This is
primate lover's, land of a thousand hills and drums, iconic, mountain gorilla paradise, Dian Fossey's Legacy,trekker's dream, Big Five Bounty, birdlife spectacle, Source of the Nile, Chimp Chorus,MY
Rwanda, Uganda & Great Apes Beyond

This is Rwanda, Uganda & Great Apes Beyond
A primate lover's paradise

Rwanda & Uganda: Go beyond the ordinary! Or go even further...to Mahale, Gombe & the Republic of Congo (the safe one!) Born from a passion for conservation and our countless expeditions, we'll create a custom journey that unlocks the secrets of mountain and lowland gorillas, plus chimps and more—for you!

Trek through untouched Rwandan and Ugandan jungles, encountering chimps and gorillas. Go beyond the expected: we curate transformative adventures, not itineraries.

Mingle with primate researchers in exclusive behind-the-scenes encounters and explore the VIP side of the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This African odyssey is a journey into the heart of conservation and wonder.

3 NIGHTS RWANDA from $2000 PPPD

Every journey is tailored exactly to who you are and what you want to do.

So tell us about yourself and we'll create something that's entirely you.

A Taste of What's Possible for 14 Nights

Rwanda & Uganda Luxury Gorilla Safari

Bespoke Safari Itinerary

Rwanda & Uganda, 14 Days

Kigali  ·  Volcanoes  ·  Akagera  ·  Nyungwe
Bwindi  ·  Murchison Falls  ·  The Nile

Rwanda
Kigali & Volcanoes National Park
  • Arrival in Kigali: Arrive in Rwanda’s vibrant capital and settle into your elegant accommodations after your international journey.
  • Kigali Culture: Spend time exploring the city’s creative and historic heart, including the Inema Art Center and the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
  • Into Gorilla Country: Travel onward to Volcanoes National Park, a lush volcanic landscape where Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are protected.
  • Behind the Scenes: Go beyond a typical gorilla trek with special access to conservation researchers, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and a possible meeting with the Gorilla Doctors.Special Access
Akagera National Park
  • Traditional Safari: Visit Akagera National Park for a classic savanna safari experience in Rwanda’s eastern wilderness.
  • Wildlife Variety: Explore a landscape of lakes, wetlands, woodlands, and open plains with the chance to see lion, giraffe, hippo, antelope, and more.
  • A Different Side of Rwanda: After the forests and city culture, Akagera adds a beautiful big-game safari chapter to the journey.
Nyungwe National Park
  • Ancient Rainforest: Travel to Nyungwe National Park, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and one of Rwanda’s most atmospheric natural treasures.
  • Chimpanzee Trekking: Head into the forest in search of chimpanzees, with expert guides helping bring the sounds, movement, and ecology of the rainforest to life.
  • Tea & Time to Breathe: Enjoy tea tasting, forest views, and time for rest and relaxation before continuing into Uganda.
Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
  • Fly to Uganda: Continue into Uganda and travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its remarkable biodiversity.
  • Misty Forest Arrival: Check into your luxury forest lodge, surrounded by sweeping views of the ancient, mist-covered canopy.
  • Rainforest Immersion: Begin to absorb the atmosphere of one of Africa’s most powerful wilderness settings, where forest, wildlife, and local communities are deeply intertwined.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
  • Gorilla Trekking: Set out with expert trackers into Bwindi’s dense rainforest for another unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas.
  • Forest of Giants: Home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, Bwindi offers a spectacularly wild and intimate setting for this rare experience.
  • Conservation in Context: Learn how gorilla protection, community engagement, and responsible tourism work together in one of Uganda’s most important protected areas.
Murchison Falls National Park
  • Fly North: Fly to Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile River cuts dramatically through the landscape.
  • The Power of the Nile: Settle into your luxury lodge overlooking the river and prepare for a completely different chapter of the journey.
  • Savanna Meets River: This is Uganda’s classic big-game country, with open grasslands, riverine habitat, and the thunderous presence of Murchison Falls.
Wildlife Safaris & Boat Cruise on the Nile
  • Game Drives: Explore Murchison Falls’ savanna landscapes in search of lion, elephant, giraffe, antelope, and other classic East African wildlife.
  • Nile Boat Safari: Cruise along the Nile, watching hippos, crocodiles, birds, and wildlife drawn to the riverbanks.
  • Murchison Falls: Experience the drama of the river as it narrows and surges through the falls, one of Uganda’s most iconic natural spectacles.
  • Time to Absorb It All: With several days here, the experience has space for wildlife viewing, river life, and a slower appreciation of Uganda’s northern wilderness.
Departure from Uganda
  • Journey Home: Depart Uganda with memories of gorilla encounters, chimp trekking, rainforest immersion, Nile landscapes, and classic safari wildlife.
  • Final Reflection: This journey brings together two of Africa’s most moving wildlife worlds: the intimate realm of great apes and the wide-open drama of the Nile.
Legend
Rwanda
Uganda
Seasonal  Wildlife / weather dependent
Special Access  Subject to confirmation
Rwanda & Uganda
Activities, Weather & More

