12 Day Uganda and Rwanda Primate Safari

This 12-day Uganda and Rwanda primate safari is designed for travellers who want a complete primate-focused journey through East Africa. The itinerary combines chimpanzee encounters, gorilla trekking, savannah wildlife, boat safaris, crater landscapes, forest drives, and a relaxed Lake Kivu finish. The safari starts in Entebbe with Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary before continuing to Lake Mburo National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You then cross into Rwanda for a second gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park before ending with Lake Kivu and Kigali. This is a strong itinerary for travellers who want to compare Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking, spend time in the best chimpanzee areas, and include wildlife viewing between the forest experiences. It works well for couples, families, private groups and premium travellers who want a long, well-balanced Uganda and Rwanda safari.

Safari Highlights

• 12-day Uganda and Rwanda primate safari
• Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria
• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
• Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
• Game drives in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birds
• Scenic drive through western Uganda and the Albertine Rift region
• Cross-border safari from Uganda to Rwanda
• Lake Kivu relaxation in Gisenyi
• Kigali drop-off for onward departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Entebbe Pickup and Boat Transfer to Ngamba Island

Your driver guide will pick you up from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala and transfer you to the pier for the boat trip to Ngamba Island. The boat journey takes you across part of Lake Victoria and gives you a gentle start to the safari. On arrival, you will be welcomed and briefed about Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, its conservation work and the rescued chimpanzees living on the island. You will later visit the chimpanzee viewing platform, where sanctuary staff explain the behaviour, feeding routines and care of the chimpanzees. This is a meaningful introduction to primates before the wild forest trekking experiences later in the safari. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay at Ngamba Island.

Day 2, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Experience and Return to Entebbe

Spend the morning on Ngamba Island learning more about chimpanzee conservation, island life and the work done by the sanctuary team. Depending on the programme of the day, you may observe another chimpanzee feeding session, visit the education area or enjoy time around the island before returning by boat to the mainland in the afternoon. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Budget option: Cycads Hotel or Hotel Ruch, Mid-range option: 2 Friends Entebbe Hotel or Cassia Lodge Kampala, Luxury option: Protea Hotel Entebbe or Kampala Serena Hotel

Day 3, Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up and begin the drive southwest towards Lake Mburo National Park. You will stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs and continue towards Mbarara, with lunch along the way. The landscape gradually changes from towns and farmland to cattle country, rolling hills and open savannah near Lake Mburo. On arrival, you may take an afternoon boat ride or a guided nature walk, depending on time and lodge location. Lake Mburo is a good place to see zebras, impalas, elands, waterbucks and many bird species. A night game drive can also be arranged at an extra cost for travellers interested in nocturnal wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay near Lake Mburo National Park. Accommodation options: Budget option: Rwonyo UWA Bandas, Mid-range option: Arcadia Cottages or Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Luxury option: Mihingo Lodge

Day 4, Lake Mburo Game Drive and Transfer to Kibale Forest

Start the morning with a game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. The park is smaller than Uganda’s larger savannah parks, but it adds useful wildlife variety to the itinerary, especially zebras, impalas, elands, topis and birdlife. After the game drive, continue towards Kibale Forest National Park. The drive takes you through western Uganda’s farms, towns and highland scenery, with views becoming greener as you approach the Fort Portal region. Kibale Forest National Park is one of East Africa’s leading chimpanzee trekking destinations and is known for its high concentration of primates, including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation options: Budget option: Chimps Nest or Kibale Forest Camp, Mid-range option: Kibale Tourist Lodge, Rubalika Safari Lodge or Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Luxury option: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge or Chimpundu Lodge

Day 5, Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth

After an early breakfast, transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for chimpanzee trekking briefing. Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will explain the trekking rules, forest safety and group allocation before you enter Kibale Forest. The trek can take 2 to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are feeding or moving. Once the chimpanzees are located, you spend one hour observing them. You may see them feeding, grooming, calling, resting or moving through the forest canopy. After the trek, return to the starting point and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, you may take a scenic drive through the crater lake region before heading to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park. Accommodation options: Budget option: Simba Safari Camp or Bush Lodge, Mid-range option: Ihamba Lodge or Marafiki Safari Lodge, Luxury option: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Game Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge

Day 6, Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start the day with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kasenyi is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the park because of its open grasslands and the presence of Uganda kob, which can attract predators. Your guide will search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes and other wildlife. Leopard sightings are possible, though never guaranteed. Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, the waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. This boat safari is one of the strongest highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with regular sightings of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and many water birds along the shores. Lion tracking with researchers can be arranged at an extra cost if available and requested in advance. Dinner and overnight stay at your previous lodge.

