Ultimate Uganda & Rwanda Primate Odyssey

The Ancient Forest Experience

• Early morning chimpanzee trekking (4-6 hours) in one of Africa's oldest rainforests
• Track habituated chimpanzee communities through montane forest
• Encounter 12 other primate species including L'Hoest's monkeys and Rwenzori colobus
• Over 300 bird species for enthusiast birdwatchers
• Afternoon: Thrilling canopy walk suspended 70 meters above the forest floor (200-meter walkway)
• Sunset views over the tea plantations

Unique Element: Nyungwe hosts one of the largest troops of Angolan colobus monkeys (up to 400 individuals) - an incredible spectacle when encountered!

Accommodation: Nyungwe House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Montane to Volcanic Forests (4-5 hours drive)

• Morning colobus monkey trekking - witness super troops of black-and-white colobus
• Nature walk to beautiful waterfalls
• Cross back into Uganda, then to Musanze, Rwanda
• Scenic drive through the Virunga volcanic mountain range
• Evening cultural experience: Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Encountering the Rare Golden Beauties

• Early morning golden monkey trekking in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park
• Track these playful, endangered primates (only found in the Virunga Massif)
• Watch them leap acrobatically through bamboo groves
• Afternoon: Visit Dian Fossey's Karisoke Research Center or Ellen DeGeneres Campus
• Optional: Hike to Dian Fossey's grave (challenging 2-3 hour hike)

Unique Element: Golden monkeys are only found in this small region, making this a truly rare primate encounter.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Where Rwanda, Uganda & DRC Meet (3-4 hours drive)

• Morning transfer across the border to Uganda's Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
• Drive through terraced hills and local villages
• Afternoon: Community walk with the Batwa pygmies - the original forest people
• Learn traditional hunting techniques, medicine plants, and ancient forest wisdom
• Enjoy traditional Batwa music and dance performance
• Evening: Stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes (Mt. Muhabura, Gahinga & Sabyinyo)

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge / Traveler's Rest Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Ultimate Primate Encounter

• Pre-dawn breakfast and briefing at park headquarters
• Begin gorilla trekking through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes (3-8 hours depending on gorilla location)
• Spend one magical hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family
• Observe silverbacks, playful juveniles, and caring mothers in their natural habitat
• Celebration and certificate presentation upon return
• Afternoon at leisure to rest and reflect on this life-changing experience

Why Mgahinga: Fewer crowds than Bwindi, stunning volcanic backdrop, and the possibility of tracking the Nyakagezi gorilla family that roams across three countries!

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Journey to the Primate Capital of the World (7-8 hours drive)

• Early morning departure heading north through western Uganda
• Pass through Fort Portal, the "Tourism City of Uganda"
• Stop at the scenic Crater Lakes region
• Lunch in Fort Portal with views of the Rwenzori Mountains
• Afternoon arrival at Kibale Forest, home to the highest concentration of primates in Africa
• Evening nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
• Spot rare Great Blue Turaco and other endemic bird species

Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale / Ndali Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Ultimate Chimp Experience

Choose between two exclusive options:

Option A: Chimpanzee Trekking (Standard)

• Morning chimpanzee trek through the evergreen forest
• 3-4 hours in the forest tracking our closest relatives
• Encounter 13 primate species including red colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys

Option B: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (Exclusive - Additional Cost)

• Full-day experience (8am-4pm) with researchers
• Join habituation team before chimps wake up
• Spend extended time observing nest-building, feeding, grooming, and social interactions
• Learn about ongoing research and conservation efforts
• Maximum 4 people only!

Afternoon: Visit the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves and waterfalls

Unique Element: Kibale has the highest success rate (over 95%) for chimpanzee viewing in Africa!

Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final Forest Moments (6-7 hours drive)

• Early morning guided nature walk or optional crater lake hike
• Visit local tea plantation
• Transfer back to Entebbe with lunch en-route at Masaka
• Optional stop at the Equator monument for photos and souvenirs
• Evening drop-off at Entebbe International Airport

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
End of Safari