5-Day Rwanda and Uganda Primate Safari with Gorilla Treks

You will be picked up by your Ibyiza Safaris guide from Kigali International Airport or your address in Kigali and briefed on the adventure ahead. From Kigali, you will journey through Rwanda's iconic rolling hills to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. As evening falls, retreat to your lodge nestled in the cool, tranquil foothills of the Virunga volcanoes for a good night's rest.

Optional activities are available to enrich your experience. In Kigali, explore Rwanda's spotless capital on a city tour, browse Kimihurura Market for local crafts, and stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a profound testament to Rwanda's remarkable healing journey.

Once in Musanze, you may also visit the Gorilla Guardians Village, where reformed poachers share their world through dance, storytelling, and hands-on cultural traditions.

Start your day with a trek into Volcanoes National Park in search of the golden monkey, a playful and curious primate found nowhere else but the Virunga Mountains. Tracking begins at 8:00 am and takes approximately 4 hours, including a magical 1-hour encounter.

Watch them roll on bamboo stems, follow them as they feed, and marvel at how skillfully they pick young leaves from the tips of bamboo trees. Years of habituation have softened their shyness, making every moment remarkably intimate.

Return to the lodge for a relaxing lunch before crossing the Cyanika border into Uganda, journeying through the breathtaking hills of Kisoro toward the ancient, misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Today is the day you have been dreaming of - a face-to-face encounter with the gentle giants of Bwindi.

Your experience begins with a detailed briefing on trekking guidelines, ensuring your safety and the protection of the gorillas and their habitat. Led by an experienced guide and ranger, you will venture deep into Bwindi's dense, ancient forest, winding through lush vegetation until that breathtaking, humbling moment when the mountain gorillas appear before you. You will spend one magical hour in their presence, a life-changing experience no photograph can fully capture.

After this experience, head back to the lodge to re-energise with a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, feel free to relax at your lodge and let the day's experience soak in, or take part in optional activities like traditional coffee making, a visit to the Batwa village, or a walk in the terraced hills.

After breakfast, begin the journey north through the dramatic hills of Kigezi toward Kibale Forest National Park, home to the highest concentration of primates in Africa and the undisputed chimpanzee capital of the world.

The route takes you through the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the safari continues right from your vehicle window. Elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, and a remarkable diversity of birdlife can all be spotted as you wind through the park's vast open plains and woodland - a classic case of hitting two birds with one stone.

Emerge from the park and continue north through the lush landscapes of western Uganda, arriving at your lodge in Kibale by evening for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay ahead of tomorrow's chimpanzee adventure.

After breakfast, head to Kibale Forest park headquarters for a safety briefing before venturing into the forest in search of the chimpanzees. Spend an unforgettable hour observing our closest relatives in their natural habitat - feeding, grooming, playing, and caring for their young - as expert rangers bring their fascinating world to life around you.

Return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and a short rest before beginning the journey east to Entebbe. The drive takes you through Uganda's lush heartland, passing through Kampala and arriving at Entebbe International Airport in the evening with your heart full and your memories richer than you could have imagined.