7 days primates watch Rwanda and Uganda starts off right from when you touch base at Kigali International Airport, to Rwanda city tour and Iby’Iwacu cultural village, Golden Monkey tracking at Mgahinga, Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and crown it with Chimpanzee tracking at the primate capital of the world. This itinerary is quite brief but worth a try if you don’t have much time. It also gives you some of the highlights in these two countries.
Detailed 7 days primates watch Rwanda and Uganda itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda
Arrival at Kigali International airport, meet up with your local Shoebill guide and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight Manor Hotel.
Day 2: Rwanda- Kisoro Town
Kigali city is one of the cleanest, quietest and safest city in the world. Its best known for having a well maintained infrastructure system. Breakfast and start the city tour of Kigali. Key highlights include Kigali genocide memorial site, Kimironko market, conventional center and many other places. A tour without Ibyi’Iwacu cultural center would be incomplete. Lunch and transfer to Kisoro for dinner and overnight at Ichumbi Hotel
Day 3 Kisoro-Mgahinga- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, check out and proceed for Golden Monkey tracking at Mgahinga National Park. After continue to the home of the Mountain Gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is best known for gorilla tracking, but it also provides refuge to forest elephants(rare sighting but in the forest), chimpanzees, monkeys and small antelopes.
When you mention Bwindi Impenetrable Forest you cannot miss several forest bird species that are restricted to the Albertine. On a good day if you are a keen birder, be sure to record over 50 different bird species. Evening community tour to the Batwa. Dinner and overnight Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.
Day 4: Gorilla tracking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest N.P- Queen Elizabeth NP
After a rather early breakfast, briefing and then start the trek of a life time to the gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the home to the forest giants that are cousins to human beings, the gorillas. This Impenetrable Forest is still one of the best virgin tropical rain forests in East Africa.
Return to the lodge, have lunch and then transfer to Ishasha sector. Evening game drive featuring the famous tree climbing lions of Ishasha. Dinner and overnight Ishasha Jungle Lodge.
Day 5: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth NP
With packed breakfast, start your early morning game drive enroute to Kazinga channel for an afternoon boat cruise. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its wildlife, including African cape buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, and chimpanzee to mention but a few. It is home to about 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. Afternoon boat cruise featuring several game and bird species. Dinner and overnight Lake Munyanyange Caves Lodge.
Day 6: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth NP to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast we begin our journey to Kibale Forest National Park for yet another exiting adventure. Afternoon chimpanzee tracking. Meet the closest cousins of human beings otherwise known as the Chimpanzees. Chimpanzees share 98.8% genes with humans. Enjoy them as they toss and jump from one tree to another. Possible late afternoon visit to Bigodi swamp This Swamp is home to about 137 species of birds.
It is rich with lush vegetation such as wild palms, figs and the dominant Polita Papyrus. Bigodi Wetland Reserve is managed by the Kibale Association for rural development and environmental protection. Possible evening visit to the crater lakes if time allows. Dinner and overnight at Rubalika Safari and farm Lodge.
Day 7: Transfer from Kibale Forest National Park- Rwanda
After breakfast begin the journey back to Rwanda for either your evening/night flight back home or overnight. There is an option of exiting from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. end of 7 days primates watch Safari Uganda and Rwanda
7 days primates watch Rwanda and Uganda includes:
- Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
- 4WD open-roof safari vehicle
- Bottled drinking water
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Golden monkey permit
- Game drives
- Boat trips
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Services of an English Speaking Driver/guide.
- Community visit fees
- Guided nature walks
- Return airport transfers.
The 7 days primates watch Rwanda and Uganda Safari package excludes:
- Other drinks apart from bottled water
- Laundry
- Tips to local guides
- Telephone expenses
- Porter fees while trekking Gorillas and chimpanzees
- Personal Insurance
- Cigarettes