16 Days Rwanda to Uganda: Gorillas, Chimps, Golden Monkeys & Big Game
Kigali to Entebbe | Gorillas, Chimps, Golden Monkeys, Tree-Climbing Lions & More
Route Overview
Kigali → Nyungwe Forest → Volcanoes NP → Bwindi Impenetrable Forest → Queen Elizabeth NP → Kibale Forest → Entebbe
This route is built to avoid backtracking: it dips south to Nyungwe first, comes back up to the Virunga volcanoes, then crosses into Uganda at the Cyanika border post (only ~1–2 hours from both Volcanoes NP and southern Bwindi), before looping through Uganda’s classic primate/savanna circuit to Entebbe.
DAY 1 — Arrive Kigali
Arrive Kigali International Airport, transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon in the city: the Kigali Genocide Memorial is essential and sobering, and a walk or coffee stop in the Kimironko Market / Nyamirambo neighbourhood gives a good feel for the city. Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills” scenery starts right in the capital. Overnight: Kigali
DAY 2 — Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Depart early for the drive south to Nyungwe (roughly 5–6 hours, ~230 km), with a stop in Huye (Butare), home to the excellent Ethnographic Museum, and often the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza en route. The road climbs into tea plantations and misty tropical mountain rainforest — one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse forests, and the source of the Congo and Nile watersheds. Overnight: Nyungwe Top View Hotel Forest.
DAY 3 — Nyungwe Forest: Chimpanzee Trekking
Nyungwe is one of only two places in Rwanda where chimpanzees can be tracked (the other, Gishwati, is far less developed for tourism). Early departure for chimpanzee trekking with rangers — treks can range from under an hour to several hours through steep, dense forest, as Nyungwe’s chimps are less habituated and more mobile than Uganda’s. In the afternoon, rest or take a shorter drive to the Unika headquarters for a zipline; keep an eye out for L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, and a huge variety of birds and orchids. Overnight: Nyungwe Top View Hotel.
DAY 4 — Nyungwe Canopy Walk, Waterfall Hike & Colobus Monkeys
Nyungwe’s signature activity is the canopy walkway — a suspension bridge strung 70m above the forest floor with sweeping views over the valley. Combine it with the Igishigishigi Trail. In the afternoon, hike the Isumo Waterfall Trail through dense rainforest to a dramatic waterfall — a good moderate hike through genuinely wild jungle. Nyungwe is also the best place in the region to see a truly enormous troop of Angolan colobus monkeys — groups here can number 300–400 individuals, one of the largest arboreal primate troops in Africa, moving through the canopy in a spectacular cascade. The guide will prioritise the colobus trail that morning, as troop movements vary day to day. Overnight: Nyungwe Hilltop Hotel.
DAY 5 — Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park
Drive north to Musanze/Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes (roughly 3–4 hours, often routed back via Lake Kivu belt or the more direct western road. Arrive in time to settle in and enjoy views of the volcanic peaks (Bisoke, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo). Overnight: Mountain Gorilla view Lodge.
DAY 6 — Golden Monkey Tracking + Dian Fossey Hike
Morning golden monkey tracking — a lighter, faster-paced trek (often 1–2 hours) to a habituated troop on the bamboo-forested slopes of Sabyinyo. Golden monkeys are endangered, restricted to the Virunga/Albertine Rift region, acrobatic, and often approach visitors out of curiosity — a wonderful, less strenuous counterpart to gorilla trekking. In the afternoon, consider a shorter cultural visit (Iby’wachu Cultural Village) if you’d rather rest up before the gorilla trek. Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
DAY 7 — Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
The centrepiece day. Early briefing at Kinigi park headquarters, then a guided trek — anywhere from under an hour to several hours through montane and bamboo forest, at altitudes up to ~3,000m — to spend one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family. Rwanda’s treks tend to be shorter and less muddy than Uganda’s, though still a real mountain hike. Porters are available and well worth hiring. Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
DAY 8 — Cross into Uganda: Volcanoes NP to Bwindi (Rushaga)
Cross the Rwanda–Uganda border at Cyanika, one of the more efficient and scenic crossings in the region, then continue to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the far southwest of Uganda (roughly 2–3 hours total). Rushaga is the sector where Uganda’s Gorilla Habituation Experience takes place, so basing here sets up tomorrow perfectly. Afternoon at leisure — take a simple community walk to the Batwa people living at the edge of the Forest. Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
DAY 9 — Gorilla Habituation Experience
Uganda’s signature primate experience, and unique in the region — it’s only offered in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector, not in Rwanda or the DRC. You join researchers, trackers and rangers (groups limited to just 4 visitors) to spend up to four hours with a gorilla family still in the habituation process, rather than the standard one hour. It’s a longer, more physically demanding day, but a genuinely different and more intimate experience — watching researchers work, observing more natural gorilla behaviour, and going deeper into the forest than standard trekking allows. Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
DAY 10 — Second Gorilla Trek.
