10 Days Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda | See Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife
The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda give you an opportunity to encounter chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in the Rwanda and Uganda national parks. Seeing the great apes in Africa can be observed as you journey deep into the lush hills of Uganda and Rwanda. Have a chance to observe these wonderful creatures with a primatologist. Also track mountain gorillas in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Volcanoes National Park in Uganda and Rwanda respectively. Stay in stunning lodges, right from a lakeside bungalow at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains to the hilltop eco-lodge with spectacular views of Rwanda’s volcanoes. Our Kilimanjaro Rwenzori trekking experts can help you if you want to combine this 10 days great apes of Uganda Rwanda itinerary with Rwenzori trekking.
Trip Summary- Great Apes of Africa (Uganda and Rwanda)
Take a trip to the lush highlands of Uganda and Rwanda on a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in the wild. Track gorillas in the forests of Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As you also observe chimpanzees with a primatologist. In addition, we promise you of fulltime enjoyment and discovery during this 10 days great apes Uganda Rwanda trip. A lakeside house situated at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains or a hilltop eco-lodge with sweeping views of Rwanda’s volcanoes is just a few of the gorgeous hotels that you may stay in, if you book with us.
Trip Highlights - 10 days great Apes in Africa (Uganda and Rwanda)
Join our experienced great Apes Africa team on treks in search for chimpanzees, gorillas, and endangered golden monkeys in the wild.
Expect to watch the antics of chimpanzees up close at a sanctuary which was established in association with the Jane Goodall Institute.
You will also meet up with scientists at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Karisoke Research Centre. You will have a chance to learn about the ongoing conservation projects, and get an in-depth perspective on Fossey’s 18-year-long study.
What to Expect on your 10 days great apes Africa safari (Rwanda and Uganda)
Travelers to Africa for the Ape trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda should be physically fit and healthy. Hence, will be capable of walking for several hours or hiking over unsteady terrain on some days. This is because this 10 days great Apes Uganda and Rwanda trip has a moderate activity rating.
Visitors would trek to see the gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda for up to 8 hours through the dense jungle. This is at an altitude that could reach 10,000 feet while searching for primates in the wild.
Treks for the primates safari especially gorilla and chimpanze trekking can be exhausting as the ground may be rocky, uneven, rainy, or muddy on any day.
The minimum age requirement for travelers is 15 years. Some of the driving days are long, with the longest reaching seven hours, and many stop overs.
Concerns about accommodation;
For the entire 10 days Great Apes of Uganda Rwanda safari, we stay in ideally located, high-end and luxury hotels and lodges. These have high quality amenities and though this arrangement can be revisited according to your budget.
Concerns about transportation.
This 10 days primates safari itinerary accounts for all your transfers during this trip. Additionally, we have the best car rentals in East Africa with options such as self drive, cross-border car rentals, all at your disposal. We have catered for all your transportation needs during your stay in Rwanda and Uganda as specified in your Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda trip.
10 Days Uganda and Rwanda Safari (The Great Apes of Africa) Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe, Uganda/Ngamba Island
Upon arrival, you will take a shuttle to your accommodation for check in from Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Note that you will have trips to Uganda to see gorillas and chimpanzees in this Uganda and Rwanda great apes safari. After some rest, you will take a boat ride for a visit to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island on that very day depending on your arrival time. It should be noted that this facility was built in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute to provide a home for rescued and orphaned chimpanzees.
Meal plan covers breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations; Lake Victoria Serena Resort or similar
Days 2-3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
In order to access Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, Africa, you will take a domestic flight from Entebbe to Kasese. You will have an advantage of checking into the accommodation facility on time during this luxury Gorilla Trekking Uganda safari. The other option is road transport where our guide will transport you to Kibale NP using our best 4×4 safari vehicles in Uganda. Upon arrival, you will meet Emily Otali, the Kibale Chimpanzee Project’s Field Director. So, this will enable you to learn about the many conservation and educational initiatives that National Geographic supports. You will also visit Kibale National park for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda. You will also visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to look for other primates such as the uncommon l’Hoest’s monkey, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed, and blue monkeys.
Meal plan covers breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation at Kyaninga Lodge or similar
Days 4-5: Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park
Here you will have an extension of chimpanzee tracking in the morning at Kibale national park. Before an afternoon wildlife cruise, you will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park and take a game drive Uganda safari to search for elephants, lions, and Ugandan kobs.
