8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari

Arrival at Kigali International Airport and Transfer to Hotel

Your extraordinary 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari begins with your arrival at Kigali International Airport. As you disembark, you’ll be warmly welcomed by a professional tour representative from Decisive Safaris Africa Tours Limited. The team will assist you through immigration and baggage claim before leading you to a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle for your transfer into the city.

Once in Kigali, Rwanda’s bustling and scenic capital, you’ll check in at the prestigious Hotel Des Mille Collines. This iconic hotel offers a blend of history and luxury, featuring elegantly appointed rooms, exceptional hospitality, and panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Kigali is known for its cleanliness, safety, and vibrant energy, offering a perfect place to rest before your adventure intensifies.

Depending on your arrival time, you may opt for a short walk around the city, explore local cafes, or dine at one of Kigali’s reputable restaurants serving authentic Rwandese cuisine. For those interested in diving straight into history, a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is available as an optional excursion. The experience provides deep insight into the nation’s tragic past and its incredible story of recovery and unity.

Included

• Personalized airport meet and greet.
• Private transfer to Hotel Des Mille Collines.
• Overnight stay in Kigali (B&B).
• Optional Kigali Genocide Memorial visit.

Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

On the second day of your 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari, the morning starts with a hearty breakfast, followed by a guided Kigali City Tour. You’ll explore the heart and soul of Rwanda’s capital, where modern development coexists harmoniously with cultural and historical preservation. The city tour takes you to significant landmarks such as the Presidential Palace Museum, art galleries, and local markets. The tour culminates with a powerful visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial — a deeply moving tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide.

By midday, you’ll begin your picturesque transfer to Volcanoes National Park located in the northwest of Rwanda. This 2.5-hour journey winds through Rwanda’s trademark rolling hills, banana plantations, and vibrant villages, showcasing the country’s breathtaking scenery.

In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive near Volcanoes National Park and participate in a cultural immersion activity at the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village. Here, you’ll engage with the local Batwa community, watch traditional dances, and learn about indigenous hunting tools, healing herbs, and ancestral storytelling. This experience beautifully integrates local traditions with modern conservation education.

You’ll check into your safari lodge near the park for dinner and overnight.

Included

• Full Kigali City Tour with guide.
• Scenic road transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
• Cultural visit to Iby’Iwachu Village.
• Overnight stay at Gorilla Solutions Lodge or equivalent.

Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park and Transfer to Bwindi

Day 3 of your 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari kicks off with an early breakfast before heading to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. These rare and charismatic primates are endemic to the Virunga volcanic region and are celebrated for their playful nature and stunning golden-orange fur. After your orientation, experienced park rangers will guide you into the bamboo forests in search of these elusive creatures.

The trek offers a moderate hiking challenge, typically lasting 2–4 hours depending on the location of the monkeys. Once found, you’ll enjoy an hour of observing the troop’s dynamic behavior, taking photos, and learning from your guide about their ecological importance.

After your magical golden monkey encounter, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and pack up for your cross-border transfer into Uganda. Your destination is the world-renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to more than half of the planet’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive takes approximately 3–4 hours through winding mountain roads, tea plantations, and rural communities.

You’ll arrive in the evening and check into a comfortable lodge nestled on the edge of the forest. Dinner will be served, and you’ll rest in preparation for the highly anticipated gorilla trekking experience.

• Included
• Golden monkey tracking permit and guiding.
• Road transfer from Volcanoes to Bwindi.
• Overnight stay near Bwindi (Full Board).

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 4 is the highlight of your 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari — a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Following an early breakfast, you will proceed to the park headquarters for a comprehensive pre-trek briefing. You’ll be assigned to a gorilla family based on fitness level and interest, along with a team of expert rangers and porters.

The trekking experience can range from 2 to 6 hours, traversing thick jungle, hills, and sometimes slippery terrain. But the journey is well worth it. When you finally find the gorilla family, you’ll be allowed one precious hour in their presence. Watching them feed, play, groom each other, and interact with their environment at close range is profoundly moving.

After the trek, you’ll return to your lodge, where a warm shower, delicious meal, and serene views of the forest await. Spend the evening recounting your adventure with fellow travelers or simply reflecting on the incredible moment.

Included on Day 4:

• Mountain gorilla trekking permit (Uganda).
• Park ranger guides and porter support.
• Accommodation near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Transfer to Ishasha Sector (Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park)

After an early breakfast, your 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari continues with a scenic road transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda. This transfer journey offers a remarkable opportunity to witness the stunning Ugandan countryside unfold through your vehicle window—lush green hills, traditional villages, and local farming communities dot the landscape, providing a glimpse into rural life and culture.

