9-Day Rwanda Primate, Volcanoes & Lake Kivu Adventure

Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide, who will provide a brief introduction to your exciting Uganda and Rwanda safari. After the welcome briefing, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Kigali for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax after your journey, enjoy the hotel's facilities, or explore the vibrant surroundings at your own pace. As the gateway to your unforgettable adventure, Kigali offers a warm introduction to the beauty and hospitality of East Africa. Enjoy a restful overnight stay as you prepare for the incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences that await in the days ahead.

After an early breakfast, depart Kigali and begin your scenic journey to Uganda's renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park. Travel through Rwanda's picturesque rolling hills before crossing the border into Uganda, where the landscape gradually transforms into lush countryside and traditional villages. Continue to the park, enjoying beautiful views along the way. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and spend the remainder of the day at leisure, surrounded by the stunning wilderness of one of Uganda's most celebrated national parks. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

After an early breakfast, head to Kalinzu Forest Reserve for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. Following a briefing by experienced rangers, venture into the lush rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees while spotting other primates and colorful birdlife. After lunch, enjoy an exciting afternoon game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and, with a bit of luck, lions or leopards before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Start the day with an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring its diverse landscapes in search of elephants, lions, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, and abundant birdlife. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, home to one of Africa's largest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles. Watch elephants gather along the shoreline while numerous water birds complete this unforgettable wildlife experience before returning to your lodge.

After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel through the scenic Ishasha Sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a game drive en route while searching for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and other wildlife. Continue through Uganda's beautiful countryside to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge, relax, and prepare for tomorrow's extraordinary gorilla trekking adventure.

Following an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting off on the unforgettable mountain gorilla trek. Hike through Bwindi's ancient rainforest with experienced guides in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once located, spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to learn about their traditional forest lifestyle, music, dance, and unique cultural heritage before returning to your lodge.

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and drive toward the Rwanda border, enjoying spectacular views along the way. After completing border formalities, continue through Rwanda's rolling hills and picturesque countryside to the tranquil shores of Lake Ruhondo. Surrounded by the majestic Virunga Volcanoes, this peaceful destination is the perfect place to relax. Upon arrival, check in to your lakeside lodge and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner and your overnight stay.

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a traditional canoe excursion across the tranquil waters of Lake Ruhondo, surrounded by the breathtaking Virunga Volcanoes. Paddle to one of the lake's scenic islands and embark on a guided hike, where you'll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views while learning about the area's natural beauty and local way of life. After the island hike, return to your lodge for lunch before departing on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge, relax, and prepare for tomorrow's unforgettable golden monkey trekking adventure.

After an early breakfast, head to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking experience. Accompanied by experienced park guides, explore the bamboo forests at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes in search of these playful and endangered primates. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch before visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about gorilla conservation and research. Later, depart for Kigali, where you'll be transferred to your hotel or Kigali International Airport, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda and Rwanda safari.