12-Day Rwanda & Uganda Primates, Wildlife & Adventure Safari

Kigali – Volcanoes National Park – Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth – Kibale – Murchison Falls – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Jinja – Entebbe

This 12-day journey combines Rwanda’s cultural history with some of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife and primate experiences. From the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial to golden monkeys in the Virunga Mountains, the unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi, chimpanzees in Kibale, rhinos at Ziwa, wildlife in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, and finally white-water rafting on the Nile, this safari is designed to showcase the incredible diversity of the region.

Detailed 12 Day Rwanda & Uganda Primates, Wildlife & Adventure Safari Itinerary

Day 1–: Arrival in Kigali – Kigali Genocide Memorial & City Experience

Your adventure begins in Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most welcoming capital cities. Upon arrival, you will be met by your East African Jungle Safaris’ guide and transferred to your accommodation.

After settling in, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important and moving site that provides insight into Rwanda’s history and the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The memorial also tells the story of Rwanda’s remarkable journey toward reconciliation and rebuilding.

Later, enjoy a short city tour through Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit local markets, explore the city’s neighborhoods or simply relax at your hotel.

Overnight: Centric hotel in Kigali
Meal plan: Dinner

Day 2–: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park – Musanze

After breakfast, leave Kigali behind and travel north toward Volcanoes National Park.

The journey takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, where cultivated hills, villages and mountain landscapes gradually replace the city.

As you approach Musanze, the dramatic Virunga volcanoes begin to dominate the horizon. This is the heart of Rwanda’s mountain-gorilla country and one of the most spectacular landscapes in East Africa.

After checking into your accommodation, the remainder of the afternoon is free to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s golden monkey adventure.

Overnight: Amikus Hotel in Musanze
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 3–: Golden Monkey Tracking – Volcanoes National Park

Today, you enter the forest in search of one of the Virunga region’s most beautiful primates the golden monkey.

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for briefing before beginning your trek. Golden monkeys are endemic to the Albertine Rift and are recognized by their distinctive golden-orange coats.

The trek takes you through the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Along the way, your guide will help you identify birds, plants and other forest life.

Once you locate the golden monkey troop, you will have time to observe them as they move through the forest, feeding, climbing and interacting with one another.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Overnight: Amikus Hotel in Musanze
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 4-9th Feb 2027: Rwanda – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

After breakfast, begin your journey toward Uganda.

The drive takes you through the scenic countryside toward the Rwanda-Uganda border. After completing immigration formalities, continue toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

The landscape becomes increasingly mountainous as you approach Bwindi. Dense forest covers the hills, while small communities and cultivated slopes appear between the valleys.

Your accommodation will be positioned according to your assigned gorilla trekking sector.

Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for what will be one of the most memorable days of the entire safari.

Overnight: Gorilla Hills Eco lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp near Bwindi
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 5–: Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the day you have been waiting for.

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. You will then enter the ancient Bwindi forest accompanied by experienced trackers and guides.

The trek can take several hours depending on where your assigned gorilla family is located. The forest is alive with birds, butterflies, plants and other wildlife as you make your way through the dense vegetation.

Then comes the moment you have travelled to Uganda for.

You will encounter a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Watching a silverback peacefully observing his family, young gorillas playing in the vegetation and mothers caring for their infants is an experience that is difficult to describe in words.

You will spend your permitted time with the gorillas before beginning the trek back through the forest.

Return to your lodge later in the afternoon to relax and reflect on this extraordinary experience.

Overnight: Gorilla Hills Eco lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp near Bwindi
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 6–: Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, leave Bwindi and descend from the highlands toward Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The journey takes you through some of southwestern Uganda’s most beautiful scenery. Rolling hills gradually give way to open savannah as you approach the park.

Depending on your arrival time, you may have an opportunity for an afternoon or evening game drive.

Queen Elizabeth is home to elephants, buffaloes, hippos, antelopes, warthogs and numerous bird species. The park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, although sightings are never guaranteed.

After your wildlife experience, continue to your lodge for the evening.

Overnight: Tembo Safari lodge/Engiri Game Lodge near Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 7–: Queen Elizabeth – Kazinga Channel – Kibale Forest

Wake up to the sounds of the African wilderness.

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep your eyes open for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and predators moving through the grasslands.

Later, depending on the final itinerary and timing, enjoy a Kazinga Channel boat cruise. The channel connects Lakes Edward and George and is famous for its concentration of hippos and large numbers of water birds.

After the wildlife experience, continue north toward Kibale Forest National Park.

The landscape changes once again as the savannah gives way to lush tropical forest and tea-growing areas.

Arrive at your lodge in the evening and prepare for tomorrow’s chimpanzee adventure.

Overnight: Kibale Forest Lodge/Chimpanzee Capital Lodge near Kibale
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 8–: Chimpanzee Tracking – Kibale Forest – Transfer Toward Murchison Falls

Today you enter Kibale Forest, often regarded as one of Africa’s best destinations for chimpanzee tracking.

After breakfast, report to the park headquarters for briefing before beginning your trek.

