7-Day Rwanda Golden Monkey & Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

You will be warmly welcomed by your driver-guide upon arrival and transferred to Ruhengeri, the gateway town to Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes approximately two hours, winding through Rwanda’s breathtaking scenic hills, often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Along the way, you will enjoy several stopovers for photography, stretching, or refreshment breaks. Before departing Kigali, you will visit the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial or the Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial—or both, depending on time—offering a powerful insight into Rwanda’s history.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge

• Mid-range lodge less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Begin your day with an early breakfast before transferring to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing. You will then set off for an exciting golden monkey tracking experience on the bamboo-covered slopes of Volcanoes National Park. This unique activity typically lasts between 2 to 6 hours, offering close encounters with these playful and endangered primates in their natural habitat.

After the trek, return for lunch and later embark on a scenic drive to Uganda via the Cyanika Border. Continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the late afternoon, ready for the next phase of your adventure.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Best Time To Visit  June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

• Luxury lodge just outside Nkuringo (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

After an early breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an essential briefing and allocation of your gorilla family. With guidance from experienced rangers, you will then set off into the forest for one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters—gorilla trekking.

Venture deep into the jungle, navigating steep and densely forested hills as you track these magnificent primates. The moment you finally come face to face with the gorillas, often hidden within thick vegetation, is both humbling and unforgettable. Gorilla tracking in Bwindi requires a reasonable level of fitness and can take several hours, sometimes lasting most of the day, but the experience is truly worth every step.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

• Luxury lodge just outside Nkuringo (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

After breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife destinations. Upon arrival, enjoy an exciting game drive in the Ishasha Sector, famously known for its rare tree-climbing lions often seen resting on fig tree branches.

After the game drive, continue to your lodge for check-in and relaxation. During your time in the park, you may encounter a wide range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, antelopes, and a rich variety of bird species, making this a rewarding and memorable safari experience.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfal

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Enjoy breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This drive offers another chance to spot wildlife you may have missed earlier, including a variety of mammals and bird species across the park’s diverse landscapes.

Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before setting out for an afternoon boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel. This waterway is renowned for its high concentration of wildlife, where you can expect to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous bird species up close.

After the cruise, head back to the lodge for a restful evening, reflecting on the day’s incredible experiences.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

• Luxury lodge just outside Nkuringo (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Enjoy breakfast in the morning before setting off on a scenic drive to Kibale National Park, famously known for having the highest concentration of primates in Uganda and often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World.”

Upon arrival, embark on an exciting afternoon chimpanzee trekking experience through the lush tropical forest. Chimpanzee tracking typically takes between 3 to 5 hours, offering a remarkable opportunity to observe these intelligent primates in their natural habitat as they feed, play, and communicate in the wild.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Chimp trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather January to February and June to July (Least rain)

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge just outside Kibale NP (Chimps, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

You may choose to enjoy optional morning activities such as the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk or the Bigodi Cultural Experience, both offering rich insights into local wildlife and community life.

Afterward, you can either transfer back to Kigali or proceed to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. For added convenience, optional domestic flights of approximately one hour can be arranged at an extra cost—simply let us know your preference.

Main Destination: Kigali International Airport 

Accommodation:No accommodation   Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included