+256 705979003 info@gorillapagesafaris.com
+256 705979003 info@gorillapagesafaris.com

11 Day Uganda and Rwanda primates trekking safari

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11 Day Uganda and Rwanda primates trekking safari

Trip Overview

This 11-day Uganda and Rwanda primates trekking safari offers an opportunity to explore Africa’s most stunning landscapes on savannahs and forests. You will experience gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, both of which offer different experiences. On the same trip, you will also enjoy game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the sixth most diverse national park in the world.

In the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it is a heart-pounding experience to see mountain gorillas in the wild, which is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Additionally, a big-game safari across Uganda’s savannah park of Queen Elizabeth will reward you with sightings of elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles, among other wildlife species.

Explore the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda for a different experience of primates’ adventure. Dian Fossey’s history defines her attachment to the mountain gorilla in Rwanda, and through her efforts and impact, gorilla trekking is happening in the Virunga mountains.

The trip’s highlights with Gorilla Page Safaris include rhino tracking in Ziwa, Game drives and a Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth, Chimpanzee tracking and a Bigodi wetlands tour in Kibale, and Gorilla Tracking in the famous Bwindi Forest and Volcanoes national parks. The tour also offers other adventurous activities like canoeing and cultural encounters with the Batwa tribe.

Day-to-day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to your lodge

On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, you will be welcomed ny Gorilla Page Safaris staff. He will brief you about your trip and transfer you to Kampala for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Dinner

Accommodation: Fairway Hotel

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Community encounter

Early in the morning after your breakfast, you will head to Kibale Forest National Park, known for its families of habituated chimpanzees and other 13 primate species. On your way, you will visit the Nakayima tree in Mubende, an ancestral shrine for the Baganda traditionalists, believed to be over 400 years old. You will have a stopover for lunch in Fort Portal, enjoying the backdrop of the Rwenzori mountains. Then, you’ll proceed to Kibale Forest National Park and check in at your lodge. After some relaxation, you will visit the local community for cultural encounters.

Dinner and Overnight: Kibale Forest Camp

Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

On day 3 of your 11-day Uganda and Rwanda primates trekking safari, you will gather at the park headquarters for a briefing about chimp tracking by a senior park ranger guide. The trek through the forest, known as the ‘Primate Capital of the World,’ will reward you with sights of chimpanzees and other primate species.

With different bird species in the forest, you will be accompanied by a beautiful musical backdrop as you trek in the jungle for the chimpanzees. After the trek, you will depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying views of the Rwenzori snow peaks and on arrival, you will check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Elephant Hub lodge

Day 4: Morning Game drive and Afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga channel

Enjoy your breakfast then go for a morning game drive in the open savannah covered with acacia trees along the Kasenyi plains, on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. Expect to see lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, elephants, buffaloes, kobs, hippos, waterbucks, and bushbucks. After the game drive, you will have lunch at the lodge.

You will then embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The channel is a narrow band of water connecting lakes Edward and George. This cruise offers a chance to see Africa’s largest hippo and crocodile populations and other mammals and birds at the water’s edge. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Elephant Hub lodge

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Forest National Park via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, you will drive through the Ishasha Plains, searching for tree-climbing lions, a population unique to this area. Tree-climbing lions are only found in Uganda and Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Enjoy the impressive view of these lions resting on tree branches. You will have lunch en route and continue to Bwindi, arriving in the evening and check in at your lodge.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Day 6: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi and Batwa community encounter

After an early breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters with your packed lunch. You’ll then be briefed by a senior park guide before starting your trek in one of Africa’s oldest forests. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage Site, is home to more than half of the world’s last surviving mountain gorillas. The trek can take from two to seven hours or more, through rough terrain at high elevations. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of seeing the gorillas is invigorating.

 

The forest is home to 120 species of mammals, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, and 163 species of trees. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend an hour monitoring their behavior, taking pictures, and recording videos.

After the exercise, you will return to the park headquarters, and then get your gorilla trekking certificate, and then to your lodge to rest. In the evening, to embark on a Batwa cultural experience. You will learn about the strong attachment these people have with the forest. Their cultural performances and the different skills they possess will fascinate you. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and cultural encounter

On this last day in Bwindi, you will travel by road for about three hours via Kisoro to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The journey offers views of beautiful terraced hillsides and high, forested hills. You will pass through deep-farmed valleys, reminiscent of driving through central Europe. Dian Fossey, the eminent primatologist, described this area as “great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest.” On your arrival, you will check in at your lodge for lunch and relaxation and have cultural tour in the evening.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Davinci Gorilla Lodge

Day 8: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Early in the morning, you will drive to the park headquarters for a briefing by the guides of Parc des Volcans before starting your gorilla trek. This national park protects the Rwanda sector of the Virunga Mountains, home to rare mountain gorillas and a rich mosaic of ecosystems. Tracking the gorillas through the forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. You might get to the gorillas and spend an hour with them before returning to the base for a late lunch. Tracking can take a full day, especially when wet and muddy. Experienced guides will accompany you, using their knowledge to locate the gorillas. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend a maximum of one hour with them. After the exercise, you will return to your lodge for relaxation.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Davinci Gorilla Lodge

Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking and visit Dian Fossey grave.

On this day you will have Golden Monkeys trekking. This is recommended for leisure experience. Watching these unique primates play in the forest is mesmerizing. After tracking the Golden Monkeys, you will return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch.

In the afternoon, you will partake in a trek to the grave of Dian Fossey and the remains of the Old Karisoke Research Station. The Dian Fossey trek is for those who loved the book or movie “Gorillas In The Mist.” You will follow in her footsteps to her grave and the graves of poached gorillas, including Digit, her favorite gorilla.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Davinci Gorilla Lodge

Day 10: Transfer to Kigali and city tour

After breakfast at the lodge, you will drive back to Kigali. In Kigali, you will have a brief city tour and visit the Genocide Museum. It was opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. The museum offers a moving and important understanding of Rwanda’s history and the resilience of its people. Depending on your time, you will also visit the Kimironko market so that you can experience Rwandese local life or visit Inema Arts Center for a local Arts experience.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collines

Day 11: Transfer to Airport and departure

After breakfast, you can do some shopping or checkout and proceed to the airport for departure as you reach the end of your 11-day Uganda and Rwanda primates trekking safari  with Gorilla Page Safaris.

 

Package Inclusions

  • Airport transfer
  • Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda
  • Kibale Chimpanzee permit
  • Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Professional driver-guide
  • Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
  • All park entrance fees and fees
  • Drinking water while in the vehicle

 

Package Exclusions

  • Accommodation after or before the trip
  • International airfares
  • Uganda or Rwanda visa
  • Items of a personal nature