Rwanda & Uganda
Great Apes Safari
8 Days . Volcanoes NP, Bwindi & Kyambura Gorge . Gorillas, Chimps & Golden Monkeys
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8 Days Rwanda and Uganda Great Apes Safari
* Seasonal pricing applies. Excludes international flights & visas.
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Rwanda & Uganda's Great Apes, Up Close
An 8-day journey through the volcanic highlands and rainforests of Rwanda and Uganda in search of all three great apes. Trek for mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, track golden monkeys in the bamboo, and follow habituated chimpanzees through Kyambura Gorge — paired with comfortable lodges, expert trackers and a Batwa cultural encounter along the way.
- Two Mountain Gorilla TreksOne trek in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and a second in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura GorgeFollow a habituated chimp community through the lush "Valley of the Apes" near Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Golden Monkey TrekkingTrack playful golden monkey troops in the bamboo forests of the Virunga foothills
- Batwa Cultural EncounterMeet the indigenous Batwa people and learn about their traditional life in the forest
- Comfortable Lodges ThroughoutCosy lodges in Volcanoes NP, on the edge of Bwindi Forest, and overlooking Queen Elizabeth NP
- Scenic Overland Crossing Between Rwanda & UgandaA picturesque cross-border drive through the terraced volcanic hills linking Volcanoes NP and Bwindi
- Big Game & Birding Along the WayOptional game drives and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park with tree-climbing lions and hippos
Two Countries, Three Great Apes
Your journey begins in Kigali, climbs into the volcanic highlands of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, crosses overland into Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park for chimpanzee tracking before flying out of Entebbe.
- Kigali, RwandaArrival & Safari BriefingDay 1
- Volcanoes National Park, RwandaGorilla Trekking; Optional Golden Monkey TrackingDays 2-3
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, UgandaGorilla Trekking & Batwa Cultural VisitDays 4-6
- Queen Elizabeth NP / Kyambura Gorge, UgandaChimpanzee Tracking & Game DriveDay 7
- Entebbe, UgandaReturn Transfer & DepartureDay 8
Your 8-Day Journey
From your arrival in Kigali to your final chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge -- every day is paced to prepare you for the treks ahead and immerse you in the landscapes, culture and wildlife of Rwanda and Uganda.
Arrival in Kigali
Arrive at Kigali International Airport and meet your guide for a transfer to your city hotel. Depending on arrival time, spend the afternoon on a city tour including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, before a welcome dinner and briefing on the week ahead.
Drive to Volcanoes National Park
Depart Kigali on a scenic two-hour drive north into the Virunga foothills, passing terraced hillsides and volcano views. Check in to your lodge in Musanze/Kinigi with the afternoon free to relax, followed by a briefing for the next day's gorilla trek.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
An early start at park headquarters for a briefing with your ranger team before setting off into the bamboo and rainforest slopes of the Virungas to track a habituated gorilla family. Once found, spend a magical hour observing the gorillas at close range before returning to your lodge to relax, with golden monkey trekking available as an optional add-on.
Cross-Border Transfer to Bwindi
Depart your lodge for the scenic overland crossing from Rwanda into Uganda via the Cyanika border post, continuing through the terraced hills of southwestern Uganda. Arrive at your forest lodge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the late afternoon, with time to settle in before dinner.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
A second, distinct gorilla trekking experience in a different habitat, forest and gorilla family than your Rwanda trek. Trek duration varies from two to six hours through Bwindi's dense, ancient rainforest before your hour with the gorillas, then return to your lodge for a well-earned rest.
Batwa Cultural Visit and Forest Walk
Spend the morning with the Batwa community, the forest's original inhabitants, learning about their traditional hunting, medicine, and way of life through storytelling, song and dance. In the afternoon, take a guided nature walk through Bwindi's forest trails in search of birds, primates and forest waterfalls.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Drive north to Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping en route for game viewing along the Ishasha plains. In the afternoon, descend into Kyambura Gorge — the "Valley of the Apes" — to track a habituated chimpanzee community through lush riverine forest, before an optional evening boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Final Morning and Departure
Enjoy an early morning game drive in search of tree-climbing lions before breakfast and the drive or short flight to Entebbe. Depending on flight timing, stop along the way at a viewpoint or local craft market for a final souvenir before connecting to your international flight home.
Handpicked Luxury Stays
Premium en-suite tented camps and lodges positioned along the migration route.
Kigali City Hotel
A comfortable hotel in the heart of Rwanda's capital, ideal for your arrival night and city orientation before heading into the highlands.
Kigali · Day 1
Volcanoes National Park Lodge
A cosy lodge in the Virunga foothills with volcano views, fireplace lounges and home-cooked meals — perfectly placed for your Rwanda gorilla trek.
