National Geographic Expedition The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda
Track chimpanzees in Uganda and observe mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans
Expedition Details
Set off on a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the lush hills of Uganda and Rwanda to encounter the great apes; chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in the wild. Observe chimpanzees with a primatologist, and track gorillas in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Parc National des Volcans. Stay in stunning lodges, from a lakeside bungalow at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains to a hilltop eco-lodge with spectacular views of Rwanda’s volcanoes.
Trip Highlights
- Spend two days tracking chimpanzees, two days tracking gorillas, and one day tracking endangered golden monkeys.
- Watch the antics of chimpanzees up close at a sanctuary established in association with the Jane Goodall Institute.
- Go on safari and take a wildlife cruise in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Meet with scientists at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Karisoke Research Center.
View Itinerary (11 Days)
Days 1 & 2 — Entebbe, Uganda/Ngamba Island
Arrive in Entebbe this evening and transfer to our hotel. The next day, visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island, established in association with the Jane Goodall Institute as a habitat for rescued and orphaned chimpanzees. Later, explore the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.
Lake Victoria Serena Resort (Day 2: B, L, D)
Days 3 & 4 — Kibale National Park
Fly from Entebbe to Kasese en route to Kibale National Park and check in to our lodge, set on a crater lake. Meet with a local researcher and search for chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed, and blue monkeys, as well as the rare l’Hoest’s monkey. Explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Kyaninga Lodge (B, L, D daily)
Days 5 & 6 — Kibale National Park/Queen Elizabeth National Park
Spend a second morning tracking chimpanzees. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and go on safari to look for elephants, lions, and Ugandan kobs before an afternoon wildlife cruise.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge (B, L, D daily)
Days 7 & 8 — Queen Elizabeth National Park/Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The next morning, head into the park’s forests, home to roughly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Sit among these gentle giants, observing one of the planet’s most endangered creatures up close.
Bwindi Lodge (B, L, D daily)
Days 9 & 10 —Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Settle into your private villa overlooking the surrounding volcanoes and lakes. Meet experts at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Karisoke Research Center to learn about ongoing conservation efforts. Spend the next day tracking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, where National Geographic grantee Dian Fossey conducted research on gorillas for 18 years. Enjoy a traditional dance performance this evening.
Virunga Lodge (B, L, D daily)
Days 11 — Parc National des Volcans/Kigali
This morning, search for endangered golden monkeys in the park. After lunch, visit a local school. Then transfer to the airport for your flight home.
(B, L)
Expedition Cost
2016
$11,995
Prices are per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $3,500. All primate-tracking permits are included in the expedition cost.
International airfare to Entebbe and return from Kigali and the flight within Uganda are not included in the expedition cost. The group flight from Entebbe to Kasese is $300 to $330 (subject to change), depending on the departure date.
2017
$12,995
Prices are per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $3,500. All primate-tracking permits are included in the expedition cost.
International airfare to Entebbe and return from Kigali and the flight within Uganda are not included in the expedition cost. The group flight from Entebbe to Kasese is $300 to $330 (subject to change), depending on the departure date.
