3 Weeks East Africa Itinerary – Rwanda Uganda Congo & Burundi

Looking for adventuring East and Central Africa to see the Mountain Gorillas, Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Congo’s kahuzi Biega National Park while on guided holiday in East Africa. Self drive East Africa team has tailored the classic 25 Days East Africa Itinerary starting from Uganda to Rwanda, Congo and Burundi for road trip holiday in Africa.

The East Africa adventure starts from Uganda with chance to trek Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rwanda for Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park & Congo for Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and drummers in Gitega Drum Sanctuary in Burundi.

25 Days Rwanda Uganda Congo Burundi is recommended to adventurers planning to explore the hard to reach National Parks within East Africa for classic holiday, its the alternative for 30 Days Self drive East Africa that includes Uganda Rwanda , Burundi , Tanzania and Kenya before returning to Uganda where the trip started.

Trip Summary 3 weeks Self Drive in East Africa itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali.Off road terrain Safari Tour
Day 2: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
Day 5: Hiking in Nyungwe National Park
Day 6: Transfer to DR Congo
Day 7: Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking.
Day 8: Waterfalls Hike & Lwiro Chimps Rehabilitation Center
Day 9: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 10:  Hike Mount Bisoke
Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking
Day 12: Karisimbi Hike
Day 13: Descend Karisimbi
Day 14: Transfer to lake Bunyonyi
Day 15: Boat cruise, bird watching, and community visits
Day 16: Hiking and Nature Walks lake Bunyonyi
Day 17: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 18 : Gorilla Habituation Experiences
Day 19: Nature walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 20: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 21: Wildlife watching & Boat Cruise
Day 22: Transfer to Burundi Via Tanzania Border Rusumo
Day 23: Bujumbura city tour and proceed to Gitega town
Day 24: Visit the Gitega Drum Sanctuary and return to Bujumbura
Day 25: Transfer to Bujumbura Airport

Detailed 25 Days East Africa Self Drive itinerary – Gorilla Trekking

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali.

25 Day Rwanda, Congo (DRC), Uganda & Burundi Roadtrip

Explore the city, including the Genocide Memorial where you will learn more about what transpired during April 1994 genocide that claimed 1000s of lives & local markets. Overnight StepTown Motel or similar

 

Day 2:  Transfer to Lake Kivu

 

Spend a day relaxing by Lake Kivu , head to Karongi and do a tea/coffee plantation. Dinner and overnight at Cormoran Lodge

 

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe

 

Drive from lake Kiivu to Nyungwe National Park. Settle in & prepare for hikes. Overnight Ken Barham Guesthouse or Similar

 

Day 4:  Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk

 

Morning Chimpanzee Trekking & Afternoon Canopy walk, Nyungwe NP. Ken Barham Guesthouse or similar

 

Day 5:  Hiking in Nyungwe

 

Hike in Nyungwe, choosing from various trails to experience its rich biodiversity. Overnight at Ken Barham Guesthouse or similar

 

Day 6:  Trannsfer to Congo

 

Travel to Kahuzi-Biega Natinal Park via changugu border (about 6 hours). Settle in.Overnight at Nevida Tea & Breakfast or similar

 

Day 7:  Lowland Gorilla Tracking.

 

Morning Lowland Gorilla Tracking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Overnight at Nevida Tea & Breakfast or similar

 

Day 8: Waterfalls Hike & Lwiro Chimps Rehabilitation Center

 

Explore the park with additional waterfalls Hike & Lwiro Chimps Rehabilitation Center. Nevida Tea & Breakfast or similar

 

Day 9:  Transfer to Volcanoes

 

Travel to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda (about 7-8 hours). Settle in. The Garden Place hotel or similar

 

Day 10:  Hike Mt. Bisoke

 

A popular 1-day hike to the crater lake, offering stunning views of the Virunga Mountains .The duration of the hike can vary from five hours to a full day, depending on your walking pace and the frequency of stops, you’ll traverse bamboo forests, encounter blooming Lobelia bushes, and have the chance to spot elephants and rare bird species. The Garden Place Or similar

 

Day 11:  Sabyinyo Hike

 

Hike Mt. Sabyinyo for panoramic views, then return to your lodge. The Garden Place or similar

 

Day 12: Golden monkey tracking

 

Morning Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. The Garden place or similar

 

Day 13: Karisimbi hike

 

Start the trek to Mt. Karisimbi the Rwanda’s highest peak (4,507m), with camping along the way on the mountain (2-day trek).

 

Day 14:  Summit Mt Karisimbi

 

Reach the summit of Mt. Karisimbi & descend back to base camp, then return to the lodge. The Garden Place of similar

 

Day 15:  Transfer to lake Bunyonyi

 

Travel to Lake Bunyoni (about 2-3 hours). Enjoy a relaxing day by the lake . Bunyonyi overland Camp or similar.

 

Day 16:  Lake Bunyoni, Uganda.

 

Enjoy  a boat cruise atound lake bunyonyi as you see sorrounding islands or visit Batwa( pygimies)

 

Day 17:  Hiking and Nature Walks lake Bunyonyi

 

The rolling hills around Lake Bunyonyi provide excellent hiking trails with breathtaking panoramic views.

 

Day 18:  Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable

 

Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda (about 4-5 hours). Settle in & rest. Travelers Rest Hotel or similar

 

Day 19:  Gorilla habituation experience

Gorilla habituation in Bwindi. Spend time observing the gorillas. Travelers Rest Hotel or similar

 

Day 20: Hiking Adventure in Bwindi Forest

 

Explore the Ivy River Trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a 14 km hike offering encounters with diverse wildlife, bird species

Day 21: Transfer to Akagera national park

 

Travel back to Rwanda and head to Akagera National Park (about 5-6 hours). Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge or similar

 

Day 22: Game drive and boat cruise

 

Full day of wildlife viewing in Akagera. Consider a boat trip on Lake Ihema. Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge or similar

 

Day 23: Transfer to Burundi

 

Travel to Gitega, Burundi. Settle in and relax at. Overnight at Jerusalem Hotel Gitega or similar.

 

Day 24:  Gitega Drum Sanctuary.

 

Vsit Gitega Drum Sanctuary Transfer to Bujumbura. Overnight at Club Du Lac Tanganyika or similar

 

Day 25:  Bunjumbura city tour

 

Explore Bujumbura: visit local markets, the museum, and take a boat trip on the lake. Overnight at Club Du Lac Tanganyika or similar

 

Day 26: Departure

 

A leisurely breakfast you will bid farewell to the lodge  then proceed to the airport to catch your onward international flight out ending your 26 days Rwanda Uganda, Burundi,DRCongo trip.