A quick guide to the primate treks, wildlife areas, cultural experiences, landscapes, city moments, and seasons that can shape your time in Rwanda and Uganda.

Experiences to Consider
What You Can Build Into the Safari
Wildlife Safari in Open Vehicle in Queen Elizabeth & Akagera
Gorilla, Golden Monkey & Chimp Treks
Genocide Museum
Tea Plantations
Cooking Class & Food Scene in Kigali
Birding & Spot the Rare Shoebill
Land of a Thousand Hills
White Water Raft the Nile
Community & Cultural Visits
Best Time to Visit
June through September, plus January and February, are especially strong

The drier months are among the best times to visit Rwanda and Uganda, especially for primate trekking and wildlife viewing. Some rainfall is still possible, but conditions are often more comfortable and vegetation can be less dense.

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Weather During Peak Season

June, July, August, September, plus January and February, are generally drier periods and especially good for wildlife spotting and trekking. There is often less vegetation to obstruct views, though some rainfall should still be expected.

Primate Trekking Note

Gorilla, golden monkey, and chimp trekking takes place in lush rainforest environments, so conditions can change quickly. Good footwear, light rain protection, and thoughtful pacing make the experience far more comfortable.

Pairs Well With

Rwanda and Uganda pair beautifully with Tanzania and Kenya, and can also work well with Southern Africa depending on the season, routing, and style of experience you want.

Tanzania Kenya South Africa Victoria Falls Botswana

A Deeper Look at Conservation, Community & Safari Tourism in Rwanda and Uganda

Planning a journey to Rwanda or Uganda? Watch the conversation to see why a great ape safari is about far more than one unforgettable hour with gorillas. 

In this Safari ChangeMakers conversation with the “Father of Gorilla Tourism,” we explore how thoughtful travel in Rwanda and Uganda has helped protect great apes, support communities, and keep these extraordinary landscapes wild.

Seeing a gorilla for one unforgettable hour is only the beginning.

A Deeper Look at

F.A.Q.

One quirky question and one practical question. Both asked and answered.

 

Yes!  Every last Saturday of the month, the entire country participates in Umuganda, otherwise known as community projects. Everyone drops everything and helps clean the roads, the streets, cut the grass, build schools and more for three hours, from 8am to 11am.

 

 

Both Rwanda and Uganda offer incredible gorilla trekking experiences, but there are some key distinctions:

Permits: Permits for gorilla trekking are generally more expensive in Rwanda, but visitor numbers are also limited, creating a more intimate encounter. Uganda offers a more affordable option with slightly higher visitor numbers.

Landscape: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda boasts stunning scenery with dramatic volcanoes. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda is a lush, dense rainforest with incredible biodiversity.

Gorilla families: Both countries offer the chance to see habituated gorilla families. Rwanda has a few more habituated groups, increasing your chances of a successful trek.

Additional activities: Rwanda offers a more developed tourism infrastructure with options like visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial or the Inema Art Center. Uganda is known for its diverse wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park, where you can spot lions, elephants, and more. Akagera National Park in Rwanda also complements a gorilla and chimp trip!

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities and budget. Artisans of Safari can help you craft the perfect itinerary based on your interests!

What our clients say about us.

Many, many thanks for a really wonderful experience! The trip was really phenomenal. We can't thank you enough:-). And, thank you for all the darling "goodies" that you've sent our way. We treasure them all...and, they will all be incorporated into the trip scrap book that we're creating. Thanks again!!!

Bala S.

Troy T. and Family ~ Traveled to Rwanda

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