16-Day Rwanda & Uganda Primate and Wildlife Safari
Nyungwe • Lake Kivu • Volcanoes • Bwindi • Queen Elizabeth • Kibale • Murchison Falls • Kidepo • Mabamba
Safari Overview
This 16-day Rwanda and Uganda Primate and Wildlife safari combines primate tracking, classic wildlife safaris, dramatic landscapes, and cultural encounters across East Africa’s most iconic national parks. The journey begins in Rwanda’s ancient rainforest of Nyungwe Forest National Park, continues to the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu, and explores the volcanic foothills of Volcanoes National Park.
You will then cross into Uganda for unforgettable gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, powerful Nile experiences in Murchison Falls National Park, remote wilderness in Kidepo Valley National Park, and finally a shoebill search at Mabamba Swamp.
Detailed 16-Day Rwanda & Uganda Primate and Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Welcome to Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy a short Kigali city orientation drive. Kigali is one of Africa’s cleanest and most organized capitals, offering a peaceful introduction to your adventure.
Relax and recover from your journey as you prepare for the exciting days ahead.
Accommodation:
Mid-range – Lemigo Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart Kigali for Nyungwe in southwestern Rwanda. The scenic drive takes you through Rwanda’s famous rolling hills and rural countryside.
En route, visit the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, one of the finest museums in East Africa. The museum provides deep insight into Rwanda’s traditional monarchy, cultural heritage, and historical evolution.
Continue your journey through tea plantations and winding mountain roads to Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests.
Accommodation:
Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk – Nyungwe
Early departure for chimpanzee trekking. After briefing at Uwinka, enter the dense rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee families. Nyungwe hosts 13 primate species and over 300 bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics.
Once the chimps are located, spend one unforgettable hour observing their playful behavior, feeding, grooming, and vocal communication.
Later, experience the famous canopy walkway suspended 50 meters above the forest floor. The elevated bridge offers spectacular views of the treetops and surrounding mountains.
Return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation:
Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Day 4: Nyungwe – Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)
After breakfast, transfer to the scenic shores of Lake Kivu. This freshwater lake lies along the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Enjoy a guided boat cruise exploring small islands, birdlife, and local fishing communities. Visit the hot springs and learn about the history of “Punishment Island.” You may also visit Nyamirundi Island for a coffee experience showcasing Rwanda’s specialty coffee process.
Lake Kivu is safe for swimming, free from crocodiles and hippos, making it a perfect place to relax.
Accommodation:
Palm Beach Resort
Day 5: Lake Kivu – Volcanoes Region
After breakfast, drive to Musanze in northern Rwanda. Visit the beautiful Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, surrounded by the Virunga volcanoes.
Enjoy a guided nature walk along the lakeshores and visit the Karisoke Research Center exhibits to learn about mountain gorilla conservation history.
The afternoon offers stunning views of the Virunga ranges.
Accommodation:
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking – Transfer to Bwindi
Early breakfast and transfer to Kinigi for golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After briefing, hike into the bamboo forest where golden monkeys live.
These lively primates are playful, fast-moving, and highly photogenic. Spend one hour observing them feeding on bamboo shoots.
After lunch, cross the Rwanda–Uganda border and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Accommodation:
Bakiga Lodge
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi → Ishasha
After early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for briefing. Begin your gorilla trekking adventure through the dense forest terrain.
Tracking can take 2–6 hours depending on gorilla movements. Once located, spend one magical hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family. Watch them feed, groom, and interact in their natural habitat.
After lunch, transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation:
Ishasha Pride Lodge (Full Board)
Day 8: Ishasha Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Morning game drive in Ishasha, famous for tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees. The area also hosts elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and topi.
In the afternoon, drive to the Kazinga Channel for a launch cruise. This natural channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and supports one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos.
Expect elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, and abundant birdlife.
Accommodation:
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a short morning game drive before transferring to Kibale via the scenic crater lakes region.
In the afternoon, explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run conservation area offers excellent birding opportunities and sightings of monkeys such as red-tailed monkeys and black-and-white colobus.
Accommodation:
Kibale Forest Camp
Day 10: Chimpanzee Tracking – Kibale
Morning chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, home to the highest density of primates in Africa.
After locating the chimpanzees, spend one hour observing their daily activities. Kibale also hosts grey-cheeked mangabeys, red colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and olive baboons.
Afternoon relaxation at the lodge.
Accommodation:
Kibale Forest Camp
Day 11: Kibale – Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, transfer north to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, visit the Top of the Falls where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gorge before plunging 45 meters below.
The thunderous sound and mist create one of Africa’s most powerful waterfall experiences.
Accommodation:
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 12: Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise – Murchison
Early morning game drive across the northern savannah plains. Expect Rothschild giraffes, lions, elephants, hartebeest, and leopards.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. Large pods of hippos and Nile crocodiles line the riverbanks.
Accommodation:
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 13: Nile Delta Cruise & Night Game Drive
Morning boat cruise to the Nile Delta towards Lake Albert. This area offers excellent chances of spotting the rare shoebill stork.
After lunch and rest, head out for a guided night game drive to search for nocturnal wildlife such as leopards, hyenas, civets, bush babies, and porcupines.
Accommodation:
Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 14: Murchison – Kidepo Valley National Park
Drive via Gulu and Kitgum into the remote Karamoja region. Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated and dramatic park, offering vast savannah landscapes and rugged mountain backdrops.
Accommodation:
Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 15: Full Day Game Viewing – Kidepo
Explore Narus Valley during morning and afternoon game drives. Kidepo is home to cheetahs, ostrich, bat-eared foxes, striped hyenas, and large herds of buffalo.
Optional visit to Kanangorok Hot Springs near the South Sudan border.
Accommodation:
Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 16: Kidepo – Entebbe
After breakfast, drive back to Kampala and continue to Entebbe for overnight stay.
Accommodation:
2 Friends Beach Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Day 17: Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Excursion & Departure
Early morning canoe excursion in Mabamba Swamp. Glide through papyrus channels searching for the rare shoebill stork, along with African jacanas, malachite kingfishers, and papyrus gonolek. Return to Entebbe for drop-off at the airport or hotel.
End of 16-day Rwanda and Uganda Primate and Wildlife safari
Inclusions
- Private Safari Land Cruiser
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Gorilla trekking permit (USD 800 pp)
- Chimpanzee trekking permits
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- All park entry fees
- Boat cruises & canoe excursions
- Full-board accommodation
- All meals during the safari
Exclusions
- International & domestic flights
- Visas & travel insurance
- Personal expenses & souvenirs
- Drinks and spirits