Uganda Primates (Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking) & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Safari from Kigali City

Embark on a remarkable journey through the heart of East Africa on a 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari adventure combining thrilling wildlife encounters, the enchanting cultures surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and intimate experiences with endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Starting in Rwanda’s bustling Kigali, this itinerary includes visits to cultural heritage sites, Uganda’s premier national parks, and rare opportunities to trek into the jungles to see iconic species.

This 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari is designed to provide travelers with a mix of wildlife sightings and immersive cultural experiences, offering insights into the local ways of life and the conservation efforts that protect this diverse ecosystem. At Winton Africa Safaris Ltd, we pride ourselves on delivering unforgettable wildlife and cultural experiences. This 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and immersion into the local cultures of Uganda and Rwanda, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari Highlights

Detailed 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Drive from Kigali, Visit Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village, and Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Your 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari adventure begins with a warm welcome from your guide in Kigali City, the capital of Rwanda. After a brief orientation, you’ll set off on a scenic drive through Rwanda’s rolling hills toward Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village, an authentic Rwandan experience that highlights the traditional lifestyles of the local people. Iby’Iwachu provides a fascinating glimpse into Rwandan history and customs, with opportunities to engage in activities such as traditional drumming, dancing, and storytelling. Visitors are invited to participate in the creation of handicrafts or try their hand at preparing local dishes. The village tour ends with a performance of the intore dance, a spectacular cultural dance known for its energy and grace.

After soaking in this rich cultural immersion, you’ll continue your 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari journey across the border into Uganda, arriving at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is renowned for its dense rainforests and remarkable biodiversity, particularly the endangered mountain gorillas that reside here. Upon arrival, check into the Four Gorillas Lodge, where you can relax and prepare for tomorrow’s adventure in the forest.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Batwa Cultural Experience

Today, you’ll embark on one of the most exhilarating experiences of your lifetime – trekking the world-famous mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll meet your 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari experienced ranger guide who will brief you on the trek. The journey into the forest may take several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family you are assigned to visit. As you hike through the dense undergrowth, keep your eyes peeled for other wildlife and rare bird species.

When you finally encounter the gorillas, you’ll spend up to one magical hour in their presence. Watching them go about their daily routines, from grooming to feeding, is a humbling experience. These gentle giants exhibit remarkable human-like behaviors, making the trek all the more poignant.

After returning from the forest, the day continues with a visit to the Batwa Community, one of the most marginalized indigenous groups in Uganda. The Batwa are the original inhabitants of the Bwindi Forest, having lived as hunter-gatherers for centuries. Following the establishment of Bwindi as a national park, the Batwa were displaced from the forest, leading to significant challenges in preserving their cultural heritage.

During your time with the Batwa, you’ll learn about their traditional ways of life, including hunting techniques, medicinal plant knowledge, and spiritual practices. The Batwa will share stories of their ancestors, perform traditional dances, and demonstrate how they’ve adapted to life outside the forest. Your visit not only provides an enriching cultural exchange but also supports community-led conservation efforts aimed at preserving Batwa culture.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive in Ishasha Sector

After an early breakfast, you’ll set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second-largest national park known for its diverse ecosystems, including savannas, wetlands, and forested areas. En route, enjoy scenic views of the countryside and pass-through local communities that reflect the cultural diversity of the region.

Arrive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in the late afternoon, where you’ll embark on an evening game drive. Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, an unusual phenomenon where lions are frequently spotted lounging in the branches of fig trees. Your 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari guide will help you track these lions and explain their behaviors.

The sector is also home to other big game, including elephants, buffalo, and antelope species. As the sun sets, witness the park’s wildlife in their natural habitat, a prelude to the abundant animal sightings to come.

Day 4: Game Drives and Boat Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your fourth day kicks off with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kasenyi Plains. This part of the park is known for its concentration of predators and prey, with lions, leopards, and hyenas prowling the savannah in search of antelopes, warthogs, and other herbivores. The park is also home to over 600 bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.

In the afternoon, take a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel teems with life, and you’ll have the opportunity to see hippos, crocodiles, and numerous water birds up close. Elephants and buffalo often gather along the shores, providing excellent photo opportunities. This boat trip is a refreshing and serene way to experience the park’s aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.

Day 5: Morning Game Drive, Visit Twin Lakes, and Transfer to Kibale National Park

Begin the day with a final morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This drive will focus on areas that you may have missed during previous outings, increasing your chances of encountering leopards, hyenas, and other elusive species. Afterward, you’ll visit the Twin Lakes (Lake Katwe and Lake Munyanyange), which are famous for their high salt concentration and the presence of large flocks of flamingos during migration seasons.

