Spend 7 days tracking East Africa’s most iconic primates on this Rwanda Uganda safari. You’ll hike through bamboo forests in Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking, sit with mountain gorilla families in Bwindi, then watch wild chimps swing through Kibale’s rainforest. We keep groups small, handle all gorilla trekking permits, and use guides who know these forests inside out. It’s the best way to see gorillas, chimps, and golden monkeys in one trip.
7-Day Rwanda Uganda Safari Itinerary Overview
This 7 day East Africa safari itinerary is built around the 3 best primate experiences in the region. You start in Rwanda with golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes, cross into Uganda for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour days in Bwindi and Kibale, then fly back from Entebbe. Daily drives are short so you spend more time in the forest, less time in the car.
Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
You will be welcomed by your driver or guide and transferred to Ruhengeri—the base town of Volcanoes National Park. This is a 2 hours’ drive journey thru the scenic hills of Rwanda. You will have numerous stop overs for taking pictures or for using a restroom.
You can Opt to Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial before leaving Kigali City.
Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge | Meals: Lunch and Dinner| Transfer time: 2 hours.
Day 2: Golden Monkey Tracking in Rwanda & Transfer to Uganda
Wake up to an early breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for briefing. Later, proceed for Golden Monkey tracking activity on the bamboo slopes of Volcanoes National Park. Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda usually lasts a few hours (2 to 6). From the trek, have lunch and drive to Uganda via Cyanika border proceeding to Bwindi impenetrable National Park arriving late in the afternoon.
Accommodation: (Bweza Gorilla Lodge) | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner| Transfer time: Approx. 3 hours.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You’ll have breakfast and move to the Rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the forest for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular! The area offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken (4-8 hours) and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. You’ll return to the accommodation, and rest after a strenuous trek. *Optional (extra cost): In case the body is willing to go out again, you can request your guide to arrange: a community visit to gain an insight into the local lifestyle or some short nature walk.
Accommodation: (Bweza Gorilla Lodge) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: n/a.
Day 4:Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, your guide will drive you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to a high concentration of Uganda’s mammals that include tree climbing and savannah lions, elephants, wart hogs, Uganda kob, waterbucks, cape buffalos, hippos, leopards, as well as more than 600 species of birds that include the African spoonbill, pied kingfishers, fish eagles, pelicans, vultures.
You will reach Queen with some time available to move out for game viewing. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like; lions, the elusive leopard, a herd of elephants, and buffaloes to mention but a few.
Accommodation: (Elephant Hab Lodge) | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Transfer Time: 2-3 hrs.
Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Trip Along the Kazinga Channel
You’ll be up early and have your breakfast. You’ll proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. You’ll return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants, and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds on the water shores. After the boat trip, you can decide either to return to the lodge to rest or first proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.
Accommodation: (Elephant Hab Lodge) | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Transfer Time: N/A.
Day 6:Transfer to Kibale N/P & Afternoon Chimpanzee Tracking
Enjoy breakfast in the morning and then proceed with your drive to Kibale Forest National Park which is known for the highest concentration of primates in Uganda. Have an afternoon Chimpanzee trekking experience in the world’s Primate Capital. Chimpanzee trekking usually takes 3 to 5 hours.
Accommodation: (Turaco Treetops Lodge) | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Transfer Time: 2 hours.
Day 7: Transfer To Entebbe International Airport or Kigali
You can opt for morning activities such as the Bigodi Swamp Walk and the Bigodi Cultural Tour, you can also otp to transfer back to Kigali or proceed to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. Optional Domestic Flights for 1 hour can be arranged at extra Costs, Just let us know what you prefer.
Accommodation: on request| Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Transfer Time: 7 hours.
Safari tour Includes
1.A Professional assigned Tour driver-guide & A Private Safari Land Cruiser in good condition.
2.All ground transportation.
3.All taxes
4.All meals
5.Drinking water
6. Accommodation for 6 nights
7.Park entrance fees
8.Gorilla Permits (2)
9.Chimpanzee permits (2)
10. Boat trip at the Kazinga Channel
11. All activities unless labelled as options
12.Airport transfers
