14 Days Best of Rwanda and Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps & Golden Monkeys

Nyungwe Forest • Lake Kivu • Golden Monkeys • Bwindi Gorillas • Queen Elizabeth NP • Kibale Chimpanzees • Kigali

A midrange-lodge itinerary combining Rwanda’s forests and volcanoes with Uganda’s gorilla, savanna, and chimpanzee highlights.

Trip Snapshot

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive Kigali

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, met and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure or an optional city tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the vibrant Kimironko Market. Overnight Kigali. Lodge: Ikigabiro Boutique Hotel / Manor Hotel Kigali / Dolce Vita Kigali (midrange, ~$90–150/night)

Day 2 — Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Early departure, driving south through Rwanda’s terraced hills (~6–7 hours) via Butare (Huye), home to the National Museum, with an optional stop en route. Arrive Nyungwe in the afternoon; sundowner overlooking the forest canopy. Lodge: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange, ~$150–250/night)

Day 3 — Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk, Nyungwe

Early-morning chimpanzee trek in one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests (trek duration 2–6 hours). In the afternoon, walk the Igishigishigi Canopy Walk, a 160m suspension bridge 50–70m above the forest floor — East Africa’s only such walkway. Lodge: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (same as previous night)

Day 4 — Nyungwe to Lake Kivu

Morning drive (~2 hours) to Rwanda’s stunning Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Afternoon free to relax lakeside, kayak, or take a boat cruise past terraced coffee-growing islands. Lodge: Emeraude Kivu Resort, Kibuye/Rubavu (midrange, ~$70–100 per person/night) or Cormoran Lodge, Kibuye

Day 5 — Lake Kivu to Musanze (Volcanoes National Park area)

Morning at leisure on the lake — optional coffee-farm visit or boat trip. Afternoon drive (~2.5–3 hours) to Musanze (Ruhengeri), gateway town to Volcanoes National Park. Lodge: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (midrange, ~$100–250 per person/night)

Day 6 — Golden Monkey Trekking, Volcanoes National Park

Early briefing at park headquarters (Kinigi), followed by a trek through bamboo forest to track one of two habituated troops of endangered golden monkeys (each about 80 members). One hour spent observing the playful primates. Afternoon at leisure — optional visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village or Dian Fossey exhibits. Lodge: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (same as previous night)

Day 7 — Musanze (Rwanda) to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)

Depart for the Cyanika border crossing into Uganda (roughly 1.5 hours from Musanze), then continue via Kisoro to Bwindi’s southern sectors (Rushaga or Nkuringo), roughly 2–3 hours total driving plus border formalities. Scenic terraced-hill views throughout. Overnight near your gorilla trekking sector. Lodge: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp / Rushaga Gorilla Camp (midrange, ~$100–200 per person/night)

Day 8 — Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi

Early briefing at the park headquarters, then trek through Bwindi’s dense, ancient rainforest (trek duration 2–6 hours depending on gorilla movement) to spend one unforgettable hour with a habituated gorilla family. Afternoon at leisure to relax and reflect. Lodge: Same lodge as previous night

Day 9 — Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Drive north (~4–5 hours) via the scenic Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions — a good spot for an en-route game drive before continuing into the main Queen Elizabeth National Park area (Mweya/Kasenyi sector). Lodge: Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge / Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (midrange, ~$75–185 per person/night)

Day 10 — Queen Elizabeth National Park: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Cruise

Early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob, and hyena. Midday boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, renowned for its dense hippo and bird concentrations, with excellent elephant sightings along the shore. Optional afternoon visit to Kyambura Gorge (chimpanzee tracking, sold separately at ~$100/permit) if you’d like a second primate encounter. Lodge: Same as previous night

Day 11 — Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale Forest National Park

Morning transfer (~2.5–3 hours) north to Kibale, “the primate capital of East Africa,” via Fort Portal, passing crater lakes and tea plantations. Afternoon at leisure — optional Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nature walk in search of monkeys and birdlife. Lodge: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Isunga Lodge / Kibale Forest Camp (midrange, ~$120–250 per person/night)

Day 12 — Chimpanzee Tracking, Kibale Forest

Early-morning briefing followed by a guided forest walk (typically 2–4 hours) in search of Kibale’s habituated chimpanzee community — Uganda’s largest, with the country’s highest chimp density. One hour observing the group once located. Afternoon free, or add the guided Bigodi Wetland walk if not done the previous day. Lodge: Same as previous night

Day 13 — Kibale to Kigali (via Katuna/Gatuna Border)

Long but scenic overland day (~7–8 hours), driving south through Mbarara to the Katuna/Gatuna border crossing back into Rwanda, then on to Kigali. (Alternative: fly Kasese/Kihihi–Entebbe and connect onward, or overnight in Kabale/Musanze to break up the drive — ask about this option if you’d prefer a shorter final travel day.) Lodge: Kigali midrange hotel (same as Day 1)

Day 14 — Departure

Free morning — optional visit to Kigali’s Inema Arts Center, Kandt House Museum, or last-minute souvenir shopping at Caplaki Craft Village. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.

Midrange Lodge Price Guide by Park/Region

All figures in USD, approximate 2026 rates, subject to season and availability — always reconfirm directly or through an operator before booking.

2026 Permit & Activity Cost Guide (per person)

Notes:

• Gorilla permits are non-refundable, non-transferable, and should be booked 3–6 months ahead — they sell out fast in peak months (June–September, December–February).
• Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15; for golden monkey and chimp trekking it is generally 12–15, depending on the park.
• Rwanda occasionally offers 30% discounted gorilla permits (from $1,500 to $1,050) for travellers who also spend 2+ nights visiting Nyungwe or Akagera during the November–May low season — this itinerary already includes Nyungwe, so it’s worth asking your operator whether you qualify.
• None of the above-mentioned permit prices includes park entrance fees (usually bundled in), transport, meals, or accommodation.

Practical Notes

• Visas: Rwanda and Uganda are both part of the East African Tourist Visa scheme, which (when available) allows travel between Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya on a single visa. Confirm current visa rules before travel, as policies change.
• Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF) in Rwanda, Ugandan Shilling (UGX) in Uganda; USD is widely accepted for permits, lodges, and larger payments in both countries (bring newer, unmarked bills).
• Fitness: Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking can involve several hours of hiking on steep, muddy terrain at altitude. A reasonable fitness level is recommended; porters are available (~$15–20/day) and highly worthwhile.
• Packing: Sturdy waterproof hiking boots, gardening-style gloves (for gripping vegetation), long trousers/sleeves, rain jacket, and a daypack.
• Vehicle: A 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide is strongly recommended for the whole circuit, particularly for the Ishasha and Kibale approach roads.
• Border crossings: Both Cyanika and Katuna/Gatuna are well-established, relatively efficient land borders; carry your passport, yellow fever certificate, and any visa documentation.

This itinerary is a flexible template — lodge choices, pacing, and the Day 13 return route (overland vs. a broken-up two-day drive, or flying a domestic leg) can all be adjusted to your budget and preferences.