An exceptional two week safari visiting both Uganda and Rwanda in search of remarkable primates. Trekking undulating rainforests in search of mountain gorilla and venturing into the enchanting forest of Kibale to track chimpanzees.
The ultimate highlight is trekking to see the gorillas in two of the best national parks to observe them, in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda – two gorilla permits and one chimpanzee permit are included in the trip. There is, however, no shortage of other activities such as: embarking on game drives to search for classic African wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park, boat safaris in the Kazinga Channel, visiting Dian Fossey’s grave, forest nature walks, visiting local communities and climbing volcanoes.
Read Director Nick Joynes' blog of his trip to view Uganda's fascinating wildlife.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart the UK
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Day 2:
Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe airport, you're met by your guide and transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day's free to relax after your journey, explore the surroundings of the lodge, relax with a good book or head out on an optional excursion.
Accommodation: No. 5 Boutique Hotel, 1-night
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Day 3:
Kibale Forest
Today, drive around 350 kilometres to the enchanting Kibale Forest, stopping for a relaxing picnic lunch en route. Alternatively you can opt to fly from Entebbe at a supplement.
Two nights are spent in the Kibale Forest area giving you plenty of time for chimpanzee tracking and forest walks to the Bigodi Swamps and nearby Vanilla Farm. On arrival at the lodge, the rest of the day's at your leisure to enjoy the tranquil scenery of the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Nyinambuga.
Accommodation: Primate Lodge, 2-nights
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Day 4:
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
This morning, drive to the Kibale National Park headquarters for a short briefing on chimpanzee trekking. Accompanied by rangers, you head into the forest for a morning of walking, birdwatching and searching for chimpanzees. While there are well-defined paths through the park, you may need to head into the dense forest in search of markings. Once amongst the chimpanzees, you spend approximately an hour following and observing them. Sometimes they move quickly and noisily through the forest, while at other times, you may stumble across a quieter group, foraging and eating on the forest floor.
Around lunchtime you depart the forest and visit Tinkas Homestead where you enjoy a traditional Ugandan meal before returning to the lodge, the afternoon is at your leisure. One optional activity, which is best booked in advance, is exploring Bigodi Swamp, which lies adjacent to the Kibale Forest and is known for spectacular birdwatching. Alternatively you may wish to take a walk around the lodge’s farm in search of birdlife, or relax by the pool amidst the magnificent scenery.
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Day 5:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today you rise early for a 3-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel where you can approach herds of elephant, Cape buffalo and hippo. You should also be able to get very close to a wide variety of waterbirds on the channel cruise, amongst them both white and pink-backed pelicans, a variety of herons, storks and waders, and graceful African skimmers. Aside from the diversity of wildlife, the cruise provides spectacular scenery of the Mweya Peninsula, and passes local fishing villages set along the banks.
Following a tasty lunch, you continue on a game drive transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park's Ishasha section as you scan for herds of Ugandan kob, elephant, buffalo, leopard, bushbuck, warthog, waterbuck and possibly the giant forest hog – Africa’s largest pig. Upon arrival there's time to settle into your accommodation prior to dinner under the stars (if weather permits) and a revitalising rest, ready for tomorrow's game viewing.
Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, 2-nights
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Day 6:
Full-day safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
A full day's dedicated to exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park, through a combination of morning and afternoon game drives as you search for the region's famous tree climbing lions, amongst a plethora of plains game.
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Day 7:
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today, you transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, through beautiful scenery consisting of mountains, forests and local villages, before arriving at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, 3-nights
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Day 8:
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This morning, you head to the Bwindi National Park headquarters to meet your guides and begin tracking gorillas in the dense rainforest on the mountain slopes. Walking through thick foliage on relatively steep climbs will reward you with a once in a lifetime experience of viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There are only an estimated 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild; you will be able to sit within metres of these superb apes and experience their day-to-day activities. Following the trek, you return to the lodge, and if time allows, you may wish to take an optional afternoon walk in the forest or visit the local community.
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Day 9:
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today offers the option for a second gorilla trek in the Bwindi Forest (note that this needs to be arranged at the time of booking). Those who haven’t booked a second trek have the option to take a forest walk in search of the many monkey species and exceptional birdlife, or take a community walk visiting a local school or orphanage in the village.
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Day 10:
Volcanoes National Park
Today you travel to Rwanda, via Kisoro. While this is the longest drive of the trip, it is possibly the most scenic, passing through the ‘Little Switzerland of Africa’ along mountainous roads and through rural villages. Once at the border of Rwanda, the Virungas – a row of dormant volcanoes - can be seen on a clear day. You continue driving until you reach your accommodation just outside the Parc National des Volcans.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Lodge, 2-nights
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Day 11:
Volcanoes National Park
Today you have the opportunity to trek up the volcanoes to the forest above in search of gorillas. Trekking through forest, and tackling steep climbs, should reward you with fantastic views of the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You will have the opportunity to observe these magnificent apes within metres, before making your way back to the lodge to relax for the afternoon.
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Day 12:
Volcanoes National Park, then drive to Kigali
Today offers a second optional opportunity to visit the mountain gorillas, visit Dian Fossey’s grave or take a forest walk in search of golden monkeys. All activities in the park take place in the morning; pre-booking is essential. After lunch, you drive to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, where you overnight.
Accommodation: Serena Hotel, 1-night
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Day 13:
Depart Kigali
Following breakfast, embark on a tour of the city, including a visit to the harrowing Genocide Memorial Centre until it's time to transfer to the airport to catch your onward flights in the late afternoon.
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Day 14:
Arrive UK
Please note: Two gorilla permits and one chimp permit are included. If you wish to spend an additional day tracking gorillas in either location, we strongly recommend you to purchase another permit (subject to availability) at additional cost in advance of travelling, as numbers are extremely limited.
