Countries: Uganda and Rwanda
Destinations: Kigali, Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking at Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 6: Return to Kigali
Trip Overview
Your 6 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking express Safari from Rwanda will give a total wild trekking experience in the thick impenetrable forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is one of the hot spot to trek the gorillas, known for harboring half of the word famous mountain gorillas and Kibale National Park, which home to over 1500 chimpanzee, thus making it crown the primate capita, with over 13 primate species. This is the only place in the world where gorilla habituation and chimpanzee habituation exercises are done, however, this time, you will be heading for gorilla trekking experience and chimpanzee trekking experience, respectively. You will enjoy an incredible experience of primate trekking exercise, having enough time to share a moment with these incredible primates. Both activities need an early permit booking in advance, due to the demand of the permits. This Uganda primate trekking safari starts in Kigali and ends in Kigali – Rwanda, for those who wish to have a short drive.
Trip Highlights
- Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda
- Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
- Countryside experience
- Bigodi wetland walk
- Road drive experience
- Visit to Ellen DeGeneres campus
- Kigali city tour
- Kigali Genocide memorial visit
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Welcome to Kigali – Rwanda! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport and passing through the immigration process, you will be welcomed by our safari driver who will brief you shortly and transfer you to the booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay
Overnight stay at: The Retreat Hotel (Luxury) or Heave Boutique Hotel & Restaurant (Mid – range)
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Travel time + 5hrs
Day Itinerary
Today after taking your warm early morning breakfast, you will checkout of the lodge and drive to visit the Kigali genocide memorial grounds, which honors the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994 through education and peace-building. You will be able to watch and listen to some video clips from some of the survivors’ of the incident. Later you will proceed with a drive to Kibale National Park, which is roughly a 6 hours’ drive from Kigali. You will enjoy an en route lunch in one of the local restaurants along the way as you drive to Kibale. You will reach in the evening at your lodge and check in for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury) or Tulaco Treetop Lodge (Mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience at Kibale National Park and Bigodi Nature Walk
Day Itinerary
In the morning, you will set off to the park headquarters for briefing before going for Chimpanzee tracking, where you may encounter other primates like Vervet Monkeys, Blue Hoest Monkeys, Black and white colobus Monkeys among others. The park is known as home of primates with 13 primate’s species including the famous chimpanzees. The trek takes roughly 2 – 4 hours, depending on the chimpanzee movement. One hour will be allocated to you, to have a wonderful interaction with the chimpanzees, as you take pictures and short videos, as your local guide explains to you all the biological background of the chimpanzee as you interact. You will later return from trek and head for lunch.
In the afternoon; go for a Bigodi nature walk at Bigodi wetland sanctuary for primate and bird viewing, the walk can take roughly 2 hours, to explore the hidden treasure of this swamp, with a great chance to see a number of bird species and monkeys. Later drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Kyaninga Lodge (luxury) or Turaco Treetop Lodge (Mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Travel time +4 hrs
Day Itinerary
Today after taking your early morning breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the magnificent route to your booked accommodation to catch up with the late lunch and later spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and preparing for the next day’s Gorilla trekking exercise.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Uganda. It’s known for its diverse flora and fauna, with over 350 bird species and over 400 gorillas. Bwindi offers a unique birding experience for bird enthusiasts, as well as gorilla trekking for wildlife enthusiasts. The park’s thick forest makes for an exciting and immersive adventure, attracting tourists from all over the world. It’s best to visit during the dry season for optimal bird watching and gorilla trekking experiences.
Overnight stay at: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury) or Ihamba Residence (mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Experience at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day Itinerary
Early morning cup of coffee by 0630hrs, then prepare for the gorilla trekking briefing from the park headquarters and thereafter, you will enter the jungle with your packed lunch to search for the shy mountain gorillas and enjoy their lifestyle in their real home. After meeting the gorillas, you can sit around these great apes for an hour watching their social life as you take pictures. On a gorilla safari, a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as walking shoes, packed snacks and mineral water, insect repellent, sunscreen and hut. The gorilla trekking experience takes almost 2 – 6 depending on the movements of these primates and pace of your trekking group. After this gorilla tracking experience you will return to your lodge for hot lunch. You will spend the evening relaxing and going through your great shots during your trekking as you wait for overnight stay at the lodge or you may opt for batwa cultural experience, to kill your evening stay.
Overnight stay at: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury) or Ihamba Residence (mid – range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: Drive back to Kigali via Volcanoes. Travel time + 4hrs
Day Itinerary
After your relaxed morning breakfast, you will jump into your jeep, and drive off to Kigali, via Cyanika border, undergo immigration clearance and proceed to Musanze, visit Ellen DeGeneres Campus of Dian Fossey, where research and studies about the gorillas is conducted. The research center has a lot of educational materials, from the time of Dian Fossey life with the gorillas in the mist. You will later head for lunch, before driving to Kigali. Time permitting, you may opt for an added Kigali city tour, with a visit to art and craft shops, local market before we proceed to Kigali airport to catch up with your evening flight back home End of service!
Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch.
This safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4 x 4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- 1 Gorilla Trekking Permit ($ 700), per person
- En-route lunches
- Chimpanzee trekking experience
- Visit to Ellen DeGeneres campus
- Visit to Kigali genocide memorial
- Kigali city tour
- Services of an English speaking driver/ guide.
- Unlimited mineral water per day per person during safari
- Fun and other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary.
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Tips for guides
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations & tests
- Health test requirements
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options. Write to us with more details about your safari.