This 13 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari offers unforgettable safari memories, refreshment, and rare encounters in Uganda and Rwanda; talk of birds, breathtaking landscape, unique tree species, and cool weather. In Uganda, you will explore Kampala city, Ziwa Rhino sanctuary; home to the rare Rhino species, Murchison Falls National Park; home to the world’s most powerful waterfalls, Queen Elizabeth national park; the home of tree-climbing lions and Semuliki National Park for birding.
In Rwanda; you will reunite with your relatives the Chimpanzees, and the endangered mountain gorillas in Nyungwe forest and Volcanoes National Parks. Other additional destinations and activities include; cultural encounter, photography and nature walk. This 13 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari takes you to the best safari destinations in Uganda and Rwanda.
13 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and Kampala city excursion.
Depending on where you want to be picked from, our expert driver-guide will be there in time. The safari will start with a briefing about the trip, responding to all your questions and a sip of a glass of juice. Thereafter, he will gladly take you to the reptile village to see different reptile species, notably the snakes such as python, the tortoise, and the chameleons among others.
Afterwards, you will proceed to town for Lunch, the independence monuments, and the Uganda museum respectively. The Uganda Museum is the oldest in the country, with different cultural and historical symbols. When all is done, the driver will take you to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls N/P via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
After enjoying a yummy breakfast meal at the lodge, you will set off very early in the morning for Murchison falls national park, a 5-6 hour drive, through a route marked with green vegetation, busy towns, and undulating Hills. Upon reaching Luwero town, there will be a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for a one-hour Rhino tracking – the only rhinos in the country, and one of Africa’s Big 5 family members. There will be a lunch break, before hitting the road to the park. On your arrival, you will check into the lodge and relax in anticipation of the safari activities ahead.
Day 3: Game drive, Boat cruise and Top of the Falls Hike
Wake up in the morning, have a mouthwatering breakfast, and set off for a mysterious, unforgettable game drive along with the evergreen vegetation of the park where you will get a chance to view pleasant animals such as Uganda kobs, African elephants, lions, Antelopes, indigenous species of birds like the shoebills and grey crowned cranes.
You will have a picnic at Albert Nile where you will enjoy fruits and then drive back to the lodge. After having your delicious lunch, you have to go for a boat cruise to Victoria Nile where you will have an amazing experience on the cruise you get a chance to view hippos, crocodiles. You will have a hike to the top of the falls where you will have a chance to see the world’s most powerful waterfalls, Murchison falls. Dinner and overnight brings the day to an end.
Day 4: Transfer to Semuliki National Park.
After daybreak, you will check out of the lodge for a drive to Semiliki national park– a birders haven. This drive comes with a lot to look out for from the onset; notably, the magnificent snowcapped mountain Rwenzori. There will be a lunch break, before arriving at the lodge late in the evening for refreshment, dinner and a nap.
Day 5: Birding, nature walk and night game drive.
After breakfast, depart the lodge to Semiliki forest, a paradise to over 20% of Uganda’s rare bird species. This search gives you an opportunity of uncovering the rare sound, sight, and characteristics of the different birds in the wild, notably; the sought-after shoebill stork, Sassi’s olive greenbelt, Black-collared lovebird, and spot-breasted ibis.
After photo moments, you will go for lunch and then spend about 1-2 hours, at the fascinating Hot springs. The female Sempaya hot spring resembles a women’s feature and produces hot water that can boil an egg to the eating point. Thereafter, you will have a night game drive to look out for the different nocturnal creatures moving. Call off this day with dinner and a nap at the lodge.
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – afternoon boat cruise.
On this day, wake up at leisure, enjoy your delicious meal, and then depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park; a 2-3 drive that leaves you admiring the backdrop of the giant magnificent snowcapped mountain Rwenzori, and lush vegetation.
Arrive and enjoy a mouthwatering lunch meal at the lodge, followed by an interesting afternoon boat cruise at the Kazinga channel. The boat cruise experience exposes you to several aquatic residents such as crocodiles, hippos, and birds among others. Thereafter, you will return to the lodge for dinner and a nap.
Day 7: Full day Game drive.
At daybreak, gift yourself a lip-smacking cup of coffee, and then evade the different territories of the birds, mammals, and reptiles. Among the residents you may encounter include; lions, leopards, elephants, cheetah, herds of buffaloes, Uganda Kobs and so much more. Lunch break comes in, before heading to the Ishasha sector to track tree climbing lions. Chances are that you may spot one or more lions resting on the tree branches or hunting. Thereafter, you will enjoy a sunset drive to the lodge for dinner and a nap.
Day 8: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
At daybreak, you will enjoy a heavy breakfast meal at the lodge, and then checkout for a transfer to Volcanoes national park– Rwanda’s most visited national park, and home to the endangered mountain gorillas. You will cross the breathtaking Uganda – Rwanda border post, where there will be document verification before proceeding to the park. The drive exposes you to rolling hills and green vegetation. End the day with dinner and a nap.
Day 9: Mountain gorilla trekking and Cultural encounter.
Start your day with a hefty breakfast meal, followed by an exit to the park headquarters. There you will be registered and briefed about gorilla trekking experience, different gorilla families, and the trekking rules. Located around the giant Virunga chain of mountains, it is here and other 3 conservation areas where mountain gorillas can be found in the entire world.
You will be assigned a Gorilla family, of which you will track, from the place they were last seen. It can take approximately 1-7 hours of the search, plus one extra hour to watch them play, rest or feed. Thereafter, you will have a lunch break, before visiting the locals residing around the Park. The cultural experience stretches to sunset when you will return to the lodge for dinner and a nap.
Day 10: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park.
At daybreak, you will have a Lip-smacking breakfast meal at the lodge. Thereafter, have an optional 1-2 hour Musanze cave exploration. Musanze cave is very safe, with very huge bats inside. It offers a chance for perfect photography and discovery.
Afterwards, hit the road to Nyungwe National Park – home to various chimpanzees. The route is decorated with rolling hills, flourishing plantations and scattered homesteads. There will be lunch break before proceeding to your lodge at the park. A sunset arrival leads to dinner and a nap.
Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk.
At daybreak, you will greet your intestines with a yummy breakfast meal and then head to the park headquarters for a pre trekking briefing. Nyungwe national park is an asylum to over 13 different primate species, with chimpanzees dominating. Chimp tracking may last for 1-5 hours depending on your hiking speed, as well as the direction they have taken.
Across the jungle, you will listen to different sides, and see different residents playing, feeding, or relaxing. You will be given a maximum of one hour of watching the cousins – the Chimps play, relax or feed. Chances are that you can also come across a forest mammal.
Thereafter, you will have a lunch break, followed by an afternoon amazing walk on the magically erected canopy on the trees. Its positions give you a perfect opportunity of watching several birds and primates play on the treetop, captivating landscape and scattered homesteads.
Day 12: Kivu beach experience.
Fresh from the bed, you will enjoy a relaxed breakfast meal at the lodge, and then head for a full day refreshment at Lake Kivu – Rwanda’s largest freshwater lake, with the most beautiful sand beaches. Among the many activities you may engage in include; swimming, boat ride, beach soccer and photography. You Lunch will be here, but then at sunset, you will return to the lodge for dinner and a nap.
Day 13: Departure.
After breakfast, you will bid farewell to your new friends and then checkout for a drive to Kigali internal airport for your flight. If time allows, then you will visit the Rwanda Genocide site to pay tribute to Over 250,000 people who lost their lives during the Tutsi and Hutu rebellion, as well as the local markets to purchase souvenirs. This will mark the end of your 13 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Safari.
End of safari.
