9 Days Wildlife Tour Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari – Overview

The 9 Days Wildlife Tour Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari starts in Rwanda Kigali and ends in Uganda Entebbe.

The safari takes you through Gisozi genocide memorial, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, golden Monkey tracking on Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, overnight on the Lake of a thousand Islands, wild game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park and double Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge and the Kibale National Park. It is a wonderful primate safari that is worth undertaking.

9 Days Wildlife Tour Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali Rwanda, visit Gisozi genocide memorial & transfer to Volcanoes National Park driving in the land of a thousand hills

Day 2: Do gorilla trekking in the slopes of Virunga Massif & cross to Uganda

Day 3: Do Golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Virunga ranges) & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon along the scenic Kisoro – Kabale Road

Day 4: Do a sun rise boat cruise exploring the Lake of a thousand Islands & transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the afternoon driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands dubbed the Switzerland of Africa

Day 5: Do gorilla trekking in the forested hilly landscapes of Bwindi dubbed Impenetrable & have an afternoon relaxation at the lodge. You can do an optional Batwa Community tour

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive through the southern sector of Ishasha in search of tree climbing lions

Day 7: Do Morning game drive in the rolling Savannah plains of Kasenyi & afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos – the 45km long Kazinga Channel

Day 8: Do Morning Chimpanzee trekking in the Valley of Apes – the famous Kyambura gorge & transfer to Kibale Forest National Park in the afternoon driving along the Mountains of the moon – the Rwenzoris

Day 9: Do Morning Chimpanzee trekking in the Primate Capital of the World along with other 12 species of Primates & then transfer to Kampala in the afternoon arriving in the evening to prepare for your night flight.

9 Days Wildlife Tour Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali Rwanda, Visit Gisozi Genocide Memorial & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park Driving in The Land of a Thousand Hills

After breakfast, embark on the tour of the Kigali genocide memorial in Gisozi where counts of Rwandese dominantly from the Tutsi ethnicity and moderate Hutus lay in memory following their slain in cold blood in 1994 genocide that hit Rwanda.

You will listen to the sorrowful account of genocide and the lasting effect that it bestowed on Rwanda not forgetting the hearing the reconciliation efforts that the country has employed in order to prevent any tragedy of that sort in the future.

From the genocide site, you will embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park 116km about 2 -3 hours’ drive in the north west of Rwanda driving along the rolling hills of Rwanda that have earned it a dub as the land of a thousand hills. You will arrive in the evening for relaxation dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Mount Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Hotel La Palme (Midrange/Standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget/Basic).

Day 2: Do Gorilla Trekking in The Slopes of Virunga Massif & Cross to Uganda (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park)

After breakfast, gather at the Kinigi Park headquarters at 8am to start with a briefing session from the rangers about the gorilla trekking conduct.

The before trek experience is spiced by a cup of coffee grown from the Rwandan soils amidst traditional Kinyarwanda performances. After this session, you will be allocated a respective gorilla family to track and head to the forest in the slopes of Virunga Volcanoes in search of the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

The trek for the gorillas is one of the lifetime experiences that you will always wonder to have had. Hiking the slopes and challenging landscapes is an experience in its self while the magical scenery of the Virunga Volcanoes, the rolling hills of Rwanda, impressive flora and the birds combine to make the gorilla trek to go beyond only gorillas.

The one hour of direct encounter with the gorillas is availed to you upon reaching them and will be utilized maximum by asking the questions that you wish to know about gorillas from the Ranger, taking life time pictures and viewing of the gorillas themselves.

Retreat from the activity which tends to last 2 – 8 hours to the starting point after your picnic lunch and then transfer to Uganda and Mgahinga Gorilla national Park in particular for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Midrange/Standard) or Amajambere iwacu Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 3: Do Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Virunga ranges) & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, gather at the Mgahinga Park Headquarters at Ntebeko at 8am to prepare for the golden Monkey tracking encounter.

The golden Monkeys are also critically endangered worldwide with their populations thriving only in the Virunga Massif which is shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The trek to the golden monkeys that thrive in the Bamboo Zone of Mount Gahinga takes about 4 hours and involves of other experiences including the bird sights, mountain scenery, amazing flora and the golden monkeys themselves with their beautiful golden patch on their back.

Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi driving along the scenic Kisoro – Kabale Road arriving in the afternoon relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-Resort (Midrange/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic).

