From the shy gorillas to the playful golden monkeys, the noisy chimps to the singing birds, this 17-Day East African primates & wildlife safari offers a journey like no other. You will visit the historical Musanze Caves and walk high above the trees on a hanging canopy walk. You will search for lions in the vast plains and meet people with rich cultures. From the high hills to the quiet waters, each day brings a new experience on this long and exciting trip.
We have carefully chosen places with many animals and plants to make sure you see the best of Africa. These locations include Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda. In Uganda, you will visit Queen Elizabeth National Park and Semuliki Valley National Park.
The journey also takes you to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, as well as the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. This 17-Day East African primates & wildlife safari starts in Rwanda and ends in Tanzania, covering four beautiful countries.
17-Day East African Primates & Wildlife Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking in the forest
- Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and Musanze Cave visit
- Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park and canopy walk
- Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and return to Kigali
- Day 6: Cross into Uganda for Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 7: Game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Day 8: Bird watching in Semuliki National Park
- Day 9: Journey to Entebbe and flight to Nairobi, Kenya
- Day 10: Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Day 11: Full day game drive in Masai Mara
- Day 12: Cross into Tanzania for Serengeti National Park
- Day 13: Full day game drive in the Serengeti
- Day 14: Maasai community cultural experience
- Day 15: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge
- Day 16: Ngorongoro Crater game drive and rim hike
- Day 17: Morning nature walk and departure
Detailed 17-Day East African Primates & Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pick Up and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After you arrive at Kigali International Airport, our company representative will meet and welcome you. He will explain the plan for your 17-Day East African primates & wildlife safari and then drive you to Volcanoes National Park. This park is the famous home to the mountain gorillas. The drive takes 2 to 3 hours and offers great views of hills and local farms. You will check in at your lodge for dinner and spend your first night in the mountains.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, go to the park headquarters for a briefing. Park rangers will check your documents and explain the rules of the forest. You will be placed in a group to visit a specific gorilla family. The trek may take 1 to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas are. Once you find them, you spend one hour watching them. You can take photos and observe how they eat and care for their young. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Musanze Cave Visit
After breakfast, return to the park for a golden monkey trek. This trek usually takes 1 to 5 hours. These monkeys have bright fur and are very fast. They are fun to watch as they jump through the bamboo trees. You will have one hour with them. After lunch, you will visit the Musanze Caves for a 2-hour tour to see the underground rock formations. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park and Canopy Walk
Check out after breakfast and drive south to Nyungwe National Park. This park is known for having many types of primates and very old trees. You will stop for lunch near Lake Kivu. After checking in at your lodge, you will enjoy a walk on the forest canopy walkway. This is a bridge high above the trees that gives you a bird’s eye view of the forest. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Transfer to Kigali
Wake up early for breakfast and head into the forest for chimpanzee trekking. This activity takes 3 to 4 hours. Rangers will help you find the chimps by listening for their loud hoots. You might also see other monkeys and colorful birds. Once you find the chimps, spend one hour watching them. Afterward, you will drive back to Kigali city for your overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today you move into the second country of your 17-Day East African primates & wildlife safari. Drive from Kigali into western Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is one of the most visited parks in Uganda. You will stop for lunch along the way and see many farms and small villages. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner.
Day 7: Game Drive & Boat Cruise
After breakfast, go for a 3 to 4-hour game drive. Look for elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes. You might also see zebras, warthogs, and many types of antelopes. After lunch, take a 2 to 3-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This water path connects two lakes and is full of hippos and crocodiles. You will also see many animals coming to the water to drink.
Day 8: Transfer to Semuliki National Park for Birding
After breakfast, drive about two hours to Semuliki National Park. You will enjoy great views of the high Rwenzori Mountains along the way. After lunch, spend the afternoon bird-watching. This park has birds that are not found anywhere else in East Africa. You will also visit the Sempaya hot springs where the water is hot enough to boil an egg. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 9: Proceed to Entebbe & Fly to Nairobi
After breakfast, take a 6 to 7-hour drive to Entebbe. You will stop at the equator line for photos and lunch. You can see small demonstrations that show how water flows differently in the North and South Poles. Later, you will fly to Nairobi, Kenya. Our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for rest.
Day 10: Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, start your 6-hour drive to the Masai Mara. You will stop at the Great Rift Valley to take photos of the wide plains. After lunch in Narok Town, you will reach your lodge in the evening. This park is the heart of the Kenyan wilderness and a major part of the 17-Day East African primates & wildlife safari.
Day 11: Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
Spend the whole day exploring the Masai Mara. You may see large herds of elephants and zebras. Look for cheetahs and lions hunting in the grass. You will also look for the rare rhino. In the afternoon, you will visit the Mara River to see where the animals cross during the migration. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner.
Day 12: Drive from Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will drive across the border into Tanzania to reach the Serengeti. This is a long drive, so you will stop for lunch on the way. Once you enter the park, you will enjoy a game drive on your way to the lodge. The Serengeti is famous for its endless grass plains and millions of animals.
Day 13: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti
Today you explore the Seronera area, which is the center of the park. You may see lions resting on rocks and leopards hiding in trees. During the migration season, you will see thousands of wildebeests and zebras moving together. You will enjoy lunch in the wild under a tree, then return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 14: Maasai Cultural Experience
After breakfast, visit a local Maasai community. This is a chance to learn about their lifestyle. You will see how they build their homes and what they wear. You can join in their music and dance and see how they care for their cattle. This visit helps you understand the local traditions of East Africa. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 15: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge
Drive toward the Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast. On the way, stop at Olduvai Gorge. This is a very important place where old human fossils were found. It is often called the place where humans began. Continue to your lodge near the crater rim for lunch and rest.
Day 16: Game Drive & Crater Hike
After breakfast, drive down into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. This is the best place to see all the Big Five in one day. You will see lions, elephants, buffaloes, and even the black rhino. After lunch, take a short hike along the crater rim. You can enjoy the quiet forest and the sounds of the animals below. Return to the lodge for your last safari dinner.
Day 17: Departure
On the final day of your 17-Day East African primates & wildlife safari, enjoy a short one-hour nature walk. After breakfast, check out and drive to the airport for your flight home.
