Epic 9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, Game Drives,& more

A 9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari through Rwanda and Uganda is an extraordinary journey into the heart of East Africa, blending thrilling primate encounters, diverse wildlife, and vibrant cultural experiences.

Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” (Rwanda) and the “Pearl of Africa” (Uganda), these nations offer unparalleled opportunities to explore lush forests, savanna plains, and rich traditions.

This itinerary highlights golden monkey tracking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with a focus on the unique nasal prints of mountain gorillas, their mating behaviors, and the rare phenomenon of twin births.

9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Overview of the 9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

This 9-day Rwanda-Uganda safari is crafted to showcase the region’s biodiversity and cultural heritage, starting in Kigali, Rwanda, and concluding in Entebbe, Uganda.

The itinerary includes golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, and wildlife adventures in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Additional highlights include boat cruises, game drives, and cultural visits, offering a comprehensive exploration of East Africa.

The safari emphasizes the conservation significance of mountain gorillas, particularly their unique nasal prints used for identification, and touches on their mating dynamics and the challenges of twin births.

Brief Itinerary for 9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector

Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Departure

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Detailed Itinerary of the 9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda – Gateway to Adventure

Your journey begins at Kigali International Airport, where your private safari guide welcomes you. Kigali, Rwanda’s dynamic capital, blends modern infrastructure with a poignant historical narrative.

After checking into a luxury hotel like the Kigali Serena Hotel, you have the option for a city tour, time permitting.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre offers a sobering reflection on Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and its path to reconciliation. You can also visit bustling markets, art galleries, or craft centers to immerse yourself in Rwandan culture.

In the evening, your guide briefs you on the safari, outlining conservation protocols, such as maintaining distance from primates to protect their health, given their susceptibility to human pathogens through their broad noses.

You learn about the golden monkey tracking planned for Volcanoes National Park and the gorilla trekking in Bwindi, with a note on the nasal prints that distinguish each gorilla. Dinner at the hotel sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury) or similar
Meals: Dinner
Activities: Airport transfer, optional city tour

Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Preparing for Golden Monkey Tracking

After an early breakfast, you embark on a 2.5-hour scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s northwest, a stronghold for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

The route winds through Rwanda’s iconic hills, dotted with terraced farms and traditional villages. You may stop at a local market or the historic Nyanza palace for a cultural detour.

Upon arrival, you check into a lodge such as the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, nestled near the Virunga Mountains. The afternoon is spent relaxing and preparing for the next day’s golden monkey tracking.

Your guide provides a briefing on the activity, noting the minimum age requirement of 12 and the importance of health precautions to protect the monkeys.

You also discuss the upcoming gorilla trek in Bwindi, where nasal prints will help identify individuals and track mating behaviors or twin births.

An optional visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village offers insights into local traditions, including dances and conservation stories. Dinner features Rwandan cuisine, fueling you for the trek.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, optional cultural village visit

Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Today’s highlight is golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, a unique opportunity to observe these vibrant, endangered primates. After an early breakfast, you transfer to the park headquarters for a 7:45 AM briefing.

Rangers explain the behavior of golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), which live in bamboo forests and are known for their golden-orange fur and playful antics. Equipped with trekking gear and a packed lunch, you set off with trackers.

The trek, lasting 2 to 4 hours, is less strenuous than gorilla trekking, as golden monkeys inhabit lower forest areas. Upon finding a habituated troop, you spend one hour observing their acrobatic movements, social interactions, and feeding on bamboo shoots.

Their energetic behavior contrasts with the more sedate mountain gorillas you’ll meet later, offering a dynamic primate encounter. You learn about conservation efforts to protect golden monkeys, which face threats from habitat loss.

After the trek, you return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. The afternoon is free for optional activities, such as a nature walk or a visit to the Dian Fossey Grave Site, honoring the conservationist who championed gorilla protection.

Dinner includes a discussion of the gorilla trek in Bwindi, with a focus on the nasal prints that aid in monitoring mating and twin births.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Golden monkey tracking, optional afternoon activities

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

After breakfast, you cross the Cyanika border into Uganda, a 3- to 4-hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

The journey offers panoramic views of hills, villages, and the Virunga volcanoes. You may stop for lunch or visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo for a scenic or cultural break.

