Ultimate 19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda
19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are currently the most sought-after and commonly requested adventure for tourists in 2017 who want to explore and uncover the finest attractions in Uganda.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Kidepo National Park, one of Africa’s top natural parks, according to CNN. This vast wilderness area boasts expansive savannahs, majestic mountains, and an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and ostriches. Additionally, you can explore the hot springs at Kanangorok. Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure by encountering Uganda’s and Africa’s rarest wildlife through 2 days of gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda. Don’t miss the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with chimpanzee trekking in the magnificent tropical forest of Kibale.
Please be aware that flights to Kidepo are available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Experience a 19-day gorilla trekking expedition in Uganda and Rwanda.
19-Day Gorilla Trekking Expedition in Uganda and Rwanda
Day 1 of 19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport with a travel time of around 10 minutes,.
Upon your arrival at Entebbe airport, our company representative will personally greet you and arrange for your journey to The Boma Hotel in Entebbe, a mid-level facility. The purpose of this transfer is to provide you with overnight accommodation and a dinner plan.
Day 2: Travel by air to Kidepo Valley National Park.
On the second day of our 19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, our guide and driver will get you from the Boma Hotel and transport you to Entebbe International Airport in order to take a scheduled flight to Kidepo Valley National Park. The scheduled departure time of the flight is 12:30 PM, and the estimated arrival time is 2:45 PM. The park offers a distinct realm of expansive grasslands, offering panoramic views of spring scenery from various perspectives, while also providing abundant wildlife sightings as you enter the park by car. Kidepo National Park features awe-inspiring expansive grasslands, encompassed by magnificent mountainous scenery that is unparalleled in Africa.
Kidepo Valley National Park, the second largest national park in Uganda, is renowned as one of Africa’s most exceptional and untouched natural environments. Tonight, you will embark on a sunset game drive in the Narus valley, aiming to spot lions, Jackson hartebeests, buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, and cheetahs. Enjoy dinner and spend the night at Apoka Safari Lodge. The meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 3: Excursion to Kanangorok Hot Springs & Cultural Immersion
In the early morning, enjoy breakfast while witnessing the sunrise behind the mountain. On day 3 of 19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, observe the valley being filled with sunlight. Then embark on a game drive to the ostrich farm, where an abundance of birds may be likened to a man-made spectacle. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, and lions. Finally, visit the hot springs at Kananook and have lunch at Apoka Safari Lodge. In the afternoon, engage in a cultural immersion that will let you interact with the Karamojong people in Karenga and Kapedo. Engage with the community’s senior members and avail yourself of the chance to communicate with them. They will exhibit the kraals, the grinding stones, and various other intriguing artifacts. Enjoy dinner and spend the night at Apoka Safari Lodge. The lodge offers a meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 4: Explore Kidepo Valley National Park during a guided nature walk.
After a hearty breakfast, a knowledgeable ranger guide will accompany you on a walking excursion to explore the park on foot and escape the confines of a safari vehicle. The guide will share their expertise on the ecosystem and facilitate a closer encounter with the animals. For bird enthusiasts, keep an eye out for Fox Kestrel, Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Grasshopper Buzzard, Montague’s Harrier, Fan Tailed Raven, and the exceedingly rare Stone Partridge. During the afternoon, guests have the option to engage in leisure activities and explore the surroundings of the lodge. Alternatively, they can opt for an evening game drive to observe a greater variety of wildlife and games. Apoka Safari Resort offers an overnight stay with a meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 5: Full-day relaxation at Kidepo.
Today is designated for leisure and unwinding at your accommodation. Allocate a portion of your schedule to engage in the act of swimming in a natural environment, while simultaneously experiencing a sense of relaxation and tranquility as you observe the vast expanse of the azure heavens above. Consider past experiences, recollections, and the upcoming wildlife encounters on your safari tomorrow. Apoka Safari Resort offers an overnight stay with a meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6: Depart from Kidepo and return to Entebbe. The flight departs at 1500 hours and arrives in Entebbe
Today, we will have an early breakfast while walking through the park. This will provide us with an opportunity to observe elephants, buffaloes, and other types of antelopes as we make our way towards Katarum gate. Along the way, we will pause at Katarum Kopje, a location where there is an abandoned lodge cut into the rock. Currently, the lodge is being renovated, but we will still be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the park from this vantage point. Make sure you are ready to board the return flight to Entebbe. Upon your arrival, you will be transported to Cassia Lodge, where you will spend the night and have dinner. The meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Travel from Kampala to Murchison Falls, which takes around 5 hours.