Day 5: Do a Sunrise Boat Cruise Exploring The Lake of a Thousand Islands & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, you will embark on the sunrise boat cruise on the Lake of a thousand Islands – Lake Bunyonyi exploring its main Islands while listening to the local stories about the Lake and its Islands from the local guide.

The sights of the birds like Cormorants may not be missed while the magical scenery of Kigezi Highlands will all be around you.

Retreat from the activity and return to lodge for lunch and after which you will embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the fascinating Kigezi Highlands for relaxation dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: Do Gorilla Trekking in The Forested Hilly Landscapes of Bwindi Dubbed Impenetrable & Have an Afternoon Relaxation at The Lodge.

Gather at the respective park headquarter in the morning after an early heavy breakfast for briefing about the gorilla trekking encounter by the park rangers at 8am.

After briefing, you will head to the forest for the thrilling gorilla trekking adventure. The hike across the varied landscapes of Bwindi marked with deep valleys, steep hills and dense vegetation cover is very rewarding.

The moment you come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one those must list moments that you can ever encounter in the life time.

The gorilla trek lasts between 2 – 8 hours and after the one full hour of direct encounter with them; you will return the starting point and transfer to the lodge for an afternoon relaxation.

In the afternoon, you can do an optional Batwa Community tour to encounter one of the last groups of the short surivign people in the world with their unique ancient heritage. Retire for dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive Through The Southern Sector of Ishasha in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

After breakfast, embark in the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 316km from Nkuringo, 309km from Rushaga, 218km from Ruhija and 160km from Buhoma driving along the rural landscapes of Kanungu and the small trading Centers.

Upon reaching Ishasha sector on the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will do a game drive in search of tree climbing lions that tend to hung on the branches of fig trees during day time.

The possibility of encountering them along with other wild game such as the Kobs and water buck not forgetting the buffaloes and elephants provide you with remarkable memories once successful.

Continue on the drive to the upper parts of Queen Elizabeth National park for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Do Morning Game Drive in The Rolling Savannah Plains of Kasenyi & Afternoon Boat Cruise

After breakfast, embark on a thrilling game drive across the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park that stretch across the Albertine flats.

The game drive which starts as early as 6am offers you possibilities of encountering a range of wild game including four of the Big five Land Animals including lions, leopard, elephants and buffaloes.

The well placed tracks in Kasenyi traverse a common dwelling for this wild game with additions of side stripped jackals, water buck, Uganda Kobs, among others.

The activity tend to take 3 – 4 hours after which you will return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you will drive to Mweya jetty in the afternoon fir a thrilling boat cruise along the paradise of Hippos – the 45km long Kazinga Channel which adjoins Lake Edward and George with overlooking sights of Democratic Republic of Congo.

The range of birds, Nile crocodiles, Hippos and other wild game drinking on the channel side may not be missed.

Retreat from the 2 hour activity, do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Do Morning Chimpanzee Trekking in The Valley of Apes & Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park in The Afternoon Driving Along The Mountains Of The Moon

After breakfast, transfer to the Kyambura gorge in the East of Queen Elizabeth National Park commonly referred to as the Valley of Apes for a thrilling Chimpanzee trekking encounter beginning at 8am.

The hike through the steep sides of the gorge marked with lush tropical forest thriving below sea level with the views of the River lowing on the gorge floor add spice to the entire experience.

The encounter with chimps as they roll themselves in the tree branches, gather fruit, make pant hooting calls and socialize will make your one hour direct encounter with them memorable.

Retreat from the activity which tends to last 2 – 5 hours and embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park arriving in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 9 : Do Morning Chimpanzee Trekking in The Primate Capital of The World  & in The Evening to Prepare For Your Night Flight

After an early breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center for briefing at 8am about the conduct of Chimpanzee trekking experience.

After briefing, you follow the park ranger heading to the pristine forest of Kibale which is a haven of 13 Primate species among which include the common chimpanzees, colobus monkeys among others.

The trek through the forest might expose you to counts of birds in Kibale Forest and its remarkable flora before approaching the habituated chimpanzees.

The one hour is availed to you to maximally explore these Apes in detail including their sound calls, social behavior, structure, and playful tactics among others.

Retreat from the activity that tend to last 2 – 5 hours to embark on the drive to Kampala 358km about 6 – 7 hours’ drive arriving in the evening for your night flight through Entebbe International Airport.

End of the 9 Days Wildlife Tour Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari.