🐒 Primate Safaris
Rainforests, gorillas, chimpanzees, savannah wildlife and the Nile
Day 1
Your adventure begins in Kigali. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to your hand-picked lodge.
Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity to experience a little of Kigali before relaxing at the lodge.
Your guide will also provide a short briefing about the exciting journey ahead.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge, Kigali
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
After breakfast, begin your journey towards Nyungwe Forest.
Along the way, visit the King's Palace, one of Rwanda's fascinating historical and cultural sites. Discover the traditions of Rwanda's former monarchy and learn about the country's royal heritage.
You will also see the famous Inyambo royal cattle, recognizable by their magnificent long horns and deep connection to Rwanda's traditional royal culture.
After the visit, continue south towards the magnificent Nyungwe Forest.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Begin with the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a breathtaking suspended bridge high above the forest floor. Enjoy panoramic views while looking for birds, monkeys and other wildlife.
Continue with an exciting zipline experience, followed by the Ndambarare Waterfalls Trail.
The trail is approximately 9.6 km round trip and takes around three and a half hours, passing through beautiful forest scenery, viewpoints and tea plantations.
Later, continue towards Kibuye.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Nyungwe Canopy Walk
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Wake up to the beauty of Lake Kivu. Enjoy a morning boat excursion across the lake, visiting several islands and exploring Napoleon Island.
Hike towards the island's viewpoint and enjoy spectacular panoramic scenery.
Continue your boat experience around the lake, with opportunities to see monkeys and a variety of bird species.
Around lunchtime, continue towards the Volcanoes region.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Lake Kivu boat excursion
Overnight: Hand-picked hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Start the morning with a golden monkey trekking experience. Enter the forest in search of these beautiful and energetic primates while enjoying the unique landscapes around the Virunga Volcanoes.
Later, enjoy a gentle canoeing experience on the Mukungwa River, connecting with nature and observing local life along the river.
This is a day where wildlife, scenery and community come together.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Golden Monkey Trekking
Overnight: Hand-picked hotel
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 6
Begin the day with a special community experience with local women. Discover how bananas are transformed into traditional local beer and experience the process through music, dancing and interaction with the community.
Continue to the Dian Fossey Exhibition at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, exploring the life and legacy of Dr. Dian Fossey and her dedication to mountain gorilla research and conservation.
Afterwards, cross into Uganda and continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Dian Fossey Exhibition
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Today is the day many travellers have been waiting for. After an early breakfast, head into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for your mountain gorilla trekking experience in the Rushaga sector.
With experienced trackers and guides, enter the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family.
The trek itself is part of the adventure. Then comes the unforgettable moment — standing quietly in the presence of a mountain gorilla family.
After the trek, return to the lodge for relaxation and recovery.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Enjoy a relaxed morning before travelling towards Queen Elizabeth National Park.
As the landscape changes from forest to savannah, the journey offers a fascinating contrast between Uganda's ecosystems.
In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive through the park. Keep watch for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9
Rise early for a morning game drive. Search for lions, leopards, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs and elephants.
Later, enjoy a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George.
The channel attracts large numbers of hippos, crocodiles and birds, while elephants can sometimes be seen along the shoreline.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Kazinga Channel Wildlife Cruise
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10
Enjoy a more relaxed morning before continuing towards Kibale Forest.
Along the way, connect with local communities through experiences including traditional weaving, banana products and coffee.
Meet local people, learn about their traditions and discover how locally produced goods are part of everyday life.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11
Today, enter the forest in search of our closest living relatives — chimpanzees.
Kibale is renowned for its chimpanzee experiences, and today's trek takes you deep into the forest.
After the chimpanzee experience, continue to Bigodi Swamp, looking for red-tailed and red colobus monkeys, together with numerous bird species and other wildlife.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Chimpanzee Trekking
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12
Today, travel towards Murchison Falls National Park. The park is home to one of Uganda's most spectacular natural landmarks.
Here, the mighty River Nile is forced through a narrow rock gorge, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls.
The surrounding wilderness is home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, warthogs and baboons.
Enjoy a short game drive as you make your way towards the lodge.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Murchison Falls & Nile Wilderness
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13
Rise early for a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. The early hours offer another opportunity to search for wildlife, including elephants and big cats.
Around 10:00, continue towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. In the afternoon, take part in a guided white rhino trek on foot.
After the trek, relax at the lodge and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Walking With White Rhinos
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 14
Enjoy a slower morning at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Take time to appreciate the natural surroundings before departing around 10:00 for Jinja.
The journey takes you towards the source region of the mighty River Nile and the adventure capital of Uganda.
