11 Days Uganda and Rwanda Primates

Experience the top destinations in Uganda and Rwanda as you have close encounters with exotic wildlife, variety of birds and primates - Gorillas and Chimps in some of the top East African destinations.

11 Days Uganda and Rwanda Primates | Full Safari Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival Entebbe - Kampala


On arrival at the Entebbe Airport, you will be met by our team outside the customs and immigration halls and then transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

Day 2 | Kibale Forest


Pick up after breakfast from Kampala (or Entebbe) and depart to Fort Portal town nestled in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains for lunch and then proceed to Kibale Forest National Park where you will go for either a community walk or visit the beautiful Crater lakes region for a spectacular view. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 3 | Kibale Forest & Bigodi Swamp


After an early morning breakfast we transfer to the starting point of your chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest National Park (persons must be of a minimum age of 15 years). You will enjoy an exciting guided nature walk and Chimpanzees trek. Kibale Forest National Park is also a home to the rare I’Hoest’s monkeys, black and white Colobus, Blue monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, Red tailed monkeys, Olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, a variety of birds and butterflies. Afternoon head for a guided nature walk to Bigodi swamp which is a renowned community initiative with diverse birds and primate species. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 4 | Queen Elizabeth National Park


After your morning breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving in good time for lunch and rest. Later proceed for afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 5 | Queen Elizabeth National Park


Early in the morning set off for the morning game drive through the Kasenyi sector and the queens’ mile in the park where you have an opportunity to spot lions, cape buffaloes, topi, kobs, elephants, waterbucks, hyenas, giant forest hogs, bush bucks, warthogs, hyenas, civets, aardvarks, leopards, and many more. Lunch at the camp/lodge. Afternoon enjoy a launch cruise on Kazinga channel, which joins Lake George and Lake Edward. Elephants and other wild game including hippopotamus, crocodiles and water birds can be seen along the banks. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 6 | Bwindi Forest


After breakfast, depart to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector on the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, game drive in search of the rare tree climbing lions that can be spotted lying up on the large fig tree branches and other wild life such as elephants, Uganda kobs, topis, buffaloes, warthogs, different birds spices among others and later continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home of the endangered mountain gorillas and also a UNESCO world heritage site. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

NB: - Your accommodation will depend on which Sector the Gorilla permit will be available for purchase from Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Day 7 | Gorilla Tracking


After an early morning breakfast and briefing, embark on the lifetime memorable experience with packed lunch box heading towards the dense forest on your search for gorillas and an intimate interaction with these gentle and endangered animals. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. After finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour with gorillas in their natural habitat where you will be able to learn about their behaviors, habits, watch them feed, play, breastfeed, rest, take photos and record videos with a flash less camera before trekking back to the Park headquarter where you will be award a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking. The forest also affords viewing other primates including blue monkey, L’oehst monkeys, red tailed monkeys and chimpanzee along with a variety of birdlife. The time spent trekking in this unspoiled tropical forest and watching the gorillas is certainly worth the effort. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots, a light rain coat and gloves. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long sleeved tops. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera in case of rain.

Nature Walk
If your trek was relatively short, you may have a guided nature walk around the lodge and the surrounding communities in the evening.

Gorilla Habituation Experience
Alternatively you may pay an extra charge of $900 per person for Gorilla Habituation. This needs prior arrangements and bookings. Gorilla Habituation grants you more hours with the gorillas as you learn more about their behavior.

Day 8 | Volcanoes National Park


After breakfast depart to Uganda/Rwanda boarder and once through with immigration and customs, you’ll continue to Musanze, overlooking the beautiful lakes Burera and Ruhondo and with breathtaking views over the Virunga volcanoes. Enjoy the winding roads of the ‘thousands hills’ and magnificent views of the Volcanoes. You will spend the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 9 | Volcanoes National Park


After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park and after briefing you’ll set off into the rain forest to enjoy an hour with the gorillas. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is part of Virunga Mountains sharing boarders with Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. Together with Bwindi this is the only place in the world to see the Mountain Gorilla’s. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 10 | Golden Monkeys Trekking in Volcanoes National Park


After an early breakfast, depart again into the Volcanoes National Park and after briefing you’ll begin trekking to the tropical forest area of the Virunga forest in search of endangered golden monkeys. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 11 | Departure - Kigali


After breakfast depart to Kigali. Make a city tour including the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum or go for shopping if time permits. Afterwards transfer to Kigali Airport for your departure flight back home.

11 Days Uganda and Rwanda Primates
Tour Inclusions

  • Mountain gorillas
  • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
  • Gorilla Trekking Permits
  • Game Drives as per Itinerary
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • Government Taxes
  • Guide ranger fees.
  • Service of a professional English-speaking driver/guide
  • Services of gorilla tracking guides
  • Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
  • All activities are described in the itinerary.
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Allowances for a driver/guide
  • Transport based in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop up roof for game viewing
  • The flying doctors medical, emergency and rescue cover

11 Days Uganda and Rwanda Primates
Tour Exclusions

  • Kampala or Entebbe pick-up & drop-off
  • Extras at the camps/lodges (drinks, telephone, laundry, etc.)
  • Meals & Drinks not Specified above
  • Visas
  • Travel and Personal Accident Insurance
  • International flight and departure tax
  • Tips (Please remember that tipping is optional and depends on the quality of service you received. It is customary and recommended to give tips on Safaris, however it is NOT mandatory.)
  • Personal expenses
  • Prices are subject to change without prior notice

This safari package can be tailored around the below mentioned accommodation options depending on your budget and travel preferences. Our experienced tour consultants will assist provide various pricing options to aid you make an informed choice.


////////////// Kampala / Entebbe ////////////////////////////////
  • Budget - Airport Guest House, Forest Cottages
  • Midrange - Cassia Lodge, Speke Hotel
  • Luxury - Protea Hotel, Kampala Serena Hotel

////////////// Queen Elizabeth ////////////////////////////////
  • Budget - The Bush Lodge, Simba Lodge
  • Midrange - Mweya Safari Lodge – Standard rooms
  • Luxury - Mweya Safari Lodge – Luxury Tents, Kyambura Lodge, Elephant Plain Lodge

////////////// Bwindi Forest ////////////////////////////////

NB: - Your accommodation at Bwindi Forest will depend on which Sector the Gorilla permit will be available for purchase from Uganda Wildlife Authority

1: Buhoma Sector
  • Budget - Buhoma Rest Camp
  • Midrange - Silverback Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge
  • Luxury - Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, GFC Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge
2: Ruhija Sector
  • Budget - Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Gift of Nature
  • Midrange - Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga Lodge
3: Rushaga Sector
  • Budget - Gorilla Valley Resort, Wagtail Eco Lodge, Nshongi Gorilla Resort
  • Midrange - Gorilla Safari Lodge
4: Nkuringo Sector
  • Budget - Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
  • Midrange - Clouds Mountains Lodge

////////////// Volcanoes National Park ////////////////////////////////
  • Budget - Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
  • Midrange - Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
  • Luxury - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge