East African Great Apes

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Your grand East African Great Apes adventure begins in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital, where the cool mountain air and vibrant city life welcome you into the heart of the region. You settle into your lodge for the evening, enjoying views of Mount Meru as you prepare for a journey that will take you from the legendary plains of the Serengeti to the hidden forests of Gombe, across the depths of Burundi, into the remote lowland jungles of the Congo Basin, and finally through Rwanda and Uganda for the most complete great apes circuit on the continent.

Day 2: Journey into Serengeti National Park – First Night

You travel across the iconic northern circuit into the Serengeti, entering the wide, golden plains that symbolize Africa’s most celebrated ecosystem. The vast horizon comes alive with wildlife as thousands of plains animals graze, predators patrol open grasslands, and the signature acacia silhouettes create an endless savannah panorama. You settle at your camp within the park, surrounded by the evening soundtrack of lions in the distance and the rustling of night creatures beginning their nocturnal rounds.

Day 3: Serengeti Immersion – Second Night

Your entire day is dedicated to exploring the Serengeti’s magnificent wildlife corridors. You move across riverine valleys, rocky outcrops, and sweeping plains that host elephants, big cats, giraffes, and countless antelope species. The experience becomes a vivid reminder of the Serengeti’s reputation as one of Earth’s greatest natural theaters. You return to camp as the sun melts into the horizon, reflecting on a day shaped by beauty, wilderness, and the purity of open savannah life.

Day 4: Flight to Gombe Stream National Park – First Night

This morning you board a scenic flight toward the western edge of Tanzania and continue by boat along the brilliant waters of Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Stream National Park. Famous for Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking chimpanzee research, Gombe welcomes you with its forested escarpments rising sharply above the lake. You settle into your lodge for the first of two nights, enveloped by a landscape that changed the world’s understanding of primates forever.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Encounters in Gombe – Second Night

You spend the day trekking through Gombe’s steep forest trails in search of the well-studied chimpanzee communities. As you follow the paths once walked by Jane Goodall and her research team, you observe the chimpanzees as they feed, groom, communicate, and move through their social world with remarkable intelligence. The experience offers emotional depth and scientific significance, blending the spirit of pioneering research with the immediacy of wild nature. Evening settles over Lake Tanganyika, offering one of Africa’s most peaceful and timeless vistas.

Day 6: Crossing into Burundi – First Night in Bujumbura

You journey north along the shores of Lake Tanganyika and cross into Burundi, arriving in Bujumbura, a city shaped by culture, lakeside charm, and a blend of tradition and modern life. After settling in for the first of three nights, you explore the city’s energetic markets, historical monuments, and lakeside promenades that reflect Burundi’s unique cultural identity.

Day 7: Bujumbura City Tour – Second Night

Your full day in Bujumbura reveals the city’s deep history and vibrant present. You visit cultural sites, colonial-era architecture, bustling craft markets, and the symbolic Livingstone–Stanley monument. The city’s pulse offers a fascinating contrast to the wilderness you have explored so far, showing the human stories that shape the Great Lakes region. You return to your lodge for another night on the peaceful shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Day 8: Gishora Drum Sanctuary – Third Night in Burundi

Today you travel to the Gishora Drum Sanctuary, home to Burundi’s most revered royal drummers whose performances are recognized as a cultural treasure. The powerful rhythms, traditional costumes, and ceremonial movements create an immersive experience that connects you to centuries of heritage. After your visit, you return to your lodge for your final night in Burundi, reflecting on the region’s rich culture before continuing onward.

Day 9: Drive via Uvira into Kahuzi-Biega – First Night

Your route leads west toward the Democratic Republic of Congo through the border town of Uvira, before continuing into the forested expanses of Kahuzi-Biega National Park. This landscape, part of the Congo Basin, is the stronghold of the rare eastern lowland gorillas. You settle into your lodge for the night, surrounded by lush forests and the ancient volcanic slopes that define this remote and biodiverse destination.

Day 10: Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega – Second Night

Today you enter the dense, humid forest in search of the eastern lowland gorillas—one of the most powerful and impressive primate species on Earth. Their commanding size, gentle expressions, and complex social behavior create a profound wildlife encounter distinct from mountain gorillas. The trek reveals rich forest life, from giant tree ferns to hidden bird species, before you return to your lodge for a second peaceful night deep within Congo’s natural heartland.

Day 11: Visit Rwiru Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Transfer to Rwanda

You depart Kahuzi-Biega and drive toward Rwanda, stopping at the Rwiru Chimpanzee Sanctuary for an enlightening visit that highlights ongoing rehabilitation and protection programs in the region. The sanctuary offers insight into the challenges and triumphs of primate conservation across the Congo Basin. By afternoon you cross into Rwanda and continue onward to the highland forests of Nyungwe National Park.

Day 12: Arrival in Nyungwe Forest National Park

You settle into your lodge on the edges of Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and home to an extraordinary array of primates. The cool, misty mountain environment prepares you for the next day’s adventurers that blend primate encounters with breathtaking canopy exploration.