Upon arrival in Bwindi, you check into a lodge like the Chameleon Hill Lodge, overlooking the dense forest. The afternoon is free for relaxation or an optional community walk to meet the Batwa people, former forest dwellers who share their heritage. Your guide briefs you on gorilla trekking, emphasizing the minimum age requirement of 15 and the need to avoid trekking if unwell to protect the gorillas’ respiratory health.

You discuss the significance of nasal prints for identifying gorillas, particularly in studying mating behaviors and the rare occurrence of twin births, which are more challenging in Bwindi’s rugged terrain.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Transfer to Bwindi, optional community walk

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the pinnacle of the safari: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, you head to the park headquarters for a 7:45 AM briefing.

Rangers assign you to a habituated gorilla family, considering your fitness level, and outline trekking etiquette. With trekking gear, a walking stick, and a packed lunch, you venture into the forest, guided by trackers.

The trek, lasting 2 to 8 hours, is challenging due to Bwindi’s steep, dense terrain. As you navigate vines and streams, anticipation builds until you encounter the gorilla family.

You spend one hour observing silverbacks, mothers, infants, and juveniles, noting their social interactions, such as mating displays or nurturing behaviors.

The broad, flat noses of the gorillas, each with a unique nasal print, stand out as a key identification tool for researchers tracking individuals, including those involved in mating or raising twins.

Twin births, occurring in less than 1% of pregnancies, are a rare highlight, with nasal prints aiding in monitoring their survival.

After the trek, you return to the lodge for rest and reflection, sharing stories over dinner about the emotional impact of the encounter and the conservation efforts that make it possible.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Gorilla trekking

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, you drive 3 to 4 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping in the Ishasha sector, renowned for its tree-climbing lions.

With a packed lunch, you enjoy a game drive in Ishasha, searching for lions lounging in fig trees, as well as elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes. The savanna landscape contrasts with Bwindi’s forest, showcasing Uganda’s ecological diversity.

You arrive at a lodge like the Ishasha Wilderness Camp in the afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the savanna views. Your guide discusses the ecological roles of gorillas and savanna wildlife, noting how gorilla foraging supports forest ecosystems.

The conversation revisits the nasal print’s role in gorilla conservation, contrasting it with the visual identification methods used for lions. Dinner at the lodge prepares you for the next day’s wildlife adventures.

Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Luxury) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, game drive in Ishasha

Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

An early breakfast precedes a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, a prime area for wildlife viewing. Guided by your driver, you seek out lions, leopards, elephants, hyenas, and Uganda kobs, with the Rwenzori Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. The game drive highlights the predator-prey dynamics of the savanna, complementing the primate-focused days.

In the afternoon, you take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 40-kilometer waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George.

The cruise offers close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and waterbirds like African fish eagles and pelicans.

The channel’s biodiversity underscores the importance of protecting Uganda’s parks, mirroring the conservation efforts for gorillas. You return to the lodge for dinner, reflecting on the day’s sightings and the significance of gorilla mating and twin births in conservation.

Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Luxury) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise

Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – Chimpanzee Trekking Preparation

After breakfast, you drive 3 hours to Kibale Forest National Park, the “primate capital” with over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species.

Upon arrival, you check into a lodge like the Kyaninga Lodge and prepare for the next day’s chimpanzee trek. The afternoon offers an optional guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where you can spot monkeys, birds, and butterflies.

Your guide briefs you on chimpanzee trekking, noting the minimum age requirement of 12 and the need for health precautions, similar to those for gorillas.

You discuss the parallels between gorilla and chimpanzee social structures, including mating behaviors, and the unique role of nasal prints in gorilla identification, which is less applicable to chimpanzees. Dinner features local cuisine, energizing you for the final trekking day.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Transfer to Kibale, optional Bigodi wetland walk

Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Departure

The final day begins with an early breakfast and a transfer to Kibale’s park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. Guided by rangers, you enter the forest, following the calls of chimpanzees.

The trek, lasting 2 to 4 hours, leads to a habituated community, where you spend one hour observing their grooming, feeding, and playful interactions.

The experience complements the gorilla and golden monkey treks, offering a broader perspective on East Africa’s primates.

After the trek, you return to the lodge for lunch before driving 5 to 6 hours to Entebbe, stopping at a market or the Uganda Equator for photos.

