24 Day Rwanda Gorilla and Uganda Ultimate Safari

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Spend your first day resting and acclimating to the time zone. The following day, embark on a guided city tour of Kigali. This includes a poignant visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a essential experience to understand Rwanda's history and remarkable resilience. Explore vibrant local markets and art centers to witness the city's dynamic culture and renewal.

• Accommodation: The Retreat by Heaven / Kigali Marriott Hotel / Ubumwe Grand Hotel (or similar)

• Meals: (Day 1: Dinner dependent on arrival time; Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch)

Travel north to the breathtaking Volcanoes National Park. After settling into your lodge with views of the Virunga volcanoes, prepare for your first incredible gorilla trekking experience. Attend a briefing at the park headquarters before hiking through lush bamboo forests to find a habituated mountain gorilla family. Spend a magical hour observing them in their natural habitat. The following day can be used for a second gorilla trek (permit required) or an enriching optional activity like visiting the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Karisoke Research Center.

• Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Journey south through Rwanda's stunning "Land of a Thousand Hills" to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa's oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. Check into your lodge, often perched on the edge of the forest canopy, and enjoy the serene atmosphere.

• Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House / Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dedicate these days to exploring Nyungwe's primate wealth. Embark on an exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure, tracking these energetic primates through the dense forest. On another day, choose to track troops of Angolan colobus monkeys or other species. A highlight not to be missed is the Canopy Walk, a suspended bridge offering breathtaking views over the forest valley and incredible birding opportunities.

• Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House / Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, cross the border into Uganda, continuing to Kibale National Park, renowned as the "Primate Capital of the World." The journey offers a fascinating shift in landscape. Check into your lodge and enjoy the sounds of the forest.

• Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale / Crater Safari Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Delve into Kibale's tropical rainforest for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. The forest is home to 13 primate species, and your trek will be filled with sightings of red colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. The hour spent with the playful and intelligent chimpanzees is a profound wildlife encounter.

• Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale / Crater Safari Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely day to relax or explore. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through a vast tea plantation, learning about this important local industry. This can be combined with a nature walk to explore the nearby crater lakes, formed by volcanic activity, offering stunning photographic opportunities.

• Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale / Crater Safari Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive reveals the epic Rwenzori Mountain range. Enter the park and enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, located to offer magnificent views of the Kazinga Channel or the park's vast plains.

• Accommodation: Elephant Plains Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains offers excellent chances to see lions, elephants, buffalo, and countless Uganda kob. Return for lunch before embarking on a classic afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This is a premier spot for viewing hippos, crocodiles, and magnificent birdlife up close.

• Accommodation: Elephant Plains Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Journey to the remote Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This region is famed for its unique population of tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging in the large fig trees. An afternoon game drive here is dedicated to searching for these magnificent cats and other wildlife like topi and buffalo.

• Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp / Enjojo Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a final morning game drive in Ishasha before traveling to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive through the Kigezi highlands, with its terraced hills, is spectacular. Arrive at your lodge on the forest edge and prepare for the monumental experience ahead.

• Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / Buhoma Lodge / Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day of your second gorilla trekking adventure. The experience in Bwindi, with its ancient, dense forest, is different from Volcanoes and equally awe-inspiring. Trekking through the impenetrable vegetation to find a gorilla family is a challenging yet immensely rewarding achievement. Your hour with them will be a memory you cherish forever.

• Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / Buhoma Lodge / Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Participate in a fascinating Batwa Cultural Experience. The Batwa, former forest dwellers, share their ancient knowledge of the forest through storytelling, dance, and demonstrations. This cultural immersion provides deep insight into their heritage. Afterwards, transfer to the scenic Lake Mburo National Park.

• Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge / Lake Mburo Safari Lodge / Arcadia Cottages (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early morning walking safari in Lake Mburo offers a chance to see zebra, impala, and eland on foot. Later, begin the journey north to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping at the Uganda Equator for the classic photo opportunity and experiments. Arrive at your Nile-side lodge in the evening.

• Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge / Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the vast savannah of Murchison Falls on a morning game drive on the Buligi Circuit. Look for elephants, giraffes, lions, and patas monkeys. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls, witnessing hippos, crocodiles, and the breathtaking point where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge.

• Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge / Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A final early morning game drive offers a last chance to spot the park's wildlife. Afterwards, visit the Top of the Falls to feel the thunderous power of the water and capture stunning photos. Then, begin the long but scenic transfer to the beautiful Lake Mutanda in southwestern Uganda.

• Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge / Mutanda Lake Resort (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A well-deserved day of relaxation. Enjoy the stunning scenery of Lake Mutanda with its islands and backdrop of the Virunga volcanoes. Optional activities include a canoe trip, a village walk, or simply unwinding at the lodge.

• Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge / Mutanda Lake Resort (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross back into Rwanda and travel east to Akagera National Park, a success story in conservation and a haven for savannah wildlife. The landscape transforms into classic African plains. Check into your lodge inside the park.

• Accommodation: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Lodge / Akagera Game Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dedicate the day to exploring Akagera. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and the elusive rhino, making it a potential Big Five destination. A boat cruise on Lake Ihema is a perfect way to see hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds.

• Accommodation: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Lodge / Akagera Game Lodge (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a final morning activity, return to Kigali. The afternoon is free for last-minute souvenir shopping at Caplaki Crafts Village or exploring at your own pace. In the evening, gather for a special farewell dinner at one of Kigali's excellent restaurants.

• Accommodation: The Retreat by Heaven / Kigali Marriott Hotel / Ubumwe Grand Hotel (or similar)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time. Your guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport (KGL) for your departure flight, marking the end of an epic 24-day adventure.

• Meals: Breakfast