The seven-day “Rwanda Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trek Tour & Primates Safari” is available for departure daily from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and can conclude either at Entebbe Airport in Uganda or retrace back to Kigali Airport. This meticulously crafted tour is tailored for individuals who wish to spend an ample amount of time observing both mountain gorillas and various other primates in Uganda and Rwanda. The itinerary includes two gorilla trekking experiences: one at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the other at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Additionally, this safari emphasizes the diverse primate life found in both countries. To enhance the primate experience, the tour includes a two-night stay in Kibale National Park, which is recognized as East Africa’s Primate Capital. During this stay, participants will not only track the easily observable wild and habituated chimpanzees but will also have the opportunity to encounter some of the park’s other twelve primate species.
Tour Highlights
7-Day Combined Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour in Rwanda and Uganda Overview
This exclusive, all-inclusive 7-day tour offers an unparalleled experience in tracking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi, as well as observing chimpanzees and eleven other primate species in Kibale National Park. The itinerary allows flexibility in starting and concluding the tour either in Entebbe or Kigali.
Participants may initiate the journey from either Kigali (Rwanda) or Entebbe (Uganda) and conclude in one of these cities.
- Day 1: Arrival and commencement of the tour in Kigali, followed by a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, and later, a drive to Volcanoes National Park, known for housing Rwanda’s mountain gorillas
- Day 2: Experience mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
- Day 3: Travel to Uganda and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Day 4: Participate in gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
- Day 5: Relish the scenic journey from Bwindi to Kibale National Park, recognized as the primate capital of East Africa.
- Day 6:Engage in chimpanzee trekking and explore other primate species in Kibale Forest.
- Day 7: Conclude the tour in either Entebbe or Kigali.
Detailed Tour itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Journey to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
A representative from Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris will greet you upon your arrival in Kigali, either at your hotel or at Kigali Airport, to commence your tour. It is preferred that we depart at 8 AM; however, should your arrival at the airport take place on the same day, we can postpone our departure to accommodate your timing. Regardless, we will ensure that our departure does not occur later than 3 PM.
Your guide will then lead you on a brief tour of Kigali City. Notable sites included in this itinerary are the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, local markets, and other significant landmarks within Kigali. The memorial provides a poignant experience and typically requires a couple of hours to fully appreciate; it holds particular relevance for those who have a connection with this remarkable nation. This site is dedicated to commemorating the countless individuals who lost their lives during the genocide of 1994. It serves as a place of serene remembrance for those who were lost, as well as a venue for reflection and education for the broader community, both locally and internationally.
Subsequently, we will proceed to Volcanoes National Park.
Spanning altitudes between 2,400 meters and 4,507 meters, Volcanoes National Park is characterized by its stunning volcanic landscape, which gives the park its name. This location is renowned globally as the site where the American primatologist Dian Fossey conducted her groundbreaking research on the behaviors of mountain gorillas for nearly two decades.
Our accommodations are strategically situated for those interested in observing wildlife in its natural environment, particularly the endangered mountain gorillas that continue to inhabit this region.
Top Accommodation Options in Volcanoes National Park
Luxury level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Your tour guide will meet you for breakfast at the lodge and subsequently transport you to the Park offices for a briefing prior to your gorilla trek. This briefing aims to equip you with essential knowledge regarding your unique interaction with mountain gorillas, as well as insights into the conservation initiatives undertaken within the park in the context of neighboring community challenges. Following the briefing, you will be assigned to a specific gorilla group for tracking. Mountain gorillas inhabit family units, and daily, only eight tourists are permitted to track each group. While you may express a preference for a particular group, the final decision rests with the officers of Volcanoes National Park.
The exhilarating trek leads you through the picturesque foothills of the Virunga Mountains, offering breathtaking vistas of the surrounding volcanic ranges. As the path transitions into the national park, trekkers become enveloped in the vibrant ambiance of the rainforest, resonating with the calls of a variety of colorful birds and the playful chatter of the rare golden monkey, alongside the fresh traces left by the elusive buffalo and elephant populations of the mountains.
Through the openings in the forest canopy, the magnificent peaks come into view, effortlessly reaching some of the highest altitudes in Africa, signaling an upward journey ahead. Although gorilla trekking demands considerable physical effort, the experience of encountering these gentle giants proves invaluable. The excitement of witnessing these remarkable creatures will quickly overshadow the challenges posed by the strenuous trek.
You will have the opportunity to observe the gorillas in their natural habitat, witnessing adult gorillas caring for their young, grooming, and resting, while the youngsters engage in playful antics among the vines, delivering a delightful display of their spirited nature.
Top Accommodation options in Volcanoes National Park
Luxury level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Transition to Uganda, Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
We will depart from the lodge in the late morning, embarking on our journey across the border from Rwanda to Uganda. The distance from the park to the Rwanda-Uganda border can be covered in no more than 30 minutes. Following the completion of border formalities, we will drive for approximately two hours to arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Bwindi is renowned for its strikingly steep forested terrain, characterized by an incredible density of vegetation, interspersed with numerous animal trails that facilitate access for visitors. Among the remarkable 120 recorded mammal species are 11 types of primates, including the endangered mountain gorilla, the rare golden monkey, various species of buffalo, elephants, black-fronted duikers, bushbucks, leopards, and giant forest hogs, alongside 310 butterfly species, 51 reptiles, and 200 types of trees.
