Uganda and Rwanda are famous for their National Parks and fantastic safari opportunities that would blow up your budget to the stars.
Seb and I however explored this part of the world on budget, with 70 GBP per day for both of us. This budget however doesn’t include the gorilla trekking permits, which we booked 6 months in advance, when we still had jobs and money 😛
28 Aug – 17 Sep 2018
Day 1, 28 Aug – Kampala.
Organisational day: pick up Gorilla trekking permits from the UWA, buy some gear for Rwenzori trek, bus tickets for the next day. Stay in ICU guesthouse.
Dinner at street fish market – delicious.
Day 2, 29 Aug – Kampala to Kasese to Kilimbe
All day in transportation.
Day 3-7, 30 Aug – 3 Sep – Rwenzori mountains trek to Wiesmann’s peak. dedicated post here.
Day 8, 4 Sep – Kasese recovery day after Rwenzori trek. Stay in Uhuru 50 hotel (Good one).
Day 9, 5 Sep – Kasese to Ishasha to Kihihi
Getting from A to B with a bit of safari
We used several means of transportation to get to the final destination. Originally wanted to stay in Enjojo lodge in the middle of wilderness, but it was ridiculously overpriced for what it was, so since we still had some day light, we moved to the nearest town – Kihihi and this was the best decision ever. Sobu guesthouse offered better rooms, food and services for half the price.
Day 10, 6 Sep – Kihihi
Exploring the village, learning about local ways of living, falling in love with Ugandan people. Dedicated post here.
Day 11, 7 Sep – Buhoma to Nkuringo walk through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 70$ per person for the permits, guide and escort of rangers. 20$ for a porter.
Night in ridiculously overpriced lodge (Bwindi Backpackers lodge) that also discriminates you based on the price you pay.
Day 12, 8 Sep – Meeting gentle gorillas of X-mas family in Nkuringo.
Night in Kisoro.
Day 13, 9 Sep – hiking around Kisoro, discovering fantastic view point on lake Mutanda.
Day 14, 10 Sep – Crossing border to Rwanda in Cyanika. Quite easy, hassle and wait free.
Making all the way to Rubavu (Gisenyi), staying in Center d’accuel Saint Francois Xavier.
Day 15-18, 11-14 Sep – Congo Nile trail along lake Kivu. Dedicated post here.
Day 19, 15 Sep – Kibuye to Kigali
Almost all day bus. Staying in La Caverne guest house – AVOID, filthy.
Day 20-21, 16-17 Sep – Kigali
Kigali striked us by its cleannes, greenness and great infrastructure. We took a chance to have a break from African food and enjoyed Korean, Italian and European restaurants. The Tutsi Genocide memorial is very informative and impressive, we spent more than 2 hours there reading about those terrible events. It is hard to believe that this laidback, kind and well developed country often called “African role model” went through these horrible tragedy.
