The 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo commences in Kampala Uganda and ends in Kigali Rwanda traversing all the three countries noted to be the primate hot spots in the world. The safari features Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park popularly known as the Primate capital of the world, Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and low land gorilla trekking in Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park presenting a diverse and yet detailed primate watching experience. The safari also incorporates wild game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park with opportunities to explore the Big four of the Big five namely; lions including tree climbing lions, elephants, Buffaloes and leopards.
Day 1 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Transfer to Fort Portal Area, tour Amabere g’Nyinamwiru caves, hike the Fort Portal crater Area and transfer to Kibale National Park
Day 2 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Undertake a whole day Chimpanzee Habituation & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Do morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise and game drive along the channel track
Day 4 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions
Day 5 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Do Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 6 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Do golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga National Park & cross to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
Day 7 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park & transfer to Lake Kivu Gisenyi
Day 8 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Drive to Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo crossing via the Cyangungu border
Day 9 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Do low land gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park/ Mountain Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park
Day 10 of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo: Drive to Kigali
Team up with your safari guide after breakfast to transfer to Fort Portal Area 300km about 5 hours drive from Kampala. The views of the countryside will astonish you along the drive including the Inselberg geological features in Mubende, Lake Wamala viewed at a distance along with human settlement patterns en route. The views of lush tea plantations as you draw close to Fort Portal town also provide a lasting memory. Settle for lunch in Fort Portal town after which you connect to Nyakasura Area to explore the heritage site of Amabere g’Nyinamwiru caves standing as breast-like features of which the locals presume to be belonging to Nnyinamwiru – the daughter of Bukuku who was a self enthroned king of the Bachwezi. He is noted to have denied the daughter to breastfeed her hard gotten baby – Ndahura on a foretold story that the grand child would kill him and take over the throne. Though he undertook all the measures to stop this, it eventually happened. It is such a historical story worth listening to. After the caves, embark on the hike to Fort Portal crater field hiking the magical Kyeganywa hill to gain notable views of the crater lakes below and the overlooking Rwenzori Mountains. Retire from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages, Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tents, Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
Gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center at 6am for briefing about the chimpanzee Habituation conduct. You head to the forest of Kibale which provides shelter to 13 primate Species including the chimpanzees. The hike through impressive forested landscapes of Kibale with lush forest cover filed with counts of birds and primates. Chimpanzee Habituation is an activity where you will get to be with the chimpanzee group under habituation the whole day in their natural setting. This means an early breakfast with packed lunch and set off before dawn breaks into the forest. You will watch the chimpanzees leave their overnight nests at around 6:00-6:30 am until they retire later in the evening.
As they go about with their days activities of copulating, feeding, breast feeding, patrolling, relaxing and displaying other skills as they play and roll around among the trees. By the end of the day you will be able to identify them from the rest through the special features, scars and marks on their bodies. You will have the encounter till 4 pm.
After this exploration, embark on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 3 hours’ drive through impressive scenic views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive at the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
If you slept inside the park, the game drive can start at 6am but if you slept outside the park, the park gates open at 7am. Kasenyi sector to the north east of the park features an extensive savannah landscape supporting a myriad of wild game including; elephants, lions, Buffaloes, leopards, Side stripped jackals, Spotted Hyenas, Antelopes like Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, water bucks, Topis among others. The area also features counts of birds that can be viewed along with wildlife. In the afternoon, you embark on boat cruise along Kazinga Channel departing at 2pm. The 2 hour boat ride offers beautiful views of the channel waters, the birds on the banks including Great Cormorants and African Skimmers and wild game drinking on the channel side like elephants, Buffaloes among others. You retreat from the activity and undertake a game drive along the channel track in Mweya peninsular as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
Following breakfast at the lodge, you set off Bwindi Impenetrable National Park traversing the Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions where you gain chances to explore these amazing creatures hanging on the tree branches in the mid day sun. Proceed to Bwindi arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp, Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park featuring a minimum of 400 mountain gorillas presents a remarkable opportunity to explore these critically endangered Apes. The trekking encounter commences at 8am at the respective gorilla trekking region with briefing conducted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority park rangers. This is followed by the trek to the forested hilly landscapes of Bwindi dubbed Impenetrable with beautiful forest cover always covered by mist in the morning, scenic slopes, abundant birdlife and eventually the mountain gorillas. The viewing of these gentle giants is limited to one hour but the entire return trek can last between 2 – 8 hours. After the trek, transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park driving along the scenic landscapes of Kigezi Highlands before being welcomed by the towering Virunga Volcanoes ahead. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Midrange / Budget: Travellers Rest Kisoro
Undertake a hike to the slopes of Mount Gahinga one of the three Volcanic Mountains in the park in search of the endangered golden monkeys. These are unique species of primate known to be thriving in the Virunga massif on a world scale. They feature a golden patch on their back and it really beautiful to view them as they jump on the bamboo branches. The direct viewing is limited to one hour while the entire trek lasts 4 hours. Retreat from the activity and embark on the drive to Volcanoes National Park crossing via Chanika border. The evening is reserved for relaxation and eventually dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
This is a second opportunity to explore the critically endangered mountain gorillas but this time in a different habitat. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga volcanoes where the remaining population of Mountain gorillas 480 thrives. The trek commences at the park headquarters Kinigi at 8am with briefing by the park rangers. However, an early arrival offers an opportunity to enjoy the traditional Kinyarwanda performance and a warm cup of home grown Rwandan coffee. After briefing, you drive to the trail head to embark on the hike through the gorilla highlands marked by lush flora and bird life. The eventual encounter with the mountain gorillas is a lifetime moment and a range of photos can be taken and questions about the gorillas can be asked. After one hour of direct viewing, you return to the starting point and embark on the transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu 110km about 2 hours drive for an evening recreation and relaxation. An optional boat cruise can be taken to explore this beautiful lake and its Islands. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Resort, Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide
After breakfast, you embark on the transfer to Bukavu in Democratic Republic of Congo. The drive takes you along the views of Lake Kivu and the Congo Nile divide trail before arriving at Cyangugu to cross the Congo border. The evening is spent in Bukavu as you await the low land gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park – the following day.
Accommodation: Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge, Budget: Hotel Horizon
After breakfast, embark on a historical adventure of tracking the low land gorillas thriving in Kahuzi Biega National Park. The low land gorilla trek is very interesting as it presents an opportunity to explore these species that are different from the common Mountain gorillas. The low land gorillas are remarkably larger in size and prefer to stay in bigger groups. The trek to these species lasts about 1 – 4 hours. Following the gorilla trek, a nature walk in the Park to explore the Tshibati falls with beautiful scenery or exploring Bukavu town. Retreat back to the hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge, Budget: Hotel Horizon
You transfer to Kigali after breakfast driving through the lush forest of Nyungwe in Rwanda and through the hilly landscapes of Southern Rwanda. You can opt to visit Murambi genocide memorial where the genocide generated dead bodies preserved with Calcium carbonate are gathered or visit the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare. Another optional stop is at Nyanza Palace to explore the heritage of the Rwandan monarchy. Proceed to Kigali to mark the end of the tour.
End of the 10 Days Primate Safari in Uganda Rwanda Congo, Long Gorilla Safari in Congo
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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