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Chimp Rwanda

12 Days Rwanda Uganda Primate Safari

The  12 Days Rwanda Uganda primates safari, gives you an opportunity to explore and see primates gorillas and chimpanzees in both countries. It also offers the opportunity to trek gorillas twice in both Uganda and Rwanda and be able to compare the experience.  Take on the 12 days Uganda Safari and enjoy the best of primates in the world.

Tour Highlights

  • Day 1: Arrival Kigali International airport. BB
  • Day 2: Gorilla tracking in volcanoes national park Rwanda.
  • Day 3: Visit the Dian  Fossey Tombs. | Trek golden Monkeys
  • Day 4: Transfer to Uganda’s Kabale Lake Bunyonyi.
  • Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi . 3 hours drive
  • Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Uganda
  • Day 7-8: Drive to Queen Elizabeth Park | Boat ride along Kazinga Channel . 6 hours drive
  • Day 9: Safari game drive | Chimpanzee tracking safari.
  • Day 10: Drive to Kibale national park 3 hours drive
  • Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale park.
  • Day 12: Drive to Entebbe

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Kigali International airport. BB

Arrive at Kigali airport and our safari driver will be ready to welcome you and transfer you to Parc National des Volcans. In case there is sufficient time, take a tour in Kigali city; visit Genocide memorial site, local markets, local art and crafts among others. Later drive to PNV going through the stunning terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape. Dinner and overnight at;

Budget accommodation: Muhabura Lodge / Kinigi guest house

Moderate accommodation; Gorilla nest lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Up market accommodation in Virunga Volcanoes Lodge / Sabinyo Silver back lodge

Day 2: Gorilla tracking in volcanoes national park Rwanda. 

After your breakfast, you will transfer to ORTPN for briefing form the guide concerning the next expedition.   Remember to carry your tracking gears and dress up in hiking shoes plus a long trouser because the ground is somehow slippery and boggy at times. There also some beetles that may sting you. You may also carry your parked lunch because the time you take to track the gorillas is unpredictable.

Tracking gorillas take approximately 2-8 Hours depending on their movements. You will stay with these giant apes for 1 hr observation and taking there photographs. In case you are not very tired, have a walk to nearby communities, interact with them and learn more about their culture. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your budget

Day 3: Visit the Dian  Fossey Tombs. | Trek golden Monkeys

Enjoy your early morning breakfast at the lodge. Trek to the grave of Diana Fossey grave area; the American primatologist.  Through out the history of gorillas, she is considered the gorilla heroin. She preferred to save gorillas to humans. When she died, she was buried in the gorilla territory at the former Karisoke Research Center. Diana spent approximately 20 years studying and habituating the Mountain Gorillas.

The trek to the site is some how stunning.  It passes through bamboo forest and thick Afro-montane habitats, criss-crossed trails with tracks of forest buffalo and elephant. On the way, you will meet several primates and birds as you make our way up and down to Karisoke, situated between the volcanic peaks of Karismbi and Visoke.

There is the option of trekking golden monkeys instead of the Dian Fossey tombs. This attracts an extra USD 40 pp.

Dinner and Overnight at your selected lodge.

Day 4: Transfer to Uganda’s Kabale Lake Bunyonyi. 

Early in the morning, take your breakfast then, depart PNV for Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda. It is famous for its beautiful islands and prolific bird life, and relax as you wait for lunch. Have a canoe ride in the after noon that expose you to exceptional bird watching, and visit the beautiful Islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight at Arcadia cottages

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi . 3 hours drive 

Wake up early in the morning, enjoy your breakfast and drive through the Switzerland of Africa, with the roads winding passed several hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes. The journey rewards you with gorgeous scenic viewing. Enjoy your lunch enroute. Dinner and overnight at:

Luxury accommodation: Volcanoes Lodge / Sabinyo Silver Back lodge

Standard accommodation: Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge / Mountain gorilla View Lodge/ Hotel Gorillas

Budget accommodation: Kinigi Guest House

12 Days Rwanda Uganda primate safari Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Uganda 

Following the early morning breakfast, carry your tracking gears, drinking water and wear long trousers for the next expedition. Move into the luxuriant forest to search for the great apes. You need to note that tracking can take 2-8 hours depending on their movements. This expedition involves walking up steep and densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation.  When you get to meet these ancient apes, will forget about the strenuous trek and replace it with excitement.  Stay with these Giant apes for 1 hour for observation and photography. You will notice that gorillas behave like human beings. They feed there young ones like humans, watch over their young ones like mothers. Relax in the evening as you wait for dinner and overnight at the lodge of your budget.

Day 7-8: Drive to Queen Elizabeth Park | Boat ride along Kazinga Channel . 6 hours drive 

Enjoy your breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through gorgeous rolling hills and the Ishasha sector. On the way into the park; you may get the chance of meeting the tree climbing lions. They are commonly seen in this area. Have lunch as you prepare for the exciting launch cruise. Move down to the Kazinga channel for the launch cruise.

It is famous for the highest concentration of Hippos in Africa. Bird life is abundant with over 610 species and hundreds of Nile crocodiles. You will also see herds of elephants and buffaloes quenching there thirst from the water in the channel. The boat provides a clear platform for photographing. Dinner and overnight at the

Luxury accommodation: Mweya safari lodge/Jacana lodge

Mid range accommodation: Ihamba/Albertine camp

Budge accommodation: Mweya hostels/Simba safari camp

Day 9: Safari game drive | Chimpanzee tracking safari.  

Wake up early for a wonderful game drive. On the way , you will be entertained by the presence of animals like the waterbucks, warthogs, Kobs, you may also spot some lions hiding in the bushes ready to catch there prey and several other animals. Return to the lodge and have your carry your lunch. Move to Kyambura gorge nearby to track the fast moving and mysterious wild chimpanzees, one of man’s closest relations. Kyambura Gorge is home to the only family of habituated chimpanzees in Africa.

Start the trek from Fig Tree Camp. The chimps are always in motion and viewing is unpredictable but the walk is charming. During this walk, you may have the chance of meeting other primates like Red tailed monkeys, Vervet, Black and White colobus monkeys, olive baboons and Giant forest hog. Watch the apes as they conclude there day by making there nests. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at your selected lodge

Day 10: Drive to Kibale national park 3 hours drive 

At 9am you will  Dinner and overnight at

Luxurious Ndali Lodge/ Primates Lodge

Mid range Rwenzori View Guest House/Mountains of the moon Fort Portal/ Chimps nest lodge

Budget Kanyankyu Ecological Bandas (FB

Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale park. 

Wake up early for breakfast then carry your tracking gears and move to the headquarters for briefing. You will be lead into the luxuriant, cool and thick forest. The guide will explain to you the types of tress that you come across, you will also see a number of other primates like monkeys that jump from tree to tree, Colobus Monkeys Giant forest hog, Vervet, red-tailed monkeys, the Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, and Olive Baboons. The birds are also in big numbers.

Continue searching for the exciting human cousins because they are very mobile. You may hear them hoot before seeing them. Watch the gorgeous chimps for some time and come back for lunch.  In case you are not so tired, move on for a community walk in the Bigodi community. You will watch some ladies making hand crafts and if there is ample time, you will visit the community school. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Drive to Entebbe

Having enjoyed the long Tour, you will return to Kampala using the Fort Portal way. Visit the mysterious Nakayima tree. Continue to Kampala for your return flight

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