13 Days Uganda Rwanda SafarI

Detailed Itinerary of Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport 

Our friendly and professional representatives will welcome you from Entebbe International Airport and transfer you for an overnight stay in Entebbe.

This will allow you to rest and recover from the jet lag as you prepare for an exciting safari experience in the days ahead.

Day 2: Entebbe – Murchison Falls National Park

After having an early breakfast, you will begin your drive northwards to Murchison Falls National Park, the largest and oldest conservation area in the country.

On the way, you will stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track Uganda’s last surviving wild white Rhinos on foot. You will then have a delicious lunch along the way and pass through Masindi Town – one of the most touristic towns with the oldest Ugandan hotel (Masindi Hotel).

Upon arrival at Murchison Falls National Park, you will continue to have an amazing experience at the top of the falls. The Murchison Falls are the highlight and main attraction of the park, as it is considered the world’s most powerful waterfalls.

You will afterwards check into your lodge in the evening for a delicious dinner and a relaxing overnight stay amid an African wilderness.

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

Wake up early today and have breakfast of either tea or coffee. Your guide will then take you for an exhilarating morning game drive safari through the large open savannah plains of the park.

You will pass through the park’s northern sector, which has the highest chance of animal views. Expect to see different wildlife species, for example, the Giraffes, Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions, Hyenas, Leopards, and different Antelope species. You will also see a wide range of birdlife like the Eagles, Sunbirds, Vultures, Storks, Bee Eaters, among others.

Relax for a hearty lunch before setting out for your next wildlife adventure – a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile.

The boat cruise experience will lead to the bottom of the falls, a major spot to find the Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Elephants, and Antelopes, among others, as they drink, bathe, or rest along the river banks.

You will also find various water birds, especially the Kingfishers, Hornbills, Storks, Herons, Grey Crowned Crane, among others, along the river banks.

This experience will provide the best photography opportunities of the animals, birds, waterfalls, and captivating landscapes.

You will return to your lodge to refresh, have dinner, and have a restful night.

Day 4: Murchison Falls – Kibale National Park

You will depart Murchison Falls National Park after breakfast as you embark on your journey southwards to Kibale National Park – the primate capital of the world, most famous for protecting the highest number of Chimpanzees in the country.

You will arrive at your lodge in Kibale Forest National Park in the evening. Check in, relax, enjoy a delicious dinner, and have an overnight rest at your lodge in a wild forest environment.

Day 5: Trekking in the Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Chimpanzee trekking is the highlight of all safari activities in Kibale Forest. Have an early breakfast today to be energised for this demanding safari activity.

You will head to the park headquarters in Kanyanchu for a short briefing about the rules and regulations of the activity.

Experienced rangers will then accompany you into the dense tropical forest to look for one of these habituated chimpanzee families in their natural habitat.

As you track them, you will meet other primates and wildlife along the way, for example, the L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, various butterfly species, colourful birds, among others.

Upon finding a chimpanzee family, you will spend a magical hour with them as you observe their behaviour (playing, feeding, vocalisation, and grooming), providing an unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Following the trek, you will go for lunch and a short rest, and in the afternoon, your adventure will continue with a guided visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a biodiverse community-led conservation project.

Bigodi is also a rich home to primates and birds, for example, the Black and White Colobus Monkeys and the Great Blue Turaco. This experience will also allow you to learn about the local community life and their effort in sustainable ecotourism.

In the late afternoon, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park as you pass through scenic landscapes, crater lakes, and tea plantations.

You will have a hospitable check-in at your lodge in the park for dinner and a restful overnight.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Start your day with a delicious early morning breakfast and head out for a game drive northwards in the Kasenyi plains near the Kasenyi Village and Lake George.

The northern plains have a large number of Uganda Kob Antelopes that attract predators like the Lions and Leopards. However, other animals to see at the northern plains include Elephants, Hyenas, Warthogs, Buffaloes, and other Antelope species.

The morning game drive provides beautiful light for photography.

Continue to Kazinga Channel, a stream that connects Lake George and Lake Edward, for a relaxing boat cruise safari.

The Kazinga Channel boat cruise is considered one of the best safari experiences to have in East Africa, as you will get to watch various wildlife animals and birds. For example, the Hippos and Nile Crocodiles as they bask by the shores, Buffaloes, Antelopes, Elephants, Kingfishers, Pelicans, and African Fish Eagles.

You will have lunch at the park, then head for an explorative afternoon, and transfer to Ishasha – a region famous for the tree-climbing lions. 

Check into your lodge in Ishasha, relax, have dinner, and get an overnight rest.

Day 7: Ishasha – Lake Bunyonyi

Your day begins with an early breakfast, then a morning safari game drive in the Ishasha Area. Your driver guide will lead you to track the tree-climbing lions on the large fig trees or acacia trees.

Ishasha is also home to a variety of birdlife and other animals like Topis, Buffaloes, and herds of Elephants. The environment provides a great, quiet experience in a less crowded, remote setting.

You will head back to your lodge for lunch and a short rest before continuing with your journey to Lake Bunyonyi in the south.

From the dense forest to the misty highlands and the deep lake dotted with islands, you will have a captivating journey through villages, along terraced hills, and farmlands.

