Safari overview
8 days primate safari is one of the best primate tours designed for you to have quality time with your favorite primates while in their natural habitat. The top destinations to be explored on this primate tour include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for golden monkey tracking, and combines relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest freshwater Lake in Uganda. You will begin and end your safari to see Uganda primates from Kigali, Rwanda.
Safari details
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrival & Kigali City Exploration
Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, your driver-guide will warmly welcome you. If you arrive early, you will have the opportunity to explore Rwanda’s capital. Specifically, a short city tour includes a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, where a site guide provides deep insights into the 1994 tragedy. Afterward, you can visit Kimironko Market, Kigali’s largest market, to browse local crafts and sample fresh tropical fruits.
Day 2: Kigali to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Today, you will begin your primate safari by driving from Kigali toward the Uganda border at Cyanika. After crossing into Kisoro, you will proceed to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Although it is Uganda’s smallest park, it is a vital part of the Virunga Massif. Once you arrive, you will check into your lodge to relax amidst the breathtaking scenery of rolling volcanic hills.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking & Batwa Trail
You will wake up early for a briefing at the Ntebeko Park Headquarters regarding golden monkey tracking rules. Subsequently, you will spend 2 to 4 hours trekking through the bamboo forests to find these playful, endangered primates.
In the evening, you will embark on a cultural walk to visit the Batwa community. During this encounter, you will learn how the “keepers of the forest” lived harmoniously with nature for centuries before the park was established.
4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After a hefty breakfast, you will drive from Mgahinga to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to approximately 459 mountain gorillas—nearly half of the world’s remaining population. You will spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge, breathing in the fresh air of the ancient rainforest.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in the Mist
This is the highlight of your safari. After a morning briefing, you will begin your trek into the dense vegetation at 8:00 AM. Depending on the movement of the gorillas, the adventure can last between 2 to 6 hours. Once you locate a family, you will enjoy one “magical” hour of observation and photography. In the evening, you can further engage with the local culture through an optional community visit or a Batwa performance.
Day 6: Journey to Lake Bunyonyi
Following breakfast, you will depart the rainforest and head toward Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale. Known as the “place of many little birds,” Bunyonyi is Uganda’s deepest lake and is famous for its 29 scattered islands. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a serene boat ride to explore the unique geography of this terraced landscape.
Day 7: Full Day at Lake Bunyonyi
Today is dedicated to total relaxation and exploration. You may choose to take a dugout canoe ride to historical sites like Punishment Island or Upside-down Island. For those seeking more adrenaline, the lake offers activities such as zip-lining, cycling, or swimming (it is one of the few lakes in Africa free of bilharzia and crocodiles).
Day 8: Return to Kigali
After an early breakfast, your driver-guide will take you through Kabale town to the Katuna border. You will then cross back into Rwanda and continue to Kigali, marking the conclusion of your 8-day primate adventure.
