18 Days Primates of East Africa

Our 18-day trip brings you the primates of Uganda and Rwanda: You can see up to 20 primate species, including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, the rare golden monkeys, dent’s monkeys, black and white colobus, red colobus, mona monkey, and Angolan colobus monkeys. In Queen Elizabeth National Park you can also see the animals of the savannahs including lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and leopard.

This trip specifically includes: Kibale Forest National Park, Semuliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Highlights
Itinerary
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Day 1: Entebbe – Kampala

Day 2: Kampala – Kibale Forest

Day 3: Kibale Forest

Day 4: Kibale Forest

Day 5 :Kibale Forest – Semuliki National Park

Day 6: Semuliki National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable

Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable

Day 10 :Bwindi Impenetrable – Lake Mutanda

Day 11: Lake Mutanda and Mgahinga National Park

Day 12: Lake Mutanda – Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)

Day 13: Volcanoes National Park

Day 14: Volcanoes National Park – Kibuye

Day 15: Kibuye – Nyungwe Forest

Day 16: Nyungwe Forest

Day 17: Nyungwe Forest

Day 18: Nyungwe Forest – Kigali

Day 1

Entebbe – Kampala

Arrival at Entebbe airport. Your guide will be there waiting for you. Pick up and proceed to your accommodation.

Day 2

Kampala – Kibale Forest

After breakfast we drive to Kibale Forest. You can make a walk around the lodge in the afternoon. During this walk it is possible to see monkeys and birds. It is also possible to make a night walk through the forest to see the animals of the night, like bush babies (both activities optional).

Kibale Forest is a spectacular jungle, with 13 primate species! Including chimps, baboons, black and white colobus, red colobus, grey cheeked mangabey and L’Hoest monkey.

Day 3

Kibale Forest

Chimpanzee tracking in the morning or afternoon. Night walk through the forest in Chimps’ Nest. Expect to see the animals of the night, including Galagos, Bush babies, Servals and Genet cats.

Day 4

Kibale Forest

Morning forest walk in Kibale Forest with many chances of meeting primate species and different birds on the way. Bigodi Swamp Walk in the afternoon. This gives you another chance to see the monkey species of Kibale Forest.

Day 5

Kibale Forest – Semuliki National Park

Transfer to Semuliki National Park with chances of seeing the Rwenzori mountain. Visit the Sempaya Hot Springs in the afternoon and search for monkeys in the forest.

Semuliki is a unique place and the only lowland jungle in East Africa, part of the Congo eco system.

Day 6

Semuliki National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Transfer to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. On our way we pass the equator. Game drive in the afternoon.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best places in Uganda to see lions. Expect to see elephants, lions, many hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and maybe leopards.

Day 7

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge in the morning. Afternoon boat trip on Kazinga Channel.

The Kyambura Gorge is a Gorge of 500 meters deep and up to 1 km wide. The gorge is forested and is inhabited by habituated chimpanzees.

The Kazinga Channel is one of the highlights of Uganda and has the highest concentration of hippos in the world.

Day 8

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable

Nature walks in Maramagambo Forest in the morning and after transfer to Bwindi Forest National Park for an overnight.

Bwindi Impenetrable is a unique jungle, with many monkey species. Bwindi is one of the two places in the world where you can find Mountain Gorillas!

(Driving time depends on the area in Bwindi we stay).

Day 9

Bwindi Impenetrable

Gorilla tracking!!! Early morning departure with your ranger to search for one of the world’s most interesting and endangered animal, the Mountain Gorilla! You will spend one hour with one of our closest relatives. An experience you will never forget.

Day 10

Bwindi Impenetrable – Lake Mutanda

Transfer to Lake Mutanda, one of the most beautiful places in Uganda. On a clear day you can see the 3 volcanoes in the distance. Relax at the lodge or do one of the following activities (one activity included): boat trip on the lake, walk along the lake or to the local people, go for a swim, or visit the pygmies.

(Driving time to Lake Mutanda depends on the area in Bwindi we stay.)

Day 11

Lake Mutanda and Mgahinga National Park

Visit Mgahinga National Park to see the Golden Monkeys.

Mgahinga National Park is part of the Virunga Volcanoes and borders Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Apart from Mountain Gorillas, the stars of Mgahinga are the golden monkeys, a subspecies of the Blue Monkey.

Day 12

Lake Mutanda – Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)

Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It is possible to visit a pygmy village on the way (optional).

Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Mountains, covering 3 countries: Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Together with Bwindi this is the only place in the world to see the Mountain Gorillas.

Day 13

Volcanoes National Park

Optional activities for today: Do a second gorilla tracking (must be booked in advance to be sure), visit the golden monkeys, make a nature walk in the national park, climb a volcano, visit Dian Fossey’s Grave, or visit the Twin Lakes, Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera (all activities optional).

Day 14

Volcanoes National Park – Kibuye

Transfer to Kibuye by the shores of Lake Kivu. Relax at the shores of this beautiful lake. It is possible to make a walk along the lake or visit a vising village or make an optional boat trip on the lake.

Day 15

Kibuye – Nyungwe Forest

After breakfast we drive to Nyungwe Forest for an overnight.

Nyungwe is one of East Africa’s largest forests. It is home to 11 primate species including chimpanzees. Other attractive monkeys to see: Angolan Black Colobus, Mona Monkey, Blue Monkey, L’Hoest Monkey and Owl Faced Monkey.

Day 16

Nyungwe Forest

Go for Chimpanzee tracking in the morning! See them feeding, walking around and swinging the trees. The chimpanzees are our closest relatives! During this walk you are also able to see other monkey species and birds. Optional visit of a tea factory in the afternoon.

Day 17

Nyungwe Forest

Today we make a beautiful waterfall walk in search for monkeys (especially Angolan Black Colobus and Mona Monkey. It is also possible to do the canopy walk (optional).

Day 18

Nyungwe Forest – Kigali

After breakfast drive to KIgali and wait for our flight.Optional city tour on this day.