6-Day Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari

Detailed Itinerary Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) Your adventure begins with a warm welcome in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant and remarkably clean capital city. Meet your professional safari guide and embark on a scenic three-hour drive through the famous "Land of a Thousand Hills" to Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, optional stops can include a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Gorilla Conservation Campus, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, or a local cultural village where you can experience traditional Rwandan music, dance, and crafts. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and enjoy spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes while preparing for tomorrow’s adventure. Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park Meals: Dinner ________________________________________ Day 2 – Golden Monkey Trekking & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) After breakfast, head into Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking experience. These rare and energetic primates inhabit the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains and are known for their playful behavior and striking golden-orange fur. Guided by experienced rangers, observe them leaping through the trees and foraging in their natural habitat. Following the trek, cross the Cyanika border into Uganda and continue to the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Relax at your forest lodge surrounded by lush rainforest. Accommodation: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 3 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Today offers one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences. After an early morning briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, set off on foot into the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may last anywhere from two to six hours depending on the gorillas’ movements, but every step is rewarded when you finally come face-to-face with these gentle giants. Spend one unforgettable hour observing their family interactions, feeding habits, and playful behavior in complete silence. Return to the lodge to relax and reflect on this once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Accommodation: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 4 – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park After breakfast, depart Bwindi and travel through the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive offers stunning views of terraced hillsides, crater lakes, and rural villages before opening into expansive savannah landscapes. Depending on arrival time, enjoy an optional afternoon game drive across the Kasenyi Plains or visit a nearby community project to learn about local traditions and conservation initiatives. Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 5 – Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari Rise early for an exhilarating game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most biodiverse protected areas. Search for: • Lions • African elephants • Cape buffaloes • Uganda kobs • Waterbucks • Warthogs • Hyenas • Leopards (occasionally) After lunch, board a boat for a relaxing cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. The channel supports one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos, while crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and hundreds of bird species can often be seen along its shores, making it one of Uganda’s finest wildlife-viewing experiences. Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 6 – Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest & Return to Kigali After breakfast, travel to Kalinzu Forest Reserve for your final primate adventure. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, trek through the tropical forest in search of habituated chimpanzees while also encountering black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and numerous bird species. Following the trek, begin the scenic drive back to Kigali via the Katuna border, enjoying panoramic views of rolling hills and countryside along the way. Arrive in Kigali in time for your international departure, concluding an extraordinary East African safari. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch ________________________________________