11 Day Uganda & Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Tour

After a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, you’ll embark on a deeper exploration of Kigali with a morning city tour. Then set off on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. The drive is rich with photo opportunities as you travel through a landscape of lush hills, coffee and banana plantations, and quaint villages. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at your lodge nestled near the park. Settle in, enjoy the fresh mountain air, and prepare for the thrilling primate adventure that awaits.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Wake up early and fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a comprehensive briefing on gorilla trekking rules and etiquette. With your experienced guides and trackers, venture into the thick forest to track a family of mountain gorillas. The trek may be short or long depending on the gorillas’ movements, but the magical one hour spent in their presence is truly unforgettable. Capture the gentle interactions, observe the silverback’s dominance, and watch playful juveniles swing through the trees. Those not trekking gorillas can instead opt for golden monkey tracking or a visit to the Dian Fossey research center and grave.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

After breakfast, say goodbye to Rwanda as you cross into Uganda via the Cyanika border post. The drive toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes you through a scenic route dotted with tea plantations, terraced hills, and panoramic views of Virunga Volcanoes. Arrive at your lodge located on the edge of the ancient rainforest—home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Settle in and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodge

This day is your second gorilla trekking experience, offering you the chance to track a different family in a completely unique environment. Bwindi’s rugged terrain and dense foliage make the trek both challenging and rewarding. With the guidance of expert trackers, you’ll journey through mist-covered trails and vines in search of the gorillas. Once located, you will spend a maximum of one hour observing their behaviors, social interactions, and the bond between mothers and infants. If you’ve already trekked gorillas in Rwanda, you may choose an alternative activity such as a nature walk to see waterfalls and rare birds, or a cultural visit to the local Batwa community.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodge

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before departing Bwindi for Queen Elizabeth National Park. This journey takes you through the lush southern sector of the park known as Ishasha, famed for its rare tree-climbing lions. Keep your camera ready as you pass through local villages and breathtaking scenery along the way. Depending on road conditions and timing, you may have the opportunity for a short game drive in Ishasha before continuing north to your lodge. After checking in, relax and watch the African sunset over the savannah.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Bush Lodge or Enganzi Lodge

Wake up early and head out for a morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, known for its concentration of Uganda kobs, lions, elephants, and hyenas. As the sun rises, the savannah comes alive with wildlife activity, offering photographers golden opportunities. After returning to the lodge for lunch, embark on a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon. This waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and attracts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world, alongside crocodiles, buffaloes, and an incredible diversity of birdlife. It’s a relaxing yet rewarding way to take in the park’s ecosystem from a new perspective.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Bush Lodge or Enganzi Lodge

Following an early breakfast, set out on another game drive in the Kasenyi region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This morning excursion provides another opportunity to spot species you may have missed earlier, such as hyenas emerging from their dens or lions lounging in the golden light. You may also encounter herds of elephants, buffaloes, and different antelope species like waterbucks and Uganda kobs. After the game drive, enjoy lunch and begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. The route takes you through rolling hills, banana plantations, and crater lakes, offering a beautiful transition from savannah to rainforest. Arrive at your lodge by evening and settle in for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Rwenzori View Guest House

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Kibale Forest is one of the best places in Africa to observe wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat. As you trek through the tropical forest, listen for the distinctive hoots and calls of the chimp families. Once you locate them, you’ll have the chance to watch them foraging, grooming, and socializing for a designated period. Later, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided swamp walk. Managed by the local community, this eco-tour gives you a closer look at the park’s rich birdlife and primates such as red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Rwenzori View Guest House

After breakfast, depart Kibale for Murchison Falls National Park. This long but scenic drive takes you through Uganda’s heartland, past remote villages, colorful roadside markets, and vast stretches of countryside. Stop along the way for lunch and to stretch your legs. By late afternoon or early evening, arrive at your lodge on the southern banks of the Nile River. Relax and enjoy dinner with views of the river as you prepare for tomorrow’s adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge

Begin the day with a cup of tea or coffee before setting off for a sunrise game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. This area is rich in wildlife, and you’re likely to spot giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, buffaloes, oribis, hippos, and—if lucky—predators such as lions and leopards. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast or brunch. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise up the Nile River toward the base of Murchison Falls. Watch as the river narrows and crashes through a 7-meter gorge, creating the powerful falls that are the park’s namesake. Look out for Nile crocodiles, bathing hippos, and aquatic birds along the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge