6 Days Private Gorilla and Wildlife Safari in Uganda
6 Days Private Gorilla and Wildlife Adventure in Uganda: Experience an exhilarating 6-day private safari that combines gorilla trekking and wildlife exploration in Uganda. Traverse the lush…
Uganda & Rwanda
Safari experiences
From mountain gorillas and chimpanzees to Big Five game drives, volcano climbs, birding, cycling and culture, discover the experiences that shape an unforgettable East African safari.
Choose your adventure
Every safari is built from experiences
Uganda and Rwanda are among the most rewarding safari destinations in Africa because of their extraordinary variety. Few places allow you to trek mountain gorillas in the morning mist, watch tree-climbing lions on the savannah and cruise beside hippos and elephants within the same journey. Add volcano climbs, chimpanzee forests, more than a thousand bird species, lakes for canoeing and cycling, and welcoming communities, and you have a region that suits almost every kind of traveller.
Kamere Tours is a licensed local operator based in Kisoro, on the doorstep of Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanoes national parks. This page introduces the safari experiences we organise and helps you decide which to include in your private itinerary.
Summary
CountriesUganda & Rwanda
Signature experienceMountain gorilla trekking
Best forPrimates, wildlife, adventure & culture
Travel stylePrivate, tailor-made safaris
Explore by experience
Ten ways to experience East Africa
PrimatesGorilla TrekkingBwindi, Mgahinga & Volcanoes
PrimatesChimpanzee TrackingKibale, Nyungwe & Kyambura
PrimatesGolden Monkey TrackingVirunga bamboo forests
SavannahWildlife SafarisGame drives & boat cruises
SavannahBig Five ExperiencesLions, elephants, rhinos & more
BirdingBird Watching ToursShoebills & Albertine Rift endemics
AdventureClimbing & HikingVolcanoes, Rwenzori & Elgon
AdventureCycling AdventuresLakeshores, villages & parks
CultureCultural ToursBatwa, Intore & village life
RomanceHoneymoon SafarisGorillas, lakes & sunsetsPrimate experiences: gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys
Primates are the heart of most safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. Mountain gorilla trekking is the experience that brings most travellers to the region. Mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga volcanoes and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and trekking with rangers to spend an hour beside a habituated family is one of the most moving wildlife encounters on Earth. Gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks in Uganda, and in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Chimpanzee tracking is a livelier, noisier experience. Chimpanzees move quickly through the forest, calling, drumming on buttress roots and feeding in the canopy. Kibale National Park in Uganda is one of the best places in Africa to see them, and Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda and the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park offer more adventurous alternatives.
Golden monkey tracking completes the primate trio. These endangered, bright-coloured monkeys live in the bamboo zone of the Virunga volcanoes and are found in Mgahinga and Volcanoes national parks. The trek is usually shorter and gentler than gorilla trekking, which makes it a perfect second activity.
Savannah experiences: wildlife safaris and the Big Five
For classic game viewing, our wildlife safaris visit the savannah parks of both countries. In Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers game drives in the Kasenyi plains, the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Murchison Falls National Park adds giraffes, elephants and river launches below the falls, while Lake Mburo is a compact park known for zebras and impala, and Kidepo Valley in the far north-east is one of Africa’s wildest and most scenic parks.
In Rwanda, Akagera National Park has been transformed by conservation work and is now home to all of the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Our Big Five experiences explain how to look for these iconic animals across both countries, including rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda.
Birding experiences
Uganda is one of Africa’s top birding destinations, with a recorded list of more than a thousand species, and Rwanda adds several hundred more in a compact area. Our bird watching tours combine forest birding for Albertine Rift endemics in Bwindi and Nyungwe with wetland birding for the shoebill, papyrus specialists and water birds in places such as Mabamba Swamp, the Nile delta in Murchison Falls and Akagera. Birding fits easily alongside gorilla trekking, so even non-birders often come home with a long list.
Adventure experiences: climbing, hiking and cycling
If you love being active, the region offers far more than game drives. Our climbing and hiking page covers volcano climbs in the Virungas, including Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo in Mgahinga and Bisoke and Karisimbi in Rwanda, as well as multi-day expeditions in the Rwenzori Mountains and on Mount Elgon. Shorter walks lead to waterfalls, crater lakes and viewpoints, and the hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in Volcanoes National Park combines history with forest scenery.
Our cycling adventures follow quiet roads and trails through farmland, around lakes and between villages. Highlights include the Congo Nile Trail along the shore of Lake Kivu in Rwanda, cycling safaris in Lake Mburo National Park, and village rides around Kisoro, Lake Mutanda and Lake Bunyonyi.
Culture and community
Meeting the people of Uganda and Rwanda is as memorable as seeing the wildlife. Our cultural tours include the Batwa Trail in Mgahinga, where Batwa guides share the history and forest knowledge of their people, village walks around Kisoro, traditional Intore dance in Rwanda, visits to the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, and coffee and banana beer experiences. In Kigali, the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers an important and moving insight into the country’s history and recovery.