A second, standard gorilla trek with a different family is a wonderful option here (no two encounters are alike, and Bwindi’s forest—genuinely “impenetrable,” tangled, and ancient—feels completely different from the Virunga volcanic slopes). Use the rest of the afternoon to rest at the lodge and stretch your muscles. Dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
DAY 11 — Bwindi to Ishasha: Tree-Climbing Lions (Queen Elizabeth National Park)
Ishasha is famous for one of only a handful of populations in Africa where lions regularly climb trees — usually draped along the limbs of the sprawling fig trees that dot the plains, a behaviour thought to be linked to escaping heat, biting flies, or simply getting a vantage point. You will get here in the afternoon hours and take a game drive game drive scanning the fig trees, alongside Uganda kob, buffalo, and elephant. Overnight: Enjojo Safari Lodge.
DAY 12 — Ishasha to Mweya. Kazinga Channel Boat Safari.
A morning game drive in Ishasha, head to Mweya the park’s other signature experience: a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway linking Lakes Edward and George. It reliably delivers one of the highest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles in Africa, plus buffalo herds, elephants coming to drink, and prolific birdlife (African fish eagles, pelicans, kingfishers, skimmers). In the afternoon, take a game drive in the Kasenyi plains – you will have a chance to spot different mammals including the big cats. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Bush Lodge Queen Elizabeth National Park
DAY 13 — Queen Elizabeth NP to Kibale Forest via Bigodi Wetland
Drive north via the Kichwamba escarpment to the Kibale/Fort Portal area (roughly 2–3 hours), with sweeping Rift Valley views along the way. In the afternoon, walk the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary on the edge of Kibale — an excellent, easy-going nature walk (not a park permit activity, so a nice low-key add-on) known for black-and-white colobus monkeys, red colobus, and exceptional birding including the great blue turaco. Overnight: Crater Safari Lodge.
DAY 14 — Kibale Forest: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Kibale is Uganda’s chimpanzee capital and holds one of the highest primate densities in Africa — 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, red colobus, L’Hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and olive baboons. Take the full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, which puts you with researchers following a community from their morning nest exit into the evening, moving at the chimps’ pace through the forest. It’s a long day but by far the richest way to experience Kibale, and far less crowded than standard trekking. Overnight: Crater Safari lodge.
DAY 15 — Kibale to Entebbe
Transfer to Entebbe, either by road (roughly 6–7 hours, break the drive with a stop at one of the Fort Portal crater lakes. Arrive Entebbe by evening. Overnight: Entebbe Protea Hotel.
DAY 16 — Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Excursion & Departure
Before your flight, a half-day canoe excursion into Mabamba Bay Wetland on Lake Victoria, just outside Entebbe, is one of the best unusual-wildlife opportunities in the region: it’s one of the most reliable places on Earth to see the extraordinary, prehistoric-looking shoebill stork, a species few travelers ever encounter, alongside African jacanas, malachite kingfishers, and papyrus specialists. A relaxed, quiet paddle through papyrus channels — a wonderful low-key finale after two weeks of trekking. Depending on flight time, spend remaining hours at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens on Lake Victoria before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.
Booking lead time: Gorilla permits (both countries) and the Habituation Experiences should be secured 6–12 months ahead for peak season (June–September, December–February); shoulder months can sometimes be booked with less notice.
Fitness: This is an active itinerary — gorilla and chimp trekking involve unpredictable hiking at altitude on steep, sometimes muddy terrain. A reasonable baseline fitness level and good waterproof hiking boots matter more than raw endurance; porters can carry your bag and give a hand on steep sections, and hiring one is both practical and directly supports local livelihoods.
Border crossing: Cyanika (Rwanda) / Kisoro side (Uganda) is straightforward for most nationalities with a valid East Africa Tourist Visa (covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya on one visa) — confirm current visa requirements for your nationality before travel.
The safari package includes the following:
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari Land cruiser – Private travel.
- Professional private guide
- Accommodation on a mid-range, (Deluxe Rooms) full-board basis
- En ’route lunch and bottled water throughout the trip.
- All park entrance fees
- 4 Gorilla permits (Gorilla trekking experience) – Rwanda and Uganda
- 2 Gorilla habituation permits – Bwindi National Park
- 2 Chimpanzee tracking permits (Nyungwe in Rwanda)
- 2 Chimpanzee habituation permits (Kibale National Park – Uganda)
- 2 Golden monkey tracking permits (Volcanoes National Park)
- Community and nature walks (Volcanoes, Bwindi and Mabamba wetland)
- Boat cruises (Kazinga Channel)
Not Included:
- International flights
- Visa costs
- Medical insurance
- Travel insurance
- Selected Drinks
- Gratuities
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Other activities
Accommodations
There are several accommodation styles to choose from at each location, depending on your holiday preferences and travel budget. Every destination on your safari itinerary offers a range of options, from basic tented camps and simple lodges for budget-conscious travelers, to midrange properties that balance comfort and value, all the way up to luxury safari lodges and exclusive up-market retreats for those seeking a more indulgent experience.
