12 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates

12 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates: Discover the best of Uganda Rwanda Primates, the land of a thousand hills and the pearl of Africa. Follow in the footsteps of many great travelers who have experience the untouched beauty of these two countries before the mainstream  of mass tourism discover it. We shall keep this trip so intimate – think guesthouses, Eco lodges and farm stays – in order to really create a connection with this captivating land. Encounter four of the big five: buffaloes, lions, leopards, and the large herds of elephants, spend time with your closest cousins the chimpanzees and the mountain gorillas (the last ones of the few remaining in the wild alongside friendly smiles and captivating scenery, come lets experience the magical boat cruises, big games, crisp fresh air bursting in your face as we make it through the countryside passing large banana plantations, large cattle herds, beautiful terraced hillsides with winding roads hugging tightly to them and so much more.

Itinerary Summary

• Day 1: Arrival
• Day 2: Transfer To Kibale Forest National Park
• Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking
• Day 4: Transfer To Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 5: Game Drive And Boat Cruise
• Day 6: Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
• Day 7: Gorilla Trekking
• Day 8: Transfer To Volcanoes National Park
• Day 9: Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes National Park
• Day 10: Transfer To Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 11: Chimpanzee Trekking And Nature Walk In Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 12: Departure

Full Itinerary

Upon arrival at Entebbe international port you will be met and received by a Journeys representative who will warmly welcome you, and facilitate all the arrival formalities. there after transfer you to the hotel for check in and a short rest if you  like.  Depending on the time of arrival you may be briefed about your safari and have some money changed this day later on stroll around the city for a brief orientation. Overnight at either Cassia Lodge Kampala or The Boma Hotel Entebbe or Papyrus Guesthouse – BB

Day 2: Transfer To Kibale Forest National Park

Early morning breakfast and we will transfer to Kibale Forest National Park the primates Capital of the world. Kibale boasts of the highest primates species concentration with about 13 primates species among which are the playful chimpanzees, about 375 bird species,numerous butterflies, plants, you name it. watch out for the beautiful green verdant countryside  with lots of tea plantations. upon arrival you could visit the Tooro kingdom palace, home to the youngest king ever who ascended the throne at 3 years old after the death of his father. or alternatively visit the Nyakasura hills an important historical and cultural attraction in the Tooro kingdom. Dinner and overnight at either Mountains of the Moon Hotel or Attaco Country Resort or Chimpanzee View Guesthouse. FB

Day 3 : Chimpanzee Trekking

After breakfast head out to the park headquarters at Kanyancu for a briefing and thereafter we will be led by a guide into the rich Kibale forest for chimpanzee trekking. it is an interesting trek as you encounter lots of other primates including Red tailed Monkeys, Black and white Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and many others as well as birds and butterflies. In the afternoon have a nature walk in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary famous for the wide range of bird species and monkeys. It is very rewarding for the nature lovers. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Dinner and overnight at either Mountains of the moon Hotel or Attaco Country Resort or Chimpanzee View Guesthouse. FB

Day 4: Transfer To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Check out of the lodge after breakfast and set off to Queen Elizabeth National Park arguably Uganda’s most popular national park and the park with the highest concentration of species. among the most popular species are four of the big five: lions leopards, buffaloes and elephants along with hart beasts, funny looking wart hogs among others that you may encounter.   stopover the equator in Kasese for a few shots. follow the fabled shadows of the Rwenzori mountains one of the tallest in Africa all the way to Queen Elizabeth National Park named after Queen Elizabeth of England.Enjoy a rewarding game drive a we make our way through the park watch out for some antelopes zebra, elephants among others that you may encounter . Dinner and overnight at either Jacana Lodge or Marafiki Lodge. FB

Day 5: Game Drive And Boat Cruise

Rise to the beautiful sounds of Africa this is the pearl of Africa. we set out on an early morning game drive for a chance to catch up with the early risers before they takeoff to their day hideouts and the late night hunters probably returning from a late night hunt.  Game drives are more fruitful in the early mornings, we drive through the tracks of Kasenyi where you may encounter lions, herds of elephants, buffaloes and the solitary ones, antelopes, Ugandan Kob, rare Leopards, warthog, Impalas and various bird species among others. Later in the afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel that joins lake Edward to lake George. Enjoy the sight of large schools of hippos, crocodiles, Elephants and buffaloes, and various species of birds sharing the cool water for an afternoon cool off . And hey do not forget to catch that picture of the basking crocodile with the mouth agape. the scenes are spectacular. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at either Jacana Lodge or Marafiki Safari Lodge. FB

