Flights not included in tour cost.

Read More