7 Days Uganda Volcanoes & Golden Monkey Safari

Overview—7 Days Uganda Volcanoes & Golden Monkey Safari

The 7 Days Uganda Volcanoes & Golden Monkey Safari is a remarkable journey that combines gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with adventures across the border in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. This itinerary allows you to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in two different settings and adds the lively golden monkey experience, where you trek into the bamboo forests to watch these playful primates in action. Alongside the wildlife encounters, you will enjoy scenic drives through highlands and volcanic landscapes, cultural interactions with local communities, and moments of relaxation in lodges nestled in nature.

Over the course of seven days, the safari blends the best of Uganda and Rwanda: the misty jungles of Bwindi, the dramatic slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, and the cultural richness of both nations. It is a perfect adventure for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the diversity of East Africa’s primates while enjoying breathtaking scenery and seamless cross-border experiences.

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Detailed Itinerary —7 Days Uganda Volcanoes & Golden Monkey Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Kampala

Your safari begins with arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where your driver-guide meets you for a transfer to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on your flight schedule, you may enjoy a brief city tour before relaxing at your hotel for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you set out on a full-day journey southwest to Bwindi. The road introduces you to Uganda’s charm—tea plantations, terraced hills, and lively roadside markets. A stop at the Equator in Kayabwe offers a chance for photographs and souvenirs. Lunch is taken en route, and by late afternoon, you arrive at the edge of Bwindi, where your lodge sits in the cool mountain air surrounded by mist-covered forest. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

This is your first gorilla adventure. After breakfast, you report to the park headquarters for a ranger briefing and begin trekking through the dense jungle. The experience of tracking gorillas is as thrilling as the encounter itself, with trails winding through thick vegetation and across ridges. When you find your assigned family, you spend a full hour observing them—silverbacks resting, mothers nursing, and juveniles tumbling in play. After the trek, you return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight at the lodge complete the day.

Day 4: Cross the Border to Rwanda

Following breakfast, you depart Bwindi and head toward the Cyanika or Katuna border, crossing into Rwanda’s northern province. The journey is scenic, with endless hills giving way to views of the Virunga volcanic range. By midday, you arrive in Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. After check-in at your lodge, the afternoon is free to relax or take an optional community visit to the Iby’Iwacu cultural village, where you learn about Rwanda’s traditions and enjoy storytelling and dance. Dinner and overnight are at your lodge near the park.

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing and then begin your second gorilla trek. The forest here is different, with bamboo groves and open vegetation along the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Once you find the gorillas, you spend another magical hour with them. The experience feels fresh and unique, as no two gorilla encounters are ever the same. After the trek, you return to your lodge for a relaxed afternoon and overnight stay.

Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

On this morning, you set out for golden monkey tracking, a lighter and often more playful experience. The trek takes you into the bamboo forests where troops of golden monkeys leap from tree to tree, their bright coats catching the sunlight. Watching their curious and energetic behavior is both entertaining and fascinating. After the trek, you return to the lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure, reflecting on the incredible primate experiences of the past few days. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Day 7: Departure from Kigali

After breakfast, you leave Musanze and transfer to Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, you may take a short city tour that includes a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, or craft shops. The safari concludes with a transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward journey.