This 10-Day Primate and Big Cats Wildlife Safari Tour is an exciting multi country journey that takes you across four East African countries. The safari combines primate experiences and classic wildlife safaris, giving you the chance to see mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and Africa’s big cats in their natural homes. You will visit some of the most important wildlife destinations in East Africa, from tropical forests to wide open savannahs.
The safari covers Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The tour ends with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Primate & Big Cats Wildlife Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Kigali to Nyungwe National Park
- Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park
- Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 5: Flight to Kenya
- Day 6 to 7: Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Day 8 to 9: Serengeti National Park
- Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater game drive and transfer to Arusha
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali to Nyungwe National Park
Your safari guide will pick you up from your hotel or agreed location in Kigali. You will drive south through the countryside to Nyungwe National Park. Along the way, you will make several stops to learn more about Rwanda’s history and culture. These stops include the national museum, the genocide memorial center, and the Nyanza King’s Palace in Butare. After lunch, continue to your lodge near Nyungwe Forest for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. With ranger guides, you will walk into the forest to look for chimpanzees. The trek can take between three and five hours. Once you find the chimpanzees, you will spend one hour watching them feed, move through the trees, and interact.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch. Later in the afternoon, go on a guided forest walk that leads to the famous canopy walkway. This suspended bridge allows you to walk above the forest and enjoy views of the treetops. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, check out and drive toward the Cyanika border to cross into Uganda. Before leaving Rwanda, you will visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for a cultural experience. Continue the journey into Uganda and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in at your lodge, relax, and prepare for gorilla trekking the next day.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking rules. You will then walk into the forest with experienced guides to search for mountain gorillas. The trek may take between two and six hours depending on the location of the gorilla family.
Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour observing them. Watch how they feed, rest, and care for their young. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you may visit a nearby Batwa community or relax at your lodge. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Flight to Kenya
On this day, you will transfer to either Kisoro airstrip or Kigali for your onward flight to Kenya. Upon arrival at Nairobi, a company representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Relax and spend the night in Nairobi.
Day 6 to 7: Masai Mara National Reserve
Drive from Nairobi to the Masai Mara National Reserve in southern Kenya. Over the next two days, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives across the open plains. The reserve is home to lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and many other animals.
If you visit during the migration season, you may see wildebeests crossing the Mara River. Optional activities include a hot air balloon safari or a visit to a Maasai community. Dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.
Day 8 to 9: Serengeti National Park
Travel from Kenya into Tanzania and continue to Serengeti National Park. Spend two days exploring different parts of the park on game drives. Serengeti is known for its large wildlife numbers and wide open plains. You will look out for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, gazelles, hyenas, and birds.
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater game drive and transfer to Arusha
After breakfast, drive to the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. Descend into the crater for a game drive on the crater floor. The area supports many animals including lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, and flamingos. After lunch, drive to Arusha for your drop off and onward flight home.
This marks the end of your 10-Day Primate and Big Cats Wildlife Safari Tour.
