14-Days Rwanda-Uganda Luxury Gorilla Habituation Experience
Overview
With our 14-day luxury safari, you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world’s great apes in their natural habitat. This special combined Rwanda and Uganda safari covers both primate and big game safari destinations. The key primate safari destinations to be explored include Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), Bwindi National Park, and Kibale National Park (Uganda). The main game safari parks to be visited include Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park. This extensive luxury Rwanda-Uganda safari begins in Kigali and ends in Entebbe or Kampala.
Based on 2 persons: $11000USD.
Based on 3 persons: $9999USD.
Based on 4 persons: $8999USD.
Day 01 :
Welcome to Rwanda – City Tour, Memorial Sites & Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy a delicious breakfast early in the morning at a classic hotel in Kigali. Afterward, meet your experienced driver-guide for a briefing about the combined safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Begin your Kigali city excursion with a visit to the Gisozi/Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and local markets, especially Kimironko Market. Proceed to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri, northwestern Rwanda.
Main destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Mountain View Gorilla Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 02 :
Rwanda Gorilla Tracking
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Kinigi offices of Volcanoes National Park for briefing. This is a special day to visit mountain gorillas in the wild. The actual trek begins at 8:00 AM, led by a park guide. The trek may take 2–6 hours before locating the gorillas. Visitors are guaranteed one hour for a close encounter. After photography and learning about their behavior, return to the lodge for relaxation and a late lunch. In the evening, you may end the day with an Iby’Iwacu cultural tour to learn more about Rwandese culture, practices, and traditions.
Main destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Mountain View Gorilla Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 03 :
Cross into Uganda via Cyanika Border
Wake up early to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. After checking out, transfer to the Rushaga region via the Cyanika border to Kisoro. Arrive early and check in at your accommodation. Rushaga has 9 gorilla families open to visitors, and this is where your gorilla habituation experience will take place.
Main destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 04 :
Rushaga Gorilla Habituation Experience
The Kutu gorilla family is one of the groups designated for the gorilla habituation experience and is located in the Rushaga sector. You will spend the entire day tracking and observing the gorillas, learning about their behavior, and taking photos. A packed lunch will be provided for the trek. After your experience, return to the lodge for relaxation.
Main destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 05 :
Travel to Lake Bunyonyi – Full Day Relaxation
Travel from Rushaga to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale. Lake Bunyonyi is Uganda’s deepest lake and one of the few in the world without crocodiles, making it ideal for swimming. The lake has 29 islands, some of which you will visit the following day.
Main destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 06 :
Canoe Trek, Batwa Experience & Punishment Island
After a morning tea or coffee, embark on a canoe trek on Lake Bunyonyi. The trek includes a visit to Punishment Island, one of the lake’s 29 unique islands. Enjoy scenic views and birdwatching along the way. In the evening, engage in the Batwa cultural experience to learn about the traditions and lifestyle of the Batwa pygmies, with traditional music and dance performances.
Main destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 07 :
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Night Game Drive
Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with an en-route game drive in the Ishasha sector to spot the famous tree-climbing lions. Proceed to your lodge for evening relaxation and an optional night game drive.
Main destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Katara Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 08 :
Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Enjoy an early breakfast, then embark on a morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains, lasting 2–3 hours. Expect to see elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hyenas, antelopes, warthogs, and more. In the afternoon, take a 2–3 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to view hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birdlife.
Main destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Katara Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 09 :
Travel to Kibale Forest National Park & Bigodi Wetland Walk
After breakfast, check out and drive to Kibale National Park in Kabarole District. Enjoy scenic views of crater lakes and banana plantations along the way. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge for lunch and relaxation, followed by an afternoon nature walk in Bigodi Wetland.
Main destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation: Papaya Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 10 :
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
After breakfast, proceed to Kanyanchu for briefing before your full-day chimpanzee habituation experience. Begin your trek at 6:00 AM to search for a semi-habituated chimpanzee community in Kibale, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species. Enjoy lunch in the forest and ample time for photography before returning to the lodge.
Main destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation: Papaya Lake Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 11 :
Travel to Hoima Town for Overnight
After breakfast, depart Kibale and drive via Fort Portal, Uganda’s tourism city, to Hoima for overnight stay.
Main destination: Hoima
Accommodation: Hotel Kontik
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 12 :
Murchison Falls National Park & Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, travel to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest park. Enjoy a leisurely lunch before a 2:00 PM game drive to see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, lions, leopards, and various antelope species.
Main destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Paraa Lodge
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Day 13 :
Morning Game Drive & Boat Cruise on the Nile
Start with an early morning game drive at 6:00 AM for 2–3 hours, offering more chances to spot wildlife. Return for lunch, then take a 2:00 PM boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. Enjoy sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Meals & drinks: All meals included (drinks not included)
Main destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Paraa Lodge
Day 14 :
Top of the Falls & Travel to Entebbe International Airport
After breakfast, drive to the top of the falls to witness this natural wonder as it squeezes through a 7–8 meter-wide gorge and plunges 43 meters below, creating a spectacular rainbow and thunderous roar. After photography and sightseeing, continue to Entebbe Airport or hotel. This marks the end of your 14-day Rwanda-Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Habituation Safari.
Cost Includes
Park fees (Uganda & Rwanda – for non-residents)
Gorilla permits
All activities (except those labeled optional)
4x4 tourist vehicle for game viewing
Accommodation for 14 days (Uganda & Rwanda)
Professional driver/guide for 14 days
All transportation (unless labeled optional)
All taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfers
Meals
Cost Excludes
Airfare
International flights (to/from home)
Extra accommodation before or after the tour in Uganda
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, telephone, passport, visa fees, etc.)