You arrive at Entebbe International Airport in the evening for your departure flight, carrying memories of golden monkeys, gorillas, and savanna wildlife. The nasal prints, mating behaviors, and rare twin births of mountain gorillas remain a powerful symbol of the conservation efforts that made this journey possible.

Accommodation: None (departure)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities: Chimpanzee trekking, transfer to Entebbe

End of the 9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Conservation and Cultural Significance

This safari underscores the critical role of conservation in protecting mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and their habitats. With fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remaining, permit fees ($800 for gorilla trekking in Uganda, $400 for golden monkey tracking in Rwanda, $250 for chimpanzee trekking) fund anti-poaching patrols, veterinary care, and community projects.

The nasal print, unique to each gorilla, is a vital tool for monitoring mating success, tracking twin survival, and studying social dynamics.

Twin births, occurring in less than 1% of gorilla pregnancies, are a hopeful yet challenging phenomenon, with nasal prints aiding in their conservation.

Golden monkeys, also endangered, benefit from similar efforts, with tracking programs supporting habitat preservation.

Culturally, the safari engages with local communities, from Rwanda’s Iby’iwacu village to Uganda’s Batwa people, fostering appreciation for their traditions and conservation roles.

Ecotourism ensures that communities benefit from protecting wildlife, creating a sustainable model for preservation.

Practical Considerations

Permits: Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $800, golden monkey permits in Rwanda cost $400, and chimpanzee permits in Kibale cost $250. Book well in advance due to limited availability.
Health and Safety: Visitors with flu or respiratory symptoms cannot trek to protect primate health. Masks and a 7-meter distance are required for gorilla and monkey interactions.
Packing: Bring sturdy trekking boots, waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera. Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda.
Age Restrictions: Gorilla trekking requires a minimum age of 15, while golden monkey and chimpanzee trekking require 12.
Accommodation: Options range from luxury lodges to budget camps, tailored to your preferences.

Tour Inclusions of the 9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Accommodation: 8 nights in luxury lodges/hotels as specified (Kigali Serena Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Kyaninga Lodge, or similar).
Meals: As indicated (8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners).
Transportation: Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver/guide for all transfers and activities.
Activities:
- Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park (1 permit per person).
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (1 permit per person).
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park (1 permit per person).
- Game drive in Ishasha sector (Queen Elizabeth National Park).
- Morning game drive in Kasenyi plains (Queen Elizabeth National Park).
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth National Park).
- Optional cultural visits (Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, Batwa community walk, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk).
Permits: Golden monkey tracking permit ($400), gorilla trekking permit ($800), chimpanzee trekking permit ($250).
Park Fees: Entrance fees for Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale Forest National Park.
Airport Transfers: Arrival in Kigali and departure from Entebbe.
Bottled Water: Provided during transfers and activities.
Government Taxes: All applicable taxes and levies.

Tour Exclusions of the 9 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

International Flights: Airfare to Kigali and from Entebbe.
Visa Fees: Rwanda and Uganda visa fees (check current requirements; Rwanda offers visa-on-arrival for many nationalities, Uganda requires an e-visa, approx. $50 each).
Travel Insurance: Mandatory for medical, evacuation, and trip cancellation coverage.
Personal Expenses: Tips, laundry, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and other items not specified.
Optional Activities: Costs for additional activities not listed (e.g., Dian Fossey Grave Site visit, extra cultural tours).
Health Requirements: Costs for vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, or medical tests (e.g., PCR tests if required).
Porter Fees: Optional porter hire during treks (approx. $15-$20 per person, paid directly).
Additional Meals: Snacks or meals outside the specified itinerary.
Accommodation Before/After Tour: Extra nights in Kigali or Entebbe if needed.

Notes

Permits: Gorilla, golden monkey, and chimpanzee permits are subject to availability and must be booked in advance. Prices are approximate and may vary.
Health and Safety: Trekkers with flu or respiratory symptoms are not permitted to participate to protect primate health. A minimum distance of 7 meters and masks are required during gorilla and monkey interactions.
Age Restrictions: Gorilla trekking requires a minimum age of 15; golden monkey and chimpanzee trekking require 12.
Packing: Bring sturdy trekking boots, waterproof clothing, gloves, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and camera. Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda.

This itinerary and inclusions/exclusions ensure a seamless and immersive safari experience, focusing on the unique aspects of primate tracking and wildlife exploration while supporting conservation and local communities.