8 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari
8 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari is one of the best Primates safari experiences in Africa. Uganda and Rwanda, “the Pearl of Africa” and “Land of a thousand hills” respectively are incredible destinations of Primates encounter. Rwanda’s most visited primates’ destinations include; Volcanoes national park and Nyungwe national park with a bit of relaxation during the trip at Lake Kivu. Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable national park is Africa’s best gorilla trekking destinations giving remarkable chances of people to meet the endangered mountain Gorillas in the whole world. Volcanoes national park has about 10 habituated gorilla families for tourism. Apart from gorilla trekking, Volcanoes national park is also a home to the endangered golden monkeys and a few of the forest animals and the park hosts about 200 different bird species. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is home of half of the remaining mountain gorillas and the park is divided into four sectors of gorilla trekking. Nyungwe forest national park on the other hands is home to the endangered chimpanzees and 12 other species of primates. Trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest is one of the most scenic experiences under the montane rainforest and walking on a canopy above the forest is an added beautiful experience. This trip involves doing different interesting and tiring activities in the different national parks including community/cultural encounters, hiking, nature walks, birdwatching, Chimpanzee tracking, Gorilla trekking, Golden monkey tracking and other excursions of your interest.
Safari highlights of the 8 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari
- Day 1: Pick up from hotel in Kigali
- Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park – Canopy walk
- Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Isumo trail
- Day 4: Colobus Monkeys – Transfer to Lake Kivu
- Day 5: Transfer to Parc National Des Volcans – Community tour
- Day 6: Golden Monkey tracking – Cross to Uganda – Kisoro
- Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Day 8: Transfer back to Kigali – Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from hotel in Kigali
Upon arrival at Kigali international airport with your morning confirmed booked flight or Depending on your location in Kigali, you will be met by your safari driver who will drive you off at your hotel in Kigali. Dinner and overnight stay at Luxury option – Kigali Serena Hotel/ Mid-range option – Des Mille Collins Hotel/ Budget option – Step Town Motel
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park – Canopy walk
After your early breakfast, embark on your journey to Nyungwe forest national park which is a 6-7 hours’ drive from Kigali with en-route early lunch. Proceed to the park and connect for the 2 pm canopy walk experience. You will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk-a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees; you will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving below you. Proceed to check-in your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Luxury option – Nyungwe One and Only Hotel/ Mid-range option – Nyungwe Top Hill Hotel/ Budget option – Gisakura Visitors Centre
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Isumo trail
Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest with your backpack. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3-5 hours depending on their location. On finding them, spend an hour while taking pictures and videos. Connect to visit Nyungwe’s biggest waterfalls on Isumo trail. This is one of the most refreshing experience with sights of different birds and some primates. The walk is approximately 4 hours walking up and down the Nyungwe forest. Thereafter, return to your hotel for relaxation and good memories. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 4: Colobus Monkeys – Transfer to Lake Kivu (Estimated distance: 3-4 hours)
After breakfast, follow the same procedure as of chimpanzee tracking, receive a briefing then enter the forest to search for the colobus monkey. These primates are quite different to spot as they keep jumping from tree to tree however, the park rangers will do their best to help you get the best view of the primates. This will take 2-5 hours and on finding them, you will be allowed to spend an hour in their presence. After you lunch, transfer to Kibuye with great views of the Virunga Mountains and Lake Kivu. Check in your booked lodge near the lake shores and great views for dinner and overnight stay at Cormoran Lodge/Inn on the Lake/Delta Resort Hotel
Day 5: Transfer to Parc National Des Volcans – Community tour
After breakfast, meet your guide to transfer to Lake Kivu for a boat trip experience in Gisenyi that may last for about 2 hours, Have your lunch thereafter, embark on your journey the Musanze that is a 2 hours’ drive. Upon arrival, visit Iby’wacu Cultural Village which is a Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will be guided around the place as you enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies and a guided community walk. Connect to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay at 5 Volcanoes Gorilla lodge/Virunga lodge for Luxury option/Le Bambou Gorilla lodge for the mid-range option/Hotel Muhabura/Kinigi Guesthouse for the budget option
Day 6: Golden Monkey tracking – Cross to Uganda – Kisoro
After morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for briefing from the park warden about the endangered golden monkeys. After connect to the tracking starting point and enter the forest to search for the rare golden monkey. This activity can take about 1-5 hours and is done at closer view of the other primates in the park like the red tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys among other. After viewing the rare golden monkeys for an hour while taking pictures and studying their behaviours.
After tracking, meet with your guide to cross to Uganda via Cyanika border. It takes about 3 hours to connect to Kisoro town of Uganda next to the border. Proceed to your booked lodge in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable national park for dinner and overnight stay at Budget option – Rushaga Gorilla Camp/ Mid-range option – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/ Luxury option – Chameleon Hill Lodge/Cloud Mountain Gorilla lodge
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Wake up early, have breakfast and meet your guide to report to the park headquarters for a briefing from the park officials about gorilla trekking and at around 7:00 am, thereafter you have been allocated groups, set off for the gorilla trekking with the help ranger trackers who watch the movement of the gorillas. The search time for these apes is unpredictable but it may take between 2-8 hours depending on their movement. This activity takes you through the steep rocks climbing up and down making it tiresome but in an adventurous way. However, after encountering these humble giant primates for 1 hour, return to the starting point where you will also receive your Gorilla trekking certificate then return to your lodge to relax. Dinner and overnight stay as above
Day 8: Entebbe and departure (Estimated distance; 4-5 hours’ drive)
After early morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer back to Kigali – Rwanda via Katuna border. After completing with the immigration of both countries, drive to Kigali with en-route lunch. Depending on your flight schedule, you may do a city tour where you will visit the Kigali genocide memorial and the Kimoronko market before you connect to the Kigali International Airport for your scheduled flight back home.
End of the 8 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari
