21 Days Uganda & Rwanda Wildlife, Gorilla and Primate Safari

Day 1 – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Your guide from Rwanda Gorilla Trips will meet you in Kampala or Entebbe before beginning the scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest and most famous wildlife reserve.

Along the journey you will pass local villages, farmlands, forests and beautiful countryside before arriving inside the park. Depending on arrival time, visit the spectacular Top of Murchison Falls where the River Nile squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gorge before crashing over 40 meters below.

Later continue to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Sambiya River Lodge / Twiga Safari Lodge
Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 2 – Morning Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the northern savannah of Murchison Falls National Park.

Look out for elephants, lions, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, Jackson's hartebeest, oribis, hyenas and if lucky, leopards.

After lunch, enjoy one of Africa's finest wildlife boat cruises along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. The river is home to hundreds of hippos, giant Nile crocodiles and numerous water birds including the rare shoebill stork.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 – Chimpanzee Tracking at Kaniyo Pabidi

After breakfast, head into Budongo Forest's Kaniyo Pabidi sector for an exciting chimpanzee tracking adventure.

Accompanied by experienced rangers, search for habituated chimpanzees while learning about the forest ecosystem. Other primates commonly seen include black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and olive baboons.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, travel southwest through Uganda's scenic countryside to Kibale Forest National Park, widely regarded as Africa's best destination for chimpanzee trekking.

The drive passes tea plantations, crater lakes and the beautiful town of Fort Portal beneath the Rwenzori Mountains.

Relax at your lodge for the evening.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Ndali Lodge / Mountains of the Moon Lodge
Mid-range: Rwenzori View Guest House
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Camp

Day 5 – Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

Today begins with a guided chimpanzee trekking experience inside Kibale Forest.

Besides chimpanzees, the forest shelters 12 other primate species, over 375 bird species and countless butterflies.

In the afternoon visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk where you may encounter monkeys, birds, butterflies and local community projects.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 6 – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park while enjoying spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains.

In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, famous for Africa's largest concentration of hippos alongside elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles and abundant birdlife.

Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Hippo Hill Camp
Budget: Albertine Rift Camp

Day 7 – Full Day Wildlife Safari

Spend the day exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park on morning and afternoon game drives.

Search for lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, hyenas, Uganda kobs, warthogs, giant forest hogs and numerous antelope species while enjoying breathtaking views of crater lakes and the Rwenzori Mountains.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 8 – Katwe Salt Lake & Crater Lakes

Enjoy another morning wildlife drive before visiting the traditional Katwe Salt Lake.

Learn how local communities have harvested salt for generations before exploring the nearby crater lakes and scenic viewpoints.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 9 – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge

Today explore the spectacular Kyambura Gorge, often called the "Valley of Apes."

Descend into the lush rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees while enjoying incredible scenery, birds and butterflies.

Return to your lodge for dinner.

Day 10 – Ishasha Sector & Transfer to Bwindi

Travel through the famous Ishasha Sector where you will search for the unique tree-climbing lions before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Arrive in the evening for relaxation before tomorrow's unforgettable gorilla trek.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Mid-range: Engagi Lodge
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 11 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Today is one of Africa's greatest wildlife experiences.

After an early briefing by park rangers, trek through the ancient rainforest searching for a habituated mountain gorilla family.

Once located, spend one unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Later return to your lodge for relaxation or an optional Batwa cultural visit.

Day 12 – Cross into Rwanda

After breakfast leave Uganda and cross into Rwanda.

Drive through beautiful rolling hills before arriving near Volcanoes National Park where you will prepare for your second gorilla trekking experience.

Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Virunga Lodge
Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Budget: Kinigi Guest House

Day 13 – Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Following an early morning briefing, begin another incredible gorilla trekking adventure inside Volcanoes National Park.

The trek may last several hours depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family, rewarding you with another unforgettable hour among endangered mountain gorillas.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 14 – Leisure or Optional Activities

Today is free to relax or participate in optional activities including: Dian Fossey Tomb Hike, Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, Nature walks, Bird watching, Community visits, Golden monkey photography

Dinner and overnight.

Day 15 – Transfer to Kisoro

Cross back into Uganda and travel to Kisoro.

Depending on arrival time, enjoy a visit to the Batwa community or relax while enjoying magnificent views of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 16 – Golden Monkey Trekking

After breakfast head to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Join experienced park rangers for an exciting trek to find the rare and playful golden monkeys living within the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains.

Spend one hour observing these fascinating primates before returning to your lodge.

Day 17 – Lake Bunyonyi

Drive to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa's deepest lakes.

Enjoy a relaxing canoe or boat excursion, visit the famous Punishment Island and admire the breathtaking terraced hills surrounding the lake.

Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

• Luxury: BirdNest Resort
• Mid-range: Arcadia Cottages
• Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Camp

Day 18 – Lake Mburo National Park

Travel to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda's smallest savannah park.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive searching for zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, topis and giraffes before taking an evening boat cruise on the lake.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 19 – Horseback Safari & Transfer to Jinja

Experience one of Uganda's most unique wildlife activities with a guided horseback safari among zebras and antelopes.

After lunch continue to Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 20 – White Water Rafting on the Nile

Today experience one of the world's best white-water rafting adventures on the mighty River Nile.

Optional activities such as bungee jumping can also be arranged.

Return to Kampala in the evening for overnight.

Day 21 – Kampala City Tour & Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a guided city tour of Kampala.

Visit historical landmarks including Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Museum, Gaddafi National Mosque, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, local craft markets, Rubaga Cathedral and Namirembe Cathedral.

Later transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable East African safari with Rwanda Gorilla Trips.