Arrive in Jinja, check in and relax.
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 15
Today, experience one of Uganda's great adventures — white-water rafting on the River Nile.
Enjoy thrilling rapids, beautiful scenery and a professionally guided adventure.
After rafting, transfer towards Entebbe via Kampala.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: White-Water Rafting on the Nile
Overnight: Hand-picked lodge, Entebbe
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 16
Rise early for an unforgettable birding experience. Travel by boat across Lake Victoria towards Mabamba Wetland.
From the lake, continue by small canoe into the wetland in search of the extraordinary shoebill.
After the experience, enjoy a short city tour and souvenir shopping before lunch at Victoria Mall.
Return to your hotel for a relaxing afternoon beside Lake Victoria.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: The Shoebill — King of the Wetlands
Overnight: Hand-picked hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 17
Enjoy a relaxed final morning at your hotel. Take time to enjoy the swimming pool, beautiful views of Lake Victoria, or an optional spa or massage at an additional cost.
Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.
As your journey comes to an end, take a final moment to reflect on the forests, wildlife, landscapes, communities and unforgettable encounters that have shaped your 17-day adventure.
Overnight: —
Meals: Breakfast
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Enter the misty forests of Bwindi for one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife encounters.
Golden Monkeys
Explore the Volcanoes region in search of the charismatic golden monkey.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Walk through Kibale Forest in search of chimpanzees.
White Rhino Trekking
Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and experience a guided rhino trek on foot.
Classic African Wildlife
Explore Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls for elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles.
Nyungwe Rainforest
Experience the canopy walk, zipline and Ndambarare Waterfalls trail.
Lake Kivu
Cruise across beautiful Lake Kivu and explore Napoleon Island.
Rwanda's Royal Heritage
Visit the King's Palace and discover Rwanda's historic royal traditions.
Community Experiences
Meet local people through weaving, coffee, banana products and a traditional banana beer experience.
White-Water Rafting
Experience the excitement of rafting on the River Nile in Jinja.
The Shoebill
Explore Mabamba Wetland by boat and canoe in search of this iconic wetland bird.
This itinerary brings together wildlife, primates, rainforest, culture, adventure, lakes, rivers and local communities in one journey.
A Journey of Contrasts
One day you may be walking through ancient rainforest looking for chimpanzees. The next, you could be watching elephants on the savannah or sitting quietly beside Lake Kivu.
More Than a Safari
The itinerary includes opportunities to meet local communities and experience everyday traditions, creating meaningful connections beyond the national parks.
Carefully Paced
The journey combines active trekking and wildlife days with more relaxed transfers and leisure time.
Fitness & Activity
This is an adventurous itinerary. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, hiking, walking and rafting require a reasonable level of fitness.
Rainforest weather can be unpredictable. Rain is possible even during generally drier periods, so waterproof clothing is recommended.
What to Pack
Comfortable hiking shoes or boots; lightweight long trousers and shirts; waterproof jacket or poncho; insect repellent; sun protection; reusable water bottle; small day backpack; camera and spare batteries; personal medication; comfortable casual clothing.
Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking
Trekking conditions can vary depending on where the animals are located. Terrain may be steep, muddy or slippery. Good hiking shoes and lightweight waterproof clothing are particularly useful.
Wild animals move freely and sightings can never be guaranteed. Your guide will use experience and local knowledge to maximize opportunities while respecting wildlife.
Flexibility
Activity times may occasionally change because of weather, road conditions, wildlife movements or operational circumstances. Africa sometimes writes its own schedule.
WILDLIFE Mountain Gorillas • Chimpanzees • Golden Monkeys • White Rhinos • Lions • Leopards • Elephants • Hippos • Crocodiles • Giraffes • Buffaloes • Shoebill & diverse birdlife
Canopy Walk • Zipline • Forest Trekking • Lake Kivu Boat Ride • Canoeing • Gorilla Trekking • Chimpanzee Trekking • Rhino Trekking • Nile Rafting • Shoebill Canoe Experience
CULTURE King's Palace • Inyambo Royal Cattle • Banana Beer Experience • Local Weaving • Coffee Experience • Banana Products • Community Encounters
17 days. Two countries. Multiple ecosystems. Extraordinary wildlife. Authentic encounters.
You will experience Rwanda and Uganda not simply as destinations, but through the people, landscapes and wildlife that make them unique.
From the moment you arrive in Kigali to your final evening beside Lake Victoria, every part of the journey has been selected to give you a deeper connection with East Africa.
Your adventure through Rwanda and Uganda awaits.