19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda commence the scenic journey in a north-western direction, traversing the renowned Luwero Triangle, then proceed to Masindi by way of the Ziwa Rhino Project. It is essential to visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for the purpose of Rhino trekking. Following the midday meal, proceed to Murchison Falls, making a stop at the Bomu women’s group to partake in a communal encounter. Stay overnight and have dinner at Murchison River Lodge in their mid-level facility. The meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 8: Safari at Murchison Falls National Park
Day 8 of of 19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, following your consumption of a cup of coffee, proceed to traverse the Nile by means of a ferry in order to reach the park’s northern bank. The guide will assist you in identifying several wildlife species, including Elephant, Lion, Cape buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, hartebeest, Waterbuck, Oribi, Bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, hyena, and, if fortunate, the leopard. Revisit the hotel to have breakfast and lunch. Following lunch, embark on a boat safari up the tranquil Victoria Nile towards the foundation of the falls, pausing a short distance from “Devil’s Cauldron.” While traveling, you can admire the delicious hippos and crocodiles.
Along this 17 kilometer trip, you might also spot elephants, waterbucks, and Uganda Kob crocodiles. The area is also home to a variety of bird species, including the Goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant, and the unusual shoebill stork. Upon disembarking from the boat, you will commence a strenuous climb to the top of the falls, which is expected to take approximately 1 hour. Observe the location where the longest river in the world forcefully bursts through a tight gap in the Rift Valley cliff, descending into a turbulent pool that is 43 meters below. Your chauffeur/guide will be ready and waiting to escort you back to the lodge. Murchison River Lodge offers a mid-level facility with a meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner (B-L-D).
Day 9: Depart from Murchison Falls and travel to Kibale. The journey will take approximately 8 hours.
The entire day will be spent driving south from Hoima to Fort Portal, passing through lush terrain and beside traditional homesteads and farms along the Albertine Rift escarpments. Fort-Portal is located near the renowned Rwenzori Mountains. Accommodation and meals will be provided in Primate Lodge cottages (specifically the Mid Lodge facility). Food schedule: morning meal, midday meal, and evening meal.
Day 10: On this day, we will engage in the exciting activity of trekking chimpanzees and monkeys in the Kibale forest.
Additionally, we will take a leisurely walk in the Bigodi area.
Following an early breakfast, proceed to the Kanyanchu Tourist Center, the starting point for tourist activities. From there, embark on a journey to locate and see chimpanzees in their natural habitat within the forest. The probability of observing the chimpanzees is greater than 90%, although it is not guaranteed. Kibale National Park is an exquisite and breathtaking woodland located in Uganda. The area is inhabited by our nearest living relatives, the endangered Chimpanzee, the threatened Red Colobus monkey, and the uncommon L’Hoest’s monkey. The forest is renowned for its exceptional diversity and density of primates in Africa, with a total of 13 species, including the black and white Columbus, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, bush infants, and pottos.
After lunch, embark on a cultural community walk and visit the Bigodi museum to gain insights into the lives of the local people. Afterwards, visit the Wetland Sanctuary, where you will embark on a guided walk through the swamp. This will allow you to observe a diverse array of plant and animal life. Observe a diverse range of butterflies, birds, and other insects. Take a tour of the crater region surrounding Ndali Resort. If desired, you may also make a brief visit to any tea plantations located along the way. Experience an evening excursion to the crater region, including a visit to the renowned “top of the world” viewpoint and an awe-inspiring natural bridge. Under optimal weather conditions, you will get a vantage point to observe the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori. Accommodation and meals will be provided at Primate Lodge cottages (specifically the Mid Lodge facility). Food schedule: morning meal, midday meal, and evening meal.