Day 6: Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Enjoy the joyous melodies of some of the 600 species found here while you have a hearty breakfast before we get back on the road heading to the home of half of the remaining population of the endangered mountain Gorillas. we will drive via the southern sector of queen Elizabeth National park,  the Ishasha plains, famed for tree climbing lions. Prides can be spotted chilling in the green branches of the fig trees watching out for unsuspecting prey. Continue on our drive through the Switzerland of East Africa all the way to Bwindi impenetrable forest where we will check in to the lodge and prepare for tomorrows big trek. Dinner and overnight at either Buhoma Haven or Buhoma Community Rest Camp depending on the area you will be trekking there other options available. FB

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking

Rise to an early breakfast before heading off to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing.  Meet your Ranger who will lead us into the dense forest and later on the gorillas. An hour with the Gorillas is overwhelming but worthwhile for the strenuous trek. Return to the lodge and depending on the time and energy you could go out for either a nature walk or community tour. Dinner and overnight at either Buhoma Haven or Buhoma Community Rest Camp depending on the area you will be trekking there other options available. FB

Day 8: Transfer To Volcanoes

After a sumptuous breakfast we transfer to Rwanda: go through the border crossing formalities with the help of the guide before proceeding to volcanoes national Park. The drive to Volcanoes is an interesting one with lots of beautiful scenery, lush green beautifully terraced hills with the well maintained roads hugging tightly to them.   Volcanoes national park is an area that is part of the Virunga conservation area shared between Rwanda, Uganda, and the democratic republic of Congo. It houses the other half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the wild. the area was gazetted to protect the endangered mountain gorillas that were close to extinction. Dian Fossey brought the plight of these giants to the rest of the world and today she lies among them. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge . FB

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes National

After an early morning breakfast, transfer to the national park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers; trek through the tropical Virunga rain forest in search of the rare mountain gorilla. Carry lots of water, steady walking shoes, water-proof warm clothing, sun-screen, insect-repellant and a hat. A no-flush camera is recommended because you will come up close with these gentle giants. The park ranger guides will make your 3 – 6 hour trek both educative and enjoyable. The excursion in a thick rain forest and the interaction with the mountain ape, gives a wonderful experience in life. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge . FB

 Day 10: Transfer To Nyungwe

After breakfast we could go golden monkey trekking before transferring to Nyungwe forest. Nyungwe forest seats on an area of about 1000 sq km. It is one of the most beautiful pristine Afro montane forest and the oldest in Africa dating back to the ice age which justify it diversity. The forest is home to approximately 12 primate species, 75 mammals  and could pass well for a birders haven with about 300 species of birds including 16 endemics. spending a day hiking through this rich forest can be highly rewarding.

Day 11: Nyungwe

After an early morning breakfast, we will be transferred to the national park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers before departing for the hike in search of these primates – the chimpanzees. There are a number of colored trails in this forest however today we opt for the 10 km red trail very popular for the chimpanzees and further passes the water falls. Nyungwe is home to roughly 400 chimpanzees which are not so hard to find in the fruiting seasons but no guarantee for you to meet them. however you may encounter other resident primates like the l’hoests monkey, colobus monkey, numerous birds and flora.  Dinner and stay at Nyungwe forest lodge or Nyungwe top view Lodge or Gisakura Guesthouse FB

Day 12: Departure

Early morning breakfast and checkout of the lodge, enjoy a scenic transfer to the beautiful clean and safe Kigali city. As we leave the Nyungwe area watch out for the fascinating green tea plantations alongside the terraced hillsides and the winding roads.  Kigali city is a garden like green city where you could have a city tour around to check out the genocide museum, Amahoro stadium and the crafts village to buy a few souvenirs before our guide transfers you to the airport in time to catch your flight back home.