From here, you’ll head to Kibale National Park, the primate capital of the world. The park is famous for its chimpanzee population, and the surrounding area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a range of trekking opportunities. Settle in at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge for the night, as you prepare for your chimpanzee tracking adventure the next day.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk in Kibale Forest

Today you’ll track one of Kibale National Park’s star attractions – the chimpanzees. After breakfast, you’ll be briefed by your 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari guide before heading into the forest. Unlike the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees are much more active and can be heard long before they are seen, often communicating through loud calls and hoots. Once you find them, watching their dynamic social interactions is an exhilarating experience.

In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary on a guided swamp walk. This community-run sanctuary is home to various bird species, including the great blue turaco, and several primates like colobus monkeys. The Bigodi Walk is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquillity of nature while learning about the community’s conservation efforts.

Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and Hike to the Top of the Falls

After breakfast, you’ll depart for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, famed for its powerful waterfalls and vast wildlife populations. The drive offers scenic views of Uganda’s diverse landscapes, from forests and grasslands to small villages and farmlands.

Upon arrival, you’ll hike to the Top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile River funnels through a narrow gorge, creating one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the world. The sheer force and beauty of the falls are awe-inspiring, and standing at the top provides an unforgettable vantage point.

Afterward, head to Pakuba Safari Lodge for a well-deserved rest.

Day 8: Game Drives and Victoria Nile River Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

Your final full day of 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari starts with a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to see four of the Big Five – lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards – as well as giraffes, antelopes, and various bird species.

In the afternoon, embark on a river cruise along the Victoria Nile. As you navigate the waters, you’ll witness hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of aquatic birds. The cruise brings you up close to the base of Murchison Falls, offering a different perspective on this natural wonder.

Day 9: Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Departure via Entebbe Airport

On the final day of your 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari, you’ll stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a memorable rhino tracking experience. Ziwa is home to Uganda’s only population of white rhinos, which are being reintroduced into the wild as part of a critical conservation project.

After your rhino encounter, continue on to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Ugandan safari.

  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

End of 9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari

Cultural Experiences Around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The Batwa People: Guardians of the Forest

The Batwa people, often referred to as “the keepers of the forest,” are the indigenous inhabitants of the Bwindi area. Their existence in this dense jungle dates back centuries, living as hunter-gatherers in harmony with the forest’s flora and fauna. Today, the Batwa are no longer allowed to live in the forest due to conservation efforts aimed at protecting the endangered gorillas, but their cultural heritage remains a vital part of the region’s identity.

Visitors to the Batwa community gain a profound understanding of their traditional practices. From demonstrating how they used to hunt small game with bows and arrows to sharing their knowledge of medicinal plants and herbal remedies, the Batwa’s way of life provides a window into a time before modern conservation efforts took hold. The Batwa cultural experience includes listening to stories passed down through generations, watching performances of traditional dances, and learning about their deep spiritual connection to the forest.

Participating in the Batwa experience is not only educational but also directly supports the community’s survival. Many Batwa people now rely on tourism to sustain their families, as they can no longer hunt in the forest or access the resources they once depended on. The Batwa experience is a humbling encounter, reminding visitors of the delicate balance between human survival and environmental conservation.

Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village: Preserving Rwanda’s Heritage

Though located in Rwanda, the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village is closely tied to the conservation efforts that also impact the Bwindi region. This cultural center offers a living museum experience where visitors can explore Rwanda’s past and present, interacting with local communities who are eager to share their customs. The village is run by former poachers who have turned their efforts toward protecting wildlife and educating visitors on the importance of sustainable conservation.

The Iby’Iwachu experience is multifaceted, featuring demonstrations of traditional hunting techniques, agricultural practices, and the vibrant art of Rwandan drumming and dancing. Visitors can also participate in a mock king’s coronation ceremony, which includes learning about Rwanda’s ancient monarchy. The community is deeply connected to conservation efforts, with many members having once relied on hunting gorillas and other wildlife for survival. Their transformation into wildlife guardians is a testament to the power of education and collaboration between conservationists and local populations.

9-Day Uganda Primates & Big5 Wildlife Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

Safari Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Visa fees for Uganda and Rwanda
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Personal expenses (laundry, beverages, tips, etc.)
  • Additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Optional excursions at lodges