Rwanda & Uganda Gorillas, Chimps, & Game

Fly from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) on an indirect overnight flight to Kigali, the Rwandese capital.

On arrival you will be met by your professional driver-guide and transferred to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre which contains a permanent historically factual and extremely moving exhibition of the Rwandan genocide.

After lunch, you are transferred over the Rwanda/Uganda border and onto the boundary of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (an approx. 4½hr scenic leisurely drive).

Finally, you check into the stunningly located Mt. Gahinga Lodge where you will stay for 1-Night in 1x Double Stone Banda on a Full-Board Basis.

This morning, you set off into the forest to track the golden monkeys. Here, it is hoped to spend an hour with the cheeky primates.

This afternoon, you are transferred to the scenic Nkuringo section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Finally, you check-in to the wonderful Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge where you will stay for 2-Nights in 1x Double Private Garden Cottage Room on a Full-Board Basis.

Today, you set off for your once in a lifetime Gorilla Habituation Experience. This early morning departure is to allow some time for photographic opportunities as you descend down the valley from Nkuringo.

Once you reach the gorillas, enjoy 4hrs in the presence of this gorilla family group standing 6 meters away. After tracking, you will return to the lodge. This activity can take up to 10hrs of trekking, and it is important to note that this group of Gorillas is in the Habituation stage, and still wild.

This morning, you depart the lodge and enjoy a scenic leisurely forest hike through the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (an approx. 5hr hike, stopping for photo opportunities along the way), with opportunities of spotting monkeys and birds along the way.

Upon exiting the forest, you are met and transferred north to the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and onto Ishasha Wilderness Camp (an approx. 3hr drive), game driving en-route where you will stay for 1-Night in 1x Double Tent on a Full-Board Basis.

Today, you explore the many circuits within Ishasha, driving over the plains in the open savannah searching for large herds of Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Topi, tree-climbing Lions, and possible Leopard sightings.

Finally, you travel northeast to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and onto Katara Lodge where you will stay for 3-Nights in 1x Double Cottage on a Full-Board Basis (an approx. 3hr drive).

This morning, you you enjoy a game in Queen Elizabeth National Park and, if lucky, you have opportunities to spot Elephant, Lion, Cape Buffalo, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck and Ugandan Kob, as well as Hippopotamus, Warthog, Hyena, and Jackal.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, a channel connecting Lakes Edward and George. The Kazinga Channel is home to one of the greatest concentration of Hippo in Africa and herds of Elephant, Cape buffalo, Defassa waterbuck, Bushbuck, Ugandan kob, Warthog, and other mammals come to drink at the waters edge. Birdlife is abundant.

Today, you enjoy a half-day chimpanzee trek in the lush Kyambura Gorge. Approximately 1km across – at its broadest point and about 100 meters deep, the gorge and the surrounding landscape is among the most impressive you will find in Uganda.

The rest of the day is yours to relax at leisure. Maybe you choose to enjoy a late afternoon game drive, or you relax at the wildlife from the lodge grounds.

This morning, you enjoy a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park before being transferred to Kibale Forest National Park (an approx. 3hr drive), one of the best places to track chimpanzees on the continent. Upon arrival, you are transferred to Kibale Forest Camp, where you will stay for 2-Nights in 1x Double/Twin Safari Tent on a Full-Board Basis.

Today, you enjoy a half-day Chimpanzee Trek in Kibale Forest National Park, renowned for the greatest variety and the highest concentration of primates in East-Africa.

In the late afternoon, you visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which harbours 8 species of primates, including one of the best sightings in Africa to see the elusive Red Colobus monkey and a wealth of bird and butterfly species.

Today, after a relaxing breakfast and lunch at the lodge you are transferred to the Kasese Airstrip (an approx. 1½hr drive) where you will catch your light aircraft flight back to Entebbe Airport.

Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to the Karibu Guesthouse (an approx. 10min drive) where you enjoy the comforts of your Day-Room and rest before dinner (NB. dinner has not been included in the cost of this itinerary and must be paid for locally on the day).

In the late evening, you will be transferred 15 minutes to Entebbe Airport to check in for your indirect overnight flight back to London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports).

Arrive back into London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) by mid-morning.