Privately Guided 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour (Adventures of a Lifetime)

Gateway to Rwanda’s Primate Paradise

Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills! Your unforgettable 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour (Adventures of a Lifetime) begins as you touch down at Kigali International Airport, where our warm and professional Deks Safaris & Tours guide welcomes you. After a brief orientation, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, known for its cleanliness, safety, and vibrant culture. Depending on your time of arrival, you may embark on a Kigali city tour, exploring key landmarks such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and craft centers.

This initial immersion introduces you to Rwanda’s resilient history and progressive present. It’s a chance to adjust to the climate, unwind after your flight, and prepare for the primate adventures that lie ahead. Enjoy a comfortable night at your preferred accommodation, where African hospitality meets modern luxury. This brief city encounter enriches the safari by offering historical and cultural context before heading into the wild.

• Main Highlights: Kigali City Tour | Warm Welcome & Safari Briefing | Comfortable Overnight Stay
• Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collines
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Home of Rwanda’s Chimpanzees

After a hearty breakfast, your 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour continues with a scenic road transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, a haven for primates and a biodiversity hotspot. En route, you may opt to visit either the King’s Palace in Nyanza, where you’ll learn about Rwanda’s monarchical history, or the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, which showcases Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage.

Nyungwe Forest is one of Africa’s oldest and most preserved montane rainforests. It’s particularly famous for its large population of chimpanzees and 13 other primate species, making it an essential destination for anyone seeking an authentic chimpanzee trekking safari. As you approach the park, the lush hills and misty canopy foreshadow the epic encounters that await.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge nestled on the forest edge, where you can relax and soak in the pristine natural surroundings. Prepare for the upcoming chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest, an experience that promises to be both educational and emotionally stirring.

• Main Highlights: Scenic Drive | Cultural Stopovers | Arrival at Nyungwe Forest | Lodge Check-In
• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest

Get ready for one of the most exhilarating experiences of the 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour — chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest. Wake up early and head to the ranger station for a pre-trek briefing. The trek typically begins at either Uwinka or Cyamudongo trailheads. Alongside expert park rangers, you’ll hike deep into the jungle, listening for distant hoots and rustling foliage that signal the presence of a chimpanzee troop.

The thrill of standing just meters away from these intelligent primates, observing their social interactions, grooming rituals, and playful antics, is unmatched. This rare opportunity to witness our closest living relatives in their natural home makes for a profound connection with nature. After your one-hour interaction, return to the lodge for a brief rest.

Later in the day, embark on a canopy walk adventure, one of the few of its kind in East Africa. Suspended 60 meters above the forest floor, this walk offers panoramic views of the forest canopy, birds, butterflies, and possibly more primates. Together, the chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk create a day packed with adrenaline, awe, and education.

• Main Highlights: Chimpanzee Trekking | Canopy Walk | Primates & Birdlife | Scenic Forest Trails
• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Scenic Drive to Gorilla Country

After breakfast, your 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour heads north to Volcanoes National Park, the legendary home of mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda. The journey through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside — often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” — is itself a highlight. Winding roads, terraced hills, and glimpses of Lake Kivu offer perfect photo opportunities.

Keep your camera ready as your guide shares insights into the daily lives of rural Rwandans and the region’s conservation efforts. This six-hour drive is not only a transition between national parks but also a cultural experience as you pass villages, plantations, and bustling town centers.

Upon arrival, check into your selected lodge close to the park’s boundary. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax, acclimate, and prepare mentally for the next day’s unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy dinner with views of the Virunga Mountains in the background, a prelude to the primal beauty awaiting you.

• Main Highlights: Road Transfer | Scenic Landscapes | Lake Kivu Views | Lodge Stay near Volcanoes NP
• Accommodation: Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter

Few experiences rival the emotional gravity of a gorilla trekking adventure. Today, the 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour reaches a pinnacle moment as you rise early and head to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing. Grouped according to fitness levels and gorilla family locations, you’ll venture into the mist-covered slopes of the Virunga Mountains.

The trek can range from one to several hours depending on gorilla movement, but the reward is beyond measure. When you finally locate your assigned gorilla family, you’ll spend one awe-inspiring hour observing their behavior, from playful juveniles tumbling through bamboo thickets to silverbacks maintaining group order. This is conservation in action — Rwanda’s sustainable ecotourism model is one of the most respected in the world.

Optional afternoon activity: Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Kivu, known for its tranquil waters and stunning lakeside scenery. Return to your lodge to relive the day’s magical moments over a delicious dinner.

• Main Highlights: Gorilla Trekking | Virunga Volcanoes | Conservation Success | Optional Lake Kivu Cruise
• Accommodation: Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Wake up refreshed and ready to continue your 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour with a scenic transfer to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Cyanika border. The border crossing process is smooth, and your Deks Safaris & Tours driver-guide ensures a seamless transition.

As you leave the Rwandan hills behind, the landscape transforms into Uganda’s Kigezi Highlands, often called the “Switzerland of Africa.” This region is rich in culture, and you may have opportunities to stop at local craft markets or scenic viewpoints along the way.

