9-Day Rwanda & Uganda Primates, Wildlife & Adventure Safari
This 9-Day Rwanda & Uganda Primates, Wildlife & Adventure Safari 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 9-Day Rwanda & Uganda Primates, Wildlife & Adventure Safari Itinerary
Day 1–: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour – Transfer to Musanze
Arrive in Kigali and meet your East African Jungle Safaris’ guide. After a short city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, begin your journey north toward Musanze and Volcanoes National Park.
The drive takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful rolling hills and rural communities. By evening, arrive in Musanze and settle into your budget accommodation, ready for tomorrow’s golden monkey trek.
Overnight: Amikus Hotel in Musanze
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner
Day 2–: Golden Monkey Tracking – Transfer to Bwindi
After an early breakfast, head to Volcanoes National Park for your golden monkey tracking experience.
The trek takes you into the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains in search of the playful and endangered golden monkeys. After spending time with the troop, return to the lodge for lunch.
Later, cross the Rwanda–Uganda border and continue toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The journey takes you through the spectacular highlands of southwestern Uganda. Arrive at your lodge in the evening and prepare for tomorrow’s gorilla trek.
Overnight: Gorilla Hills Eco lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp near Bwindi
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner
Day 3–: Gorilla Trekking – Transfer to Ishasha
This is the highlight of the journey.
After an early breakfast, report for your gorilla trekking briefing before entering the ancient Bwindi forest. The trek can take several hours as you follow experienced trackers through dense vegetation.
Once you find your assigned gorilla family, spend your permitted time observing these incredible animals in their natural habitat.
After returning from the forest, have lunch and begin the scenic drive toward the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive in Ishasha later in the afternoon and relax at your lodge. If time permits, an evening game drive can be arranged.
Overnight: Topi lodge in Ishasha
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4–: Ishasha Game Drive – Kazinga Channel – Kibale
Wake early for a game drive through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. You will also have opportunities to see elephants, buffaloes, topi, Uganda kob and other wildlife.
After the game drive, continue north through Queen Elizabeth National Park toward the Kazinga Channel.
Enjoy a boat cruise along the channel, one of Uganda’s best wildlife experiences. Large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and water birds can be seen along the shores.
After the cruise, continue toward Kibale Forest National Park, arriving in the evening.
Overnight: Kibale Forest Lodge/Chimpanzee Capital Lodge near Kibale
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5-: 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 6-: 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 7-: 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 8-: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Jinja – Source of the Nile Boat Cruise
After breakfast, depart Ziwa and drive south toward Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda.
Upon arrival, explore the area around the Source of the Nile before taking a boat cruise on the Nile. The peaceful waters, lush riverbanks and surrounding landscapes provide a beautiful contrast to the wildlife experiences earlier in the safari.
The boat experience offers an opportunity to learn about the geographical and historical significance of the Nile while enjoying the scenery from the water.
After the cruise, check into your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed evening in Jinja.
Overnight: Paradise Hotel in Jinja
Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner
Day 9-: White-Water Rafting – Jinja – Entebbe Airport
Your final morning brings one last dose of adventure.
After breakfast, head to the Nile for your white-water rafting experience. After a safety briefing, take on the rapids with your rafting team while enjoying the spectacular scenery along the river.
After rafting, return for lunch and freshen up before beginning your journey toward Entebbe.
Depending on your international flight time, we will arrange a comfortable transfer to Entebbe International Airport, bringing your 9-day Rwanda and Uganda adventure to an exciting conclusion.
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
End of our This 9-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.