Day 11: Depart from Kibale and go to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a travel time of around 2 hours.
Following breakfast, go on a trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will have the opportunity to observe the enchanting Rwenzori Mountain range for a significant portion of the journey. Register at your lodging establishment while you await your midday meal. Following lunch, go on an afternoon Launch sail around the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lakes Edward and George. The trip offers a splendid opportunity to observe hippopotamus, buffalo, kob, and occasionally Nile crocodiles (who have just started inhabiting this area), as well as enjoy the magnificent bird viewing along the water’s edge. For many individuals who partake in the launch cruise, it is often regarded as the pinnacle of their entire African safari experience. The package includes an evening meal and a one-night stay at Enganzi Lodge, specifically in their Mid Lodge facility. The meal plan consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 12: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up at dawn and bring your packed lunch. Embark on a morning game drive to observe the animals that are active early in the day, including predators returning to their resting places. During your visit, it is highly probable that you may encounter grazing hippos, elephants, and lions, as well as spotted hyenas, bush deer, waterbucks, stripped jackals, hilarious warthogs, and the elusive leopard. Please proceed to the Maramagambo woodland. Various surprises await you at this location. For instance, pythons are sometimes sighted in the cracks of the bat cave floor, where they prey on bats for sustenance. The cave is close to a picturesque lake that was once famous for its blue hue, as well as another cave that is popular with hunters. Additionally, it is possible to observe avian species found in forest habitats, such as bat hawks, brown eared woodpeckers, and other primates. Enjoy a dinner and overnight stay at Enganzi Lodge, a mid-level facility. The meal package includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 13: Travel from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Ishasha, with a travel time of 2 hours.
Continue on to Ishasha with memories from the previous day. Travel across the sizable, arid craters that are home to acacia trees and savannah grass. The drive will lead you through the distinctive western rift valley escarpment and the Ishasha sector, which is located in the southern portion of Queen Elizabeth National Park. During this drive, you will have the opportunity to embark on another wildlife drive in the afternoon and evening, specifically to seek tree climbing lions. Enjoy an overnight stay and meals at the Ishasha Jungle Lodge, a mid-level facility. The meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner (B, L, and D).
Day 14: Travel from Ishasha to Bwindi, which takes around 1 hour.
Embark on a morning-guided bush walk to experience a more intimate connection with the natural environment. In the late morning, we will embark on a game drive to observe the tree climbing lions. Afterward, we will continue our journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The excursion lasts approximately 2 hours, encompassing captivating landmarks and attractions. Reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during the evening. This park serves as the habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas. In addition to gorillas, there is a diverse range of primates to observe, such as the blue and red tailed monkeys. The forest is abundant with vegetation and exhibits a vibrant green color. Additionally, streams traverse through the woodland. The package includes an evening meal and accommodation at Sliverback Lodge, which offers mid-level facilities. The meal plan consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 15: Bwindi Gorilla Tracking Tour
Embark on an early morning expedition with experienced guides to locate and see mountain gorillas in Bwindi. The excitement of your meeting will overshadow the challenges of your potentially arduous journey. Ensure you have jungle boots and raincoats, as the park frequently experiences damp conditions. Observe the gorillas in amazement as they engage in their daily routines. Every gorilla safari experience is unique and offers its own benefits, but you can expect to witness the intimate sight of adult gorillas engaging in activities such as feeding, grooming, and relaxing, while the young ones playfully romp and swing from vines, creating a lovely spectacle.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a lush expanse of deep rainforest, which has endured since the last ice age. Designated as a newly declared World Heritage site, this location is renowned for its exceptional ecological diversity. Its distinct and valuable plant life supports almost 50% of the global population of mountain gorillas, which is estimated to be only 720 individuals. Additionally, Bwindi is home to a significant population of chimpanzees. Research indicates that Bwindi is the sole forest in Africa where both chimpanzees and apes coexist.
