5-Day Uganda and Rwanda Primates and Scenic Safari

Your safari begins with a morning pickup by your private driver-guide. You will embark on a comprehensive Kigali City Tour, featuring visits to the local craft markets and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to Rwanda’s history.

After a delicious local lunch, you will enjoy a scenic three-hour drive through Rwanda’s rolling green hills to the foothills of Volcanoes National Park. Check into your luxury base, such as the renowned Wilderness Bisate or One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, where you can relax in a high-end eco-suite while enjoying panoramic views of the Virunga volcanoes.

Early in the morning, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the bamboo forests to track the endangered golden monkeys. These vibrant primates are unique to the Virunga region and provide an active and entertaining observation experience as they jump through the canopy.

Following your trek, you will return for lunch before continuing north. Your guide will facilitate a smooth crossing at the Cyanika or Katuna border into Uganda, driving you into the mist-covered Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Spend your evening settling into a luxury jungle lodge like Buhoma Lodge or Ichumbi Lodge.

Today is the cornerstone of your safari. After an early breakfast and ranger briefing, you will plunge into the ancient Bwindi jungle in a small group to track a habituated family of mountain gorillas.

The trek can last from two to eight hours, leading you through thick vegetation until you reach your assigned family. You will have one full hour to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat, standing just meters away from the silverback and his troop. After this life-changing encounter, you will hike back to receive your trekking certificate and enjoy a quiet evening of reflection at your lodge.

After a relaxed breakfast, you will leave the dense forest behind and drive approximately two to three hours to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa. Upon arrival, you will check into your lakeside resort and embark on a private boat excursion across the water. You will visit several of the lake’s 29 islands, including the historic Punishment Island and Bushara Island, while learning about local folklore and admiring the terraced hillsides. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps swimming in the crystal-clear, bilharzia-free waters or simply enjoying the tranquil scenery.

On your final morning, enjoy a peaceful breakfast overlooking the misty lake. You will then begin your return journey across the border back into Rwanda. The drive offers one last look at the stunning Kigezi Highlands and northern Rwanda’s scenic landscapes. You will arrive back in Kigali in time for a final farewell lunch and a transfer to Kigali International Airport for your evening departure flight, concluding your 5-day primate adventure.