10 Days Rwanda–Uganda Primate and History Safari Connecting Genocide Memorial Sites, Volcanoes Gorillas, and Bwindi Gorilla Trekking

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, meet-and-greet assistance is provided, followed by a private transfer to the hotel. After check-in and time for rest, a light orientation drive is conducted in Kigali, introducing the city’s layout, rolling hills, and calm urban rhythm.

The remainder of the day is reserved for relaxation after international travel. Dinner is arranged at the hotel or a selected local restaurant.

Accommodation options (Kigali):
Mid-range: Hotel des Mille Collines
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel or The Retreat by Heaven

After breakfast, a guided Kigali city tour is undertaken, focusing on cultural districts, artisan spaces, and key viewpoints. This experience provides social and historical context before deeper engagement with Rwanda’s past.

A guided visit is then arranged to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is presented through exhibitions, archival documentation, and memorial gardens. The visit is conducted at a measured pace, allowing time for reflection and understanding. Lunch is served locally, with the afternoon kept unhurried.

Accommodation: Same as Day 1

Following breakfast, departure is scheduled for northern Rwanda with a scenic drive through cultivated hills and rural communities. The route gradually ascends into the Virunga highlands, offering views of volcanic peaks and terraced farmland.

Arrival near Volcanoes National Park is planned around midday. After lodge check-in and lunch, the afternoon is reserved for rest and acclimatization. A detailed briefing is conducted by the guide, outlining gorilla trekking procedures and conservation rules. Dinner and overnight stay follow.

Accommodation options (Volcanoes area):
Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Bisate Lodge

An early morning start is arranged, with breakfast served before transfer to the park headquarters for registration and ranger briefing. Trekking groups are allocated according to fitness levels and gorilla family movements.

The trek proceeds through bamboo forest and montane vegetation under the guidance of experienced rangers and trackers. Trek duration varies depending on gorilla location. Upon locating a gorilla family, a strictly regulated one-hour viewing session is permitted, during which feeding, grooming, and social interaction are observed under controlled conditions.

After the trek, return to the lodge is arranged for lunch and rest. The afternoon remains flexible for relaxation or light cultural interaction near the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay follow.

Accommodation: Same as Day 3

After breakfast, departure is arranged toward the Rwanda–Uganda border with assisted cross-border formalities. The journey continues into southwestern Uganda, passing through highland scenery and rural landscapes.

Arrival is planned at Lake Bunyonyi, where lunch is served followed by lodge check-in. The afternoon is reserved for rest, lakeside walks, or optional boat excursions. Dinner and overnight stay are provided.

Accommodation options (Lake Bunyonyi):
Mid-range: BirdNest @ Bunyonyi
Luxury: Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi

Following breakfast, a short transfer is arranged to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive passes through forested hills and rural communities that border the park.

Arrival near Bwindi is scheduled for lunchtime. After lodge check-in, the afternoon is reserved for rest and preparation. A briefing is conducted by the guide to explain Uganda’s gorilla trekking procedures and park regulations. Dinner and overnight stay follow amid forest surroundings.

Accommodation options (Bwindi area):
Mid-range: Buhoma Haven Lodge or Silverback Lodge
Luxury: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge or Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

An early morning departure is arranged for transfer to the park headquarters for registration and ranger briefing. Trekking groups are assigned based on gorilla family locations and trekking conditions.

The trek unfolds through dense rainforest, with terrain ranging from gentle slopes to steeper sections. Upon locating a gorilla family, a one-hour viewing session is permitted under strict conservation guidelines. The contrasting forest environment offers a distinctly different trekking experience from Rwanda.

After the trek, return to the lodge is arranged for lunch and rest. The afternoon remains at leisure, allowing recovery and reflection. Dinner and overnight stay follow.

Accommodation: Same as Day 6

After breakfast, the day is dedicated to community-based experiences around Bwindi. Guided visits may include local villages, traditional homesteads, or cultural initiatives that demonstrate how conservation and tourism support livelihoods.

Lunch is served locally or at the lodge. The afternoon is reserved for relaxation, forest walks, or scenic viewpoints. Dinner and overnight stay conclude the day.

Accommodation: Same as Day 6

Following breakfast, departure is arranged for the return journey, either back to Kigali by road (with border crossing) or onward to Entebbe depending on flight logistics. The journey offers a final opportunity to observe rural East African landscapes.

Arrival is planned in the late afternoon, followed by hotel check-in. A farewell dinner is arranged.

Accommodation options:
Kigali: Hotel des Mille Collines or Kigali Serena Hotel
Entebbe: Hotel No.5 or Protea Hotel Entebbe

After breakfast, a private transfer is arranged to the airport for onward international travel, marking the conclusion of the cross-border primate and history safari.