Arrive at your lodge near the southern section of Bwindi — either Rushaga or Nkuringo — and prepare for another encounter with mountain gorillas, this time in a more rugged and densely vegetated environment. Bwindi offers a different experience altogether, with steep ridges, ancient trees, and rich biodiversity.

• Main Highlights: Border Crossing | Scenic Transfer | Arrival in Bwindi | Overnight Lodge Stay
• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

A Second Chance at Magic

Day seven of the 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour offers another golden opportunity for mountain gorilla trekking, this time in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The experience here differs from Volcanoes National Park due to the denser forest, steeper slopes, and varied flora.

After breakfast, you’ll report to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing before venturing into the jungle with armed rangers and expert trackers. Bwindi is home to nearly half the world’s mountain gorilla population, and each trek is a unique journey through some of the world’s most biodiverse rainforest.

Spending a second day with gorillas not only increases your chances of observing different behaviors but also deepens your appreciation of conservation efforts in Uganda. Trekking in both countries offers a rare comparative experience, enhancing the value of this gorilla safari in Africa.

• Main Highlights: Gorilla Trekking in Uganda | UNESCO World Heritage Site | Rich Flora & Fauna
• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Queen Elizabeth National Park (via Ishasha Sector)

Enjoy an early breakfast before embarking on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through the Ishasha Sector—famous for its rare tree-climbing lions (depending on the Bwindi sector you’re coming from).

Arrive in the park in time for a relaxing afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. This channel is a haven for hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and numerous bird species, offering fantastic photo opportunities and rich narration by your guide.

After the boat cruise (lasting 2–3 hours), enjoy a brief game drive en route to your lodge. Check in, freshen up, and later, have dinner and overnight at your selected accommodation.

• Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Queen Elizabeth NP and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a prime area for spotting Uganda kobs, and the predators that stalk them, especially lions. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, and a wide range of bird species.

Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast, then check out and begin your 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour journey to Kibale Forest National Park—Uganda’s top destination for chimpanzee trekking. Enjoy a lunch stop in Kasese or opt for a picnic lunch en route, depending on your preference.

Arrive in the late afternoon and check in at your lodge. Relax, have dinner, and prepare for the exciting day ahead.

• Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Swamp Walk

After breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing before your chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale National Park, a pristine tropical rainforest covering 795 km² and home to 13 species of primates.

During the trek, you may encounter black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and a variety of birds and butterflies. Once you locate a chimpanzee troop, you’ll spend a full hour in their presence—observing their social behavior, vocal communication, and interactions.

Be sure to turn off your camera flash while taking photos. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest.

In the afternoon, visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-led conservation initiative known for its rich biodiversity and cultural significance. Expect to see more monkeys, birds, and possibly the elusive sitatunga antelope.

• Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Transfer from Kibale Forest to Entebbe (via Kampala)

After an early breakfast, embark on your final scenic drive back to Entebbe, passing through Kampala. You’ll enjoy a lunch stop along the way before proceeding to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

This marks the end of your unforgettable 11-day Uganda and Rwanda Primate & Wildlife Safari—filled with breathtaking landscapes, incredible encounters with gorillas and chimpanzees, and unforgettable moments in the African wilderness.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

What Makes the 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour So Exceptional?

This 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour (Adventures of a Lifetime) is designed to capture the heart of Africa’s biodiversity. Starting in Kigali, Rwanda, the tour proceeds through the scenic Nyungwe Forest for Chimpanzee Trekking and a canopy walk, then continues to Volcanoes National Park for an emotional Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda experience. Crossing into Uganda, the tour proceeds to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for another extraordinary Uganda Gorilla Trekking adventure, followed by a wildlife-packed journey through Queen Elizabeth National Park and a thrilling Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Kibale Forest National Park.

The magic of this 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour lies in the primates you encounter and the diverse ecosystems they inhabit—from the thick jungles of Bwindi to the montane rainforest of Nyungwe and the lowland forests of Kibale. Each location offers a unique habitat and thus, a unique trekking experience, making this itinerary the perfect combination for anyone passionate about Uganda Chimpanzee Tours, Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda, and Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris.

Beyond wildlife, this 11 Days Safari integrates Rwandan and Ugandan cultural experiences. From visiting the King’s Palace in Nyanza to engaging with Batwa communities near Bwindi, travelers gain deep insights into the traditions, crafts, and resilience of local communities. For those interested in Combining Uganda Gorilla Trekking with cultural tourism, this tour delivers precisely that.

Why Choose Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd?

Deks Safaris & Tours leverages years of field experience, local partnerships, and a deep understanding of East Africa’s tourism dynamics to provide a trustworthy and informative guide that meets the principles of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Africa or a seasoned safari-goer, this 11 Days Uganda Rwanda Primates Tour combines adrenaline-filled primate treks with cultural treasures and serene natural beauty, making it a top choice for adventure lovers, wildlife photographers, conservation enthusiasts, and cultural explorers. This isn’t just a holiday; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime African primate tour that promises memories that will last forever.