Romance on safari
East Africa is a beautiful place to celebrate. Our honeymoon safaris combine gorilla trekking with peaceful lakeside stays on Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda or Lake Kivu, private game drives, sundowners and lodges chosen for their views and privacy.
How to combine experiences
Most of our guests combine three or four experiences in one trip. A few combinations work especially well:
- Primate safari: chimpanzees in Kibale, gorillas in Bwindi and golden monkeys in Mgahinga, with a relaxing finish on Lake Bunyonyi.
- Gorillas and the Big Five: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with game drives in Akagera, Rwanda’s Big Five park.
- Uganda classic: rhino tracking at Ziwa, game drives and a river cruise in Murchison Falls, chimpanzees in Kibale, wildlife in Queen Elizabeth and gorillas in Bwindi.
- Active Virungas: gorilla trekking, a volcano climb, golden monkeys and the Batwa Trail, all based around Kisoro.
- Romance and relaxation: gorillas plus lakeside nights on Lake Kivu or Lake Bunyonyi, with canoeing and sunset cruises.
We recommend allowing at least two nights in each area so you have time to enjoy it, rather than spending most of the trip on the road.
When to go
All of these experiences are available year-round. The drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, are the most popular for trekking and game viewing because trails are firmer and animals gather near water. The wetter months, roughly March to May and October to November, bring green landscapes, fewer visitors, good birding and easier availability of permits and lodges. Mountain weather can change quickly in any season, so waterproof layers are always useful.
Permits and planning
Some experiences, including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and golden monkey tracking, require permits issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board. Permits are limited each day, so we recommend confirming dates early, especially for the busy seasons. We take care of permits, park fees, transport, guiding and accommodation, and we design every itinerary around your interests, fitness and budget. Read our guide to Uganda gorilla permit prices or tell us about your plans.
Why plan your experiences with Kamere Tours
We are a locally owned team living between the gorilla parks of Uganda and Rwanda. Our driver-guides know the forests, roads and communities first-hand, and we run every safari privately so the pace is yours. Whether you want a two-day gorilla trek from Kigali or a two-week journey through both countries, we will help you choose the experiences that matter most to you.
Experiences by traveller type
- First-time safari-goers: gorilla trekking, a savannah wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth or Akagera, and a relaxing lake stay.
- Wildlife enthusiasts: the Big Five in Akagera or Murchison Falls, chimpanzees in Kibale and gorillas in Bwindi.
- Photographers: gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virungas, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel and the Nile.
- Birders: shoebills at Mabamba, Albertine Rift endemics in Bwindi and Nyungwe, and the wetlands of Queen Elizabeth.
- Active travellers: volcano climbs, the Rwenzori, cycling on the Congo Nile Trail and forest hikes.
- Families: game drives, boat cruises, cycling in Lake Mburo, canoeing and cultural visits, with gorilla trekking for those aged 15 and over.
- Couples: gorilla trekking together followed by romantic lakeside stays on Bunyonyi, Mutanda or Kivu.
Experiences by season
In the drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, trekking trails are firmer, savannah game viewing is at its best and volcano climbs enjoy clearer skies. From roughly November to April, migrant birds swell the bird lists, and the wetter months from March to May and October to November bring lush green landscapes, fewer visitors and easier availability of permits and lodges. Primate experiences, cultural tours and lake activities are rewarding at any time of year, so there is never a bad time to visit.
Responsible travel
Every experience on this page depends on healthy forests, savannahs and communities. We follow park rules, keep group sizes small, employ local guides and porters, and work with community associations for cultural visits. Five per cent of our profits support the Kamere Cultural Scheme, which promotes Bufumbira culture and conservation around Bwindi, Mgahinga and Echuya. When you travel with us, your safari helps protect the wildlife and support the people who live alongside it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular safari experience in Uganda and Rwanda?
Mountain gorilla trekking is the signature experience in both countries. Most travellers combine it with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah wildlife safari or a relaxing lake stay.
Can I see the Big Five in Uganda and Rwanda?
Yes. Akagera National Park in Rwanda is home to all of the Big Five. In Uganda, lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo live in parks such as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, and rhinos can be tracked on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
How many experiences can I fit into one trip?
On a one-week safari, three or four experiences is comfortable, for example gorillas, golden monkeys, a game drive and a lake stay. Longer trips allow you to add chimpanzees, birding, hiking or cycling.
Are these experiences suitable for families?
Many are. Game drives, boat cruises, lake activities and cultural visits are great for families. Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15, and other primate activities also have age limits, so we plan suitable alternatives for younger travellers.
Do I need to be fit?
Fitness requirements vary. Game drives and boat cruises need very little effort, while gorilla trekking and volcano climbs involve steep, muddy terrain. We match experiences to your fitness and can arrange porters on treks.
Suggested itineraries
Safaris that combine several experiences
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