Upon arrival in Ishasha, your safari experience will center on the park’s most famous residents: the tree-climbing lions. The Ishasha sector is renowned worldwide for these majestic big cats, which exhibit the rare behavior of resting in the branches of large fig and acacia trees during the hottest parts of the day. This unique trait not only provides fascinating photographic opportunities but also enhances your understanding of lion ecology and adaptation in the wild.

The afternoon is dedicated to an extensive game drive in Ishasha, where your expert guide will use their keen tracking skills to locate the elusive lions. Along the way, you’ll encounter other savannah wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, various antelope species, and an array of birdlife, making this an exciting and diverse wildlife viewing experience. This game drive offers the perfect chance to observe predator-prey dynamics and the interplay between different species in their natural habitats.

As the day draws to a close, you will check into a comfortable lodge situated near Ishasha, providing a tranquil setting for relaxation and reflection on the day’s extraordinary wildlife encounters. Enjoy a delicious dinner while sharing stories around the campfire or simply unwind with the sounds of the African wilderness. The experience on Day 5 of the 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari is one that connects you deeply with East Africa’s wild heart and prepares you for more adventures ahead.

Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

The 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari resumes early on Day 6 with a morning game drive across the expansive Kasenyi Plains, another spectacular part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Waking at dawn, you’ll be treated to the sight of the African savannah bathed in soft morning light, with dew glistening on the grasses and wildlife stirring from their nighttime rest. This time of day is ideal for spotting elusive predators such as lions and leopards, who become more active hunting at dawn and dusk.

During the game drive, you’ll traverse open plains, thick woodlands, and wetlands, encountering an impressive variety of animals including elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, roan antelopes, and numerous bird species. The Kasenyi Plains are a prime location to observe these animals in large herds, offering superb photographic opportunities and the thrill of witnessing nature’s raw spectacle.

Following the morning game drive, you will enjoy a leisurely lunch before transferring to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat cruise. The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward, and it serves as a critical water source for a diverse array of wildlife. As you glide along the channel, you can expect to see large pods of hippos basking in the water and sunning on the banks, crocodiles lurking stealthily in the shallows, and elephants coming to drink at the water’s edge.

The boat cruise is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with nearly 600 species recorded in the region. Look out for African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, and many more as they soar overhead or perch in nearby trees. This peaceful yet exhilarating cruise offers a wonderful contrast to the adrenaline-filled game drives, rounding out the wildlife experience of your 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari with a serene connection to nature.

In the evening, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay, resting comfortably while reflecting on the incredible diversity of wildlife observed throughout the day.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest

Day 7 of the 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari is dedicated to an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience in Kalinzu Forest Reserve, one of Uganda’s most famous primate habitats. After breakfast, you will transfer to Kalinzu Forest, a rich tropical rainforest home to a thriving population of chimpanzees and other primate species.

Upon arrival at the park headquarters, you will receive a comprehensive briefing from experienced park rangers on the rules and safety guidelines of chimpanzee trekking. This preparation is vital to ensure a respectful and responsible encounter with these intelligent and social animals.

The trek itself involves a guided walk through dense forest trails where the chimpanzees move freely. Your expert guide will help locate the chimps by following their calls and movements, offering insights into their behavior, social structure, and conservation challenges. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees are more vocal and energetic, providing a dynamic wildlife viewing experience. During the trek, keep an eye out for other primates such as vervet monkeys, baboons, and various bird species that inhabit the forest.

Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have the rare opportunity to observe them up close as they feed, play, groom, and communicate within their groups. This encounter, typically lasting up to one hour, is both educational and emotionally moving, fostering a deeper appreciation of primate conservation.

After the trek, you will return to your lodge for a relaxing evening, perhaps enjoying the lodge’s amenities or simply unwinding amidst the tranquil forest environment. The chimpanzee tracking day is a highlight of the 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari, showcasing Uganda’s rich primate diversity and the natural wonders of its rainforests.

scenic Road Transfer to Entebbe Airport for Departure

The final day of the 8 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates Safari begins with a scenic road transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward journey. Though the drive is approximately 7 to 8 hours, it offers a final opportunity to absorb Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes—from rolling hills and farmlands to small villages and vibrant markets.

Along the route, you may choose to stop for refreshments or to browse local crafts and produce, allowing for some last-minute souvenirs and cultural immersion. The transfer is conducted in a comfortable safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide who ensures a safe and pleasant journey.

Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be assisted with check-in and boarding procedures, marking the conclusion of your incredible primate and wildlife safari adventure. This farewell signals the end of a comprehensive exploration of two of East Africa’s most spectacular countries, Rwanda and Uganda, enriched by memorable encounters with mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, and the iconic wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park.