Rwanda and Ugandan Primate Safari

10 Days | 9 Nights

From $3,009/ person

Your trip overview

Get on a private journey through the vibrant landscapes of Rwanda and Uganda, where nature, wildlife, and culture intertwine to offer an unforgettable African adventure. This immersive tour showcases the best of East Africa’s primate encounters, from tracking endangered mountain gorillas in the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, to spotting golden monkeys leaping through the bamboo groves of Volcanoes National Park, and observing wild chimpanzees in the lush canopies of Nyungwe Forest.

With scenic drives, cultural experiences, and guided treks through some of Africa’s most pristine habitats, this tour is perfect for travelers seeking intimate wildlife moments, authentic encounters, and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda

Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Uganda

Planning Your Safari

Organizing a safari in Rwanda, can be overwhelming due to the many choices available for transport, accommodation, and activities.

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali - Hotel Transfer & Optional City Tour

Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly received by our friendly guide who will transfer you to your booked accommodation.

If you arrive early in the day and feel energized, you may opt for a guided city tour. This includes a visit to the Presidential Museum, the former residence of two past presidents, offering insight into Rwanda’s political history. You will also drive through some of Kigali’s oldest residential and commercial neighborhoods, culminating with a stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide.

In the evening, return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay, ready to begin your adventure the following day.

Where to stay

Hotel Inside kigali city

Mid-range Hotel

Hotel Inside kigali city

Mid-range Hotel

Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & Evening Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, you’ll depart Kigali and drive northeast through scenic countryside to Musanze, a vibrant town nestled near the base of the Virunga Volcanoes. Your journey offers breathtaking views of rolling hills and rural Rwandan life, culminating in your arrival at Volcanoes National Park, which shares borders with Virunga National Park in the DRC and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.

Once you check into your booked lodge, you may choose to rest and unwind in preparation for tomorrow’s exciting golden monkey trek.

Alternatively, for those who’d like to immerse themselves in local culture or enjoy some light adventure, there are optional activities available (extra cost):Canoe Trekking – Glide through the beautiful Rwandan countryside ($60)

Visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village – Experience traditional Rwandan music, dance, and customs firsthand ($20)Wrap up the evening with dinner and a relaxed overnight stay at your lodge.

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You’ll wake up for an early breakfast and transfer to the park head offices in Kinigi by 7:00 am. You’ll join other golden monkey’s trekkers and meet the ranger guide for a few minutes to talk about the activity and the park. At 8:00 am, you’ll transfer to the trailhead just outside the park. You’ll enjoy great views of the mountain scenery as you start your trek into the park to find the golden monkeys.

The golden monkeys live near the edge of the park in the bamboo forests where the ground is relatively flat and easy to trek. Find the monkeys and follow them as they feed, noticing how they skillfully pick the young bamboo leaves from the tip of the bamboo tree. They may also move out of the park into the potato fields. How they love the potatoes!

After an amazing one hour with the golden monkeys, you will return to the trailhead and drive back to the lodge for lunch. Thereafter, you’ll head to the border where after clearing you will proceed to Bwindi.

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast and getting ready with your packed lunch, you’ll head to the park headquarters for briefing by park ranger guides, to start gorilla trekking. The activity can last up to 4 hours of trekking or more to find the mountain gorillas as you hike up and down the slopes with dense mist-covered vegetation. This active quest will eventually bring you to the face of one of the most sought-after creatures-the mountain gorillas. Upon reaching them, you will have one full hour with them while observing and learning their behavior as you take photos. You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge.

The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. You’ll return to the accommodation and have a good rest after a strenuous trek. #Optional (extra cost 20$): If interested, you can move out to encounter the local Batwa community. Otherwise, you’ll continue with your relaxation.

Where to stay

Rushaga Gorilla Haven

Mid–range Lodge

Rushaga Gorilla Haven

Mid–range Lodge

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park Via the Ishasha Sector in Search of Tree-Climbing Lions

Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions:

On the way from Bwindi, you will drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, popularly known for the tree-climbing lions. While the sighting of the tree-climbing lions is not 100% guaranteed, a stopover at Ishasha is worth a visit! After the Ishasha game drive, you’ll proceed to the Mweya Peninsular of Queen Elizabeth for a boat cruise experience on the Kazinga Channel.

Kazinga Channel boat cruise:

If time permits, you’ll join the Kazinga Channel boat cruise for an afternoon of wild game viewing. You will spot crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and a wide range of bird species on the channel waters. After the Kazinga Channel boat cruise, you’ll drive to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Day 6: Guided Game Drive and Boat Safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park

You will be up early and have your breakfast. You’ll proceed for a morning game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others.

You’ll return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants, and crocodiles among others will fascinate you.

You will also see many varieties of birds on the water shores. You’ll return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking at Kyambura Gorge and Transfer to Hoima

You will have breakfast and proceed for the chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge. The Gorge is home to habituated chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys, and also bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here.

Thereafter, you will return to the accommodation and check out. To help shorten the transfer time from Queen to Murchison Falls National Park, you will go on a transfer that will see you stay overnight in Hoima City (that is en route to Murchison).

Where to stay

Hoima City

Mid–range Lodge

Hoima City

Mid–range Lodge

Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

You will enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter, you’ll transfer to the Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison Falls, and the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopards, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants.

Then surely, the concentration of hippos and Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you. At about 2 or 3 pm, you can move out for wildlife sightings till about 6:30/7 pm. Optional (extra cost 40$), You may consider a breathtaking night game drive to have a rare encounter of the nightlife in the wild.

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Day 9: Early Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Safari at Murchison Falls National Park

You will have breakfast then depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the lookout for wildlife including lions and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite several birds to sight too during the drive.

You’ll return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including hippos and crocodiles and several water birds.

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Lodge Inside kigali city

Mid–range Lodge

Day 10: Hike the Top of Murchison Falls and Transfer to Entebbe Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking

You will have breakfast and then drive to the top of the falls to truly appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Murchison Falls. From the top, you will transfer (not so long) to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Once in Ziwa, you will proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. From the rhino tracking, you will enjoy lunch and then continue with the drive to Entebbe Airport. (Recommended for 6:00 pm or later).

Rates Per Person

Start dates	Solo 1 Room	2+ people Sharing Rooms
Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025	$3,375	$2,965
Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026	$3,375	$2,965

Safari/Trip

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

Park fees (for non-residents)

Gorilla trekking permit (1 per person, non-resident)

Chimpanzee tracking permit (1 per person, non-resident)

All activities as outlined in the itinerary (unless marked as optional)

All accommodations during the tour (unless listed as an upgrade)

Professional English-speaking driver/guide

All ground transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle

All government taxes and VAT

Round-trip airport transfers

Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary

Drinks as specified in the day-by-day itinerary

Exclusions

International flights (to/from your home country)

Additional accommodation before the tour begins or after it ends

Tips & gratuities (Recommended: USD $10 per person per day)

Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees

Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day itinerary)

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Rwanda and Ugandan Primate Safari

10 Days | 9 Nights

Your trip overview

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Murchison Falls National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Planning Your Safari

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Where to stay

Hotel Inside kigali city

Hotel Inside kigali city

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Lodge Inside kigali city

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Lodge Inside kigali city

Where to stay

Rushaga Gorilla Haven

Rushaga Gorilla Haven

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Lodge Inside kigali city

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Lodge Inside kigali city

Where to stay

Hoima City

Hoima City

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Lodge Inside kigali city

Where to stay

Lodge Inside kigali city

Lodge Inside kigali city

Rates Per Person

Safari/Trip

Inclusions & Exclusions

Enquire this Tour

What our Client Say

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