Monkey Around Africa

Explore this National Geographic Expeditions Signature Land Trip: The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda and Monkey Around Africa!

close up photo of black gorilla rwanda uganda

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation that you will never forget, consider National Geographic Expeditions! This itinerary let’s you experience The Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda! Join a National Geographic-funded primatologist on treks in search of chimpanzees, gorillas, and endangered golden monkeys!!

Watch the antics of chimpanzees up close at a sanctuary established in association with the Jane Goodall Institute, and more! This 11-day vacation itinerary gets you an up close look at some our closest mammal relatives, and includes most meals, accommodations, transportation, and National Geographic experts who will lead you with their skills and knowledge along the way, as you monkey around Africa on your dream vacation!

Itinerary Overview

Lake Victoria Serena Resort uganda rwanda africa

DAYS 1-2

Day 1, guests will check into Lake Victoria Serena Resort, before heading out on Day 2. This is when guests will head to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, located on Ngamba Island. Day 2 also includes a tour of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

DAYS 3-6

primate house kibale national park uganda — Kibale National Park Entrance

uganda kyaninga lodge — Kibale National Park Entrance

Fly from Entebbe to Kasese en route to Kibale National Park and check in to Kyaninga lodge, set on a crater lake. Hear about the many conservation and education projects supported by conservationists. Then, head into the park to search for chimpanzees, before looking for other primates in the Bigodi Weland Sanctuary, including black-and-white colobus, red-tailed, and blue monkeys; and the rare l’Hoest’s monkey. Like I said, you will MONKEY around Africa!!

Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and go on safari to look for elephants, lions, and Ugandan kobs before an afternoon wildlife cruise.

All meals are included daily, too, so you will not go hungry!

DAYS 7-8

Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and head into the park’s forests, home to roughly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Sit among these gentle giants, observing one of the planet’s most endangered creatures up close. You will stay in the Bwindi Lodge, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, as you continue to enjoy these incredible animals!

DAYS 9-11

golden monkey volcanoes national park rwanda — Golden Monkey

Your amazing time monkeying around Africa wraps up as you cross into Rwanda to visit Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda! Enjoy the amazing views from the Virunga Lodge, then learn about conservation efforts for saving the mountain gorillas. Before you leave, you will search the park for golden monkeys with National Geographic guides.

What To Expect

This voyage through Africa is not for the feint of heart! This trip has an activity rating of moderate, so travelers should be physically fit and prepared for multiple hours of walking or hiking over uneven terrain on some days. While tracking primates, guests will trek up to 8 hours through thick jungle at elevations that may reach 10,000 feet. Treks can be difficult, and the terrain can be steep, uneven, wet, and muddy. The minimum age is 15 years old. In addition, there will be several long driving days up to seven hours with multiple stops.

ACCOMMODATIONS, TRANSPORTATION, AND GUIDES

You will stay in ideally located, high-end hotels and lodges with many amenities. So no need to worry about having to sleep in the jungle somewhere! All transportation has been arranged, too, so all you need to do is show up and enjoy this incredible experience! You will have a National Geographic Expert and an Expedition Leader, and local guides join you along the way.