The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda: A Lifetime Experience

The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda give you an opportunity to encounter chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in the wild as you journey deep into the lush hills of Uganda and Rwanda. Observe these wonderful creatures with a primatologist and track gorillas in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Volcanoes National Park. Stay in stunning lodges, from a lakeside bungalow at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains to a hilltop eco-lodge with spectacular views of Rwanda’s volcanoes.

The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda

Travel to the lush highlands of Uganda and Rwanda on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to see chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in the wild. Track gorillas in the forests of Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while observing chimpanzees with a primatologist. A lakeside house at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains or a hilltop eco-lodge with sweeping views of Rwanda’s volcanoes is just a few of the gorgeous hotels you may stay in.

Trip Highlights: The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda

• Join Kabira Safaris’ Experts on treks in search of chimpanzees, gorillas, and endangered golden monkeys.
• Watch the antics of chimpanzees up close at a sanctuary established in association with the Jane Goodall Institute.
• Meet with scientists at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Karisoke Research Centre to learn about ongoing conservation projects, and get an in-depth perspective on Fossey’s 18-year-long study.

Itinerary: The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda

Day 1 – 2: Entebbe, Uganda/Ngamba Island

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Upon arrival, take a shuttle to your accommodation from Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island the following day. This facility was built in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute to provide a home for rescued and orphaned chimpanzees. Visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center later.

Meals Included: Day 2 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Accommodations: Lake Victoria Serena Resort

Days 3 – 4: Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee Tracking at Kibale National Park | Uganda

To go to Kibale National Park and check into our resort, which is located on a crater lake, take a flight from Entebbe to Kasese. Meet Emily Otali, the Kibale Chimpanzee Project’s Field Director, and learn about the many conservation and educational initiatives that National Geographic supports. Visit the park to look for chimpanzees, and visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to look for other primates such the uncommon l’Hoest’s monkey and black-and-white colobus, red-tailed, and blue monkeys.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily
Accommodations: Kyaninga Lodge

Days 5 – 6: Kibale National Park/Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spend an additional morning chimpanzee tracking. Before an afternoon wildlife cruise, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park and take a safari to search for elephants, lions, and Ugandan kobs.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily
Accommodations: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Days 7 – 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Make your way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The following morning, proceed into the park’s jungles, which are home to almost half of the surviving mountain gorillas worldwide. Sit among these kinds of giants and get a close-up look at one of the most endangered species on the planet.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily
Accommodations: Bwindi Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge

Days 9 – 10: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Gorilla Trek at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Enter Rwanda and settle into your private villa with a view of the nearby lakes and volcanoes. Learn about ongoing conservation efforts by speaking with experts at the Karisoke Research Center of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The following day, spend time searching for mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, where National Geographic grantee Dian Fossey spent 18 years studying gorillas. This evening, take in a traditional dancing performance.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily
Accommodations: Virunga Lodge

Day 11: Volcanoes National Park/Kigali

Explore the Volcanoes National Park this morning with wildlife biologists in search of endangered golden monkeys. Transfer to the Kigali International Airport (KGL) following lunch to catch your flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

End of the 11 Days The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda

What to Expect

Travelers should be physically healthy and ready for several hours of walking or hiking over unsteady terrain on some days because this trip has a moderate activity rating. Visitors would hike for up to 8 hours through the dense jungle at altitudes that could reach 10,000 feet while searching for primates. Treks can be taxing; the ground may be rocky, uneven, rainy, or muddy. The minimum age requirement for travelers is 15. There will be several long driving days, with the longest reaching seven hours, and many stops.

Accommodations: Throughout the Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda trip, we stay in ideally located, high-end hotels and lodges with many amenities.

Transportation: We have arranged all of your transportation needs during your stay in Rwanda and Uganda as specified in your Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda trip itinerary. When spending time on your own, you may choose to visit a site that requires transportation. If this is the case, your Expedition Leader will happily recommend convenient transportation options.