12-Day Signature East African Luxury Primate & Wildlife Safari

12-Day Signature East African Luxury Primate & Wildlife Safari

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RwandaUganda
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1/22
1/22
OverviewHighlightsIncludes/ExcludesItineraryFaqsServices

Overview

  • Duration:12 days 11 nights
  • Travelers:1 - 16 guests
  • Tour Type:Luxury Gorilla Treks
  • Language:English
The ultimate 12-day East African luxury voyage. This comprehensive circuit links Uganda’s Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park via private domestic flights and helicopter charters.
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Highlights

  • Comprehensive 12-day circuit spanning Uganda and Rwanda's top national parks.
  • Luxury stays at Nile Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Lodge, Wilderness Bisate, and Magashi Camp.
  • Savannah Big Five game viewing in Murchison Falls and Akagera National Park.
  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest.
  • Two mountain gorilla treks (Bwindi Forest and Volcanoes National Park).

Includes/Excludes

  • All internal domestic flights and private helicopter transfers
  • Uganda Gorilla Permit ($800 per person)
  • Rwanda Gorilla Permit ($1,500 per person)
  • Chimpanzee Permit ($250 per person)
  • 11 nights luxury accommodation
  • Private 4x4 land transfers
  • All park entrance and conservation fees
  • Gourmet meals, premium wines and beverages
  • Laundry services
  • Private guided activities

Itinerary

Day 1: Domestic Flight to Murchison Falls & Nile River Cruise

Fly from Entebbe to Pakuba Airstrip in Murchison Falls National Park. Transfer to Nile Safari Lodge. In the afternoon, enjoy a private boat cruise along the River Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls.

  • Stay: Nile Safari Lodge
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Delta Game Drive & Top of the Falls

Take an early morning game drive across the northern delta searching for lions, leopards, and giraffes. In the afternoon, visit the Top of Murchison Falls where the Nile squeezes through a narrow rock gap.

  • Stay: Nile Safari Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Flight to Kasese & Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking

Fly south to Kasese Airstrip. Transfer to Kibale Forest for afternoon chimpanzee tracking in Kanyanchu, spending 1 hour with a wild chimp community.

  • Stay: Kibale Lodge / Primates Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park & Kazinga Channel Cruise

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon private boat safari along the Kazinga Channel to view hippos, buffaloes, and aquatic birds.

  • Stay: Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi

Drive south through the Ishasha sector to search for tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees. Continue up into Bwindi Forest to your lodge.

  • Stay: Sanctuary Gorilla Lodge / Bwindi Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Report to the ranger station for your briefing. Trek into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to locate your assigned gorilla family and spend 1 hour observing them. Return for a massage at lodge.

  • Stay: Sanctuary Gorilla Lodge / Bwindi Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: VIP Land Transfer to Rwanda & Wilderness Bisate

Cross the border into Rwanda via the Cyanika border post with VIP assistance. Continue to Volcanoes National Park and check into Wilderness Bisate Lodge.

  • Stay: Wilderness Bisate Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Trek into Volcanoes National Park to observe a second mountain gorilla family in bamboo terrain. Spend the afternoon at leisure or participating in the lodge's eco-reforestation project.

  • Stay: Wilderness Bisate Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Helicopter Charter to Akagera National Park (Magashi Camp)

Board a private helicopter charter directly from Musanze to Wilderness Magashi Camp in northern Akagera National Park. Check into your luxury canvas tent overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga. Take an evening game drive.

  • Stay: Wilderness Magashi Camp
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Full-Day Big Five Game Viewing in Akagera

Spend a full day exploring Akagera's northern plains and lakes on private game drives and boat safaris to spot lions, leopards, black rhinos, elephants, and hippos.

  • Stay: Wilderness Magashi Camp
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Helicopter Flight to Kigali & Cultural Tour

Take a morning helicopter flight from Magashi to Kigali. Check into The Retreat by Heaven. Enjoy a private city tour including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local art galleries.

  • Stay: The Retreat by Heaven (Kigali)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Outbound International Departure

Enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your outbound international flight.

  • Stay: N/A (End of Tour)
  • Meals: Breakfast
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Frequently asked questions

What makes Wilderness Magashi unique in Rwanda?

Magashi is situated in a private concession in northern Akagera, offering exclusive night game drives, off-road tracking, and boat safaris away from public park roads.

How are domestic transit times minimized across 12 days?

Internal flight connections and private helicopter charters are used between key national parks to minimize long road transfers.

What primates are tracked during this 12-day circuit?

Guests track wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and mountain gorillas in both Bwindi Forest and Volcanoes National Park.

What luggage is recommended for this multi-flight trip?

Soft-sided duffel bags are required for light aircraft and helicopter baggage compartments, with a limit of 15 kg (33 lbs) per person.

Are private guides provided throughout the safari?

Yes, dedicated private expert guides accompany guests for all ground activities and park transfers throughout the trip.

Services

Cultural Experiences & Community Tourism

We integrate authentic cultural encounters alongside traditional game drives. Community Visits: We facilitate guided visits to local initiatives, such as the Batwa cultural trail in Mgahinga/Bwindi or homestead visits around Queen Elizabeth National Park. Experiential Tourism: We arrange lion-tracking research experiences with the Uganda Carnivore Program or boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel and Murchison Falls. Conservation Support: We ensure a portion of tourism revenue directly benefits community development and local wildlife conservation efforts.

Gorilla & Primate Trekking Management

The hallmark service of Gentle Giants Safaris is organizing primate encounters. Permit Acquisition: We secure high-demand Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park, along with chimpanzee tracking permits for Kibale Forest and Nyungwe Forest. Habituation Experiences: We arrange full-day habituation permits to spend extended time with wild gorilla families undergoing human habituation. Logistics & Briefings: We provide pre-trek orientation, gear advice, and coordinating localized ranger and porter arrangements.

Lodge & Accommodation Reservations

At Uganda Rwanda Tours we secure strategic accommodation options across all park networks. Strategic Location Booking: We handpick lodges that align with specific gorilla sector assignments (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo) to avoid early-morning driving delays. Contracted Rates: We utilize preferential B2B trade rates to secure luxury safari lodges, eco-lodges, or budget guest houses for clients. Dietary & Special Requests: We manage dietary needs, honeymoon arrangements, and room preferences directly with lodge management.

Safari Transportation & Flight Connections

We maintain specialized transport fleets to handle long-distance transfers and rough terrain. 4x4 Safari Vehicles: We provide customized, pop-up roof 4x4 Land Cruisers and safari minivans equipped with onboard charging points, fridges, and long-range radios. Fly-In Safaris: We book domestic charter or scheduled internal flights (e.g., Aerolink) connecting Entebbe/Kajjansi to airstrips like Kihihi, Kasese, or Pakuba to eliminate long road journeys. Driver-Guides: We have professional, English-speaking driver-guides trained in animal tracking, defensive driving, and local flora/fauna interpretation.

Tailor-Made & Multi-Country Itinerary Planning

Tailor-Made & Multi-Country Itinerary Planning

We handle complete, customized routing across Uganda's national parks and neighboring regions. Bespoke Itineraries: We design travel packages matching specific budgets (luxury, mid-range, budget) and trip durations (from 1-day birding trips to 14-day grand safaris). Cross-Border Circuit Extensions: Structuring combined East African circuits, seamlessly integrating gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda. Specialized Safaris: We organize niche itineraries such as gorilla experiences, photography expeditions, birding tours, mountaineering (Rwenzori/Elgon), and white-water rafting excursions in Jinja.

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Rwanda

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Duration

3 Days / 2 Nights

Group size

1 - 16

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