Volcanoes NP · Days 2–3
Bwindi Lodge
Cosy cottages and en-suite rooms set on the forest edge, with fireplace lounges, home-cooked meals, and sweeping views over the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Bwindi Forest · Days 4–6
Queen Elizabeth National Park Lodge
A relaxed lodge overlooking the Kazinga Channel, ideal for your chimpanzee tracking day in Kyambura Gorge and an optional boat cruise.
Queen Elizabeth NP · Day 7Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Return transfers Kigali–Volcanoes NP–Bwindi–Queen Elizabeth NP–Entebbe
- 7 nights' accommodation across Kigali, Volcanoes NP, Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth NP
- Full board throughout the itinerary
- 4x4 safari vehicle with experienced driver-guide, arranged per your tier and quotation
- Applicable Rwanda gorilla trekking permit (customer-paid at authority rate, confirmed at quotation)
- Applicable Uganda gorilla trekking permit (customer-paid at authority rate, confirmed at quotation)
- Chimpanzee tracking permit for Kyambura Gorge (subject to availability and separate quotation)
- Applicable park entrance and ranger guide fees as specified in your quotation
- Batwa cultural village visit (optional, separately quoted)
- Guided nature walk in Bwindi Forest as specified in your quotation
- A porter to assist on all treks as arranged
- Bottled water on treks and during transfers
- All park and airstrip transfers
- 24/7 safari concierge service
Excluded
- International flights to/from Kigali & Entebbe
- Rwanda and Uganda tourist visas (East Africa visa available)
- Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory)
- Gorilla habituation experience and additional trekking permits
- Optional Kazinga Channel boat cruise and golden monkey permit
- Premium bar tabs and specialty dining at lodges
- Gratuities for guides, porters and lodge staff
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Personal items and medications
- Anything not specified under Included
Have questions about what's included? Our specialists are happy to clarify.
Speak to a SpecialistChoose Your Experience Level
Select the accommodation tier that matches your style. All tiers include the same guiding and routing.
- 7 nights at comfortable lodges across Rwanda & Uganda
- En-suite rooms with hot showers
- Full board throughout the trip
- Applicable great-apes permits (customer-paid at authority rates) plus transfers as specified in your quotation
- Shared safari guide and vehicle
- Premium lodges in Volcanoes NP, Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth NP
- Full board and a welcome amenity (house drinks subject to property policy)
- Applicable park fees as specified in your quotation; great-apes permits customer-paid at applicable authority rates
- Game vehicle with an experienced guide (tier-specific arrangement, confirmed at quotation)
- Batwa cultural visit (optional, separately quoted) and guided nature walk as specified in your quotation
- Return road transfers and porter service as specified in your quotation
- Private villas and suites with plunge pools throughout
- Full-board dining as specified in your quotation (premium drinks subject to property policy)
- Extra gorilla trekking permits (customer-paid at authority rate) and priority trek scheduling
- Dedicated private guide and vehicle throughout (tier-specific arrangement, confirmed at quotation)
- Private Batwa experience and in-villa dining (optional premium services, separately quoted)
- Scenic flights between parks and transfers as specified in your quotation
What Our Guests Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often.
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended, as gorilla and chimp treks can last anywhere from one to six hours over steep, uneven forest terrain, often at altitude in Rwanda. Porters are available to carry bags and offer a helping hand, and our guides set a pace suited to the group.
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority with traveler-category rates (currently $1,500 Rwanda standard, $700/$800 Uganda, varying by category). Your applicable permits are customer-paid at the authority rates and confirmed at quotation; the Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking permit is subject to availability and separate quotation. Additional permits or the gorilla habituation experience can be added as separately quoted optional extras.
Gorilla trekking is a wildlife encounter guided by expert trackers who head into the forest ahead of the group to locate the family's overnight nesting site. Sightings cannot be guaranteed. Chimpanzee sightings in Kyambura Gorge are also possible though less predictable given the chimps' wider territory.
Pack sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers and long sleeves for protection against nettles, gardening gloves, a rain jacket, a daypack, insect repellent and sunscreen. Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi both sit at altitude, so mornings can be cool -- a warm layer is recommended.
Yes, both the Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority require trekkers to be at least 15 years old. There is no upper age limit, provided you're in reasonable health and able to manage the walk with the help of a porter if needed.
Absolutely. We regularly extend this itinerary with extra nights on Lake Kivu, a further chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest, or a classic Serengeti and Maasai Mara safari. Speak to our specialists about tailoring your trip.
Don't see your question? We're happy to help.
Ask Us AnythingBegin Your Rwanda & Uganda Great Apes Safari
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are limited and sell out months in advance during peak season. Contact our specialists today to check availability and begin planning your unforgettable journey through Rwanda and Uganda.