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The ultimate immersive journey seeking primates in the ancient volcanic rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda. Trek for mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, 400-strong troops of stunning black and white colobus monkeys and much more.
This epic safari includes peaceful time out on the stunning Lake Kivu and visits to the local Batwa people and a coffee plantation.
One for the travel connoisseur
Highlights
Gorilla trekking. Trek on foot into the bamboo forests of Mgahinga to spend time with a habituated mountain gorilla family — a deeply moving, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.
Golden monkeys. Search for lively golden monkeys in the Virunga Highlands. Golden monkeys are found in only two small populations in the central Albertine Rift region of Central/East Africa.
Chimpanzee trekking. Follow expert trackers through Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest in pursuit of chimpanzees, hearing their calls echo through the trees long before you see them.
Nyungwe’s primates. Encounter an extraordinary diversity of other primates (13 species), from a 400-strong pied colobus mega-troop to elusive mangabeys and silver monkeys.
Canopy walk. Step out onto a suspended walkway high above the forest floor, gaining a rare perspective of Nyungwe’s layered rainforest ecosystem.
Lake Kivu interlude. Cruise across the calm waters of Lake Kivu to Bonaparte Island, enjoying a gentler rhythm between forest adventures.
Cultural & coffee connections. Spend time with the Batwa community and visit a local coffee farm to add cultural depth and context to the journey.
Locations
Kigali. Rwanda's capital city blends modern elegance with emotional depth, offering a window into Rwanda’s resilience and creativity. The city features vibrant markets, cultural sites, and dynamic dining experiences.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda). Uganda’s smallest national park is also one of its most dramatic. Rising into the Virunga volcanoes, Mgahinga protects montane forest, bamboo slopes and alpine vegetation — a rare refuge for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys at the crossroads of three countries.
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda). This fertile highland landscape lies in the shadow of the Virunga range, where agriculture, conservation and community life coexist closely. Cool air, rich soils and sweeping views define a region deeply tied to Rwanda’s conservation story.
Lake Kivu (Rwanda). One of Africa’s great Rift Valley lakes, Lake Kivu forms a natural border between Rwanda and the Congo (DRC). Its calm waters, forested shores and fishing communities create a gentler interlude between forested national parks.
Nyungwe National Park (Rwanda). One of Africa’s oldest rainforests, Nyungwe is a place of deep green valleys, towering trees, and exceptional biodiversity, renowned for its chimpanzee trekking, excellent bird-watching, high primate density, and immersive walking experiences.
Lodges
1 night at Travellers Rest Hotel (Kisoro, Uganda). A historic and characterful hotel offering classic comfort, warm hospitality and a sense of heritage rooted in early gorilla conservation history.
1 night at Virunga Inn Resort & Spa (Volcanoes region, Rwanda). A relaxed, contemporary retreat with spacious rooms, garden surrounds and a calm atmosphere well suited to rest between trekking days.
1 night at Cormoran Lodge (Lake Kivu, Rwanda). A peaceful lakeside lodge designed to maximise views and tranquillity, with simple elegance and an easy-going, restorative feel.
4 nights at Munazi Lodge (Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda). An intimate forest lodge offering comfortable cottages, natural materials and a strong sense of seclusion, designed to complement the surrounding rainforest environment. The only lodge inside the national park.
Timing
The best time for this itinerary is June to October and December to February, when trekking conditions are at their most favourable and forest trails are drier. These periods offer excellent primate viewing across both Uganda and Rwanda while keeping travel comfortable.
Prices
7 nights (8 days)
Per person sharing | Solo | ||
Low season | March to May & Nov to 14 Dec 2026 | from US$ 6,224 | from US$ 9,508 |
High season | June to Oct 2026 | from US$ 6,449 | from US$ 9,843 |
Includes: All transportation in a private 4x4 safari vehicle, English-speaking driver-guide, accommodation and meals, all primate trekking permits, park entrance fees and activity permits, guided nature walks, Kamiranzovu waterfall hike, Batwa community visit, Lake Kivu boat excursion to Bonaparte Island, coffee farm experience, Butare Ethnographic Museum visit, park guide fees, government taxes, 24/7 logistical support.
Excludes: International flights and airport taxes, visas, mandatory cancellation, travel and medical insurance, optional cultural visits not specified, gratuities, drinks at lodges, laundry, personal expenses, and optional activities not listed.
Thank you!
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
Day 1 – Arrive in Kigali & Drive to Uganda
Arrive in Kigali and meet your driver-guide before travelling north to the Cyanika border. Stop for lunch en route, cross into Uganda and continue to Kisoro near the Virunga volcanoes. This afternoon, visit the Batwa community before settling in for the evening.
Day 2 – Gorilla Trek & Return to Rwanda
After an early breakfast, head to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for your briefing and mountain gorilla trek. Spend one hour with your assigned gorilla family, then return to freshen up before driving back across the border into Rwanda for the night.
Day 3 – Golden Monkeys & Lake Kivu
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking. After lunch, continue by road to Lake Kivu and check in on arrival.
Day 4 – Lake Kivu & Nyungwe National Park
Begin with a boat excursion to Bonaparte Island, then travel south to Nyungwe National Park with a coffee plantation stop en route. This afternoon, hike to Kamiranzovu Waterfall.
Day 5 – Chimpanzee Trek & Canopy Walk
Trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe this morning. After lunch, experience the canopy walkway and a guided forest walk.
Day 6 – Grey-cheeked Mangabey & Pied Colobus
Explore the Uwinka sector in search of grey-cheeked mangabeys, followed by an afternoon primate walk to locate the pied colobus troop.
Day 7 – Silver Monkeys & Forest Walk
Return to the forest to track silver monkeys, with a final guided walk later in the day.
Day 8 – Drive to Kigali & Depart
Drive back to Kigali, stopping at the Royal Museum in Butare and for lunch in Nyanza. If time allows, close off this ultimate primate safari with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial before transferring to the airport for departure.
“A gaze to touch your soul”
Christian Boix, Uganda & Rwanda safari expert: “When you think life is complete after your first gorilla encounter, golden monkeys will steal your heart, L’Hoest’s monkeys take your breath away, Pied colobus redefine awesome, and a chimp’s gaze will touch your soul.”
“Shifting shadows”
Linda Fox, Uganda and Rwanda safari expert: “At dawn, follow your guide deep into the forest to track fresh nests. High in the canopy, find chimps stretching, playing, and feeding their young before they melt back into the jungle’s shifting shadows.”
"Bucket-list experience"
Ramona Rubach, Uganda and Rwanda safari expert: “I will never forget seeing gorillas for the first time. The trek is challenging, and guides and porters are invaluable. An hour observing offers a snapshot of mountain gorilla life, humbling and thought-provoking.”
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Our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
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Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!