Meal plan covers breakfast, lunch and dinner
Luxury Accommodation at Kyambura Gorge Lodge or similar
Days 6-7: Gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On the 6th day of your great apes Uganda Rwanda safari, you will have trips to Uganda to see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The following morning, you will proceed into the park’s jungles. Bwindi Impenetrable is a home to almost half of the surviving mountain gorillas in the whole world. Sit among these kinds of giants and get a close-up look at one of the most endangered species on the planet (mountain gorillas in Uganda).
Meal plan covers breakfast, lunch and dinner
Luxury Accommodation at Bwindi Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge or similar
Days 8-9: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda for best gorilla trekking tours in Africa.
On this day you will tranfer from Uganda for your luxury Rwanda gorilla safari. In addition, you will cross the border on your way to Rwanda and settle into your private villa with a view of the nearby lakes and volcanoes. Note that the best time to see gorillas in Rwanda is all through out the year. You will have a chance to learn about the ongoing conservation efforts. This will be through an interaction with experts at the Karisoke Research Center of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda. On the following day of your 10 days great apes Rwanda and Uganda safari, you will spend some time searching for mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. This is where National Geographic grantee Dian Fossey spent 18 years learning about gorillas in Africa. On the same day’s evening, you will enjoy the traditional dancing performance.
Meal plan covers breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation at Virunga Lodge or similar
Day 10: Volcanoes National Park in Kigali
During your trip to Rwanda to see gorillas, you will explore the Volcanoes National Park on the 10th day’s morning. This is done with wildlife biologists in search of endangered golden monkeys. You will the transfer to Kigali International Airport (KGL) following lunch to catch your flight back home. So, this will mark the end of your 10 days great apes of Africa safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
Why go for this 10 days Primates safari for the great apes in Africa
When you purchase a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda, you directly support the conservation work. Also, the local communities around these wildlife reserves in East Africa.
Secondly, the luxury gorilla safari lodge where you spend nights during your great apes trip also contributes to the wellbeing of these communities. This is through purchasing agricultural products from the families around.
All along, the local communities around the conservation areas have been sensitized about the importance of protecting and preserving these gentle giants plus other wildlife. This is done by the Uganda Government through its wildlife protection body called Uganda wildlife authority (UWA). This is normally done through giving back about 20% of the total park revenue collected, to the local communities.
It is not very easy to allocate money to all people individually, but this is done through construction of public facilities such as hospitals, schools and roads which supports the local communities. This implies that you can support the local communities by personally trekking gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Mgahinga forest, Volcanoes forest and Virunga national parks.
Rules and Regulations to observe during your 10 Days Great Apes & Wildlife Uganda Rwanda
For a better observation of these primates in Africa, there are some rules and regulations put in place. These rules are be observed while visiting the great apes in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Please follow the ranger/guide’s advice during gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Maximumly, a group of 8 guests can be allowed to trek a Gorilla group/family in Bwindi and Volcanoes national park’s forest.
- Children of 15 years and above are also allowed to trek the Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda starts as early as 8:00am to 7:00pm latest. Also no one is allowed to keep tracking gorillas in the forest beyond the allocated time limits.
- At most an hour is allowed for tourists to stay in the presence of mountain Gorillas in Africa.
- Turn your faces around as you intend to sneeze for these wild cousins are vulnerable to human diseases.
- When you meet the Gorillas in Africa, keep a distance of 7 meters away from them. Also avoid making too much noise as this may provoke these apes in Rwanda and Uganda.
- Use a camera with no flash so as not to provoke the gorillas during your kuxury gorilla trekking tours in Africa. Since the light that comes out of the camera can drive the gorillas into being very wild hence dangerous.
Travel Tips to consider before your primates safari in Uganda and Rwanda
- It’s advisable that you do some reading so as to have some knowledge about great Apes in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Get your body fit through exercising regularly since the apes trekking safari is quite challenging due to the location of the gorillas which is very remote within the forests of east Africa.
- Pay attention to things you can control/things which are under your power
- Relax and do not have unachievable expectations about this amazing adventure.
- Prepare and pack your trekking gear earlier before your date of trekking these Apes.
- Ensure you carry your personal water bottle so as not to get thirsty as you trek these unique Apes in their natural habitats.
