8 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Rwanda & Uganda

Upon arrival in Uganda – the Pearl of Africa, you will receive a warm welcome from your driver guide, who will provide a briefing about your primate safari across Rwanda and Uganda. After the introduction, you will embark on a scenic transfer to Kibale National Park, home to diverse primates and lush equatorial rainforests.
 
Your journey takes you through Hoima City, leading to Fort Portal, a designated tourism city in western Uganda. Stop here for a delightful lunch break, before continuing your drive. Along the way, enjoy the breathtaking views of crater lakes, adding a magical touch to the landscape.
 
Upon arrival at your lodge in Kibale National Park, settle in for dinner and relaxation, preparing for the adventures ahead.

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Travel Time: Approx. 6-hour drive

Start your day with breakfast, followed by a briefing on chimpanzee tracking rules in Kibale Forest. At 8:00 am, you will join a small group of six, led by an experienced guide, to track wild chimpanzees in their natural home.
 
The trek lasts 2 to 4 hours, and once you find the chimps, you will spend one hour observing them. Watch as they play, groom, and interact, and take plenty of photos. Along the way, you may also spot colobus monkeys, l’Hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, and various bird species.
 
Return to the lodge for lunch, then set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most famous wildlife parks. On the way, enjoy scenic views of craters, lakes, and the Top of the World viewpoint.
 
Arrive at your lodge for dinner and relaxation, preparing for an exciting safari adventure ahead.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Travel Time: + 6 Hour Drive.

Start your day with a cup of coffee or tea, then set off on a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Established in 1952, this wildlife-rich park is a top spot for game viewing. Spend 3 to 4 hours exploring the Northern Plains, where you have a great chance of spotting lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hippos, and various antelope species.
 
After the game drive, return to the lodge for a proper breakfast or brunch, followed by some rest and lunch.
 
In the afternoon, head to the Kazinga Channel for a boat safari. This scenic boat ride offers an up-close view of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and sometimes elephants and buffaloes along the water’s edge. Bird lovers can spot African fish eagles, African skimmers, pelicans, and possibly the rare shoebill stork.
 
End the day with dinner and relaxation at your lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, known as the ultimate gorilla trekking destination.
 
Start with a morning game drive through the Northern Plains, then continue to the Ishasha sector in the Southern Plains, where you might spot the famous tree-climbing lions resting on fig tree branches. Along the way, you may also see topis, elephants, buffaloes, and duikers roaming the wilderness.
 
Enjoy lunch in Ishasha, then continue your journey to Bwindi, arriving in the late afternoon. Settle in at your lodge for dinner and rest, preparing for an exciting gorilla trekking experience the next day.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Travel Time: +4 Hour Drive.

Start your day with breakfast, then head to the Park Headquarters for registration and a briefing before your gorilla trekking adventure. Enjoy a 30-minute cultural performance by the local community before the park Ranger explains the trekking rules and guidelines. With a walking stick and face mask, you will begin your journey through Bwindi Forest.
 
The trek can take 1 to 6 hours, leading you through dense forest, towering trees, and diverse wildlife habitats. Along the way, you may see other primates, colourful birds, and butterflies before finally encountering the majestic mountain gorillas. Spend one magical hour observing them in their natural habitat, watching their social interactions, feeding habits, and playful behaviour. Capture unforgettable photos and videos.
 
After this incredible experience, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, visit the Batwa community, the original inhabitants of Bwindi Forest. Learn about their traditional way of life, including hunting techniques, fire-making skills, and the use of medicinal plants. This cultural visit provides a deep insight into their unique heritage and survival skills.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda via the Cyanika border. As you travel through the winding roads of southern Uganda, enjoy beautiful landscapes and photo opportunities along the way.
 
You will reach your lodge in time for lunch, or have a picnic lunch en route, before settling in and preparing for the next day's adventure.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Travel Time + 4 Hours.

Start your day early and head to Kinigi Park Headquarters for a briefing and group allocation among the 12 habituated gorilla families. After a short drive to the trekking starting point, begin your walk through the forest, spotting various birds and wildlife along the way.
 
The trek lasts between 1 to 4 hours, leading you to the endangered mountain gorillas. Spend one unforgettable hour observing their behaviour, taking photos and videos, and experiencing their natural world up close.
 
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, visit the Gorilla Guardians' Village for a cultural experience. Meet a traditional healer, learn about medicinal plants, watch banana beer brewing, enjoy traditional dances, visit a local school, and explore a King’s Palace replica, gaining deeper insights into Rwandan traditions.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey tracking adventure. Just like gorilla trekking, the experience begins with a briefing on tracking guidelines before heading into the forest.
 
The trek lasts 1 to 3 hours, and once you find these playful monkeys, you will spend one hour watching and photographing them as they jump between tree branches, feed, and rest.
 
After this fun and less strenuous trek, return to the lodge for lunch, then begin your drive to Kigali International Airport for your evening departure flight, marking the end of your incredible primate safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
 
Travel Time + 3 Hours.

Meal Plan: Breakfast.
 
Travel Time 45 Minute Drive.