Rwanda, Uganda · Primate Tours

6-Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking in Rwanda and Uganda

6 Days Round trip from Ruhengeri Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Track golden monkeys and enjoy a guided nature walk in Volcanoes National Park
  • 02 Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see mountain gorillas
  • 03 Look for the rare tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • 04 Spot a variety of wildlife on a game drive through the Kasenyi Plains
  • 05 Cruise along the Kazinga Channel to see crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and birdlife
  • 06 Visit the Kimihurura market and the Kigali Genocide Museum

Experience a 6-day wildlife safari through Rwanda and Uganda, combining golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest. Along the way, enjoy a guided nature walk, the chance to see the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This journey offers rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, private transport, and expert guiding throughout.

Experience a 6-day wildlife safari through Rwanda and Uganda, combining golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Ruhengeri, Kigali, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Volcanoes National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Transfer to Kinigi for a Cultural Visit and Nature Walk

  • We will pick you up in Kigali and drive you to Volcanoes National Park.
  • Depending on the departure time from Kigali, you may be able to enjoy a complimentary Kigali city tour before traveling to northern Rwanda, visiting the Kimihurura market and the Kigali Genocide Museum.
  • After a 2-hour drive from Kigali to Ruhengeri/Musanze, we will visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Experience, also known as Gorilla Guardians Village, in Kinigi. We will then be treated to a guided nature walk around Volcanoes National Park.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Urugano Virunga Palace

2
Day 02

Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Bwindi

  • We will start the day with a golden monkey trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. This primate is native to the high-altitude forests of the park.
  • Once we have seen their playful interactions, we will head out of the park and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
  • The transfer to Bwindi National Park will go through the Rwanda-Uganda border at Cyanika.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Karungi Camp

3
Day 03

Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Bwindi

  • Day 3 is another day for trekking into the wilderness to spot the rare local animals.
  • You will head to the Bwindi National Park gate immediately after breakfast to get a briefing about the gorilla trek. The national park guide will conduct a presentation covering the basics of what to expect during the gorilla trek and instruct you on how to behave to ensure the safety of guests and the animals.
  • You will then embark on your tracking adventure, going through the rainforest until you find a family of mountain gorillas.
  • The gorilla trek can take from 3 to 6 hours on average, depending on how far the gorillas are inside the forest. It could last longer, so be prepared just in case!

Accommodation and overnight stay at Karungi Camp

4
Day 04

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha

  • We will start the journey in the morning from Bwindi National Park and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • The tour will take us through the stunning landscapes of western Uganda, and we will arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the late afternoon.
  • Our first activity will be to drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, popularly known for the tree-climbing lions.
  • Unlike their counterparts on the Kasenyi Plains, the lions at Ishasha have found a way to climb the fig trees to enjoy the warm temperatures.
  • While the sighting of the tree-climbing lions is not 100% guaranteed, a stopover at Ishasha is worth a visit!

Accommodation and overnight stay at Engiri Game Lodge

5
Day 05

Kasenyi Plains Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Trip

  • We will start the day with an early morning breakfast at the lodge.
  • Afterward, we will proceed to the famed Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park to spot various species of wild animals. The Kasenyi Plains lie in the vast savannahs of the Albertine Rift in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • It will be a morning full of adventure!
  • Expect to encounter lions, herds of buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, topi, and bushbucks.
  • While spotting the 'big five' in the park is not guaranteed, on a lucky day, you may sight leopards to make it to the 'big four'.
  • We will return to the lodge for lunch and a quick break before joining the Kazinga Channel boat cruise for an afternoon of wild game viewing.
  • We will have the chance to spot crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and a wide range of bird species on the channel waters.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Engiri Game Lodge

6
Day 06

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest and Return

  • Day 6 begins with yet another early morning breakfast, followed by a drive to Kalinzu Forest to experience tracking chimpanzees in their forest home.
  • If you are lucky on the trek, you might encounter some of the other different species of monkeys in the forest. These include colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and red-tailed monkeys.
  • Once we have finished our last trekking adventure, it is time to return to Kigali, Kampala, or Entebbe, depending on the end destination that you have decided.
Volcanoes National Park golden monkey habitat, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla forest, Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Where this trip takes you

Volcanoes National Park golden monkey habitat, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla forest, Kazinga Channel boat cruise

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Ruhengeri 7 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All activities and services as per the itinerary
  • 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof for scenic viewing
  • A professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Site entrance fees
  • Free Wi-Fi internet in the vehicle
  • All ground transportation and fuel
  • Meals
  • Drinking water in the vehicle

What's Not Included

  • Visas
  • International airfares
  • Activities and services not included in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic drinks and wines
  • Laundry and any service of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance cover

What to bring

  • Hiking boots
  • Garden gloves
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Long-sleeved shirt or blouse
  • Cameras and extra batteries
  • Hat or cap and sunglasses
  • A pair of binoculars
  • Flashlight (torch)
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Other items to include: a zoom lens for wildlife shots and energy bars or bites

Know before you go

  • Age restriction: 15-80 years old
  • A valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • This tour is not wheelchair accessible
  • We advise against people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions participating in this tour
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kigali, Rwanda
Tour start
Ruhengeri, Rwanda
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 6 days finish where they began, in Ruhengeri.

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