Day 7, Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi

After breakfast, transfer to Kyambura Gorge for chimpanzee tracking. Kyambura Gorge is a deep forested valley within the Queen Elizabeth conservation area. The experience is very different from Kibale because the forest sits inside a dramatic gorge surrounded by savannah. The trek usually takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on chimpanzee movement and trail conditions. After the activity, have lunch and begin the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive takes you through scenic western Uganda landscapes, including hills, farms and rural communities. Accommodation will depend on your assigned gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi. Accommodation options: Budget option: Buhoma Community Bandas or Gorilla Valley Lodge, Mid-range option: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge or Four Gorillas Lodge, Luxury option: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Buhoma Lodge.

Day 8, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. Rangers will explain the trekking rules, safety guidelines and group allocation. You will then enter the forest with ranger guides and trackers to search for your assigned gorilla family. The trek can be short or long depending on the location of the gorillas, terrain and forest conditions. Bwindi is a thick rainforest, so expect uneven trails, vegetation and possible muddy sections. Once the gorillas are found, you spend one hour with the family. You may see a silverback, mothers with infants, young gorillas playing and quiet feeding behaviour. Flash photography is not allowed, and visitors must follow ranger instructions throughout the encounter. After the trek, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 9, Cross from Uganda to Rwanda and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, begin the journey from Bwindi to Rwanda. Depending on your Bwindi sector, you will cross to Rwanda through the most convenient border point after completing immigration formalities. Your guide will advise you on passport, visa and travel document requirements before the safari starts. The route continues to Rwanda’s northern highlands towards the Musanze region near Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is one hour behind Uganda, so your guide will help manage timing on the crossing day. Arrive at your lodge near the Park for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation options: Budget option: Muhabura Lodge or Kinigi Guest House, Mid-range option: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Luxury option: Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, One and Only Gorilla’s Nest or Bisate Lodge

Day 10, Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, report to the Park headquarters in Kinigi for gorilla trekking registration and briefing. Ranger guides will explain the rules, trekking procedure and group allocation before you continue to the trailhead. The walk begins in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes and may pass through bamboo forest, farmland edges and volcanic slopes. Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you spend one hour with them. This gives you a second gorilla trekking experience, useful for travellers who want to compare Uganda’s Bwindi Forest trek with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park trek. If the trek ends early, an optional cultural visit can be arranged at an extra cost. In the afternoon, transfer to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on road conditions and lodge location. Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Kivu. Accommodation options: Mid-range option: Malahide Paradise Hotel, Luxury option: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Day 11, Lake Kivu Relaxation and Local Experiences in Gisenyi

Today is a softer day after several forest and road days. You may visit the hot springs, explore nearby fishing villages, take a relaxed lakeside walk or spend time at your lodge reviewing photos and enjoying the Lake Kivu views. This day adds balance to the itinerary. Instead of ending immediately after the final gorilla trek, it gives you time to rest before returning to Kigali. Dinner and overnight stay at your previous lodge.

Day 12, Return to Kigali and Departure

After breakfast, depart Gisenyi and drive back to Kigali. Arrival is usually in the early afternoon, depending on traffic and stops along the way. If time allows, you may visit souvenir shops or take a short Kigali city stop before continuing to the Airport. Your guide will drop you at the airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your 12-day Uganda and Rwanda primate safari.

Inclusions and exclusions

inclusions

• Airport or hotel pickup
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle
• English-speaking driver guide
• Fuel for the full safari route
• 11 nights accommodation
• Meals as stated in the final itinerary
• Bottled drinking water during transfers
• Kibale chimpanzee trekking permit
• Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee permit
• Uganda gorilla permit
• Rwanda gorilla permit
• Cross-border transfer assistance from Uganda to Rwanda

Exclusions

• International flights
• East Africa Tourist Visa
• Travel insurance
• Optional lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Optional night game drive in Lake Mburo National Park
• Optional cultural visits
• Tips for driver guides, rangers, trackers, porters and lodge staff
• Personal drinks, laundry and calls
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari
• Activities not confirmed in the final itinerary