Enjoy dinner upon your arrival at your serene lodge and have a relaxing overnight rest to prepare for the adventures of the following day.

Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi – Bwindi 

After finishing a relaxed breakfast, as you watch the scenic views of Lake Bunyonyi, you will embark on a peaceful boat safari across the calm waters.

Lake Bunyonyi’s beauty is reflected through the surrounding green and misty environment, the 29 islands of the lake, and the local people with their culture.

While on your exploration, you will enjoy cultural stories and legends from local guides about the islands, beautiful sights of the terraced hills, local fishermen, and different bird species.

After an amazing boat safari, you will return to your lodge for lunch and a short relaxation, then continue with your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Departing Lake Bunyonyi, you will travel deeper into the forested highlands of southwestern Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The scenic drive provides awesome views of the lush tropical forests, the mist-covered hills, and local villages.

You will have a hospitable welcome at your lodge, set in the environment of an ancient rainforest. Have a hearty dinner and rest for the night as you prepare for an amazing Gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Lodging in Bwindi Kisoro

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – Rwanda 

The Gorilla trekking day!

Enjoy an early breakfast and head to the Rushaga sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Uganda’s highlight experience, Gorilla trekking.

Uganda protects the highest number of these Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat, with almost half of their last remaining population in Bwindi Forest.

At the park headquarters, a ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority will brief you about the tracking activity, enlightening you on the different rules and regulations, guidelines, and Gorilla behavior.

With the guidance of a trained professional ranger, you will then head out into the dense forest to track a habituated Gorilla family among a rich biodiversity that also includes forest birds, other primates, and a wide range of flora and fauna.

In an amazing one hour, you will watch as they feed, play, and groom. Upon finishing the one-hour experience, you will head back to the quarters to receive your certificate and then have lunch.

Afterward, you will begin a short journey to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, through the Cyanika border, where you will relax, have dinner, and a night’s rest.

Lodging in Musanze, Kinigi, Rwanda.

Day 10: Volcanoes National Park – Transfer to Lake Kivu, Kibuye

In the morning, after breakfast, your safari guide will lead you on an incredible golden monkey trekking experience in the bamboo forests at the foothills of the park.

Golden Monkeys are endemic to the Virunga region, and Volcanoes National Park is the best place to view them. You will get to see their beautiful golden-orange colours, playful nature as they leap between bamboo stalks, and their feeding patterns.

Enjoy lunch at a nearby lodge or back at your lodge, then continue for an immersive cultural experience by visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. You will engage with the locals as you learn about traditional medicine, watch dance performances, and learn about the Rwandan kings.

Your next stop will be at the Dian Fossey Museum, which was built as a tribute to Dian Fossey, who spearheaded research about the Mountain Gorillas and advocated for their protection.

You will then have a short transfer to Kibuye, also known as Karongi, a beautiful lakeside town found on the shores of Lake Kivu. Through the drive, get to watch and experience the stunning beauty of Rwanda’s rolling hills and tea plantations.

Lodging at Lake Kivu in Kibuye.

Day 11: Lake Kivu – NyungwE

After breakfast, we shall organize a canoe trip on Lake Kivu to Napoleon Island, known for its large colony of fruit bats and a neighbouring Monkey Island, which is home to the Vervet Monkeys and other wildlife species.

Be on the lookout for bird species like the Kingfishers, Cormorants, and African Fish Eagles in the serene waters as you take amazing photographs of nature.

You will have lunch upon return to the lodge or a local restaurant in Kibuye, then begin your scenic drive to your next destination toward Cyangugu, the road to Nyungwe National Park.

You will have a unique tea plantation experience as you learn about how tea is cultivated, harvested, and picked.

Continue to your lodge after this experience at the edge of the cool, misty atmosphere of Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Lodging at Nyungwe.

Day 12: Angolan Colobus Trekking in Nyungwe National Park 

Enjoy a pleasant breakfast and set out for a guided trek to find the Angolan Colobus Monkeys, one of the largest primate groups in Nyungwe Forest.

Angolan Monkeys are known for their long, black and white fur and flowing tails. They live in groups of over 300 individuals.

The walking experience will also allow you to experience the rich ecosystem in the forest, including other wildlife and bird species.

Upon returning, you will have lunch at a restaurant, then head for the exhilarating canopy walk on a suspension that is 70 meters high. You will spot birds as they fly at eye level, experience the forest from an aerial view, and catch a glimpse of the different primates below.

Upon completing this adventure, return to your lodge for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Lodging at Nyungwe.

Day 13: Butare – Nyanza – Kigali – Departure

Wake up to a delightful African breakfast at your lodge. Afterwards, you will begin your journey from Nyungwe to Kigali as you pass through the amazing scenery of the country.

Along the way, you will make a stop at Butare (now known as Huye), which is known to be the cultural capital of Rwanda. Here you will visit the Ethnographic Museum, considered one of the best in East Africa.

You will be en route for lunch at a nearby restaurant, then continue to Nyanza, the former royal capital of Rwanda. The king’s palace museum offers the chance to learn about the unique culture, see the beautiful architecture, and the long-horned royal cows.

In the early evening, your driver guide will drop you off at the airport in time to catch your departing flight back home.