10 Day Primates of the Great Rift Valley Safari
A Customizable Trip to Uganda — 10 Days / 9 Nights
Highlights
• Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge and Kibale National Park
• Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• See the famous Tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
• Enjoy Exceptional wildlife viewing on a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Birding in the Kyambura reclaimed wetlands
• Gorilla Tracking in Mgahinga National Park
About this Safari
This unique safari links the finest gorilla and chimpanzee sites in Africa
Explore the landscapes and wildlife of the Albertine Rift, deep in the heart of Africa, on this iconic great ape safari.
Launched in 2024 to celebrate the opening of Kibale Lodge, this 10-day safari will take you to see chimpanzees at Kibale, the Lost Chimps of Kyambura Gorge and the wildlife and birds of Queen Elizabeth, ending with a trek to see the enchanting Nyakagezi gorilla family in Gahinga.
You will combine treks to see the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, with walking safaris in the savannah and Kyambura Gorge, a magical sunken rainforest home to a small, isolated group of chimpanzees. Join in with unique community and conservation activities around the lodges, run by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust.
Spend three nights each at Kibale, Kyambura Gorge and Mount Gahinga as you journey through the changing landscapes of the Great Western Rift Valley, known as the Albertine Rift, and stay at some of the most exceptional great ape locations in Africa.
Rates are based on a minimum of 2 people
2026 –
1st June to 30th September and 15th December to 28th February – $18,000
1st October to 14th December and 1st March to 31st May – $13,220
Rates
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Uganda at Entebbe Airport where a Volcanoes Safaris representative will assist you to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel No. 5…
Day 2 & 3: Kibale forest
Spend the morning trekking the exuberant chimp families in Kibale forest, the Primate Capital of the World. Seeing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they …
Day 4: Kyambura Gorge Lodge and Queen Elizabeth National Park
Depart for Kyambura Gorge Lodge and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive through the park on the way to the lodge and look for lions, leopard, elephants, buffaloes and large herds of…
Day 5 & 6: Kyambura Gorge
Enjoy an early breakfast and set out for a morning game drive. The Kasenyi plains are excellent for sighting lions, leopard, elephant and buffalo. The Mweya peninsula is one of the best places to look for…
Day 7: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Transfer to Kasese Airstrip for an early morning flight to Kisoro. Transfer by road for 1 to 2 hours to Mount Gahinga Lodge. The lodge is located at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes and on the edge of Mgahinga National Park.
In the afternoon visit the Gahinga Batwa Village and experience the culture and history of …
Day 8 & 9: Mgahinga National Park
After enjoying an early breakfast, set off on your gorilla trek to see the Nyakagezi group, the only gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park.
After hiking between one and three hours through the densely forested hills, the moment you find the …
Day 10: Departure
Transfer from Mount Gahinga Lodge to Kisoro airstrip for your return flight to Entebbe and connect to your international flight…
This is a condensed overview of the journey.
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Questions about this Uganda primate safari
Which primates does this safari focus on?
Both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. You track chimps at Kibale, known as the primate capital of the world, and the isolated group in Kyambura Gorge, a sunken rainforest. The trip finishes with a trek to the Nyakagezi family, the only gorilla group in Mgahinga National Park.
Where do we stay across the ten days?
You arrive at Entebbe and spend the first night at Hotel No. 5. After that it is three nights each at Kibale, Kyambura Gorge and Mount Gahinga, so you settle in rather than repacking constantly. Mount Gahinga Lodge sits at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes on the edge of Mgahinga National Park.
What else is there besides primate trekking?
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the Kasenyi plains for lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. There is a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, birding in the Kyambura reclaimed wetlands, walking safaris in the savannah, and community and conservation activities run by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust.
How much does it cost and does the season change the rate?
Rates are based on a minimum of two people. From 1 October to 14 December and 1 March to 31 May 2026 the price is US$13,220 per person. From 1 June to 30 September and 15 December to 28 February it rises to US$18,000, so the shoulder months offer noticeably better value.
How hard is the gorilla trek?
The trek to find the Nyakagezi group involves hiking between one and three hours through densely forested hills, so a reasonable level of fitness is sensible. Getting there involves an early morning flight from Kasese Airstrip to Kisoro followed by a road transfer of one to two hours to Mount Gahinga Lodge.