12 Days Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania Primate and Wildlife Safari

After breakfast at your hotel in Kigali, meet your professional driver-guide for a briefing before beginning your exploration of Rwanda's capital. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and an important place to learn about Rwanda's history, resilience and journey towards reconciliation.

Afterwards, travel northwest through Rwanda's beautiful highlands towards Volcanoes National Park, passing terraced hills, rural communities and picturesque countryside.

Following lunch, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, subject to opening hours and availability. Discover the conservation work dedicated to protecting mountain gorillas and learn about the legacy of Dian Fossey and her pioneering research.

Later, visit Gorilla Guardians Village for an introduction to Rwandan traditions through cultural demonstrations, traditional music and dance. This experience offers insight into the country's heritage and the role of local communities in conservation and tourism.

Transfer to your lodge near Volcanoes National Park for dinner and relaxation amid the spectacular Virunga mountain scenery.

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After breakfast, proceed to the Kinigi park headquarters for your primate experience in Volcanoes National Park.

Your included activity is golden monkey trekking, an exciting opportunity to observe these endangered primates in their natural habitat. Accompanied by park guides, follow forest trails in search of golden monkeys as they move through the bamboo vegetation, feed and interact with one another.

Alternatively, you may upgrade to mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda for an additional permit cost of US$1,500 per person, subject to availability and confirmation at booking. This option provides an extraordinary opportunity to encounter a habituated mountain gorilla family in the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains.

After your trek, return for lunch before crossing into Uganda. Complete the required immigration formalities and continue towards the Bwindi or Mgahinga region of southwestern Uganda.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy the peaceful mountain surroundings. The Virunga ranges and nearby volcanic landscapes provide a beautiful introduction to Uganda's gorilla trekking region.

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Today brings one of the defining experiences of your East African adventure: mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the designated park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Learn about gorilla behaviour, trekking procedures and conservation guidelines before entering the forest with experienced guides and trackers.

Depending on your confirmed permit, you will trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both destinations offer opportunities to observe endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, although the terrain, vegetation and trekking conditions vary.

Follow forest trails through dense montane vegetation as your guides search for a habituated gorilla family. The trek may take several hours, depending on the group's location and movements.

Once the gorillas are located, spend up to one hour observing their natural behaviour. Watch as they feed, groom, rest, play and interact within their family groups, offering a rare insight into the lives of these remarkable primates.

After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and an opportunity to reflect on this extraordinary wildlife encounter.

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After breakfast, depart the gorilla trekking region and travel towards Lake Bunyonyi, one of southwestern Uganda's most picturesque destinations.

Enjoy a scenic drive through rolling hills, terraced farmland, banana plantations and rural communities. The landscape offers excellent photographic opportunities and an insight into everyday life in Uganda's southwestern highlands.

Upon arrival, check in at your lakeside accommodation and take in the spectacular views of Lake Bunyonyi, whose tranquil waters are surrounded by green hills and dotted with numerous islands.

Spend the remainder of the day relaxing at the lodge or enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Depending on your interests and the activities arranged, you may choose to add a canoe trip, boat excursion or community visit.

After the excitement of gorilla trekking, Lake Bunyonyi offers a welcome opportunity to slow down and appreciate Uganda's natural beauty.

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After breakfast, begin your journey north towards Kibale National Park, travelling through Uganda's changing landscapes and vibrant countryside.

The drive passes through rural settlements, rolling hills, agricultural areas and tea-growing landscapes as you make your way towards the western region of the country. Enjoy opportunities to observe local life along the route and appreciate the diversity of Uganda's scenery.

Kibale National Park is internationally recognised for its rich primate diversity and is one of the country's leading destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Its tropical rainforest supports chimpanzees alongside several other primate species, forest birds and a variety of other wildlife.

Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your lodge. Depending on your arrival time, relax at the property or enjoy the peaceful forest surroundings before the following day's chimpanzee tracking experience.

Meal plan

After an early breakfast, proceed to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for your chimpanzee tracking briefing.

Accompanied by experienced forest guides and rangers, enter Kibale National Park in search of a habituated chimpanzee community. Follow forest trails while listening for calls and movement in the canopy as your guide helps locate the chimpanzees.

Once found, observe these intelligent primates as they feed, groom, communicate and move through their forest habitat. Depending on the day's conditions, you may also encounter red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys and a variety of forest birds.

Chimpanzee tracking provides a fascinating complement to your mountain gorilla encounter, revealing another side of Uganda's remarkable primate diversity.

