2 Weeks Luxury Africa Primates Safari in East Africa
The Perfect Africa Primates Safari Adventure in East Africa | Visit Bwindi, Kibale, Volcanoes & Nyungwe
This Africa primates safari in East Africa gives you the chance to witness some of the continent’s most iconic species in their natural habitats. The region is home to mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and several rare forest primates that thrive in the lush tropical zones of Uganda and Rwanda. Travelers who choose this journey experience a blend of adventure, conservation and deep cultural connection, making it one of the most meaningful safaris on the continent. Most visitors focus on gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park and golden monkey encounters in the Virunga region.
Places to Go for an Africa Primates Safari in East Africa
Uganda and Rwanda offer the highest concentration of prime primate destinations.
- Gorilla trekking is mainly done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, both known for well-habituated gorilla families and unforgettable rainforest terrain.
- Uganda also protects the vast Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which hosts both gorillas and golden monkeys.
- Travelers looking for chimpanzees find their best sightings in Kibale National Park, often called the primate capital of Africa thanks to its thirteen primate species.
- Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park provides another exceptional environment with its montane chimpanzee groups and the famous canopy walkway.
Together these destinations create a natural circuit that makes an africa primates safari easy to combine across borders.
Permit Prices
Uganda’s standard gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD for foreign non-residents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 500 USD for other Africans and 300,000 UGX for East Africans while currently chimpanzee tracking permit costs 250 USD. The country also offers a gorilla habituation experience at 1,500 USD, giving trekkers up to four hours with a gorilla family. Rwanda follows a premium model in Volcanoes National Park, where gorilla permits are set at 1,500 USD per person.
Uganda has introduced low-season gorilla permits at 600 USD for foreign non-residents and 500 USD for foreign residents and chimpanzee permits at 200 USD and 150 USD during April, May and November, creating a good opportunity for more affordable trekking. Uganda Wildlife Authority has also announced new rates starting 1 January 2027, with standard gorilla permits set at 800 USD for foreign non-residents, 700 USD for foreign residents and the habituation experience increasing to 1,800 USD and chimp permits set at 300 USD and 250 USD.
What to Pack
Packing for an africa primates safari requires a practical mix of comfort and protection. Travelers normally carry lightweight waterproof clothing, long-sleeved shirts to manage forest vegetation, sturdy trekking boots, garden gloves, insect repellent and a dependable rain jacket. A good camera, spare batteries, gaiters and a small daypack make the trekking experience much easier. Many lodges supply walking sticks, while porters are available during the treks.
Day to Day:
A Customizable Luxury Africa Primates Safari Itinerary to Inspire You
Your two-week africa primates safari begins with a warm welcome in Uganda, continues through the rich primate regions of Kibale, Bwindi and the Virunga mountains, and concludes in Rwanda with Nyungwe’s ancient forests before you depart from Kigali.
Africa Primates Safari Tour Highlights:
- Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe and Transfer to Your Hotel
- Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
- Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 5: First Gorilla trekking Experience and Batwa Cultural Experience
- Day 6: Second Gorilla Trekking Experience
- Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Experience
- Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking
- Day 10: Rest day at the lodge
- Day 11: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 12: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk
- Day 13: Transfer to Kigali
- Day 14: Transfer to Kigali International Airport and Departure
Africa Primates Safari Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
You land at Entebbe International Airport where a representative welcomes you and escorts you to your lodge. The day moves at an easy pace as you rest from your journey and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation Options: Latitude 0 Degrees, Hotel No. 5
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After Breakfast, Start the drive to Kibale National Park that takes you through tea estates and rolling countryside. You reach your lodge near the forest and settle in, surrounded by birdsong and towering trees.
Accommodation Option: Papaya Lake Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
After breakfast, You begin your morning tracking Kibale’s famous chimpanzees as they move through the forest canopy. After the excitement of following these fast-moving primates, you head to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for an afternoon walk filled with unique birds and smaller primates.
Accommodation Option: Papaya Lake Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Your journey continues toward the south, passing through volcanic landscapes and deep valleys until you reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of the mountain gorillas.
Accommodation Option: Gorilla Forest Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: First Gorilla Trek and Batwa Cultural Experience
The morning is dedicated to your first mountain gorilla trek. You spend a deeply moving hour with a habituated gorilla family before returning to your lodge. Later in the afternoon, you meet the Batwa community and learn about their forest traditions and cultural history.
Accommodation Option: Gorilla Forest Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Second Gorilla Trek
A second trek gives you another opportunity to observe gorilla behavior, often in a different part of the forest with contrasting terrain and vegetation.
Accommodation Option: Gorilla Forest Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
You cross into Rwanda and continue to Volcanoes National Park, arriving at your luxury lodge at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes.
Accommodation Option: Virunga Lodge, Sambora Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One & Only Gorilla Nest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
This trek introduces you to Rwanda’s gorilla families in a landscape shaped by volcanic slopes and dense bamboo forests. Each encounter offers a unique perspective on their social behavior.
Accommodation Option: Virunga Lodge, Sambora Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One & Only Gorilla Nest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking
You return to the forest for a lively morning with the golden monkeys, known for their energetic movements and playful behavior.
Accommodation Option: Virunga Lodge, Sambora Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One & Only Gorilla Nest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Rest Day in Volcanoes Region
After several days of trekking, you spend the day unwinding at your lodge, enjoying spa treatments, guided nature walks or views of the volcanic peaks.
Accommodation Option: Virunga Lodge, Sambora Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One & Only Gorilla Nest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
You continue to the ancient montane forest of Nyungwe Forest National Park, arriving in time to settle into your lodge deep within the forest canopy.
Accommodation Option: Munazi Lodge, One & Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk
Your morning begins with a trek to find Nyungwe’s chimpanzees, followed by the famous canopy walk suspended high above the forest. It offers sweeping views and a thrilling way to appreciate Nyungwe’s biodiversity.
Accommodation Option: Munazi Lodge, One & Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Transfer to Kigali
You take a scenic journey toward the city of Kigali where you check in for your final night and enjoy the charm of Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital.
Accommodation Option: Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali Marriott Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Kigali International Airport and Departure
Your safari ends with a smooth transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight home.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Tour Includes:
- Exclusive Safari transport in custom made Safari 4 by 4 wheel drive Land Cruiser with air conditioner.
- Services of English-speaking expert guides.
- Private airport transfers.
- Thirteen nights in a luxury safari lodge with full-board meals.
- Trekking permits and park entry fees.
- Community and cultural visits.
Tour Excludes:
- International flights and Visa entry charges to East Africa.
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Personal expenses and gratuities.
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Additional optional activities.
Best Time To Travel:
The ideal time to travel is during the dry seasons from June to September and from December to February, when the trekking trails are firmer and forest visibility is better. Rainy months can still offer rewarding encounters, although the hikes become tougher and schedules more weather dependent. Permits remain available year-round, so the choice often comes down to comfort and photography preferences.
How To Get There:
Most travelers arrive through Entebbe International Airport, which is the main gateway to Uganda. The drive from Entebbe to Kibale takes about five to six hours depending on road conditions. From Kibale to Bwindi, you travel through southwestern Uganda for another five to seven hours. When crossing into Rwanda, the drive from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park usually takes four to five hours.
From the Virunga region, the journey to Nyungwe covers several hours of scenic countryside before you reach the forested southwest. The final leg to Kigali offers a smooth drive on well-maintained highways, placing you close to Kigali International Airport for your departure.
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