12 Days Grand Safari-Uganda and Rwanda Primates & The Big 5

After an early breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing before your Chimpanzee Trekking experience. Spend time observing the chimps in their natural habitat, watching their social behavior and communication. In the afternoon, enjoy a Cultural Village Tour to learn about the lives and traditions of the local Batooro or Bakiga communities living around the park.

A morning drive takes you south to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), passing through stunning landscapes. Check into your lodge and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a relaxing Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This channel is a haven for wildlife, offering close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and a spectacular variety of waterbirds

Enjoy a morning game drive in QENP, potentially seeking out the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector (time permitting). Afterward, continue the journey south, traversing rolling hills and terraced mountainsides, as you make your way to the misty, mountainous home of the gorillas: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in and prepare for the next day's main event.

This is the highlight of the safari. After an early briefing, set off with your ranger into the dense forest for your Mountain Gorilla Trekking adventure. The hike can be challenging, but the reward of spending one hour with a habituated gorilla family is unforgettable. In the afternoon, experience the rich heritage of the Batwa Pygmy community on a cultural tour, learning about their traditional forest life, hunting skills, and folklore.

Enjoy a scenic morning drive across the border and through the stunning "Land of a Thousand Hills" to Volcanoes National Park (PNV) in Rwanda. The area is dominated by five massive Virunga volcanoes. Check into your luxurious lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the magnificent views in preparation for a second primate trek.

Where you’ll stay - Virunga Lodge

For primate enthusiasts, this is a chance for a Second Gorilla Trek, offering a different family and perspective. Alternatively, you can opt for a challenging but rewarding Hike to the Dian Fossey Gravesite on the slopes of Mt. Karisoke. This tribute trek is a poignant journey to the site where the renowned primatologist did her groundbreaking research on mountain gorillas.

Where you’ll stay - Virunga Lodge

Start the day with an exhilarating Golden Monkey Trekking experience. These active and playful primates are endemic to the Virunga mountains and are a joy to photograph. After lunch, embark on a longer, but spectacular drive south along the Kivu Belt and into the dense rainforest of Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda's premier mountain rainforest

Where you’ll stay - Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge

Today offers a contrast to the high-altitude gorillas. Experience Chimpanzee Trekking in the dense, lower-altitude rainforest of Nyungwe. Chimps here are more mobile, offering an exciting chase through the trees. In the afternoon, take a breathtaking walk along the Canopy Walkway, suspended high above the forest floor, providing a unique bird's-eye view of the ancient woods and the chance to spot more primates and birds.

Where you’ll stay - Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge

Enjoy a final morning in Nyungwe before driving east across the heart of Rwanda to Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah park. This park is home to the Big Five. Arrive in the late afternoon, check in, and immediately head out for an Evening Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema to see hippos, crocodiles, and an abundance of aquatic birds as the sun sets.

Where you’ll stay - Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Rise early for a comprehensive Morning Game Drive through Akagera, searching for lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, and buffalo. The park's landscape is unique, featuring rolling hills, savannah plains, and swamps. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing Nature Walk near your lodge or a specific designated area, offering a closer look at the smaller flora and fauna of the park ecosystem.

Where you’ll stay - Ruzizi Tented Lodge

After a final breakfast overlooking the plains, drive back to Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, you will have time for a city tour, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a moving insight into the country's history, and perhaps a visit to a local craft market. You will then be transferred to Kigali International Airport (KGL) for your onward flight.