7 Day Rwanda Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari
A 7-day Rwanda Uganda gorilla and chimp safari is designed for travellers who want the region’s leading primate experiences in one well-planned cross-border route. The safari starts in Kigali and continues to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey tracking, then crosses into Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. The route ends in Entebbe, making it practical for travellers who want to arrive in Rwanda and depart from Uganda. This itinerary also includes a Kigali city tour, Iby’Iwacu cultural village, a Batwa community experience near Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi scenery and a Bigodi Wetland guided walk near Kibale. It is suitable for travellers who want primates, culture and scenic travel without extending into a longer East Africa safari.
Safari highlights
- 7-day Rwanda Uganda cross-border primate safari
- Kigali city tour on arrival
- Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
- Iby’Iwacu cultural village visit near Volcanoes National Park
- Cross into Uganda through Cyanika border
- Lake Bunyonyi boat trip and island views
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Batwa cultural experience near Bwindi
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
- Bigodi Wetland guided walk with birds, monkeys and community life
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver guide
- Permits arranged in advance for primate activities
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1, Kigali Arrival, City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, or from your hotel in Kigali, you will meet your driver guide and begin a brief Kigali city tour. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market or the Kandt Museum. These stops introduce Rwanda’s history, culture and city life before the safari route continues north. In the late afternoon, transfer to Volcanoes National Park. The drive from Kigali to the Volcanoes region takes about 3 hours, passing through Rwanda’s rolling hills and rural communities. Arrive at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Luxury option Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mid-range option
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Budget option Hotel Muhabura
Day 2, Golden Monkey Tracking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for the golden monkey tracking briefing. You will be allocated to a tracking group and guided to the starting point. The activity can take about 1 to 5 hours, depending on the movement of the golden monkeys and trail conditions. Once located, you spend one hour observing them as they feed, move through bamboo and interact in the forest. After the tracking experience, return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, you may visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Musanze, depending on timing, then continue to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. This visit introduces Rwandan traditions, Intore dance, local stories and community-led tourism around Volcanoes National Park. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3, Transfer to Bwindi via Cyanika Border and Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, check out and begin the journey from Rwanda to Uganda through the Cyanika border. Your driver guide will assist with the border process, but immigration clearance depends on official procedures and the traveller documents; you need an East African tourist visa to cross the border. After crossing into Uganda, continue through the Kigezi highlands towards Lake Bunyonyi. Depending on timing, take a boat trip on Lake Bunyonyi to view some of its islands and surrounding terraced hills. Lunch is arranged en route. After the Lake Bunyonyi visit, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Nationa: Luxury option Kiho Gorilla Lodge, Mid-range option Gorilla Mist Lodge, Budget option Broadbill Forest Camp
Day 4, Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Bwindi park headquarters with your packed lunch and drinking water. You will attend a briefing led by ranger guides before entering the forest for gorilla trekking. The trek can take about 2 to 8 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family, forest conditions and group pace. Once the gorillas are located, you spend one hour observing them. You may see a silverback, mothers with infants, juveniles playing and family members feeding or resting. Flash photography is not allowed, and visitors must follow ranger guidance throughout the encounter. After the trek, return to the lodge for a short rest, then visit a Batwa community near Bwindi. The Batwa lived in the forest before it became a national park, and the visit introduces their forest knowledge, songs, dance and cultural stories. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5, Transfer from Bwindi to Kibale Forest via Queen Elizabeth
After breakfast, check out and begin the long transfer from Bwindi to Kibale Forest National Park. The route may pass through Queen Elizabeth National Park, depending on the lodge location and road conditions. If using the Ishasha route, your guide may search for tree-climbing lions, although sightings are not guaranteed. You will continue through western Uganda’s rural landscapes, crater lake scenery and tea growing areas towards Fort Portal and Kibale Forest. The drive can take much of the day, with lunch arranged en route. Arrive at your lodge near Kibale in the evening for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Luxury option Ndali Lodge, Mid-range option Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Budget option Rubarika Safari Lodge
Day 6, Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
After breakfast, transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for your chimpanzee trekking briefing. You will enter Kibale Forest with ranger guides and trackers to search for a habituated chimpanzee community. The trek can take a few hours depending on where the chimpanzees are feeding or moving. Once the chimpanzees are located, you spend one hour observing them as they feed, call, groom and move through the forest. You may also see other primates and forest birds during the walk. After lunch, continue to Bigodi Wetland for a guided walk. Bigodi is known for wetland birds, monkeys and community conservation. You may see red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, baboons and species such as the great blue turaco. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7, Transfer from Kibale to Entebbe for Departure
After breakfast, check out and begin the return journey from Kibale to Kampala or Entebbe. The drive takes most of the day, with lunch arranged en route. You pass through Fort Portal, tea plantations, rural towns and central Uganda before reaching Kampala or Entebbe. On arrival, your driver guide will drop you at your hotel in Entebbe or Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. For same-day international departures, choose a late evening or night flight to allow enough time for the road transfer and possible traffic delays.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- Pickup from Kigali International Airport or Kigali hotel
- Drop-off in Entebbe or Kampala
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle and fuel
- English-speaking driver guide
- 6 nights accommodation
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Kigali city tour, depending on arrival time
- Golden monkey tracking permit
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi
- Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale
- Iby’Iwacu cultural village visit
- Batwa cultural experience
- Bigodi Wetland guided walk
- Lake Bunyonyi boat trip
- Border crossing assistance
- Bottled drinking water during transfers
Excluded
- International flights
- Rwanda and Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver guide, rangers, trackers and lodge staff
- Personal drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking
- Optional activities not listed in the final quote
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
