8-Day Rwanda Uganda Chimpanzee & Gorilla Tracking Safari

Your private safari guide will meet you at your hotel in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital. Before leaving the city, you’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi—a moving and insightful start to your journey.
After the visit, begin your scenic drive north-west toward the Uganda border, passing rolling hills, terraced farmland, and local villages. After clearing customs, continue to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest but most dramatic national park, nestled in the Virunga mountain range. Overnight at Travelers Rest Hotel or similar.

After an early breakfast, head to the ranger station for a detailed pre-trek briefing about gorilla trekking protocols and safety. Led by expert trackers and a park ranger, you’ll venture into the misty forest to locate one of the habituated gorilla families.
Once found, you’ll have up to one hour to quietly observe and photograph these gentle giants from a distance of 10 meters—watching them feed, groom, and interact is an unforgettable, soul-stirring experience.
Return to your lodge to relax and reflect on the day. Overnight at Travelers Rest Hotel or Similar.

After breakfast, take part in a cultural visit to the Batwa people, the forest’s original inhabitants. Learn about their traditional lifestyle, music, dance, and participate in a coffee-making experience—from bean to cup.
Later, cross back into Rwanda and transfer to a cozy lodge near Volcanoes National Park, your base for the next two days. Overnight at The Garden Place Hotel & Coffee Shop (or similar).

Join trackers and a guide for a breathtaking gorilla trek through the volcanic forest. Rwanda’s habituated gorilla families are well-monitored, making this a rewarding and emotional encounter.
Or go for inclusive Option 2: Hike Mount Bisoke
If you prefer, embark on a guided hike up Mount Bisoke, a dormant volcano with a beautiful crater lake at the summit. This is a great choice for nature lovers and photographers.
Return to the lodge in the afternoon to rest. Overnight at The Garden Place Hotel or similar.

Begin the day tracking rare and lively golden monkeys in the bamboo forests. Afterward, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus and tour the Gorilla Guardians Village for an immersive cultural experience. In the afternoon, transfer to the shores of Lake Kivu for lakeside relaxation. Overnight at Paradise Malahide Hotel or similar.

Enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast at the lakeside. If time allows, take a visit the vibrant Gisenyi town markets.
Afterward, drive south through Rwanda’s green hills and tea plantations to reach Nyungwe National Park, home to one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests and 13 species of primates. Overnight at Ken Barham Guesthouse or Similar.

Start early—4:30 am—for a short transfer to either Cyamudongo Forest or Uwinka Visitor Center for your chimpanzee trekking experience. Chimpanzees are more mobile and vocal, making the experience both thrilling and fast-paced.
Later, enjoy a spectacular canopy walk suspended 70 meters above the forest floor. This aerial perspective of the forest reveals a whole new world of flora, monkeys, and birds. Overnight at Ken Barham Guesthouse or similar.

After breakfast, head out for a final morning activity: Angolan Colobus monkey trekking. These highly social primates often gather in large groups and are easily spotted with their black-and-white coats.
After the trek, begin your return drive to Kigali, where your guide will drop you at your hotel or the airport in time for your international flight.