12 Days Luxury Uganda, Rwanda Primates, Wildlife and Cultural Safari

12 Days Luxury Uganda, Rwanda Primates, Wildlife and Cultural Safari

Route: Kigali – Volcanoes NP – Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth – Kibale – Murchison Falls – Ziwa – Kampala – Entebbe
Border Crossing: Katuna (Rwanda–Uganda)
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner daily) 12 Days Luxury Uganda Rwanda Primates Wildlife and Cultural Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour and Genocide Memorial Visit

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be met by your professional guide for a warm welcome and short safari briefing. Begin your journey with a guided Kigali city tour, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, and Inema Art Gallery to gain insight into Rwanda’s resilience and creativity. Later, relax at your elegant hotel and enjoy a gourmet dinner as you prepare for your adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 2: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, drive approximately 2.5 hours north to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered golden monkeys. Upon arrival, attend a briefing before embarking on a golden monkey trek in the bamboo forests at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes. These charming and playful primates are delightful to observe as they leap through the trees in large groups. After the trek, enjoy lunch and spend the afternoon visiting the nearby Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll interact with local communities and learn about Rwandan traditions.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Cross to Uganda via Katuna Border – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, drive to the Katuna Border Post (about 2 hours) to cross into Uganda. Continue through the scenic Kigezi Highlands, often called the “Switzerland of Africa,” toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Arrive in time for lunch and spend your afternoon enjoying the breathtaking views from your lodge or taking a guided nature walk in the nearby community.
Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Then begin your gorilla trekking adventure, hiking through dense rainforest terrain in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once found, spend one unforgettable hour watching these majestic creatures interact, feed, and play — an experience that is both humbling and awe-inspiring. Return to your lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. In the evening, enjoy a fireside dinner under the stars.
Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Batwa Cultural Experience and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, visit the Batwa community, the indigenous forest dwellers of Bwindi, and learn about their traditional lifestyle, hunting skills, and deep connection with the forest. After this enriching experience, begin your 4–5-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through lush tea plantations and crater lakes. Arrive in the afternoon for check-in and relaxation at your luxury safari lodge, set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Rise early for a sunrise game drive through the Kasenyi plains, where you can spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and warthogs. Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation before heading out again for an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich waterways. Watch hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and countless birds as they gather along the banks. End the day with a sundowner on the deck overlooking the channel.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – The Primate Capital of the World

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely 3–4-hour drive to Kibale National Park, renowned for hosting 13 species of primates, including the largest population of chimpanzees in East Africa. Upon arrival, check into your lodge surrounded by lush tropical forest and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with optional nature walks or crater lake visits.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

Start your day with an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. Accompanied by experienced rangers, venture into the forest to track these lively and intelligent primates. Spend an hour observing their social behaviors — grooming, playing, and vocalizing in fascinating ways. After lunch, take a guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area known for its rich birdlife and colobus monkeys.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 9: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, embark on a long but scenic drive (approximately 7 hours) to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most dramatic protected area. Arrive in the evening at your luxurious lodge overlooking the Nile River, where you can unwind with a cocktail as you watch the sunset over the savannah.
Accommodation: Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 10: Game Drive and Nile River Boat Safari

Wake up to an early morning game drive across the park’s northern plains, where you can spot elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, and antelopes. After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the River Nile to the base of the thunderous Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gorge before plunging 43 meters into the river below. The cruise offers exceptional sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds. You may also hike to the top of the falls for spectacular views.
Accommodation: Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 11: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary – Transfer to Kampala

After breakfast, depart for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (about 4 hours), the only place in Uganda where you can track white rhinos on foot. Enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience, learning about the conservation efforts to reintroduce rhinos to Uganda. Continue your journey to Kampala, where you’ll check into your stylish city lodge and enjoy dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Latitude 0° Kampala
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 12: Kampala City Tour and Transfer to Entebbe – Departure

On your final day, enjoy a relaxed Kampala city tour, visiting landmarks such as the Kasubi Tombs, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, and Craft Village for souvenirs. Later, transfer to Entebbe International Airport (about 1.5–2 hours) for your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable 12-day Uganda–Rwanda Primates, Wildlife, and Cultural Safari — a journey rich in diversity, adventure, and African charm.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Inclusions 12-Day Uganda Rwanda Primates Wildlife and Cultural Safari

• Airport transfers on arrival and departure

• Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver/guide

• Fuel and all vehicle expenses

• Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary

• Full board meal plan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• All park entrance fees

• Gorilla trekking permit (Uganda – USD $800 per person)

• Chimpanzee trekking permit (Kibale – USD $250 per person)

• Golden monkey trekking permit (Rwanda)

• All game drives and boat cruises as per itinerary

• Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

• Batwa cultural experience in Bwindi

• Bigodi Wetland walk

• Bottled drinking water during travel

• Services of professional ranger guides

• Government taxes and levies

Exclusions 12 Days Luxury Uganda, Rwanda Primates Wildlife and Cultural Safari

• International flights

• Visa fees (East Africa Tourist Visa recommended – USD $100)

• Travel and medical insurance

• Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.)

• Alcoholic and soft drinks

• Tips and gratuities

• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

What to Pack 12-Day Uganda Rwanda Primates Wildlife and Cultural Safari

• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers (neutral colors)

• Warm fleece or jacket for cool evenings

• Waterproof rain jacket or poncho

• Comfortable hiking boots

• Light casual wear for evenings

• Hat and sunglasses

• Swimwear (for lodges with pools)

• Daypack for treks

• Reusable water bottle

• Insect repellent

• Sunscreen and lip balm

• Face masks (for primate trekking)

• Gardening or trekking gloves

• Camera and extra batteries (no flash)

• Binoculars

• Personal medications and first-aid kit

• Travel adapter

• Valid passport

• East Africa Tourist Visa

• Gorilla, chimpanzee, and golden monkey permits

• Travel insurance documents