Experience a 12 days safari in Congo, Rwanda ad Uganda offering the best of primate adventure across all 3 destinations. This safari includes Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Combine your primate encounter with thrilling game viewing in the finest savanna plains of Queen Elizabeth NP, home to the tree climbing lions.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & drive to Nyungwe, enjoy the canopy walk experience
A delicious breakfast be enjoyed at the hotel in Kigali capital and after, begin the 6-7 hours’ drive with en-route visit to ethnographic museum and Nyanza King’s Palace at Butare. Nyungwe lies in the far Southern province and is the biggest rainforest park in Rwanda, extending up to 970sq.km. It supports up to 13 primate species plus other mammals.
At Nyungwe, you will take on a guided canopy walk. This involves conquering the 200 meter long canopy walkway for about 2 hours while keeping eyes on primates and birds. After the canopy walk, get back to get refreshments and also relaxation at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Nyungwe One&Only
- Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking & transfer to Bukavu
Enjoy an early morning cup of tea/coffee and after, depart from the lodge. Today, you will be expected at Uwinka/Cyamudongo area by 5:30am to be briefed about chimpanzee tracking rules. Leave the briefing centre with the park guide and expect to take 2-5 hours trekking habituated chimpanzee community. Other primates that you may come across include blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, l’hoest monkeys and many birds. From the chimp trek, get back to enjoy lunch and after, check out. Exit Nyungwe for Bukavu.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Orchid Hotel
- Midrange; Panorama Hotel
- Budget: Hotel Elizabeth
Day 3: Lowland gorilla trekking with Kahuzi-Biega Park guide
Enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee and after, you will proceed to Kahuzi-Biega N. Park for briefing about lowland gorilla trekking guidelines. Begin navigating through Kahuzi-Biega in search of the Eastern lowland gorilla family allocated to you. This primate adventure will take between 2 and 5 hours which include an hour for up close and personal encounter. After a close encounter with these massive apes, get back to enjoy a leisurely dinner and have a night stay at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Orchid Hotel
- Midrange; Panorama Hotel
- Budget: Hotel Elizabeth
Day 4: Kahuzi-Biega –Volcanoes N/Park Ruhengeri
Leave Kahuzi-Biega NP for Volcanoes National Park located in Ruhengeri, Northwestern Rwanda. This is a compact protected area and gorilla trekking is its main highlight. At Volcanoes N/Park, check in at the lodge for you to have dinner and a night stay.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Bisate Lodge/Five Volcanoes Lodge
- Midrange: Le Bambou Lodge
- Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 5: Guided golden monkey tracking combined with community visit
After a hot cup of tea/coffee, proceed to Kinigi for briefing about safety measures to be followed while on actual golden monkey tracking. Start your trek with golden monkeys at 8:00am expecting to spend between 2 and 4 hours. The golden monkey trek includes an hour of up close and personal encounter with beautiful golden monkeys in the wild.
After photography and observing how golden monkeys behave in the wild, return to have lunch. At the lodge, freshen up and in the evening, you will be led by the local expert to the Iby’Iwacu Village.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Bisate Lodge/Five Volcanoes Lodge
- Midrange: Le Bambou Lodge
- Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 6: Volcanoes NP- Bwindi
Have a delicious cup of tea/coffee and after, you will be transferred to Bwindi, crossing Cyanika or Katuna border. Upon early arrival at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, check in at the safari lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Midrange: Buhoma Haven Lodge/Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Community Camp
Day 7: Gorilla trekking
After getting briefed, set off on a hike deep into the dense jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The trek with Bwindi gorillas takes at least 2-6 hours and once you have located these unique apes, the park guide will permit you to enjoy an hour face-to-face with them. After, you will be accompanied back and transfer to the lodge where lunch and other refreshments will be provided.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Midrange: Buhoma Haven Lodge/Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Community Camp
Day 8: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth N/Park, through Ishasha
Enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee and you will be transferred to the next destination which is Queen Elizabeth National Park. You drive through Ishasha area where you will have a short game drive. At Ishasha, expect to come across the tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, and a range of antelopes, especially topis. Cross from Ishasha to the Northern section of the park to check in at the lodge for dinner and a night stay.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Elephant Plains
- Budget: Simba Camp/Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 9: Lion tracking & launch cruise
Rise early morning for breakfast and after, proceed with a memorable lion trekking experience. This special game viewing session takes you via Kasenyi track and is all about having an in-depth exploration of lions and their behaviors. After, get back to have lunch and relaxation till in the afternoon when you will drive to have a launch or boat cruise. Spend at least 2 hours on Kazinga channel and in your boat excursion, expect to sight hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Elephant Plains
- Budget: Simba Camp/Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 10: Kyambura chimpanzee trekking experience
Leave the lodge early morning and you catch up with briefing about chimpanzee tracking guidelines. Kyambura Gorge is an extensive natural gorge also best referred to as Valley of Apes. You will explore chimpanzees in their natural habitat and after, have a relaxed stay at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Elephant Plains
- Budget: Simba Camp/Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 11: Queen Elizabeth NP-Lake Mburo Park
Depart from Queen Elizabeth Game Park for Lake Mburo N/Park in Kiruhura. Drive via Bushenyi –Mbarara route while enjoying the scenic views of the Igara tea estates. Arrive early at the park, check in at the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, embark on a boat ride along fresh Lake Mburo where you will observe hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Accommodation
- Kigambira Safari Lodge
- Mihingo Lodge
- Rwakobo Rock
Day 12: Game drive and road transfer to Entebbe with en-route stop at Equator
Early morning breakfast be followed by check out and then a game drive. Today, get to explore Lake Mburo National Park’s abundant wildlife including zebras, impalas, elands, topis, giraffes, leopards, buffaloes and birds. After the game drive, proceed to Entebbe with en-route stopover to be had at the Equator crossing.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Park entrance fees
- Gorilla, chimp, golden monkey permits
- Accommodation
- All meals as per the trip plan
- Travel by road plus service of driver/guide
- A bottled water
Exclusions
- Laundry services
- Visa fees
- Passport
- Tipping
- Telephone
- Travel Insurance
- Shopping
- Souvenirs
