10 Days African Primates Tour – Overview

The 10 days Rwanda – Uganda gorilla safari is an assemblage of various components that combine to make it stand out from other packages.

It offers you an opportunity to explore these two prime destinations in East Africa. Exploring Nyungwe forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National park and Kibale National park plus the encounters at Karisoke research center and Bigodi wetland combine to generate memorable safari experience.

10 Days African Primates Tour – Highlights

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Day 2: Do Colobus monkey tracking & canopy walk.

Day 3: Drive to Volcanoes national park

Day 4: Undertake gorilla trekking in Parc Nationale des Volcanoes (Volcanoes national park-Rwanda)

Day 5: Track golden monkeys or Hike Dian Fossey (Karisoke research center).

Day 6: Encounter the challenging Bwindi Gorilla tracking. (Uganda)

Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & encounter Ishasha tree climbing lions en route.

Day 8: Undertake a morning game drive & transfer to the primate capital of the world – Kibale National Park.

Day 9: Do Chimpanzee tracking

Day 10: Transfer to Kampala for departure.

10 Days African Primates Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer From Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Depart from Kigali city in the morning to Nyungwe forest National Park. The scenic drive en route is combined with a visit to the Nyanza Palace, the Butare Museum and Murambi memorial.

It is 268 km approximately 6 hours’ drive to Nyungwe forest excluding stops en route. Arrive in the evening and retire for overnight.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Hill Top (Midrange/standard), Gisakura guest house (Budget/basic) or Nyungwe View Lodge (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 2: Do Colobus Monkey Tracking & Canopy Walk.

After your breakfast at 6:00am, embark on the colobus monkey tracking experience in the forest of Nyungwe.

Traverse the lush montane forest in search of these great primate species and upon encountering them you will be astonished by their colors, body adornment, and playful tactics among others.

Return to the lodge for lunch after which you will embark on the canopy walk – the first of its kind in East Africa taking 1 -2 hours.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 3: Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, embark on 9 hour drive covering a distance of 284km to Volcanoes National Park – the home of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. You will arrive in the evening and rest for overnight.

Accommodation: Muhabura Hotel (Budget/basic), Lapalme Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Mountain Gorilla View Hotel (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 4: Undertake Gorilla Trekking in Parc Nationale des Volcanoes (Volcanoes national park-Rwanda)

Assemble at the park headquarters at Kinigi for briefing at 08:00am where you will also be allocated gorilla families to track.

After briefing, set off to the forest for the active trekking experience that lasts between 2 – 8 hours thus necessitating packed lunch.

You will have one hour encounter with these endangered apes where you will be able to take photos, ask questions and generate ultimate memories.

Return to the lodge for relaxation after which you can undertake a cultural tour to the adjacent Iby’wachu village to get exposed to the Banyarwanda culture.

Day 5: Track Golden Monkeys or Hike Dian Fossey (Karisoke Research Center).

You can do golden monkey tracking or hike the Dian Fossey grave and the Karisoke research center in general to explore onto the conservation works of Dian Fossey – the American Primatologist who defined the ground for the conservation of Mountain gorillas in Virunga Area.

The grave yard of her favorite silverback Digit is also rewarding to look at. Return to the lodge for lunch after which you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Ruhija) Uganda 134km approximately 4 – 5 hours’ drive to prepare for next day’s challenging encounter.

Accommodation: Ruhija Gorilla safari lodge (Luxury/upmarket) or Gorilla Mist Camp (midrange/standard) or Ruhija Community Rest Camp (Budget/basic).

Day 6: Encounter The Challenging Bwindi Gorilla Trekking.

Tracking Gorillas in Rwanda is less challenging thus sometimes fail to bring out the worthy of such adventurous activity like gorilla tracking.

Thus, it is very important to undertake this Ugandan Gorilla tracking challenging offer to fully experience the worth of your gorilla safari.

The activity starts with briefing at park headquarters at 08:00am and the general experience takes 2 – 8 hours with one hour face to face with gorillas.

The experience is quite rewarding. Return to the lodge for relaxation and can visit the nearby communities of the Batwa or the Bakiga to explore the life of the local people.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Encounter Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions En-route.

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park after breakfast via Ishasha sector to encounter tree climbing lions.

Proceed to Mweya to catch up with boat cruise on Kazinga channel at 03:00pm to spot game drinking on the channel side, aquatic dwellings and abundant bird life.

The journey is 277km over 5 hours’ drive from the eastern sector of Bwindi close to Kabale.

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Simba Safari Lodge (Budget/basic).

Day 8: Undertake a Morning Game Drive & Transfer to The Primate Capital of The World – Kibale National Park.

Do an early morning game drive along the Kasenyi tracks to spot elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopard, and antelope species among others.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and simple relaxation before embarking on a transfer to Kibale National Park. Pass through the Ndali – Kasenda Crater area to be overwhelmed by the amazing scenery.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (luxury/upmarket), Chimps Nest (Midrange/standard) or Mantana Tented Camp (Budget/basic).

Day 9: Do Chimpanzee Trekking

Assemble at the Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing at 08:00am before setting off for Chimp trekking encounter in the forest alongside other 12 primate species and a range of bird species.

This takes over 2 – 5 hours with one hour direct interaction with Chimps. Afternoon, take a visit to the Bigodi wetland sanctuary to explore the community life, see swamp animals like sitatunga and birds like famous Rwenzori turaco.

Accommodation: You will spend a night at your previous lodge.

Day 10: Transfer to Kampala For Departure.

Transfer after breakfast for 358 km about 7 hours’ drive to Kampala. Have Lunch en route and arrive in Kampala in the afternoon.

End of The 10 Days African Primates Tour

Getting There