11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primate, Wildlife & Lake Kivu safari
11 Days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari: This 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari is a combined uganda and Rwanda safari that will take primate lovers on an adventure into the pearl of Africa to participate in chimpanzee trekking with in Kibale forest national park, pass through queen Elizabeth national park for a game drive to encounter with the tree climbing lions, then connect to Bwindi impenetrable national park for an fascinating encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in the wilderness of impenetrable forest which is a home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the entire world. Still on this 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, you will then exit Uganda for Rwanda to visit Volcanoes national park for Gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking safari, hike up dian fossey grave and finally explore the stunning lake Kivu before heading to Kigali Rwanda for departures.
Highlights of 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari
- Day 1: Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi nature walk in Kibale forest national park
- Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 4: Tree climbing lions and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
- Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Day 8: Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Day 9: Hike Dian Fossey’s grave in Volcanoes national park
- Day 10: Transfer to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi
- Day 11: Transfer to Kigali for departures
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park
Transfer to Kibale forest national park: On day 1 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, be ready to be picked from your location either in Kampala or Entebbe where you spent an overnight or even direct from Entebbe international airport upon landing as long as you land before 12:0pm to create enough time for road drive to Kibale forest national park which is a 6-7 hours’ drive from Kampala. Kibale forest national park is known as the primate wonder of the world where one is sure of encountering with 13 primate species including chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Red tailed monkeys, Blue monkeys, Black and white Colobus monkeys, Patas monkeys, Bush babies, Pottos, Uganda Mangabey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey monkeys, Uganda Red Colobus monkey, Vervet Monkeys and L’Hoest’s Monkeys. The park also is a home to other wildlife such as mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles and several plant species. Lunch will be enjoyed enroute and as soon you get to the park, you will check in your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi nature walk in Kibale forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park: On day 2 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, you will enjoy a heavy breakfast then pack some snacks and drinking water and meet your driver to be driven to Kanyanchu for briefing. After briefing, hire a porter and set off on a search to look for the habituated troop of chimpanzees in kibale forest where you will spend about 2-5 hours. Upon finding these chimpanzees, you will then spend one hour in the forest with these chimpanzees taking photographs and finally exit the forest to be returned to your lodge for lunch.
Bigodi nature walk: Later in the afternoon after enjoying you relaxed lunch, meet the local guides once again for a fascinating walk with in Bigodi wetland sanctuary where you will be able to encounter other primate species, birds and different botanical plants. Bigodi wetland is known to be one of the best destination for birding and botanical as it harbors rare bird species and different botanical plants that will be explained to you as some of the plants are used to treat several diseases. Return to the lodge later on for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for boat cruise
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park: On day 3 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, you need to wake up early for breakfast then check out the lodge and start a short distance drive from Kibale forest national park to Queen Elizabeth national park where you will then be welcomed on an enroute game drive as you head to the lodge for check in and lunch.
Afternoon boat cruise: after lunch, meet your safari driver and be transferred to Kazinga channel for a thrilling afternoon cruise on the kazinga channel that connect Lake Gorge and Edward. Kazinga channel is famous for the existence of a huge population of Hippos that will be seen during the boat cruise. There are other wildlife that are seen visiting the kazinga channel over hot scotching sun to quench their thirst and other aquatic wildlife like crocodiles, water birds and many more.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Tree climbing lions and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Tree climbing lions and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park: On day 4 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, you will enjoy your breakfast, check out of the lodge with packed lunch and be transferred to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park where you will spot tree climbing lions hanging in tree branches of acacia and fig trees. After game drive, you will enjoy your picnic lunch then exit Queen Elizabeth national park for a transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park situated far in south western part of Uganda where you will check in your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park: After breakfast on day 5 of 11 days Uganda safari, meet your safari driver with a packed lunch box and be transferred to the park headquarters for briefing before embarking on an adventure to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in the impenetrable forest. Mountain gorilla trekking is the top most activity done by almost all primate lovers on a Uganda safari. The entire trek lasts from a few minutes to about 7 hours or even more but with only one hour of close interaction with the gorillas. Return to the lodge in the evening for either a relaxed evening or have an optional activity of Batwa experience.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Exit Uganda and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Transfer to Volcanoes national park Rwanda: After breakfast on day 6 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, check out of the lodge and meet your safari driver for a transfer from Uganda to Rwanda via Cyanika border. In case you dint buy an East African Visa, then you will be required to obtain a Rwanda visa at the border point then proceed your journey to Ruhengeri with an enroute lunch and stopover at the park headquarters to obtain gorilla trekking permit, Golden monkey trekking permit and Dian fossey hike permit as you proceed to your lodge for check in dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7: Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park: On day 7 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda safari, you will wake up early once again for breakfast then be led to the park headquarters for briefing. After briefing, hire a porter and off to the forest you go to start the adventure of engaging in a 2nd gorilla trek in Volcanoes national park after trekking gorillas in Uganda with in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Well, during this trek, you will be able to compare the difference between gorilla trekking in Uganda and in Rwanda and be able to identify the gorilla families, the terrains and many more. After spending an hour with gorillas, exit the forest and be returned to your lodge for lunch. You may choose to spend your evening on a walk to visit twin Lake of Burela and Ruhondo or choose to spend it at leisure.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8: Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park
Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park: On day 8 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, have your breakfast served in time, then be led into the forest once again and this time round to trek the endangered Golden monkeys starting with briefing at the park headquarters then penetrate into the forest and search for the habituated troop of golden monkeys that are easily traced by following the leftovers of the shoots and their noise as they are always cheerfully making noise and jumping over the bamboo plants. Spend an hour with these beautiful primates and later on exit the forest to return to your lodge for lunch. You have an evening option of Cultural tour to the Ibyiwacu cultural village for a thrilling entertainment.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9: Hike Dian Fossey’s grave in Volcanoes national park
Hike Dian Fossey’s grave: After breakfast on day 9 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, pack some snacks, drinking water and be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting the ascent to summit Dian fossey grave that is situated between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi that resulted to the name Karisoke research center which was put in place to Dian fossey an American primatologist but was murdered by poachers and buried at her research center. A visit to Dian Fossey’s grave also rewards hikers with a stunning view of the flowers that were planted at the research center and a possible encounter with some primates.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi
Transfer to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi: On day 10 of 11 days Uganda Rwanda safari, you will enjoy your breakfast at leisure then check out of the lodge and be driven from Volcanoes national park to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi where you will enjoy your lunch at the beach then spend your afternoon and evening exploring lake kivu. Enjoy a boat cruise, nature walk, swimming and other beach activities. Later in the evening, you will head to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay in Gisenyi.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Kigali for departures
Transfer to Kigali for departures: This is the last day of your 11 days Uganda Rwanda primate, wildlife and Lake Kivu safari, enjoy your breakfast then check out of the lodge and embark on a drive to kigali with an enroute lunch, stopover at some genocide memorial sites, market centers and many other attractions. Your finally drop off will be either at a hotel in Kigali or at Kigali international airport for departures.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
