Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to the Pearl of Africa
Your combined gorilla tour begins in Entebbe, Uganda’s gateway city. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you are welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to a comfortable lakeside lodge. Entebbe sits along the shores of Lake Victoria and offers a calm introduction to East Africa.
Depending on arrival time, you may explore the botanical gardens or enjoy a sunset walk along the lake. A detailed safari briefing is conducted in the evening, covering gorilla trekking protocols, health requirements, cross-border procedures, and what to expect over the next twelve days.
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – Into the Primate Capital
After breakfast, the journey heads west toward Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda’s most renowned primate destination. The scenic drive reveals rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural villages, offering insight into Uganda’s countryside.
Upon arrival near Kibale Forest National Park, you check into a forest lodge surrounded by tropical greenery. The evening is spent at leisure, preparing for chimpanzee trekking the following morning while enjoying the tranquil rainforest atmosphere.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest is one of East Africa’s most exciting primate experiences. Guided by expert rangers, you enter the forest early in the morning to track habituated chimpanzee communities. The forest canopy echoes with their vocalizations long before you see them.
Once located, you spend a full hour observing their complex social interactions, feeding behaviors, and energetic movements through the trees. Kibale is also home to red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and numerous bird species, making the forest exceptionally biodiverse.
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Savannah and Waterways
Leaving the rainforest behind, the safari continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most ecologically diverse reserves. The landscape gradually shifts from forest to open savannah dotted with acacia trees.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel attracts large concentrations of hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and waterbirds, offering extraordinary wildlife photography opportunities.
Day 5: Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The day begins with an early morning game drive across the savannah plains. Lions, leopards, hyenas, and Uganda kob are frequently spotted in this region. The Ishasha sector is particularly known for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior observed in only a few places in Africa.
Afternoon exploration continues through varied habitats, including crater lakes and grasslands, showcasing the park’s remarkable ecological diversity. The day ends with sunset views over the savannah.
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Gorilla Territory
Today’s journey leads into the mountainous landscapes of southwestern Uganda, arriving at the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive passes through terraced hills and vibrant rural communities.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. After checking into your lodge, you attend a detailed briefing about gorilla trekking procedures and conservation efforts within the park.
Day 7: First Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi
The highlight of the safari begins with your first mountain gorilla trekking experience. Accompanied by trained rangers, you hike through dense forest terrain in search of a habituated gorilla family.
When you finally encounter the gorillas, the experience is deeply emotional and humbling. You observe their social structure, watch juveniles play, and witness the dominant silverback maintaining order within the group. The hour spent with the gorillas is unforgettable and often described as life-changing.
Day 8: Cross Border Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
After breakfast, the safari continues across the border into Rwanda, heading toward the spectacular Virunga Mountains and Volcanoes National Park. The border crossing is typically smooth when pre-arranged documentation is in place.
Volcanoes National Park is renowned for its dramatic volcanic peaks and conservation history. Upon arrival, check into your lodge nestled at the foothills of the mountains, preparing for your second gorilla trekking adventure in a different ecosystem.
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
A second gorilla trekking experience offers a valuable comparison between habitats. The terrain in Volcanoes National Park differs from Bwindi, with bamboo forests and volcanic slopes creating a unique trekking environment.
Observing a different gorilla family provides deeper insight into their behavioral variations, social dynamics, and adaptation to habitat. The experience reinforces the importance of conservation across borders and highlights the collaborative efforts between Uganda and Rwanda to protect these endangered primates.
Day 10: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Exploration
Volcanoes National Park is also home to the endangered golden monkey. Tracking these vibrant primates through bamboo forests offers a lively and visually striking experience.
In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village near Volcanoes National Park, where you learn about traditional Rwandan customs, dance, and community-based conservation initiatives. This cultural immersion complements the wildlife encounters and deepens understanding of local heritage.
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Relaxation by the Water
After several days of trekking and wildlife adventure, Lake Kivu provides well-deserved relaxation. The drive from Volcanoes National Park to Lake Kivu offers scenic views of Rwanda’s terraced hills.
Lake Kivu’s tranquil waters and sandy shores create a peaceful atmosphere. Optional activities include kayaking, boat excursions, or simply unwinding at your lakeside lodge while reflecting on your gorilla encounters.
Day 12: Transfer to Kigali – Departure
The final day begins with a scenic drive to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. Depending on your flight schedule, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a meaningful historical perspective on Rwanda’s past and its remarkable recovery.
Transfer to Kigali International Airport marks the end of your 12 Days Combined Gorilla Tour. You depart with unforgettable memories of mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, savannah wildlife, and the stunning landscapes of Uganda and Rwanda.
