Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the hotel or take an optional visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the shores of Lake Victoria.

Overnight in Entebbe.

Day 2: Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart for Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of East Africa. The scenic drive takes you through tea plantations, rural villages, and rolling hills.

Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your lodge near the forest. If time allows, you can enjoy a guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, famous for birds and monkeys.

Dinner and overnight near Kibale.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, head to Kibale Park headquarters for a briefing before your chimpanzee tracking experience. You will hike through the forest with rangers in search of habituated chimpanzee groups and may also spot other primates like red colobus monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

After the trek, return for lunch and then drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular savannah park. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Game Drive & Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, where you may see elephants, lions, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and warthogs.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. This waterway is famous for its high concentration of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous bird species.

Overnight in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, drive through the scenic Ishasha sector, known for its famous tree-climbing lions. With luck, you may spot lions resting in fig trees.

Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your forest lodge. Spend the evening at leisure preparing for your gorilla trek.

Dinner and overnight in Bwindi.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for registration and briefing. You will then be assigned a gorilla family and begin your guided trek through the dense rainforest.

The trek may take 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. Once you find them, you will spend one magical hour observing their behavior as they feed, play, and interact in their natural habitat.

Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Optional cultural visit to the Batwa community in the afternoon.

Overnight in Bwindi.

Day 7: Transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and drive to the Cyanika or Katuna border into Rwanda. After border formalities, continue through Rwanda’s beautiful rolling hills to Volcanoes National Park.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon with time to relax and enjoy views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Dinner and overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing before heading into the forest to track the endangered golden monkeys, known for their playful behavior and bright golden-orange fur.

The trek is usually easier than gorilla trekking and offers fantastic photography opportunities. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure or visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about Rwandan traditions.

Overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 9: Optional Second Gorilla Trek or Dian Fossey Visit – Transfer to Kigali

Today you may choose an optional second gorilla trek, a hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb and research center, or a nature walk around the park.

After the morning activity, drive to Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital city. Upon arrival, enjoy a short city tour including the Kigali Genocide Memorial (time permitting).

Overnight in Kigali.

Day 10: Departure from Kigali

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your incredible Uganda and Rwanda gorilla safari.