Highlights
- Spot golden monkeys in Rwanda's famous Volcanoes National Park
- Encounter mountain gorillas on a hike in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Visit wildlife-rich Queen Elizabeth National Park for land and water safaris
- Trek to see chimpanzees in Kalinzu Central Nature Reserve
- Tour the Ibyi Iwacu Cultural Village and an elephant conservation project
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Kigali (Rwanda) | Kigali |
| Day 2 | Visit Rwanda NGOs, Kigali City Tour | Kigali |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Cultural Village Visit | Volcanoes National Park |
| Day 4 | Golden Monkey Trekking Experience | Volcanoes National Park |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park |
| Day 6 | Gorilla Trekking, Batwa Community Tour | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha | Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| Day 8 | Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Water Safari | Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| Day 9 | Chimpanzee Trek, Kataara Elephant Conservation Project | Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Entebbe, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali (Rwanda)
Welcome to Rwanda! Touch down in the capital, Kigali, where your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Check in and then head out to explore this vibrant city, which is nestled among hills and valleys in the heart of the country. Founded in 1907 under German colonial rule, Kigali only became the capital after independence in 1962 and has since grown to become Rwanda's political, economic, and cultural center.
Often referred to as the "Singapore of Africa," Kigali is home to tree-lined streets, galleries, and glitzy architecture, as well as sprawling markets and a thriving music and café scene. Wander through the downtown and enjoy a leisurely dinner before returning to your hotel.
Day 2: Visit Rwanda NGOs, Kigali City Tour
This morning you'll visit some of the NGOs helping Rwanda recover from the genocide in the 1990s. Witness firsthand the efforts of these organizations to support widows, orphans, and survivors of the tragedy, focusing on empowering women and girls. Throughout the trip, you'll gain an insight into Rwandan history and the resilience and strength of the nation's people.
Afterward, take a city tour of Kigali, visiting important landmarks like the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center and the CAG Museum, commemorating the Campaign Against Genocide Plan. Head through Nyamirambo to the top of Mount Kigali for sweeping views of the city and the countryside, then explore markets like Kimironko, where stalls heave with colorful produce and handmade goods.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Cultural Village Visit
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Today your driver will take you northwest to Volcanoes National Park, a 62-square-mile (160 sq km) haven of forested volcanic peaks and caves formed over 62 million years. The park is also home to some of the world's last remaining mountain gorillas and served as famed primatologist Dian Fossey's research base. As well as offering sanctuary for around 340 critically-endangered gorillas, the landscape provides a habitat for golden monkeys and over 300 bird species.
Check into your lodge before touring the nearby Ibyi Iwacu Cultural Village, which relies on tourism to support itself. Many locals are former poachers who now share their rural culture and educate visitors. Take a walk around the village to meet the residents and a local healer, enjoying traditional songs and dance. You'll have a meal with the villagers and participate in banana beer brewing and pottery making.
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking Experience
Rise early today for a trek to spot golden monkeys. Volcanoes National Park is home to two habituated troops of these rare primates that live in the lush forests at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo. Hike with an expert guide through bamboo groves and forests shadowed by hulking volcanoes to observe these shy creatures. You'll spend an hour watching the monkeys interact, jump from tree to tree, and forage for food.
The rest of the day is yours to relax at your lodge or explore the national park independently. Hiking the Dian Fossey trail is a highlight, leading to the research station where the renowned primatologist worked until her tragic death at the hands of poachers in 1985, a story told in the book and movie "Gorillas in the Mist." You can also visit the park's sparkling twin lakes or take cultural village excursions.
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)
Say goodbye to Rwanda today and head to the Uganda border, where you'll meet your guide for the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site covers 128 square miles (331 sq km) of unspoiled rainforest that's over 25,000 years old, making it one of the world's richest biological and botanical regions.
This verdant landscape is home to around 400 wild mountain gorillas, which comprise around half the world's population of these critically-endangered apes. In addition, the park provides sanctuary to a further 120 mammal species, including baboons, chimpanzees, elephants, and antelopes. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a peaceful evening ahead of tomorrow's tour.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking, Batwa Community Tour
Embark upon an extraordinary gorilla trek today in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Accompanied by a specialist guide and rangers, you'll walk through dense foliage in search of a mountain gorilla troop. These habituated primate families are visited by rangers for several hours each day, so they're used to being near humans. As part of anti-poaching efforts, the apes are under 24-hour monitoring, and your visit helps support this vital work.
Once you've located a gorilla family, leave your things behind you and approach the gentle giants with only your camera. A well-trained guide will talk you through the family's behavior as they feed, play, interact, or sleep. Spend an hour with the gorillas and then head back to base. Treks typically last four to six hours, depending on your gorilla family's location.
End the day with a trip to the region's Batwa community, also known as the Batwa Pygmies. Learn about their unique culture on a guided walk, which includes storytelling and a visit to their healer. You'll get an insight into how the community hunts, farms, and forages, gathering honey and herbs. Share a traditional meal after your nature walk, before returning to your lodge.
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha
Continue north to Queen Elizabeth National Park today. Set on the vast Rift Valley floor, the park is comprised of dozens of ancient craters carved into rolling hills, set against a backdrop of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. Its diverse ecosystems, from savannas to forests, lakes, and fertile wetlands, are home to classic big game, 10 primate species, and over 600 types of exotic birds.
Explore the rugged Ishasha section, known for its rare tree-climbing lions, which you may witness lounging in the trees. Take a break for lunch before continuing to the main park, where you'll settle into your lodge.
Day 8: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Water Safari
Discover more of Queen Elizabeth National Park's treasures today, starting with a game drive. Your guide will take you to the Kasenyi Sector, known for its numerous lions that prey on the large population of Uganda kob (antelope). If you're lucky, you may spot a giant forest hog—Africa's largest pig—or an elusive leopard. Other wildlife sightings include elephants, warthogs, and elands.
After lunch and a rest by the pool at your lodge, take to the water for a boat safari. Following the Kazinga Channel at Mweya, which connects Lake Edward to Lake George, keep your eyes peeled for birds (over 100 species live along this channel) like the African skimmer, great white pelican, spoonbill, and bee-eater. Hippos wallow at the edges of the water, Nile crocodiles bask in the sun on the shores, and elephants often come to the water for a drink.
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trek, Kataara Elephant Conservation Project
This morning your driver will take you to the Kalinzu Central Nature Reserve, a tropical forest known for its biodiversity. Here you'll find over 400 tree and shrub species and 379 bird species, including the great blue turaco, cuckoos, sunbirds, and a dizzying array of butterflies and moths. The forest is also home to six primate species, including blue, velvet, and colobus monkeys.
After a briefing at the park's headquarters, set off to track one of the forest's most remarkable residents and humans' closest relatives: chimpanzees. These great apes are incredibly fun to watch as they play and fight in the trees. Your experienced guides will introduce you to the members of the chimp families that inhabit the forest, and there will also be plenty of opportunities to see other birds and plants along the way.
You'll visit the inspiring Kataara Women's Elephant Conservation Project this afternoon. This conservation-focused initiative provides a livelihood for widowed women who turn elephant dung into eco-friendly paper products and handicrafts, from beads to books. Browse the craft shop to support their mission and buy souvenirs. End the day with a short, guided walk to the stunning volcanic twin lakes Mirambi and Katinda to spot the diverse resident birdlife.
Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe, Depart
Today your Uganda adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, you'll begin the journey back to Entebbe International Airport in time to board your homebound flight. Safe travels!
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