Primates of Uganda & Rwanda Chimps, Double Gorillas & Wildlife
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Similar Safaris
- Notes & Packing
What's included
- 1 Chimp tracking permit per person
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Ground transportation in 4WD safari car
- Meals indicated in the itinerary
- Park / Activity Fees
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Personal travel insurance
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa fees
11 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
Quick Overview
Our 11-day Uganda Rwanda safari gives you the opportunity to explore the very best of Uganda and Rwanda, including chimps, gorillas and Savannah wildlife.
The safari starts in Kampala – Uganda’s capital and goes to Kibale for Chimpanzee tracking, before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking. From Bwindi, you cross the border to Rwanda and track both gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.
You will then spend some relaxing time at the shores of lake Kivu, and then visit Kigali for history and culture. You shall continue to Akagera National Park for Savannah wildlife. In Akagera, you will get to see animals like giraffes, zebras, lions, elephants, hippos, rhinos and much more.
Your safari will end with a return to Kigali where our guide will take you to the airport for your flight back home.
Highlights
Destinations: Entebbe, Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Volcanoes National Park, Lake Kivu, Kigali, Akagera National Park
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Golden monkey tracking, Game drive, Boat ride, City tour
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Drive from Kampala to Kibale National Park
In the morning, your safari guide will meet you at your residence/accommodation to start the safari by driving to Kibale National Park.
Along the way, you will pass many small towns, farms and tea plantations that define this beautiful part of Uganda. You will stop in Fort Portal Town for lunch and then continue to the nearby Kibale National Park.
In the evening, you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to start off your tour with some mammals, birds, and 12 primate species. Bigodi is a community-led eco-tourism project that protects the swamp's ecosystem through sustainable tourism.
Bigodi is an astounding example of what can be done towards conserving fragile ecosystems - especially when communities come together for one goal.
Accommodation
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Chimp Tracking in Kibale, Drive to Bwindi
After breakfast, you will go for a chimp tracking briefing by the park officials and then proceed to start your search for chimpanzees in the forest.
The tracking is led by an experienced ranger who will provide detailed information about the chimps, other primates and the entire ecosystem of the forests - making your walk enjoyable and insightful.
Upon meeting the chimpanzees, you will spend about 1 hour with them before heading back to the starting point of your hike. The whole experience takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group and the movement of the chimps.
After your chimpanzee experience, you will quickly refresh at the lodge and start on your road trip to Bwindi. This is a 5-6 hour drive which crosses through Queen Elizabeth N.P where you might spot the elephants, buffaloes and antelopes that are often close by the main road.
You will reach your lodge in the evening, ready to freshen up, have dinner and rest in anticipation of meeting gorillas the next day..
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Rest Camp
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the park offices for a briefing about gorilla trekking. After the briefing, you will be assigned the gorilla family and experienced ranger guide to lead your gorilla tracking experience.
The rangers are experienced and know the forest very well and will lead your hike to see the gorillas. Your hike goes through dense untamed rain forest, steep slopes and simple trails and it can take 2-8 hours depending on how the gorillas move around.
During your gorilla trek, the rangers will share a lot of information and insights about the gorillas and the forest. You can ask any questions you have and they will answer you.
Upon meeting the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour with them, watching them play, eat, groom and go about their day. You will ask more questions, get to take pictures and take in the moment of peace among the gorillas.
After your time with gorillas, you will hike back to the starting point for your gorilla trekking certificate.
You will go back to the lodge to refresh and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Rest Camp
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Transfer to Volcanoes NP
After breakfast, you will leave Bwindi and drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The drive is not long and you will reach with enough time to relax and enjoy the surrounding area.
After breakfast, drive to Rwanda as you enjoy what is referred to as the Land of A Thousand hills which Rwanda is well known to Ruhengere. The evening is spent on sightseeing and relaxing around your safari Lodge
Accommodation
- Budget: Muhabura Guest House
- Mid-range: Da Vinci Lodge
- Luxury: Virunga Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes NP
After breakfast, you will go to the park offices where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the upcoming gorilla trekking.
After assigning your gorilla group you will then enter the jungle for your gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda. You will hike through the park and after meeting the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour with them and then return to the starting point to meet your guide.
After the trekking, the evening is spent on a community walk in Ruhengere to take you through the local communities, how they live plus their ordinary life style especially those staying near the park.
Accommodation
- Budget: Muhabura Guest House
- Mid-range: Da Vinci Lodge
- Luxury: Virunga Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Golden Monkey Tracking, Transfer to L.Kivu
Today, you will go back for more primates, but this time it is the jolly and stunning golden monkeys.
While they are not as popular as gorillas, golden monkeys can only be found in the Virunga massif which covers the 3 connected parks of Mgahinga, Volcanoes and Virunga in Uganda, Rwanda and DR.Cong respectively.
