7 Days Primate Safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International airport

Arrive at Kigali International airport, meet and greet assistance. You will be warmly welcomed by Luxland Africa Vacations representative outside customs and Immigration hall then you will be transferred to your city hotel. Tour briefing will be done at the hotel lobby over a welcome drink.

Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury) or Hotel Des Collins (High end)

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Breakfast at your hotel then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable national Park through the land border of Katuna or Cyanika. This drive offers spectacular views as you may spot the lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera, Lake Bulera in northwestern Rwanda just at the border with Uganda. It covers an area of 55 km²; it is the second largest lake entirely in Rwanda after Lake Ihema. Complete the clearance with Immigration then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley composed of 321 km² (124 sq mi) of both lowland and montane forest and it is known to host ¾ of the Mountain Gorilla population in the whole world.

Overnight at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Luxury) or Gorilla Leisure Lodge / Four Gorilla Lodge (High end)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Gorilla tracking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for your Gorilla trek. It starts at 7:00am with a briefing from the park authorities on the history, rules and regulation of your Gorilla trek with the great cultural performance from the community group around the park. This is an amazing chance to see the Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, a thrilling and a lifetime experience. Watch them as they play, feed, swing on the trees branches, coupling and communicating to each other is so soothing. The Gorilla trekking is carefully managed by ranger guides and trackers as they lead you into the forest to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour with the gorillas. The Gorilla trek take between 2 – 6 hours and you will be recognized by the certificate at the end of your Gorilla experience. The afternoon will be for leisure and relaxation at your lodge.

Overnight at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Luxury) or Gorilla Leisure Lodge / Four Gorilla Lodge (High end)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Drive to Lake Kivu in Rwanda

Breakfast will be served at your lodge, check out then drive to Lake Kivu in Rwanda. It shares the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda just on the Albertine Rift which is on the western branch of the East African Rift. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. The whole afternoon will be for leisure and relaxation at your lodge.

Overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury) or Paradise Kivu Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Morning breakfast at the lodge, check out ready for the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest forest in Rwanda, also one of the oldest rainforest in Africa covering 1,019 km2 which is characterized by the dense Afromontane forests, bamboo-covered slopes, grasslands and wetlands. It is widely known to host 85 mammal species including the 13 primate species like chimpanzees, Ruwenzori black-and-white colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys among others.  345 bird species also inhabit here with over 1,100 recorded plant species.

Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House (Luxury) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel (High end)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk.

Drive to the park headquarters early morning as 5:30am with your delicious breakfast. The ranger guides will take you through the insightful chimpanzee trek briefing and the history of Nyungwe Forest National Park. You will be escorted by the team of Ranger guides and porters into this montanne and evergreen forest in search for the chimpanzees. It is an opportunity to spot other primate species and also bird life in this mighty forest. You will be welcomed by the vocals of the chimp calls deep in the forest and upon finding them, you are entitled to one hour as you enjoy their acrobatics, feeding, coupling, playing and their day to day lifestyle. Later in the afternoon, embark on a canopy walk, it is a 160m long and 70m high suspension bridge which is a long Igishigishigi trail and also accessible along for those hiking the Imbaraga or Umuyove trails. The trail runs to Kamiranzovu Marsh, with its birdlife, orchids and waterfall making it a memorable activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House (Luxury) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel (High end)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Nyungwe Forest National Park – Kigali International Airport

Enjoy your morning breakfast then embark on the drive back to Kigali. En-route visit to the Royal Palace Museum and Ethnographic Museum in Southern Province and you will be exposed to the Rwandan culture, norms and traditional style of Kingship life in these museums. Proceed to Kigali International airport for your flight to the next destination.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

• Transportation by a 4wd safari vehicle.
• Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary.
• Gorilla permit to be paid and secured in advance ($800 per person is included).
• Park entrance fees.
• Meet and greet service
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Canopy walk
• Museums
• Genocide Memorial

However, the Safari excludes:

Airfares, Visas or Insurance, Tips to local guides, Porterage or Laundry, Soft or alcoholic, drinks or mineral water (excl. water in the vehicles), Items of a personal nature, any meals not indicated above, any tours not mentioned from the itinerary above.