Embarking on a 10 Day Rwanda, Uganda Primate Adventure Safari is truly unforgettable, it’s a journey of discovery, learning, and connection with the natural world. This carefully curated itinerary combines thrilling encounters with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, awe-inspiring landscapes, and a deep immersion into the vibrant culture of Rwanda. The safari further brings you to Elizabeth National Park, a stunning location known for its scenic beauty, volcanic features, diverse ecosystems, and spotting tree-climbing lions. Kibale National Park renowned for its high population of chimpanzees and Murchison Falls National Park for the most magnificent and strongest falls in the world.
Safari Highlights:
- Kigali Genocide Memorial.
- Gorilla Trekking.
- Gorilla Guardian’s village / Iby’iwacu cultural experience.
- Boat safari along the wild-rich Kazinga channel.
- Chimpanzee trekking encounters.
- Community and cultural experiences.
- Countryside scenic experiences.
- Coffee and Tea experiences.
- Banana beer experience.
- Game Drive Through the Savannah plains.
- Boat Safari on the Nile to the bottom of the falls.
- Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls.
- Rhino tracking.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our meet-and-greet lounge host, who will ensure a seamless transition from the airport and aid you through fast-track assistance with visas and luggage collection. After the immigration and baggage collection process, you will be handed over to our driver guide to start your safari journey. You will then be transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight at The Retreat by Heaven/Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury), Hotel des Milles Collines (Midrange), 5 Swiss Hotel (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Kickstart your gorilla trekking adventure with an exploration of Kigali. After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a brief city tour through Kigali, exploring cultural landmarks, local markets, and historic sites. You’ll visit Kigali Genocide Memorialwhich will provide you with a moving insight into Rwanda’s Genocide history and resilience, serving as a reminder of the strength of its people. Following our Kigali exploration, you will embark on a scenic 2-3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park.
Situated in the northwest of Rwanda, this park is renowned for its mountainous landscapes, lush vegetation, and being home to many of the world’s mountain gorilla populations. En route, we witness picturesque views of terraced hills, rural communities, and volcanic peaks. Upon arrival, you will checkin to your lodge followed by an evening relaxation.
Dinner and overnight at One & Only Gorillas Nest/Singita Kwitonda Lodge/Bisate Lodge (Luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Sambora Kinigi/Ingagi Park view Lodge (Midrange), Classic Resort Lodge/Lalocanda Boutique Hotel (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Adventure – Iby’wacu Cultural Experience.
Our first full day in Volcanoes National Park is all about meeting the gorillas! Rising early, you will fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading to the park’s headquarters for a briefing by experienced park rangers about the guidelines on gorilla trekking. Equipped with trekking gear and excitement, you’ll embark on a guided journey through dense forests, bamboo groves, and hilly terrains. The trek varies between 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. Along the way, you encounter other fascinating wildlife, a wide array of bird species, and unique plant life that thrives in the volcanic soil. After navigating the forest, you’ll finally meet a family of mountain gorillas. During a one-hour interaction time permitted, you watch them play, feed, and rest, capturing memories that will last a lifetime. Observing these majestic creatures up close is a humbling experience as the gorillas’ expressive faces and close-knit family bonds leave a profound impression. Returning to our lodge, we unwind and share stories from the day over a delicious dinner, reliving each moment of the trek.
In the afternoon at 1400hrs, you’ll immerse yourself in the local culture with a visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Here, you have the chance to interact with the local community and learn about traditional Rwandan norms and customs as you enjoy performances of traditional dances and songs. The village tour also includes demonstrations of traditional medicine, basket weaving, and hunting techniques, offering a glimpse into the local way of life and Rwanda’s rich heritage.