If you have enough time, dedicate the afternoon to a community foot safari in order to investigate the lifestyle of the residents in and around the park. Acquire knowledge about their culture, lifestyle, and narrative traditions. Arrive back at the camp feeling excited and eager to share the experience with others while enjoying a beverage. The package includes an evening meal and accommodation at Sliverback Lodge, namely in the Mid facility. The meal plan consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 16: Depart from Bwindi and go to Rwanda. The journey will take approximately 5 hours.
Following breakfast, embark on a journey to Rwanda, relishing the picturesque rolling hills that are renowned for their beauty. Drive to Ruhengere via Musanze, where you can partake in a community or village walk. Afterwards, proceed by car along the lakes (Ruhondo and Mutera) and arrive at Parc Volcanoes in the afternoon. The evening is dedicated to engaging in tourist activities and unwinding within the vicinity of the hotel. The package includes an evening meal and accommodation at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, a mid-range facility. The meal plan consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 17: Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Following a briefing from your guide, embark on a journey to locate mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Witness the captivating spectacle of gorillas engaging in their daily routines for a duration of one hour. You may expect to observe adults engaging in activities such as feeding, grooming, and relaxing, while the young ones play and swing from vines in a charmingly entertaining exhibition. The package includes an evening meal and accommodation at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, a mid-range facility. The meal plan consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 18: Trekking for Golden Monkeys in Rwanda
Explore 19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. at Parc National des Volcanos, where you can engage in tracking the golden monkeys and spend the afternoon unwinding at camp. The package includes an evening meal and accommodation at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, a mid-range facility. The meal plan consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 19: Depart Parc Volcano and travel to Kigali.
On the last day of 19 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda. The Kigali Memorial Center serves as a burial ground for around 250,000 victims of the genocide. It includes a primary historical museum, a Children’s Memorial show, and an exhibition on comparative genocide titled “Wasted Lives.” In addition, the site encompasses more than four acres of memorial gardens, which house ten mass graves. It also includes the National Genocide Documentation Center.
19 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Following this, visitors can proceed to the Nyamata Church, which serves as a memorial place for the genocide. This particular church witnessed the tragic loss of approximately 2500 lives. It demonstrates the extent to which women were subjected to severe violence during the genocide. The manner in which they were subjected to sexual assault and various forms of mistreatment. A diverse group of individuals sought refuge within this Catholic Church, barricading themselves inside to shield against merciless assailants. Regrettably, fortune did not favor them, as they were ultimately discovered and ruthlessly massacred. The location exhibits the extreme violence that occurred during the 100-day genocide. Afterwards, we will return to Kigali International Airport. The meal plan for this portion of the trip includes breakfast and lunch.
Conclude your 19-day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Request more information now.
This 19-day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda encompasses the following:
Transportation services to and from the airport.
Provide the prices for round-trip flights to Kidepo.
Exploring Karamojong culture during a visit to Kidepo.
Kidepo guided nature walk.
There are two gorilla permits available, one in Uganda and one in Rwanda.
The package includes all meals and accommodations as specified in the itinerary. (Stay for a duration of 3 nights at Apoka Safari Lodge, located in Kidepo.).
Transportation will be provided in a spacious and comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser.
Admission prices for the park.
Provision of a driver/guide who is fluent in English and available on a full-time basis.
Choose between water, coffee, or tea while on safari.
Boat excursions.
Game drives only.
All activities are as specified in the program.
Chimpanzee tracking at Kibale.
All government taxes and levies.
Participate in a community stroll in Bwindi and Kibale.
Ascend to the summit of the waterfall.
Charges for crossing by ferry.
Hiking in a crater.
On-the-go meals.
Embark on a bush hike in Ishasha.
Bigodi hike.
Costs associated with crossing international borders.
Experience a comprehensive Kigali City Tour that encompasses visits to the genocide center and Nyamata Church.
The 19 days gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda packages do not include the following expenses: visa fees for Uganda and Rwanda, beverages, laundry services, gratuities for local guides, telephone charges, porter fees during trekking, personal insurance, tobacco, and any other activities not specified in the safari program.
