Primates and Plains in Uganda & Rwanda

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest protected area and derives its name from Murchison Falls, where the mighty River Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and flows down to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and much more.

Discover the beauty of the park and the Nile on game drives, boat safaris and a walk with stunning views to the top of the falls.

Accommodation: Paraa Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge

Lake Albert is the northernmost of the chain of lakes in the Great Rift Valley and located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the western side of the lake, the Rift Valley escarpment rises abruptly to nearly 2000 meters above the water surface and from the eastern Ugandan side of the lake, you can enjoy dramatic views of the Congolese mountains.

Lake Albert is a convenient stop to break the long journey from Murchison Falls to the south, and in addition to beautiful scenery, a very relaxing ambiance and a visit to a local fishing village, the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve on the shores of Lake Albert offers you the in Uganda rare opportunity of a guided bush walks and a memorable bush dinner under the stars, followed by a night game drive.

Accommodation: Lake Albert Lodge

The lush tropical rainforest of Kibale National Park has one of the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa, totalling 13 species including more than 1,000 chimpanzees - our closest living relatives. A major reason to visit Kibale is the possibility for Chimpanzee trekking.

Early in the morning or in the afternoon, you will walk with an experienced Ranger into the forest to track one of the Chimpanzees’ families. In contrast to gorillas which usually don’t move a lot, Chimpanzees tend to move swiftly, either on the forest floor or in the canopies of the tree.
Outside Kibale National Park, you can enjoy wonderful walks through the picturesque open landscape with tea plantations, beautiful small crater lakes, wide views and tiny villages where the kids will smile and wave at you.

Accommodation: Kibale Primate Lodge or Ndali Lodge

Set majestically in the shadow of the Ruwenzori, flanking Lake Edward and Lake George, the lush savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park offers prime grazing to buffalo, elephant and various antelope. 600-plus bird species testifies to the extraordinary ecological diversity of this park while other animals include the elsewhere elusive giant forest hog, and the legendary tree-climbing lions.

The northern Mweya Sector of Queen Elisabeth is more densely vegetated then the southern Ishasha Sector and offers diverse safari activities including, game drives, boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel, Chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura gorge and exploring the beautiful crater lakes. On the open savannah plains of Ishasha, you will enjoy wonderful game drives with many elephants and giraffe, large herds of buffalo, antelopes, waterbuck and bushbuck and - if you are lucky - leopards and the famous tree climbing lions.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge or Mweya Safari Lodge

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is part of the Virunga Mountains protected area, which includes Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Congo. The area is home to around 320 highly endangered Mountain Gorillas, a half of the world’s population.

A group of ranger will guide you up the slopes of the volcanoes to one of the gorilla families which will take between one and three hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. Sitting face to face with a 160kg silverback in the impenetrable rain-forest is a one of a lifetime experience and certainly one of the highlights of every trip to Uganda and Rwanda.

Accommodation: Gorilla Mountain View Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Located at Rwanda’s geographical heart, Kigali is built in hilly country, sprawling across several hills and ridges and the valleys in between. Kigali retains the feel of a garden-city, the compact, low-rise city centre surrounding a busy, colourful market.