5 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari

5 Days  Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari to Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park & Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and  Wildlife safari.

The 5-day Rwanda Uganda safari is designed for travelers seeking to engage in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda’s Kibale forest National Park, and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The tour opens with an exploration of Kigali. Upon concluding the city tour in Kigali, the very first destination will be Kibale National Park. Kibale is frequently recognized as the capital of primates globally. The region is home to 13 species of primates and more than 1,500 chimpanzees. Regrettably, it lacks gorillas. Should that occur, managing the influx of tourists in the park would present significant challenges. Kibale Forest is an excellent location for tracking chimpanzees, with a high likelihood of encountering them. This occurs as they tend to remain close to their recognized feeding areas. Four groups have been habituated and are ready for tourism. Kibale Forest provides travelers with the opportunity to engage in the chimpanzee habituation experience. This experience entails a higher cost but provides travelers with ample opportunity for comprehensive study and observation of the primates, guided by experienced researchers.

Your journey will continue from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will enjoy a game drive and a launch cruise. What distinguishes Queen Elizabeth National Park? The location presents stunning scenery and landscapes that remain consistently engaging. Volcanic eruptions and millions of years of geological activity have shaped gorges, crater lakes, salt lakes, and a diverse landscape, enhancing the experience of a game drive beyond that of the Masai Mara. Because Queen Elizabeth is located in a region with favorable weather, it remains green for a large portion of the year. This indicates that safaris offer a higher level of comfort compared to certain well-known, yet extremely hot, national parks in East Africa. Visitors will observe four of the renowned big five animals, alongside experiencing underground forests, picturesque lakes, and stunning vistas of the Rwenzori mountains. The primary activities in Queen Elizabeth include nature walks, game drives, a launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, lion tracking, and cultural visits. The finest spot to witness the extremely unusual tree climbing lions is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which I neglected to say earlier.

You will proceed from Queen Elizabeth to the Volcanoes National Park for Gorilla Trekking. Volcanoes National Park stands as the premier tourism destination in Rwanda, attracting a significant number of visitors. This park is located at a high altitude and features five impressive volcanoes. The primary activities include gorilla trekking, hiking one of the five volcanoes, golden monkey trekking, and visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey.

Additional activities in the park encompass a visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village, an exploration of the Musanze Caves, and a trip to the Twin Lakes, Burera and Ruhondo.

This 5-day Uganda and Rwanda begins and ends in Kigali. This tour can be customized to include gorilla trekking in Uganda, thereby minimizing the overall cost. The cost of gorilla permits in Rwanda is $1,500, whereas in Uganda, it is $800. For an extended safari experience, we invite you to explore our 7-day Rwanda Uganda safari package. We offer an extended 10-day wildlife safari package in Rwanda and Uganda. The 10-day tour package through Uganda and Rwanda is an alternative to the previously discussed option, commencing in Uganda and concluding in Kigali.

Highlights & Activities Of 5 Days Rwanda & Uganda Safari

•     Touring the city of Kigali
•    Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes national park Rwanda
•    Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
•    Game drive at Queen Elizabeth National Park
•    Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise

A Detailed 5 Days Rwanda Rwanda Gorilla Safari

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda.

Your guide/driver will collect you from your hotel at 8:00 AM or early to commence the 6-hour journey to Kibale National Park. Prior to commencing the journey, you will participate in a tour of four locations within the city. The 5 days Rwanda Uganda itinerary features the genocide memorial center in Kigali, the primary city market, the former presidential palace museum, and artisan shops for souvenirs. Following the city tour, you will commence your journey to Uganda. Ensure that your passport and yellow fever vaccination card are ready to facilitate a smooth visa application process. The journey to Kibale National Park may be extensive, yet it offers remarkable scenery and picturesque countryside as a reward. Experience the stunning volcanoes and picturesque hills of Rwanda, alongside the dense forests of Uganda, offering a remarkable opportunity for nature enthusiasts. We will stop for lunch on the way, and you can expect to arrive in the middle of the afternoon. Upon arrival at your hotel, proceed with the check-in process, take a refreshing shower, and unwind as you get ready for the chimpanzee tracking experience scheduled for the following day.