Dinner and overnight at One & Only Gorillas Nest/Singita Kwitonda Lodge/Bisate Lodge (Luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Sambora Kinigi/Ingagi Parkview Lodge (Midrange), Classic Resort Lodge/Lalocanda Boutique Hotel (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Begin your safari with a warm breakfast at your hotel. From here at 0800hrs, embark on a scenic journey southwest of Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive to the park is approximately 5-6 hours and takes you through lush countryside, expansive tea plantations, and picturesque views of the rolling hills. Your evening will be spent at leisure whilst enjoying your first taste of the Ugandan wilderness with a sunset view over the savannah.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a habitat to close 100 mammal species and about 606 types of birds dwell within this park among them are the: large schools of hippos, large forest hogs and the alluring Uganda kobs commonly seen in the tourist villages on the magnificent Mweya Peninsula which prides in a beautiful waterfront locale within the shadows of Mountains of the moon. However, the isolated Ishasha Sector is prominent for the resident tree-climbing lions, the Maramagambo forest is habitat to an attractive diversity of monkeys plus birds, the crater lakes hold thousands of the prepossessing pink flamingoes, while the Kyambura Gorges and Kalinzu forest is home to the habituated Chimpanzees.
Dinner and overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury), Twin Lakes Lodge (Midrange), Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 5: Game Drive – Boat Cruise.
Kick off the day with breakfast at 0600hrs followed by an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. This area of the park is famous for its abundance of wildlife, and the morning hours are ideal for spotting lions, elephants, buffalo, Hartebeest, Bushbucks, Jackal, hyenas, oribis, and a variety of antelope species. The Kasenyi Plains also host predators like leopards, which can often be found lounging on trees or prowling through the grasses. Our expert guides are knowledgeable about the animals’ movements and behaviors, ensuring you get up-close views and fantastic photo opportunities.
After a delightful lunch at the lodge, head to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat safari. The channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward, is a sanctuary for numerous animal species. This unique boat safari provides an up-close look at hippos wallowing in the water, Nile crocodiles basking along the shore, and elephants drinking by the water’s edge. The channel is also a haven for birdwatchers, as you can spot kingfishers, African fish eagles, pelicans, and more than 600 other bird species.
Dinner and overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury), Twin Lakes Lodge (Midrange), Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale National Park.
Kickstart your safari with breakfast at 06h00. After a briefing, you’ll begin the scenic drive to Kibale National Park. The drive to the park is approximately 3-4 hours and takes you through lush countryside, expansive tea plantations in Bushenyi, and picturesque views of the rolling hills. Along the way, you’ll cross the Equator, where a quick stop is a must for a photo at the iconic Equator Spot. Upon reaching Kibale, you will be welcomed by the serene beauty of one of the most bio-diverse regions in East Africa. You will transfer to your lodge fully surrounded by the mystical calls of the monkeys followed by an evening at leisure whilst utilizing complementary activities offered by the lodge. Over a dozen primates inhabit this national park, and various types of monkeys grace the trees around your verandah. Close your eyes, and the soundtrack will provide an incredible appreciation for how remote you are.
Dinner and overnight at Kibale Lodge/Primate Lodge/ Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury), Turaco Tree Tops (Midrange), Bweza Kibale Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking – Community and Cultural Experience.
On the second day after a paradisiac breakfast at 06h30, prepare for an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking adventure in the lush forests of Kibale. Kibale National Park is home to about 1,500 chimpanzees, along with 12 other primate species such as the black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, and grey-cheeked mangabey. You will transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing by expert guides and rangers about the park’s rules, tracking techniques, and chimpanzee behaviors. Led by an experienced ranger guide, you will venture into the dense forest looking for chimpanzees. The tracking duration can vary from 1-4 hours depending on the movement of the chimpanzee groups. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you’ll have a precious one-hour window to observe these magnificent animals as you watch them swing through trees, groom one another, and communicate through vocalizations.
After lunch at 14h00, you will go for a village walk to immerse yourself in the interesting cultures of the community. This immersive activity features coffee plantation tours, a traditional healer experience, Basket weaving, and a cultural performance, wrapped by local banana beer/Gin production and tasting.
Dinner and overnight at Kibale Lodge/Primate Lodge/ Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury), Turaco Tree Tops (Midrange), Bweza Kibale Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 8: Transfer To Murchison Falls National Park.
