6 Day Rwanda-Uganda Chimpanzee, Gorilla and Golden Monkey Safari

Meet your guide in Kigali and begin the journey into Uganda, crossing the border at Katuna before continuing toward Lake Mburo National Park.

Arrive in the afternoon and settle in at the lodge before heading out for an evening game drive. Lake Mburo is known for its populations of zebra, impala, eland, buffalo and other plains wildlife, with the late afternoon providing good conditions for wildlife viewing.

As darkness falls, continue into the park for a night safari. With a spotlight, your guide will help you search for nocturnal species such as hyenas, leopards,  bush babies, genets, civets, hares and other animals that become active after sunset.

Start the morning on foot with a guided walking safari. Away from the vehicle, you can observe tracks, plants, birds and smaller wildlife while learning how animals use the different habitats within the park.

After breakfast, continue with a morning game drive before departing Lake Mburo for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through the changing landscapes of southwestern Uganda, with terraced hills, farmland and rural communities along the way.

Head out early for a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, one of the park’s main wildlife areas. Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs and other animals moving through the open grasslands. With patience and the right conditions, there is also a chance of encountering leopards.

Return for breakfast and some time to relax before the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

The cruise follows the waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, bringing you close to large concentrations of hippos and crocodiles. Elephants often come down to the water, while the channel supports a wide range of birds, including kingfishers, fish eagles, herons and pelicans.

Return to the lodge after the cruise and enjoy the evening at leisure.

After an early breakfast, travel to Kyambura Gorge for a guided chimpanzee trek. Descend into the forested gorge with park trackers, following signs of the resident chimpanzee community while looking out for other primates and forest birds.

The trek usually takes several hours, depending on the movements of the chimpanzees and the conditions in the gorge.

After the trek, continue south toward Bwindi. The route passes through the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where wildlife may be seen along the way. Continue into the highlands surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and arrive at your lodge later in the day.

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Once your group and gorilla family have been assigned, enter Bwindi with experienced trackers and rangers.

The trek follows forest trails through dense vegetation and uneven terrain, with the duration depending on where the gorillas are located that day. Once you find the family, spend your allocated time observing their behaviour as they feed, rest, groom and move through the forest.

After the trek, return to the lodge to rest and enjoy the remainder of the day.