Whether you’re looking for a no-frills base camp close to the action or a lavish lodge with premium amenities and personalized service, there’s something to suit every style of traveler. This variety allows you to tailor your safari experience to match both your comfort expectations and your budget, without compromising on the quality of wildlife encounters.
The properties highlighted below are some of the recommended midrange lodges you can consider when planning a midrange safari package — offering comfortable accommodation, good service, and excellent value for your money.
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
Sits on an isolated hilltop near Gisakura, just minutes from Nyungwe Forest National Park’s headquarters. Since opening, it has become known for arguably the most striking views in the Nyungwe area, reached via a steep dirt track off the main road. The property has 12 rooms — four twin and eight double — each with its own sitting area, a cozy fireplace, and a private balcony overlooking sunrise or sunset across tea plantations, forest, and Lake Kivu. Built with red-brick cottages, it opened in 2011 and sits on the electric grid, so power is reliable. An open-terrace restaurant and bar complete the setup, making it a relaxed, scenic base for exploring Nyungwe’s rainforest trails and primate trekking.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
In Kinigi, on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, tucked into the foothills of Mount Karisimbi within the Virunga Massif. It’s a budget-friendly ecolodge with 30 rustic stone-and-thatch chalets, each featuring a cozy sitting area, fireplace, and private ensuite bathroom. Just a short drive from the park headquarters where gorilla treks begin, it’s an ideal base for early-morning departures into the forest. The main lodge houses a restaurant, bar, and lounge, serving hearty meals made with farm-fresh, locally sourced produce. Beyond gorilla trekking, guests can enjoy golden monkey tracking, birdwatching, nature walks, and visits to Dian Fossey’s grave — all set against sweeping views of the mist-covered Virunga volcanoes.
Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
This facility sits on six acres bordering Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, just a short walk from the Rushaga trailhead in the park’s southern sector. This mid-range lodge blends comfort with affordability, offering rooms with forest views, en-suite bathrooms, and private balconies overlooking the surrounding hills. Guests can relax at the bar and lounge or dine while taking in the peaceful, forest-fringed setting after a day of trekking.
Beyond gorilla treks, the camp is well placed for birdwatching and community cultural visits, and its proximity to the trailhead cuts down travel time on trekking mornings. It’s a solid choice for travelers wanting easy access to Rushaga’s habituated gorilla families without splurging on ultra-luxury lodging.
Enjojo Lodge
Located just minutes from the Ishasha entrance gate of Queen Elizabeth National Park, its name meaning “elephant” in Rukiga after a baby elephant born on the property during construction. Spread across 40 hectares of acacia forest, palm groves, and grassland, the solar-powered lodge is built entirely from local materials by local craftsmen. Accommodation ranges from luxury cottages with en-suite outdoor showers to a family-sized safari house, bamboo huts, and canvas tents, suiting varied budgets. Guests relax on wide verandas overlooking a small lake frequented by elephants, buffalo, and antelope, while vervet monkeys, baboons, and colobus monkeys roam the grounds. It’s an ideal base for spotting Ishasha’s famous tree-climbing lions.
Bush Lodge
This tented lodge sits in the heart of Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, right on the edge of the game-rich Kazinga Channel. It’s an eco-friendly, no-frills property built according to ecological principles, with 12 spaciously spread bandas (traditional huts) raised on wooden platforms and crafted from canvas and local materials. Each banda has a private terrace overlooking the seasonal Kamera River, and animals roam freely through camp, with hippos and hyenas providing the nighttime soundtrack. Guests can enjoy daily game drives across the Kasenyi Plains and Ishasha sector, Kazinga Channel boat cruises, and chimpanzee trekking in nearby Kyambura Gorge — making it an ideal, authentic base for exploring the park and combining easily with gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
Crater Safari Lodge.
Found in Kibale at the rim of Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake, just outside Kibale Forest National Park in south-western Uganda, roughly 7 km from the park entrance. This solar-powered eco-lodge blends thatch-and-timber chalets and cabanas with wooden decks, fireplaces, and garden or lake views, offering an intimate, low-impact base for exploring the surrounding rainforest. There are nine thatched cottages, including a honeymoon cottage and two family cottages, plus ten standard cabanas overlooking the gardens and pool. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, mobile spa, craft shop, and lakeside campfire area. Its prime draw is proximity to Kibale’s famed chimpanzee trekking, alongside birding, hiking, fishing, and cultural excursions.
