11-Day Uganda and Rwanda Primates

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your private safari guide and transfer to your luxury hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the lodge or take a short excursion to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Your guide will brief you on your safari itinerary over a welcome dinner.

After breakfast, begin your journey northward toward Murchison Falls National Park. En route, stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided walking safari to see rhinos up close. Continue to the park, arriving in time for a short evening game drive. You’ll settle into your luxury lodge along the Nile River and enjoy dinner overlooking the river’s vast landscape.

The day begins with a sunrise game drive on the northern banks of the Nile, offering a chance to spot lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and possibly leopards. After breakfast back at the lodge, enjoy some rest before embarking on an afternoon boat cruise on the Victoria Nile. This iconic boat ride takes you to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge. An optional hike to the top of the falls offers panoramic views of the roaring cascade.

Today is a scenic journey south to the primate capital of the world—Kibale Forest. The drive winds through the lush Albertine Rift Valley, with views of tea plantations, traditional homesteads, and crater lakes. You’ll arrive in the Fort Portal area in the late afternoon and check into your forest lodge perched above a crater lake or nestled within the forest.

After an early breakfast, head into Kibale Forest for your guided chimpanzee tracking experience. Accompanied by an expert ranger, you’ll follow the calls of the chimps through the forest. Once located, you’ll observe these intelligent primates up close as they feed, play, and communicate. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area rich in birdlife and monkeys. This area offers both cultural and ecological insights into Uganda’s biodiversity.

After a leisurely breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, descending through scenic hills and crater lakes to the savannah plains. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that attracts one of the highest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles in Africa, along with elephants, buffalo, and countless bird species. The slow cruise offers incredible photo opportunities and a peaceful introduction to this diverse ecosystem.

The day begins with a game drive in the Kasenyi plains, where lion prides, Uganda kob, and elephants are frequently spotted. Afterwards, head further south to the Ishasha Sector of the park, renowned for its population of rare tree-climbing lions. These lions often lounge in fig trees during the heat of the day. You'll enjoy a picnic lunch and a game drive en route to your luxury lodge near Bwindi.

After breakfast and a brief game drive in Ishasha, you will continue your journey into the highlands of southwestern Uganda, home to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. Upon arrival, settle into your exclusive lodge with sweeping views of the rainforest. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take part in an optional cultural walk to a nearby Batwa community.

This is the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before your gorilla trekking adventure begins. Trekking through the mist-covered forest can take between 2–6 hours, depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family. Once found, you’ll spend a magical hour in the presence of these gentle giants, observing their movements and social interactions. The experience is profoundly moving and unforgettable. Return to your lodge for a well-deserved rest.

After breakfast, depart for Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s deepest and most scenic lake. Known for its terraced hills and dotted with over 25 islands, Lake Bunyonyi is a tranquil destination perfect for rest and relaxation. Enjoy a boat ride to explore the islands, including Punishment Island, or simply relax at your lakeside lodge, swim in the bilharzia-free waters, or take a short nature walk.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast by the lake before setting off for your scenic drive to Kigali, Rwanda. The drive takes approximately 4–5 hours, passing through the border post at Cyanika or Katuna. In Kigali, you may opt for a brief city tour or a visit to the Genocide Memorial (time permitting) before being dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your departure.