They are very playful and intelligent animals with intricate social structures, and of course the distinct golden fur which stands out against the green background of the bamboo forests where they like to spend their day.
After seeing the golden monkeys, you will have your lunch and then transfer to Lake Kivu.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Bethania Guest House
- Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full Day at Lake Kivu
Today, you will take it easy and calm down from the intensity of the previous activities.
In the morning, you will go on a canoe tour to the various islands in Lake Kivu and calmly take in the beauty of this lake and the surroundings.
In the afternoon, you may go swimming, relax at the beach or walk around the nearby hills for stunning scenery and calming bird songs.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Bethania Guest House
- Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Kigali, Kigali City tour
After breakfast, you will drive to Kigali.
You will stop at Nyanza, the ancient monarch capital to visit the last national King palace. You will enjoy a picnic lunch and continue to Kigali.
In Kigali, you will have a city tour to visit some of the highlights of Rwanda's capital.
Accommodation
- Budget: Rwanda Youth Hostel
- Mid-range: Chez Lando Hotel
- Luxury: Marriott Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kigali City Tour, Transfer to Akagera
After breakfast you will have a city tour of Kigali which will make you visit different historical points of our country and also a visit to the Genocide site will be rewarding. After the city tour, break off for lunch in Kigali.
Thereafter proceed and drive to Akagera National Park in the South East of the country. Depending on the time of arrival you may do some activities like bird watching or a guided nature walk.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Ruzizi Tented camp
- Luxury: Akagera Game Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Game safari in Akagera National Park
After your breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive in the park. The rolling hills and lakes provide many opportunities to see many animals such as rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes, zebras, giraffes and an abundance of birds.
You will have a picnic lunch in the park and then proceed for an afternoon boat ride in Lake Ihema. This will give you more wildlife and birding opportunities. The Nyirabiyoro island is a historical hotspot for crocodiles, hippos and many rare bird species.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Ruzizi Tented camp
- Luxury: Akagera Game Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Kigali, Departure
Today, you will leave Akagera National Park and transfer back to Kigali for your departure flight back home. Depending on your flight time, you might have some hours for shopping and enjoying Kigali City.
Our guide will take you to the airport for your flight, and this will mark the end of your safari.
Accommodation
- (X) - Last day
Notes of Chimp & Gorilla Trekking
Here are some important things to know about tracking gorillas or chimps in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Minimum age allowed to track chimps is 12 years old.
- Minimum age allowed to track gorillas is 15 years old.
- Tracking gorillas is quite strenuous and one should be physically fit to best enjoy the experience.
- Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will not be allowed to track chimps or gorillas.
- Maximum time allowed with the gorillas or chimps is 1 hour.
Packing Recommendation
Here are some general safari packing recommendations to consider. Your agreed itinerary will have recommendations based on your trip and schedule.
- Lightweight rain poncho
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Waterproof trousers
- gardening-type gloves
- Sunscreen
- Wide brim hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera with extra batteries and cards
- Your regular medication
- Phone/gadget chargers
Visas for Uganda or Rwanda
Both Rwanda and Uganda have simple to use online visa self-service portals where you can apply and get your visa in a few days. Here are the full articles to guide you about visas.
- Uganda visa requirements and processes for tourist
- Rwanda visa requirements and processes for tourist
Best time to visit Uganda or Rwanda
For most people, it is more pleasant and enjoyable to visit Uganda or Rwanda during the dry season months (June to September and December to February). The general climate is warm and sunny all year round, and you can visit at any time of the year.
If you don't enjoy crowds, the shoulder seasons are ideal since the tourist numbers are lower and the attractions are more intimate to explore.
Safety. Is its safe to visit?
Both Uganda and Rwanda are very safe countries to visit and live in. They are some of Africa's most visited countries and hailed for the friendly locals and warm welcoming smiles.
If you have any safety concerns or specifics your are worried about, simply reach out to us and we'll do everything to help you.
Why Choose Exclusive African Safaris
We are a full service Destination Management Company started and operating in Uganda since 2008. In more than 15 years, we have served guests from all parts of the world and helped them to enjoy wonderful experiences of the wild places, cultures and people in Uganda and Rwanda.
Choosing Exclusive African Safaris, is choosing to go with a trusted company whose wide network, experienced guides and staff will make sure that your safari experience is all that you wanted - and more.
Customizing your safari experience
All our safari packages can be customized and personalized to fit your budget, preferences and schedule. You can start the process through an already existing safari which is speaking to you - but not quite fully, and we shall tailor that trip to your wishes.
You can also directly reach out for us and request for a custom safari, and we shall work closely with you, start from scratch and build a safari that is 100% you.