The adventure begins with an early breakfast at 0600hrs. You then travel to Murchison Falls National Park through Hoima City. The scenic 7-hour drive to Murchison Falls National Park offers an introduction to Uganda’s diverse countryside, showcasing picturesque villages, lush farmlands, and glimpses of local life. Upon arrival, we enter the park through the Kichumbanyobo gate and visit the top of the falls for magnificent, picturesque moments before checking in at your lodge.
Covering over 3,800 square kilometers, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park, renowned for its sprawling savannah, riverine woodlands, and vibrant wildlife. Murchison Falls National Park has over 76 mammal species and 451 bird species. Reptiles like the Nile crocodile, hippo, and the rare semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope. You may glimpse the big 5 mammals: Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffes, warthogs, giant forest hog, Uganda Kob, topi, and waterbuck.
Dinner and overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange), Red Chilli Camp (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 9: Game Drive – Boat Cruise – Hike to the Top of the Falls.
The second day in Murchison begins with a cup of coffee at 0600hrs before stepping out for an early morning game drive, a perfect time to spot some of Murchison Falls’ iconic animals. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore the Buligi Game Tracks that stretch between the Victoria and Albert tracks. This area is ideal for seeing large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and the occasional predators like lions and leopards. You will also spot numerous giraffes, Hartebeest, Bushbucks, Jackal, hyenas, oribis, Uganda kobs, etc. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of species like the Goliath heron, Abyssinian ground hornbill, and African fish eagle. After an exciting morning on the safari, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
A short rest at the lodge allows for a smooth transition to an afternoon boat safari along the Nile at 1400hrs. The boat safari provides stunning views of the Nile River to the bottom of the Murchison Falls, the longest river in the world, and introduces the safari’s first sightings of large schools of hippos, crocodiles, and diverse bird species like rare shoebill stork, Fish Eagle, African Skimmer, Grey-crowned Crane, Black-headed Gonolek, Goliath Heron, Green-winged, Long-toed Plover, Saddle-billed Stork. Avid photographers will love the opportunity to capture these remarkable animals in their natural habitat, backdropped by the park’s lush vegetation.
Optional Activity: ($15 Per Person).
For those up for the challenge, a guided hike to the top of the falls reveals awe-inspiring views and an up-close look at the mighty Nile plunging through a narrow 7-meter gorge. The roar of the waterfall and the mist in the air create a memorable and immersive experience of nature’s raw power.
Dinner and overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange), Red Chilli Camp (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 10: Rhino Tracking – Return to Entebbe – Departure.
Our final morning in Murchison Falls National Park includes one last game drive at 0600hrs. This is a last chance to see any wildlife we may have missed earlier. Early morning is a great time to encounter predators returning from a night’s hunt or observe the park’s abundant herbivores grazing in the soft morning light. After the game drive and breakfast, we begin our journey back to Kampala, stopping along the way to stretch at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and engage in on-foot rhino tracking. The sanctuary, located halfway between Kampala and Murchison Falls, is home to Uganda’s only wild white rhinos, offering an up-close experience of these majestic creatures. lunch before resuming the trip back to the city. As we drive back to Kampala/Entebbe, the memories of the safari stay fresh and keep ringing bells in your mind. Depending on the time of departure you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Inclusions.
1. All Permits and Entrance fees included in the itinerary.
2. All park entrance fees.
3. Ground transport in a 4WD Safari vehicle.
4. Kigali Genocide Memorial.
5. Gorilla Trekking.
6. Gorilla Guardian’s village/Iby’iwacu cultural experience.
7. Boat safari along the wild-rich Kazinga channel.
8. Chimpanzee trekking encounters.
9. Community and cultural experience.
10. Countryside scenic experiences.
11. Coffee and Tea experiences.
12. Banana beer experience.
13. Game Drive Through the Savannah plains.
14. Boat Safari on the Nile to the bottom of the falls.
15. Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls.
16. All Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary.
17. All Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
18. English-speaking driver/guide.
19. Refreshments in the safari vehicle.
Exclusions.
1. All Tips to Hotels/Lodges/Camps staff and Safari Guide.
2. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are not accompanying meals.
3. International flight/s and departure taxes and other taxes.
4. Visa fees. Visas are available online or upon arrival at all Entry points.