10 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Primate Safari – Overview
10 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Primate Safari starts in Kampala Uganda and finishes in Kigali Rwanda. It is primarily a primate tracking safari taking you to the famous primate hot-spots world over.
The icon features include; Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale National Park, Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
The extensive wild game viewing and river safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers great deal of animal sights including tree climbing lions.
10 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Primate Safari – Highlights
- Day 1: Drive to Fort Portal Area, visit Amabere g’Nyinamwiru caves, do Fort Portal crater Area hike and connect to Kibale National Park
- Day 2: Do a whole day Chimpanzee Habituation & drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 3: Do game drive in Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel boat cruise in the afternoon and evening game drive along the channel track
- Day 4: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Undertake an en route game drive in Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions
- Day 5: Undertake Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 6: Undertake golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga National Park & transfer to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
- Day 7: Undertake Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & drive to Lake Kivu Gisenyi
- Day 8: Transfer to Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo crossing Lake Kivu by boat
- Day 9: Undertake Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
- Day 10: Transfer back to Kigali
10 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Primate Safari – Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Fort Portal Area, Visit Amabere g’Nyinamwiru Caves, Do Fort Portal Crater Area Hike and Connect to Kibale National Park
Following breakfast at your place in Kampala, you drive for 300km about 5 hours drive exploring the en route countryside scenery including the local settlements and natural terrain.
You settle for lunch in Fort Portal town after which you connect to the Amabere g’Nyinamwiru Caves for heritage exploration viewing the breast-like features believed among the locals to be breasts of Nyinamwiru – the daughter of Bukuku a self enthroned King of the Bachwezi known to have denied his daughter an opportunity to breastfeed her son.
From the Caves, you take on the hike to the Fort Portal Crater field gaining remarkable views of the surrounding crater lakes and crater hollows not forgetting the Rwenzori Mountains at a distance. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation:
Up market / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages
Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tents
Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
Day 2: Do a Whole Day Chimpanzee Habituation & Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Converge at Kanyanchu Tourism Center at 6am to join other members and park rangers for eventual set off at around 6:30am.
It is a whole day experience in the Chimpanzee forest catching up with Chimpanzees as they get out of their nests for their daily routine.
You enjoy them as they forage, much fruit, hunt, patrol, socialize, and make pant hooting calls, copulate among other exciting aspects until they build new nests.
But because you have to transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you break off from the Habituation at around 4pm and embark on 157km transfer about 3 hours exploring the amazing scenery of Mount Rwenzori en route. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation:
Up market / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 3: Do Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise in The Afternoon And Evening Game Drive Along The Channel Track
You connect to the park at 7am for a 3 – 4 hour game drive in the Savannah stretches of Kasenyi sector to the north east of Queen Elizabeth National Park where chances of viewing a range of wild game including Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Waterbucks, Side striped jackal, Topis, Oribis, warthogs and Leopard among others.
From the game drive, you connect to the lodge for short relaxation and lunch and then connect to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat ride setting off at 2pm.
The boat ride takes 2 hours exploring the amazing beauty of the 45km long Kazinga Channel with possible sights of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, birds like African skimmers and Cormorants not forgetting the wild game drinking on the channel side.
From the boat cruise, you take a game drive along the channel track for more wild game viewing as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation:
Up market / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 4: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Undertake An En-route Game Drive in Ishasha Sector in Search of Tree Climbing Lions
After breakfast, set off for the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sparing sometime en route in Ishasha sector for game drive in search of tree climbing lions and other wild game.
It is always a fascinating encounter to view the tree climbing lions hanging in the fig trees of Ishasha presenting lasting picturesque memories.
From here, you proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
Up market / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp
Day 5: Undertake Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
You consider an early wake up for breakfast after which you connect to the gorilla trekking assembly point for briefing starting at 8am.
After gorilla family allocation, you gather in your respective groups, undergo briefing by your respective ranger guides and then set off to the mist forest in search of the Mountain Gorillas that are critically endangered world over.
The trek takes you through rugged hilly landscapes covered with dense forests. The Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks lasts 2 – 8 hours with one full hour of actual viewing.
It is a heart moving moment to gaze into the eyes of these gentle giants, view them as they forage, the young ones play and the Silverback demonstrate their might.
Retire from the activity and embark on the transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation:
Up market / Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Midrange / Budget: Travelers Rest Kisoro
Day 6: Undertake Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga National Park & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Gather at Ntebeko visitor Centre at 8m and set off for golden monkey tracking on the slopes of Mount Gahinga which is one of the three Volcanoes in the park and part of the greater Virunga massif comprising of eight Mountains straddling across Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
The golden monkeys are among the endangered species limited in range to the Virunga massif. The golden monkey trek takes about 4 hours with one hour of actual viewing.
They normally dwell in the Bamboo zone on the slopes of Mount Gahinga. Retreat from the activity and embark on the drive to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda 68km about 1 ½ – 2 hours drive enjoying the views of Virunga massif.
Accommodation:
Up market / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
Day 7: Undertake Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Drive to Lake Kivu Gisenyi
You wake up early for breakfast after which you gather at Kinigi Park Headquarters to enjoy the interesting traditional Intore dance and a soothing cup of Rwandan coffee as you await briefing at 8am.
After the gorilla family allocation, you get into your vehicle with an armed ranger guide and connect to the trail head from which start off the trek in the Mountain Gorilla forest.
Perched on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, the gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park as well includes traversing rugged terrain and dense jungle until you come across these gentle giants as they forage or socialize depending on the time you finally come across them.
The direct viewing is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation after which you retreat to the starting point and connect to Gisenyi 110km about 2 hours transfer arriving in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the soothing beach environment.
Accommodation:
Up market / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Resort
Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide
Day 8: Transfer to Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo Crossing Lake Kivu by Boat
Transfer by boat from Gisenyi and sail across Lake Kivu to the South Kivu Province of Democratic Republic of Congo.
You enjoy the amazing scenery of Lake Kivu Islands and the expanse water mass. Upon arrival in Bukavu, connect to the lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation
Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge
Budget: Hotel Horizon
Day 9: Undertake Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Wake up early in the morning for breakfast after which you gather at the starting point for the low land gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
After the briefing by the park staff, you set off to the lush equatorial jungle and the Volcanoes in search of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla Sub species.
The trek through the forest lasts for about four (4) hours inclusive of one (1) magical hour with the Gorillas thriving in their natural habitats.
Unlike the Mountain Gorillas, the Eastern Lowland Gorillas are larger in size with gigantic hands, short muzzle and stocky body presenting a more exciting experience.
Retreat from the activity and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the lodge. A sightseeing extension to Tshibati Falls can be arranged.
Accommodation
Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge
Budget: Hotel Horizon
Day 10: Transfer Back to Kigali
After breakfast, transfer through the southern side of Rwanda driving past the lush montane forest of Nyungwe – the home of Chimpanzees and colobus Monkeys in Rwanda, Butare where you can make a stop to visit the National Museum of Rwanda and lunch and eventually Nyanza Palace the head of traditional head of Rwandan monarchy.
End of The 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Primate Safari
Safari Inclusions
- Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
- Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
- Full Board Accommodation on Safari
- Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
- Fuel
- Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
- Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
- Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
- Bottled water while on safari
- Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)
Safari Exclusions
- General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
- Laundry Services
- Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
- International Flights (Arranged on request)
- Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
- Visas
- Optional Activity fees
- Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
- Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
- Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)
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