14 Day Rwanda & Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Tracking
This Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Tracking trip will show you the best of what Uganda and Rwanda has to offer. 2 times Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest and Nyungwe forest one of the oldest forests in Africa! In this Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Tracking You will also go 2 times on Gorilla tracking in both Uganda and Rwanda. This tour is an unique experience for anyone who likes primates.
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Day 1: Welcome to Uganda
Your driver/guide will be at Entebbe Airport to pick you up from your flight and take you directly to your lodge in Kampala. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may be able to explore the sites in and around Kampala.
You will stay in a nice lodge with beautiful views on Lake Victoria. The hotel has cozy safari style furnished rooms, equipped with satellite TV, fridge bar, telephone, fan, balcony with lake-view and a comfortable bathroom. Accommodation: Cassia Lodge
Day 2: Kibale Forest National Park
Today you will drive to Fort Portal in western Uganda. The route is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda.
Then you continue for about 1 hour. On arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business! Although you are here specifically to track Chimps, the forest is home to 12 other primate species including: the Red Tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus Monkey, and the Blue Monkey.
You will stay in a cottage, privately situated in the forest with a spacious bedroom and en-suite bathroom. This is the perfect starting point of tomorrow’s activities. Accommodation: Primate Lodge
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking or Chimpanzee habituation
Kibale Forest National Park boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees. An experienced forest ranger will take you chimp tracking in the morning or afternoon. Once located, you will spend a full hour with the chimps. Since they are still wild animals, we can never guarantee you to see them and might have to settle with hearing their hoots and hollers.
In the afternoon you will go for the Bigodi swamp walk (2-3 hours) will take you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery. It is usual to spot three to four different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the great blue turaco!
Optional: Chimpanzee Habituation tracking:
At an additional fee of only $70 us dollar pp you do the full day chimpanzee habituation tracking instead of the regular chimpanzee tracking. Your swamp walk can be postponed to the next morning. Accommodation: Primate Lodge
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
In the morning, you can relax at your lodge, make a crater lake hike or visit a nearby tea plantation, where you will be able to assist the tea pickers and learn about how leaves are selected for the highest quality (All activities of this morning are at your own cost). You will then continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. The park has prolific game, including Gazelle, Uganda Kob, Warthog and Waterbuck. Lions are often sighted both in the park and at the entrance to the park. In the late afternoon you will go for a game-drive into the park.
Ihamba Safari Lodge is situated on the shores of Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is the perfect location for those who want to experience the tranquility of unspoiled Africa. Accommodation:Ihamba Safari Lodge
Day 5: Game drive & Boat safari on the Kazinga channel
Today you wake up early. A little before sunrise coffee, tea and donuts will be served in the lounge before we head out for a long game drive in time to see the first rays of light. You will search for all the wildlife in the park and are likely to come across Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, and many Warthogs.
A well-deserved brunch will be served back at the lodge in the late morning.
In the afternoon you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Edward.
Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine! ), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see buffalo, crocodile, bathing elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge
Day 6: Lake Mutanda
Today you drive to Lake Mutanda in the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will pass the country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. For lunch you stop at a local restaurant (not inclusive).
Your comfortable lodge is overlooking Lake Mutanda and the Virunga volcanoes on the border with Rwanda. This will undoubtly be one of the most spectacular views you have ever seen!
From here you will depart tomorrow for the gorilla tracking so it is best to get a good night’s sleep.
Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort
Day 7: Gorilla tracking in Uganda
Today is the big day… prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda.
En route to the gorillas, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time taken to track the gorillas can be as few as 2 hours to as many as 7 hours. Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorilla family. Once the gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’. Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort
Day 8: Welcome to Rwanda
After breakfast you will continue Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Tracking to the border with Rwanda. After a short drive you will arrive in Kigali the capital of Rwanda.
Depending on your arrival time you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. Prepare to use your haggling skills! All activities and purchases today are at your own cost.
Your accommodation is in a quite subburb of Kigali in the newly build Flame tree village. This hotel will make you feel right at home. Accommodation: Flame Tree Village
Day 9: Nyungwe Forest National Park
In the morning you will meet your driver/guide and you will set off towards the famous Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important – and still little known – bird-watching destinations in Africa.
In the evening, you will settle into your room at Top View Hill Hotel. The views are stunning and you will have a nice hot meal in the cozy restaurant. Accommodation: Top View Hill Hotel
Day 10: Chimpanzee tracking
Today you will go for you second Gorilla tracking of this tour!
After a very early morning start, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the two groups is a healthy 80 individuals. This exciting up-close encounter with human’s closest relative you will not soon forget.
After the chimp tracking you can relax at the hotel or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide.
Optional activity
In the afternoon you can go for East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats. En route you will have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy.
Sign up for this activity with your booking. Accommodation: Top View Hill Hotel
Day 11: Lake Kivu
After a relaxed breakfast you will travel to Kibuye on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. Time allowing, you can visit the Ndaba Falls or take a walk around Kibuye town. In the afternoon you can you can rent a boat and visit a few islands. All activities today are at your own cost.
Your accommodation for the night is at the beautifully situated Rwiza Village which features excellent views and a well-reputed restaurant serving a full menu and cold drinks for the sundown.
Accommodation: Rwiza Village
Day 12: Volcanoes National Park
Today in this Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Tracking you shall drive northeast to the town of Musanze close to the Virunga Volcano range. This beautiful area represents the gateway to the gorilla tracking.
Your lodge for tonight is located near the entrance of the national park. The spacious rooms are nicely decorated and will give you a homely feeling. You can warm yourself at the fireplace in the restaurant area. From here you will start your Gorilla tracking tomorrow. Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Day 13: Gorilla tracking in Rwanda
Rise early! From the lodge, you drive into the park about 30 minutes to the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux. The head ranger of the park will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. You will track the Gorillas of one of the habituated groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.
Prepare for an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas.
Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours! Once located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with the gorillas. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’. Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Day 14: Departure
Today after a relaxed breakfast you shall be transferred by your driver/guide back to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre, which opened in 2004. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda’s recent history in time to catch your flight back home.
Your driver/guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home. Sadly, this is where you say goodbye to Rwanda. This will mark the end of Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Tracking.
Note: This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 3 p.m. or later. If you need another night in Kigali, we will be happy to make a booking for you.
Important to know
- This tour can’t be booked by solo travelers.
- Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Rates per person – Must be paid in United States Dollar (USD)
| Solo (1 Room) | 2 people (1 room) | 3 people (2 rooms) | 4 people (2 rooms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a* | $5,390 | $5,190 | $4,650 |
Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- Gorilla permits (two per person, non-resident)
- Chimp permits (two per person, non-resident)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day)
- Drinks