Accommodation options include dinner and an overnight stay at Chimpanzee Guest House, suitable for mid-range and budget travelers, as well as Kyaninga Lodge, which offers a luxury experience.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Following your breakfast, you will proceed directly to the Kibale National Park offices for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The Rangers will provide you with information regarding the park, its inhabitants, the chimpanzee clans, recommended packing items, appropriate behavior around chimpanzees, and what to anticipate during your visit. The duration for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park typically ranges from 3 to 5 hours. Their vocal nature makes them easy to locate. Their groups exhibit greater dramatic qualities in comparison to those of gorillas. Anticipate that the hour spent with them will be highly engaging.  Feel free to capture as many photographs as you desire before returning to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, the driver will commence the two-hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation options include Mweya Safari Lodge for luxury, Parkview Lodge for mid-range, and Simba Safari Camp for budget-friendly stays.

Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel.

You will rise early to have breakfast. Consider packing coffee to enjoy during your early morning game drive. The early morning game drive is arranged to provide visitors with the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals returning to their dens after a night of hunting. The design effectively targets early risers prior to their hunting activities. Be cautious of leopards and hippos as they return from grazing outside the water during the night. The morning presents an optimal opportunity to observe birds and herbivorous animals as they venture out to graze following their defensive measures against predators. The game drive will offer opportunities to observe buffaloes, lions, hartebeests, and various antelopes. You will subsequently return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

At 2:00 PM, you will be escorted for a boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel. The boat cruise ranks among the premier activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kazinga Channel serves as a gathering point for numerous animals and birds seeking a bath or drink. The Kazinga Channel links Lake Edward to Lake Gorge and is regarded as one of the premier birding destinations in Africa. The channel is renowned for its diverse population of primates and various other animal species, making it one of the premier locations for wildlife observation in Africa. Anticipate observing elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, and various predators.

Accommodation options include Mweya Safari Lodge for luxury, Parkview Lodge for mid-range, and Simba Safari Camp for budget-friendly stays.

Day 4: Game drive in the Ishasha Sector – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

Following the engaging activities of day 4, a visit to the renowned tree-climbing lions in the Ishasa sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park would be a fitting conclusion. Tree-climbing lions are exclusively found in Ishasha, Kruger National Park in South Africa, and Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Upon observing the tree-climbing lions of Uganda, you will commence your return journey to Rwanda, where you will cross into Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking the following day. Lunch will be sourced from an appropriate restaurant during the journey to Rwanda. Make sure to get plenty of sleep as soon as you get at the lodge so that you are well-prepared for the following day’s gorilla trekking.

Accommodation options include dinner and overnight stays at The 5 Volcanoes Lodge, Da Vinci Lodge, and Kinigi Guesthouse, catering to luxury, mid-range, and budget preferences respectively.

Day 5: Tracking Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda – Departure

You will rise early in the morning to have breakfast before proceeding to the park offices for the briefing on gorilla trekking. The briefing encompasses various subjects, including expectations, appropriate conduct in the presence of gorillas, the different gorilla groups, and the historical context of the park. In Rwanda, gorilla tracking entails the assignment of a specific gorilla family from the 12 that have been habituated for observation.

The park officials will assign you one based on your preferences, age, and overall fitness level. Certain gorilla families in Rwanda inhabit and traverse the depths of the forest, necessitating additional time to locate them. Engage a porter if you possess additional luggage and equipment prior to your journey into the forest.

You will have a one-hour session with the primates. Please take the opportunity to observe and capture photographs at your leisure. Please adhere to the guidance provided by the Rangers and maintain composure, even in the presence of a gorilla approaching you. Please adhere to the guidelines for gorilla trekking. Upon the conclusion of your one hour with the gorilla family, please return to the starting point where our office Guide will be waiting to transport you back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will commence your return journey to Kigali. The driver will transport you to the airport in Kigali or to your hotel if you are still in the area.

5 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari include: 

• A safari vehicle with a retractable roof
• A driver/ Guide to be with you full time.
• Fuel for the 5 days
• Gorilla Permits for Rwanda
• Chimpanzee permits for Kibale National Park
• Park entry fees
• Game drive and boat cruise at the Kazinga channel
• The Kigali city tour
• All planned activities
• Drinking water and lunch while traveling
• Accommodation for 4 nights
• Pickup and drop-off in Kigali

The cost of the safari doesn’t include

• flights
• visas
• personal expenses
• insurance.