Overview
This 4 days Uganda and Rwanda primate safari is a beautifully crafted journey in some of East Africa’s lush forested parks. It starts in Kigali with a transfer to Volcanoes National Park where rolling hills set the tone for the entire trip. What follows is the golden monkey trek before heading across the border into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking tour is the highlight. Your safari will conclude after a scenic drive back to Kigali city.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
On the first day of your safari, you will have to be picked up from Kigali by our driver guide. This will be either from your accommodation or Kigali International Airport. There will be a transfer to Volcanoes National Park, which is 106 kilometers of driving from, Kigali city. Enroute lunch will be provide while you enjoy viewing the lovely rolling hills along the way to the park. At the park you will go to your lodge and check in. Refresh and spend some time acclimatizing to the forest. After dinner you will enjoy overnight stay right here.
Day 2: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Travel to Bwindi National Park
After an early morning breakfast, pack lunch and check out of your lodge. Head straight to the park headquarters full of energy and ready to meet a habituated golden monkey troop. Following an insightful briefing from the park ranger you will start your guided golden monkey trekking adventure in the forest. The guides will ensure that you follow golden monkey trails for multiple opportunities of seeing diverse habitats including bamboo vegetation. After finding the golden monkeys, watch them for 1 hour, with photographs also taken during the time.
Every moment in the forest is also an opportunity to see a lot of mammals, insects, birds and flora. Return to the trailhead and attend debriefing. Your driver will transfer you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda with enroute lunch. This is another scenic transfer, but covers 81 kilometers and involves crossing the Cyanika border to the Rushaga Sector. Arrive at Bwindi Forest and check in at your prebooked lodge. This is where you will relax for the rest of your day, followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park (Rushaga)
An early morning breakfast is necessary when you wake up for a gorilla trek in the forest. Now, you will head to the Rushaga trailhead for the trekking adventure. You will not start the gorilla trek until you are briefed by the park authority. At 8:00 a.m. a seasonal tracker will guide you through Bwindi forest to look for a habituated gorilla group. Tracking gorillas offers opportunities of seeing so many plants and animals like chimps, baboons, blue monkeys, L’hoest’s monkeys and elephants.
After following some evidences showing the presence of the mountain gorillas you will find them. For 1 hour you can watch them eat, drink, play and solve conflicts before returning to the trailhead. While ending your trekking tour, attend debriefing. Your driver will take you back to your lodge for relaxation. Have dinner and later, an overnight stay.
Day 4: Return to Kigali. End of Safari
Make sure that you have enough breakfast in the morning after waking up. Check out and set out to Kigali City, which is a 171 km drive across the border through Katuna. Lunch is enroute and when you arrive in Kigali you will be dropped off at any point of your convenience. If your next destination is back to your home outside Rwanda, you will be dropped off at the Kigali International Airport. The 4 days Uganda and Rwanda primate safari has come to an end and you will board your departure flight.