12-Day Uganda & Rwanda Dual Gorilla & Primate Safari

Arrive at Kigali International Airport and receive a warm welcome from your Ngaro Wild Adventures expedition guide. Embark on an introductory city tour of Rwanda’s clean, vibrant capital, including a reflective visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local art centers.

• Morning/Midday: Airport pick-up and hotel transfer
• 02:00–04:30 PM: Guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, and contemporary art galleries
• 07:00 PM: Welcome dinner and cross-border expedition briefing

Take a scenic morning drive northwest through rolling terraced hills toward Musanze, the gateway to the majestic Virunga Mountain range. Enjoy an afternoon cultural visit or explore the state-of-the-art Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

• 09:00 AM: Scenic drive from Kigali to Musanze (approx. 2.5 hrs)
• 12:00 PM: Lodge check-in and lunch overlooking the volcanic peaks
• 02:30–05:00 PM: Guided visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Dian Fossey Campus or Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
• 07:00 PM: Evening preparation for your first gorilla trek

Report to the Kinigi park headquarters for a briefing before ascending the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virungas for your first thrilling encounter with a habituated mountain gorilla family in Rwanda.

• 07:00 AM: Ranger briefing and gorilla family allocation at Kinigi headquarters
• 08:00 AM: Start of the guided trek through bamboo and montane forest
• Trek Experience: Spend 1 full hour observing, photographing, and learning about the gorilla family
• 02:00 PM: Return to the lodge for a hot lunch and afternoon rest
• 04:30 PM: Optional scenic drive to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo

Cross the border from Rwanda into the lush southwest corner of Uganda. Travel through the dramatic, mist-shrouded Kigezi highlands—the “Switzerland of Africa”—arriving at your safari lodge on the edge of the ancient Bwindi Forest.

• 08:30 AM: Departure from Musanze to the Cyanika or Katuna border post
• 10:30 AM: Border customs clearance and entry into southwestern Uganda
• 01:30 PM: Lodge arrival in the Bwindi sector, check-in, and lunch
• 04:00 PM: Leisurely afternoon nature walk around the lodge grounds

Enter the dense UNESCO World Heritage jungle of Bwindi for your second mountain gorilla encounter, allowing you to compare tracking environments between the open volcanic bamboo slopes of Rwanda and Uganda’s deep afro-montane rainforest.

• 07:00 AM: Transfer to UWA park headquarters for group registration and briefing
• 08:00 AM: Guided rainforest trek into the ancient jungle
• Option A – Classic Gorilla Tracking: Hike (2–6 hrs) to spend 1 full hour with a habituated gorilla family.
• Option B – Gorilla Habituation Experience: Trek in the Rushaga sector for 4 full hours alongside researchers and trackers.
• 04:00–06:00 PM: Interactive Batwa cultural trail learning ancient hunter-gatherer traditions and survival skills

Descend from the highlands into the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Search for famous tree-climbing lions resting in broad sycamore fig trees before continuing north across the savannah.

• 08:00 AM: Morning departure from Bwindi toward Ishasha (approx. 3–4 hrs)
• 11:30 AM–02:00 PM: Dedicated game drive tracking tree-climbing lions, topis, and elephant herds
• 02:00 PM: Bush or lodge lunch in the southern sector
• 04:30 PM: Arrival in the central sector of Queen Elizabeth NP and lodge check-in

Embark on an early morning predator tracking drive across the Kasenyi plains, followed by a premier boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel to view massive pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and bathing elephants.

• 06:00 AM: Sunrise game drive tracking lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and Uganda kobs
• 12:00 PM: Midday lunch and relaxation at the lodge
• 02:00–04:00 PM: Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward
• 04:30 PM: Late afternoon scenic drive along the Katwe explosion crater lakes

Drive north with views of the Rwenzori Mountains toward Fort Portal and the Ndali-Kasenda crater lake cluster. Enjoy an afternoon guided crater rim walk and explore scenic tea plantations on your way to Kibale Forest.

• 08:30 AM: Scenic drive past the foothills of the Rwenzoris (approx. 3 hrs)
• 12:00 PM: Arrival in Fort Portal and lunch
• 02:00–04:30 PM: Guided crater rim exploration, viewpoint hikes, and tea estate walk
• 05:30 PM: Check-in at your rainforest lodge in Kibale

Track wild chimpanzees in the dense canopy of Kibale Forest, home to the greatest primate density in Africa. In the afternoon, explore the rich biodiversity of the Bigodi Wetland boardwalk on a community-guided eco-tour.

• 07:30 AM: Ranger briefing at the Kanyanchu Visitor Center
• Option A – Classic Chimpanzee Tracking: Guided 2–3 hour trek to spend 1 full hour observing a habituated chimpanzee troop.
• Option B – Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX): Spend 4 full hours accompanying researchers through the forest canopy.
• 02:30–05:30 PM: Guided walking tour through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for Great Blue Turacos, babblers, and rare primates

Travel south through western Uganda to the serene shores of Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second-deepest lake. Spend the afternoon taking in the tranquil scenery by motorized boat or traditional dugout canoe.

• 08:00 AM: Scenic drive south through Kasese and Mbarara highlands (approx. 5–6 hrs)
• 01:30 PM: Arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, check-in, and lakeside lunch
• 03:30–06:00 PM: Guided island boat cruise exploring historic islands (including Punishment Island) and enjoying bird watching
• 07:00 PM: Dinner overlooking the peaceful lake waters

Enjoy a relaxed morning overlooking the misty islands before crossing the Katuna border back into Rwanda. Arrive in Kigali in time for afternoon craft shopping and a memorable evening dining experience.

• 09:00 AM: Leisurely breakfast and departure from Lake Bunyonyi
• 10:30 AM: Border crossing at Katuna/Gatuna into Rwanda
• 01:00 PM: Arrival in Kigali, hotel check-in, and lunch
• 03:30 PM: Souvenir shopping at Kimironko Market or Inema Arts Center
• 07:30 PM: Celebratory farewell dinner hosted by Ngaro Wild Adventures

Conclude your grand East African dual-country expedition with final city sightseeing, coffee tasting, and a transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight home.

• 09:00 AM: Breakfast at leisure and final packing
• 10:30 AM: Specialty Rwandan coffee tasting experience in the city
• 01:00 PM: Farewell lunch
• Afternoon/Evening: Direct transfer to Kigali International Airport (KGL) for onward departure