The forest is home to a large population of chimpanzees, along with several other primate species. As you walk beneath the forest canopy, your guides and trackers listen for calls and movement that may reveal the location of a chimpanzee community.

Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have the opportunity to watch them feeding, climbing and interacting high in the forest canopy.

After the experience, return for lunch before beginning the long journey north toward the Murchison Falls region.

Because of the distance, this day is primarily a transfer day after the chimpanzee experience.

Overnight: Parkside Safari Lodge/Redchilli Rest Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 9–: Murchison Falls National Park – Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Today the landscape opens into the vast savannah of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park.

After breakfast, enter the park for a game drive across the northern sector.

This is classic African safari country. Look out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and other wildlife. With some luck, you may also encounter lions or other predators.

Later, enjoy a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls.

The river is crowded with hippos and crocodiles, while elephants and other animals often come to the water to drink.

The boat eventually reaches the dramatic base of the falls, where millions of litres of water force their way through a narrow gorge.

Return to your lodge in the evening after a spectacular day in the wilderness.

Overnight: Parkside Safari Lodge/Redchilli Rest Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 10–: Murchison Falls – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Enjoy an early morning game drive as you leave Murchison Falls National Park.

The morning light provides excellent conditions for wildlife viewing, and this is another opportunity to look for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and predators.

Later, leave the park and continue south toward Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Ziwa provides an entirely different wildlife experience. Here, you will have the opportunity to track rhinos on foot with experienced rangers.

Walking through the sanctuary and seeing these magnificent animals at close range provides a unique perspective compared with viewing wildlife from a safari vehicle.

After the rhino experience, relax at your accommodation.

Overnight: Ziwa Rest Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 11–: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Jinja

After breakfast, continue south toward Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda.

As you travel, the scenery changes from the savannah and woodland of northern Uganda to greener landscapes and communities around the Nile.

Arrive in Jinja and check into your accommodation.

Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the town, visit the source of the Nile area or simply relax beside the river.

Jinja has a completely different atmosphere from the national parks, making it a wonderful place to finish the safari before your final adventure tomorrow.

Overnight: Paradise Hotel in Jinja
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner

Day 12–: White-Water Rafting on the Nile – Jinja – Entebbe Airport

Your final day begins with an unforgettable adventure on the River Nile.

After breakfast, head to the rafting starting point for your safety briefing and preparation.

You will then take on the rapids of the Nile, surrounded by beautiful scenery and tropical vegetation. The experience combines excitement, teamwork and plenty of laughter as you navigate the river.

After rafting, return for lunch and freshen up before beginning your journey toward Entebbe.

Depending on your international flight departure time, we will arrange your transfer directly to Entebbe International Airport for your onward journey.

Your 12 Day Rwanda & Uganda Primates, Wildlife & Adventure Safari comes to an end, leaving you with memories of gorillas in the mist, chimpanzees in the forest, golden monkeys in the Virungas, rhinos on foot, wildlife across Uganda’s savannahs and the powerful Nile beneath your raft.

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch

End of our 12 Day Rwanda & Uganda Primates, Wildlife & Adventure Safari

Safari Highlights

  • Kigali Genocide Memorial
  • Kigali city experience
  • Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
  • Scenic Rwanda–Uganda journey
  • Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife safari
  • Kazinga Channel boat cruise
  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
  • Murchison Falls National Park game drives
  • Nile boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
  • Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Jinja and the River Nile
  • White-water rafting
  • Airport transfer to Entebbe

What’s Included

  • Private safari transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle throughout the trip.
  • Services of an experienced English-speaking driver/guide.
  • Airport pickup in Kigali on arrival.
  • Airport drop-off at Entebbe International Airport on departure.
  • Accommodation for 11 nights in budget hotels, lodges and guesthouses.
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary — breakfast and dinner, with selected lunches where indicated.
  • Kigali Genocide Memorial visit.
  • Golden monkey trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park.
  • Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park.
  • All applicable national park entry fees.
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives.
  • Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
  • Murchison Falls National Park game drives.
  • Nile boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls.
  • Rhino tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
  • White-water rafting experience in Jinja.
  • Bottled drinking water during safari drives.
  • Border crossing assistance between Rwanda and Uganda.
  • Vehicle fuel and driver’s expenses.
  • Accommodation and meals for the driver/guide.
  • All applicable government taxes and service charges.

What’s Excluded

  • International flights.
  • Rwanda and Uganda visa fees.
  • Travel and medical insurance.
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and drinks.
  • Alcoholic beverages and other drinks not specified.
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, lodge staff and other service providers.
  • Souvenirs and personal shopping.
  • Activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Porter fees during gorilla trekking, if required.
  • Optional activities not included in the agreed program.
  • Any additional accommodation or meals required due to changes outside the agreed itinerary.
  • Costs arising from flight cancellations, delays, border closures or other circumstances beyond our control.
  • Any increase in government park fees or permit prices occurring after the quotation is issued.
  • Anything else not specifically mentioned under What’s Included.