This 12-day Uganda–Rwanda Primates Expedition is the ultimate East African adventure for lovers of wildlife, culture, and scenic landscapes. Experience the best of both countries — from Uganda’s lush forests and rolling savannahs to Rwanda’s misty volcanoes. You’ll trek through the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Parks in search of mountain gorillas, track chimpanzees in Kibale, and enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s a journey that connects you with the wild heart of Africa and its most intelligent inhabitants.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Entebbe (Uganda)
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Relax and enjoy your first evening in the Pearl of Africa.
Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel / Papyrus Guesthouse

Day 2 – Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Travel west through scenic countryside and tea plantations to Kibale, home to the world’s highest concentration of primates. Arrive in time for an evening walk in the forest-edge communities.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops / Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Day 3 – Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Join rangers for a morning chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest. Watch these lively primates interact and communicate in their natural environment. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland for birdwatching and a community tour.
Accommodation: Same as Day 2

Day 4 – Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Head south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s premier safari destination. Enjoy an evening game drive in the Kasenyi plains for sightings of elephants, lions, and antelopes.
Accommodation: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 5 – Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise
Take a morning game drive through the park’s grasslands and later enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel — home to hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds.
Accommodation: Same as Day 4

Day 6 – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The evening is yours to relax and prepare for gorilla trekking.
Accommodation: Buhoma Haven Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp

Day 7 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
After a briefing, enter the forest for an unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas. Spend an hour with these gentle giants as they feed, groom, and play. The experience is intimate, emotional, and truly life-changing.
Accommodation: Same as Day 6

Day 8 – Transfer to Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park)
Cross the Cyanika border into Rwanda and continue to the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes. Enjoy scenic views of terraced hills and the volcano chain.
Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Day 9 – Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Set out on another gorilla trekking adventure, this time in Rwanda’s legendary Volcanoes National Park. Encountering another family group in a different habitat deepens your understanding of these magnificent animals.
Accommodation: Same as Day 8

Day 10 – Golden Monkey Tracking and Visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Spend the morning tracking playful golden monkeys in the bamboo forests. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about Rwandan traditions, dance, and crafts.
Accommodation: Same as Day 8

Day 11 – Transfer to Kigali and City Tour
Drive to Rwanda’s vibrant capital, Kigali. Visit the Genocide Memorial, local markets, and art galleries before enjoying a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel / Kigali Serena Hotel

Day 12 – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight home, marking the end of an incredible primate and cultural expedition.

Highlights

• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest

• Gorilla trekking in both Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks

• Game drives and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda

• Cultural visits in Uganda and Rwanda

• Scenic drives through the Albertine Rift and Virunga Volcanoes

• Perfect blend of wildlife, primates, and culture