After the experience, enjoy lunch before continuing towards Mbarara through western Uganda's countryside. Arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

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After an early breakfast, depart Mbarara at approximately 06:00 for the journey towards the Mutukula border between Uganda and Tanzania.

Travel through the countryside towards Lake Victoria, enjoying views of agricultural landscapes and rural communities along the way. At the border, complete the required immigration and customs formalities before continuing into Tanzania.

Proceed towards Bukoba, located on the western shores of Lake Victoria, according to your confirmed transport arrangements. From Bukoba, board your domestic flight to Mwanza, subject to the operating schedule and ticket availability.

Upon arrival in Mwanza, meet your local representative and transfer to your lakeside accommodation. Mwanza is known for its distinctive granite rock formations, vibrant lakeside atmosphere and beautiful views over Lake Victoria.

Spend the evening relaxing at the resort, enjoying dinner and, weather permitting, a spectacular sunset over the lake.

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After breakfast, depart Mwanza for Serengeti National Park, one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations.

The route and entry gate will be selected according to the season, road conditions and the expected location of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Depending on the time of year, access may be planned through the western, northern or central areas of the Serengeti.

As you enter the park, begin exploring the vast savannah landscapes in search of wildlife. The Serengeti supports an extraordinary range of species, including lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and numerous antelope species.

Your guide will adapt the day's route to available wildlife sightings and prevailing park conditions, making the most of opportunities for photography and observation.

The Serengeti is especially famous for the seasonal movement of wildebeest and zebras across its plains. Although the location of the herds changes throughout the year, your safari will be planned with migration movements in mind.

Arrive at your tented camp and enjoy dinner beneath the African sky.

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Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti on morning and afternoon game drives.

Set out early when wildlife is often active and temperatures are cooler. Search for lions resting after a hunt, cheetahs scanning the open plains, elephants moving between feeding grounds and giraffes browsing among scattered trees.

Your guide will also look for spotted hyenas, zebras, wildebeest and other animals that contribute to the Serengeti's extraordinary biodiversity.

Depending on the season and the location of the herds, you may encounter large concentrations of wildebeest and zebras during the Great Migration. River crossings and particular wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, as the migration follows natural patterns influenced by rainfall and grazing conditions.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive. The Serengeti's open grasslands, rocky outcrops and wooded riverbanks provide a variety of habitats and wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Return to camp around sunset for dinner and relaxation after a rewarding day in one of Africa's most iconic national parks.

Meal plan

Rise early for a morning game drive in the Serengeti, exploring the plains and wildlife-rich areas around your camp.

If the route passes through the Seronera Valley, enjoy opportunities to explore one of the Serengeti's best-known wildlife areas, famous for its resident predators and diverse animal populations. Your guide will tailor the drive to the camp's location, wildlife sightings and the distance to your exit gate.

Later, depart the Serengeti and travel towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, enjoy changing scenery as the open savannah gradually gives way to rolling hills and the cooler landscapes of the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Depending on the route and arrival time, you may stop at suitable scenic viewpoints to admire the surrounding countryside.

Arrive at your lodge for dinner and relaxation in preparation for the following day's Ngorongoro Crater safari.

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After breakfast, travel to the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for a memorable wildlife safari.

Descend into the crater, a vast volcanic caldera containing grasslands, woodland, wetlands and freshwater habitats that support an impressive concentration of wildlife.

Explore the crater floor with your guide in search of elephants, buffaloes, lions, spotted hyenas, zebras, wildebeest and hippos. The crater is also an important habitat for the endangered black rhinoceros, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

The diversity of wildlife and the dramatic crater walls create a spectacular setting for game viewing and photography. Bird enthusiasts may also spot flamingos and other waterbirds around suitable wetlands, depending on the season and water conditions.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated site before continuing your game drive. Later, ascend from the crater and transfer to Karatu, a highland town surrounded by fertile farmland and green landscapes.

Check in at your lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening after a full day of wildlife exploration.

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After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, your final wildlife destination on this remarkable East African expedition.

Tarangire is renowned for its large elephant populations, ancient baobab trees, seasonal wildlife concentrations and exceptional birdlife. The Tarangire River provides an important source of water during drier periods, attracting animals from the surrounding ecosystem.

Enjoy a game drive through the park in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, lions and other wildlife. The park's distinctive landscapes offer a memorable finale to your safari, with baobab-studded plains and woodland creating excellent photographic opportunities.

After the game drive, continue towards Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, depending on your onward flight arrangements and the confirmed schedule.

Your 12-day Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania safari concludes with lasting memories of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees and the remarkable wildlife of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire.

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