Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Arrive at Kigali International Airport. You’ll be met by your safari guide who will brief you about the trip.

If your flight arrives early, you can opt for a brief city tour. You could visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s history or explore Kimironko Market for some local shopping.

After your city tour or directly from the airport, start your scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The drive takes about 4-5 hours, passing through rolling hills, green valleys, and tea plantations as you cross the Rwanda-Uganda border at Cyanika or Katuna.

Arrive at your lodge in Bwindi, check in, and relax. Bwindi is renowned for its thick tropical rainforest, home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

Optional Activity: If time allows, you can take a guided nature walk around the lodge or visit the local Batwa pygmy community to learn about their unique culture and traditions.

Overnight:

• Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Mid-range: Silverback Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
• Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast at the lodge.

Arrive at the Bwindi park headquarters by 7:00 AM for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will be assigned a specific gorilla family to trek, and the park rangers will explain the trekking rules and etiquette.

Your trek begins at 8:00 AM. The duration varies, ranging from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family.

Once you find the gorillas, you’ll spend one hour observing and photographing these magnificent creatures. Watch them feed, play, and interact in their natural habitat, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The trekking terrain can be steep and dense with vegetation, so a moderate level of fitness is required.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. You can relax for the rest of the day, enjoying the serene views of the forest.

If you’re up for more adventure, you can take a guided community walk to interact with locals or visit a nearby conservation project.

Overnight:

• Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Mid-range: Silverback Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
• Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey to Kibale National Park. The drive takes around 5-6 hours, passing through lush forests, local villages, and beautiful crater lakes.

Enjoy a stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way or pack a picnic lunch to enjoy amidst the scenic Ugandan countryside.

Arrive at your lodge near Kibale National Park in the afternoon. Kibale is famous for its incredible primate diversity, especially the chimpanzees.

Optional Activity: You can take a late afternoon stroll around the lodge or visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is rich in birdlife and smaller primates like red colobus monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys.

Overnight:

• Luxury: Primate Lodge, Ndali Lodge
• Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Budget: Isunga Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

After breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center at 7:00 AM for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Kibale Forest is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, as well as 12 other species of primates, including L’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

The trek starts at 8:00 AM and usually lasts 2-4 hours. You’ll hike through the dense rainforest to locate a troop of chimpanzees. Once you find them, you’ll have one hour to watch them as they swing through the trees, groom each other, and communicate with loud calls.

Optional Chimpanzee Habituation Experience: For a more immersive experience, you can opt for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, where you’ll spend more time with researchers and chimpanzees.

Return to the lodge for lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and reflecting on the thrilling chimpanzee experience.

Take a guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which offers an excellent chance to spot birds, monkeys, and butterflies.

Overnight:

• Luxury: Primate Lodge, Ndali Lodge
• Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Budget: Isunga Lodge

Day 5: Return to Kigali, Rwanda

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the drive back to Kigali, Rwanda. The journey typically takes about 6-7 hours, passing through scenic Ugandan and Rwandan landscapes.

Enjoy a lunch break en route, possibly near the Rwanda-Uganda border.

Arrive in Kigali by late afternoon or early evening, depending on the road conditions.

You will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or at your hotel in Kigali if you’re extending your stay.

End of Safari

Packing List for the Trek:

• Hiking boots: Comfortable, waterproof boots for trekking.
• Rain jacket or poncho: Both Bwindi and Kibale can be rainy.
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers: To protect against insects and scratches.
• Gardening gloves: For extra grip during the trek.
• Insect repellent, hat, and sunscreen.
• Snacks and water: To keep energy levels up during the trek.
• Camera with extra batteries: No flash photography is allowed during gorilla or chimpanzee encounters.