This park is particularly famed for its captivating gorillas. The duration of treks and the terrain vary in accordance with the movements of these magnificent primates. The experience of spending time with and observing the gorillas is both profound and exhilarating, creating a rare opportunity for a memorable adventure. The gorilla, being a gentle and reserved creature, offers an unforgettable experience as visitors are able to watch and photograph them in their natural interactions.
Bwindi Accommodation Options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge or Gorilla Safari Lodge
Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This morning offers you another extraordinary opportunity to encounter mountain gorillas, this time in a distinctly different environment. While both the gorillas found in Volcanoes National Park and those in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park belong to the same species, their habitats vary significantly. This variation impacts their behavior in the presence of tourists, consequently influencing the trekking experience. Observing the gorillas for a second time allows you to appreciate previously unnoticed characteristics, capture photographs in a new context, and relish the experience of hiking through an alternative jungle landscape.
Accompanied by a guide and trackers, we venture through the rainforest and the slopes adorned with bamboo in search of a family of mountain gorillas. Upon locating them, visitors are guided to a distance of no more than six meters from the gorillas and are permitted to sit amongst them for a full hour, sharing a moment of connection as they peer into the gorillas’ large, expressive eyes.
Bwindi Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge or Gorilla Safari Lodge
Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park for Primate Trekking
After an early morning breakfast, we embark on our journey through the picturesque highlands of southwestern Uganda, heading towards the lush and scenic Fort Portal area.
As we traverse both paved and unpaved roadways, we will pass by traditional Ugandan villages, where local inhabitants can be observed attending to their staple crops, including millet, sorghum, beans, and maize. The verdant undulating hills of this region offer ample opportunities for striking photographs.
Upon nearing Fort Portal, situated at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains, we will enter the renowned tea cultivation region of Uganda. The vast expanse of greenery that unfolds before us presents a strikingly different landscape compared to the rural scenery we have just traversed.
Kibale Accommodation Options (Full Board)
Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale | | Crater Safari Lodge | Kyaninga Lodge | Ndali Lodge
Midrange: Isunga Lodge| ensuite tents at Kibale Forest Camp
Low Budget: Tents at Kibale Forest Camp (with bedding and mosquito nets, shared bathroom) | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trek and Primate Tracking in Kibale Forest
Your tour guide will assist you in arriving at the Kibale National Park offices promptly for the briefing prior to your chimpanzee trekking experience. There are two trekking sessions available, one at 8 AM and another at 11 AM, both of which can be pre-booked.
In contrast to the more strenuous gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking is characterized by a relatively leisurely walk through the forest. The trek typically lasts no more than two hours before you encounter the chimpanzees. During your journey to their location, remain vigilant for other primate species that reside within the forest. This equatorial forest is home to a remarkable variety, featuring twelve species of primates, with a density unmatched by any other African forest. The primate inhabitants of Kibale include vervet monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, as well as grey-cheeked mangabeys, red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and chimpanzees.
Upon reaching the chimpanzees, you will be permitted to spend an hour observing them as they engage in their daily activities, unaffected by your presence. You may approach no closer than six meters from the chimpanzees. You are welcome to take unlimited videos and photographs during your time in Kibale with these remarkable creatures.
Your guide will assist you in exiting the forest. Many previous visitors have reported sightings of herds of elephants and buffalo, among other larger mammals, on the return journey, so please exercise caution as you navigate your way back.
Following a lunch break at the lodge, we will embark on another guided walk to explore the primates in a community-conserved wetland adjacent to Kibale. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is home to at least nine species of primates and several rare bird species. This guided excursion offers a valuable opportunity to observe additional primates that may not have been seen during the chimpanzee trek. Additionally, expect to encounter a variety of birds and smaller mammals such as otters, mongooses, bushbucks, bush pigs, and more.
Kibale Accommodation Options (Full Board)
Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale | | Crater Safari Lodge | Kyaninga Lodge | Ndali Lodge
Midrange: Isunga Lodge| en-suite tents at Kibale Forest Camp
Low Budget: Tents at Kibale Forest Camp (with bedding and mosquito nets, shared bathroom) | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Conclude the tour with a transfer to Entebbe Airport, which requires a driving time of four hours, or return to Kigali, necessitating a seven-hour drive.
Included:
- All scheduled tour activities as specified above.
- Two gorilla trekking permits per individual (one for Uganda and one for Rwanda); alternatively, you may opt to participate in a single trek and replace the second permit with a different suggested activity.
- Permits for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
- Opportunities for sightseeing in the Virunga region, Lake Bunyonyi, and Rwenzori.
- Accommodation arrangements as outlined in the itinerary.
- Park entry fees.
- Entry fees
- Private transportation via a 4×4 safari vehicle.
- Complimentary transfers to the departure airport.
- Bottled mineral water for drinking purposes.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
