The 18-day Uganda Primate Trekking and Rwenzori Mountain Adventure takes you to Uganda’s top primate destinations and the famous Rwenzori Mountains. This tour also includes game drives and boat cruises in the Savannah national parks.
You will meet chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park.
Along the journey, you will enjoy views of tea plantations, coffee farms, crater lakes, and the Uganda equator.
Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains to the summit is an unforgettable experience. You will also visit local communities such as the Isunga, Batwa, and Bakonzo for cultural encounters.
18-Day Uganda Primate Trekking & Rwenzori Adventure Highlights
- Visit Kibale, Bwindi, Mgahinga, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Parks
- Trek chimpanzees, gorillas, and golden monkeys
- Hike the Rwenzori Mountains up to Margherita Peak
- Explore crater lakes, tea plantations, and coffee farms
- Visit the Isunga, Batwa, and Bakonzo communities
- Enjoy game drives and boat cruises in Uganda’s Savannah parks
- Visit the Uganda equator and enjoy cultural and nature walks
18 Days Rwenzori & Primate Trekking Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Day 3: Visit Isunga Cultural Community Association and Drive to Rwenzori Mountains National Park
- Day 4: Trek to Nyabitaba Hut
- Day 5: Trek to John Matte Camp
- Day 6: Hike to Bujuku Hut
- Day 7: Hike to Kitandara Hut
- Day 8: Climb to the Summit of Margherita
- Day 9: Head to Guy Yeoman Hut
- Day 10: Connect to Nyakalengija and the Hotel in Kasese
- Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP – Boat Cruise and Game Drive in the Ishasha Sector
- Day 12: Head to Bwindi National Park and Batwa Community Tour
- Day 13: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 14: Head to Mgahinga National Park
- Day 15: Golden Monkey Trekking
- Day 16: Head to Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 17: Explore Lake Mburo Savannah Plains
- Day 18: Head Back to Kampala with a Stopover at the Equator
Detailed 18 Days Rwenzori & Primate Trekking Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Your 18-day Uganda safari begins with a drive to Kibale National Park. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours through farmlands, tea plantations, and small towns like Mubende, where you can stop for snacks.
Arrive in the evening, check into your lodge, and relax.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
After breakfast, attend a short briefing at the Kanyanchu Park Office before starting your chimpanzee trek.
You will also see L’Hoest’s monkeys, mangabeys, and colobus monkeys. Bird lovers may spot the great blue turaco and other forest birds.
Spend an hour with the chimpanzees before heading back for lunch.
In the afternoon, take a Bigodi Swamp Walk, where you may see monkeys, baboons, and more bird species. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 3: Visit Isunga Cultural Community and Drive to Rwenzori Mountains National Park
After breakfast, visit the Isunga Cultural Community for a guided tour. Learn about tea and coffee growing, crater lakes, and daily local life.
You can join in roasting coffee and buy local souvenirs.
Later, drive through the scenic Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes region and reach Rwenzori Mountains National Park by evening. Check into your lodge and rest.
Day 4: Trek to Nyabitaba Hut
Start the day with breakfast, then transfer to the Nyakalengija gate for a briefing. Hire porters and get ready for your Rwenzori hike.
Walk through the foothills of the Bakonzo people and bamboo forests that host monkeys and chimpanzees.
Trek to Nyabitaba Hut at 2,651 meters for an overnight stay.
Day 5: Trek to John Matte Camp
After breakfast, continue your trek to John Matte Camp.
You will cross the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers and pass through mossy forests and bamboo zones.
Visit the Nyamuleju Rock Shelter and see unique plants such as lobelias and giant groundsel.
Overnight at John Matte Camp with views of Margherita Peak.
Day 6: Hike to Bujuku Hut
Enjoy an early breakfast and begin hiking to Bujuku Hut (3,962 meters).
Cross the Bigo bog and pass by Lake Bujuku while enjoying views of Mount Stanley, Baker, and Speke.
Have a picnic lunch before arriving at the hut for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Hike to Kitandara Hut
After breakfast, continue the trek through a steep trail leading to Kitandara Hut.
The hike includes both ascending and descending paths through the groundsel gully.
Stay overnight at the hut near Kitandara Lakes.
Day 8: Climb to the Summit of Margherita
Start very early, around midnight, with headlamps. Climb the glacier route to Margherita Peak.
The terrain is steep and icy, so ropes and warm clothes are needed.
Reach the summit, take photos, and enjoy the incredible mountain scenery.
Descend back to Kitandara Hut for the night.
Day 9: Descend to Guy Yeoman Hut
Continue your descent to Guy Yeoman Hut.
Enjoy the views of the Congo valleys and mountain streams.
Spend the night at the hut.
Day 10: Descend to Nyakalengija and Transfer to Kasese
Trek back to Nyakalengija Gate. Return all hired equipment and thank your guides and porters.
Transfer to Kasese Town for dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector.
Take a morning boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to see crocodiles, hippos, and water birds.
Later, enjoy a game drive to spot elephants, lions, warthogs, kobs, and other wildlife.
Day 12: Drive to Bwindi National Park and Batwa Cultural Tour
After breakfast, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
On arrival, enjoy lunch and later visit the Batwa community for a cultural tour.
You will watch traditional music and dance, learn fire-making, and listen to Batwa stories.
Day 13: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, join the gorilla trekking briefing at the park office.
Learn the rules and start your trek to find one of the gorilla families.
The trek may take 2 to 8 hours, and you will spend one hour with the gorillas.
Observe them feeding, grooming, and caring for their young before returning to your lodge.
Day 14: Drive to Mgahinga National Park
After breakfast, drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, one of Uganda’s smallest but most scenic parks.
Arrive and check into your lodge near the park.
Day 15: Golden Monkey Trekking
After breakfast, go for a briefing at the park office before starting the golden monkey trek.
You will walk through bamboo forests to find golden monkeys and spend an hour watching and taking photos.
If lucky, you may also see mountain gorillas on the same trail.
Return to the lodge for lunch and an optional visit to Lake Mutanda.
Day 16: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, travel to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest Savannah park.
Enjoy the drive through farmlands and small towns before checking into your lodge.
Day 17: Explore Lake Mburo Savannah Plains
After breakfast, go for a game drive to spot zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and leopards.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to see hippos, crocodiles, and many water birds.
Day 18: Return to Kampala with Equator Stop
After breakfast, begin your drive back to Kampala.
Stop at the Uganda Equator Line for photos and souvenirs before continuing to the airport.
This marks the end of your 18-Day Uganda Primate Trekking and Rwenzori Mountain Adventure.
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