Day 13: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe

Your day begins with chimpanzee trekking through Nyungwe’s ancient forest, where the calls of primates echo through towering trees and dense vegetation. After your encounter, you experience the famous canopy walk—an elevated suspension bridge that gives you sweeping views above the rainforest. This dual experience blends emotional connection with sweeping scenery, making it one of the most memorable days of the itinerary.

Day 14: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – First Night

You journey north through Rwanda’s rolling green hills and terraced farmland toward Volcanoes National Park. Arriving in the shadow of the Virunga Mountains, you settle in for two nights in a landscape known for its mystical beauty and its role as the home of the mountain gorillas.

Day 15: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Second Night

You embark on your gorilla trekking experience in the volcanic forests of Rwanda, following expert guides through bamboo stands and thick vegetation until you reach a gorilla family. Their calm presence, expressive eyes, and deep social bonds create an encounter of unmatched emotional resonance. After your time with the gorillas, you return to your lodge for a final evening in the volcanoes region.

Day 16: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Your journey continues across the border into Uganda, entering Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—one of the most biologically rich forests in East Africa. You settle into your lodge surrounded by deep forest and prepare for the rare gorilla habituation experience.

Day 17: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

This extraordinary day allows extended time with a semi-habituated mountain gorilla group, offering deeper insight into their behavior, communication, and social structure. Accompanied by researchers and expert trackers, you observe the delicate process of habituation that lies at the heart of gorilla conservation. The extended time in the forest makes this one of the most in-depth primate experiences available anywhere.

Day 18: Transfer to Kihihi and Flight to Entebbe

Your East African Great Apes expedition concludes with a transfer to Kihihi Airstrip for your scenic flight back to Entebbe. As you rise above patchwork hills, dense forests, volcanic chains, and the great lakes you have crossed, you reflect on a journey that connected East Africa’s landscapes, cultures, and iconic great apes in one seamless and unforgettable arc.

Best Time to Visit: January to December

The East African Great Apes expedition stretches across five countries and combines savannah wildlife, high-altitude forests, tropical jungles, and lakeshore ecosystems—making it a true year-round journey. Each month offers a different rhythm, atmosphere, and set of advantages that shape this remarkable multi-country experience.

January and February open the year with warm, relatively dry conditions across Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. These months offer excellent wildlife viewing in the Serengeti, clearer forest trails in Gombe and Nyungwe, and reliable gorilla encounters in both Rwanda and Uganda. The Congo Basin around Kahuzi-Biega remains humid year-round, but conditions in early-year months tend to be less stormy and more stable for trekking lowland gorillas.

March, April, and early May usher in the long rains across much of the region. While trekking becomes more challenging due to slippery forest floors and misty mountain conditions, these months transform East Africa into a lush, vibrant mosaic of deep greens and dramatic foliage. Primate sightings often remain strong because food availability increases, and travelers encounter far fewer crowds. The rains also create moody, atmospheric scenes—especially around Lake Tanganyika, the Rwenzori foothills, and the Virunga volcanic chain.

June, July, and August fall into one of the most favorable travel windows. These drier months offer excellent gorilla trekking, more predictable conditions in Gombe and Kahuzi-Biega, and peak wildlife visibility in the Serengeti. Trails in Nyungwe and Bwindi become more stable, and chimpanzee tracking tends to be particularly rewarding. These months draw more travelers, but the overall experience remains exceptional in every destination on the route.

September and October bring a short rainy season that revives the forests with new growth and cooler air while maintaining manageable trekking conditions. These months are ideal for travelers seeking balance—lush landscapes, active primates, and lighter visitor traffic. The cultural experiences in Burundi and the scenic drives between borders become especially picturesque during this time.

November offers intermittent rains across the region, refreshing the environment without making trails overly difficult. Gorilla and chimpanzee encounters remain excellent, and landscapes across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Congo return to full color. This period is quieter, peaceful, and well-suited for those who appreciate solitude in wild places.

December transitions back into a drier window, making it a wonderful month for gorilla habituation, Volcanoes National Park trekking, and Serengeti wildlife viewing. Clearer skies return to Nyungwe and Gombe, and festive energy fills urban centers like Arusha, Kigali, Bujumbura, and Entebbe. Overall, the itinerary is viable all year, but the choice of month depends on whether you prefer dry, easy trekking or lush, atmospheric rainforest experiences.

What to Pack for This Itinerary

This multi-country expedition requires thoughtful packing due to its range of environments—from Serengeti savannahs to Congo jungles, volcanic forests, and highland rainforests. Lightweight, breathable clothing is essential for warm days in Tanzania and Burundi, but warm layers are equally important for the chilly mornings and evenings in Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe, Bwindi, and Gombe. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers protect you from insects, thorns, and dense forest vegetation during gorilla and chimpanzee treks.

Sturdy, waterproof trekking boots are among the most important items, as both lowland and mountain gorilla treks involve uneven, muddy, root-filled terrain. Combine these with moisture-wicking socks to stay comfortable during long days in the field. A reliable rain jacket or waterproof shell is vital—rain can fall at any time in the Congo Basin, Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest, and Uganda’s Bwindi, even during the drier months.

Lightweight trekking gloves or gardening gloves are extremely helpful when navigating thick vegetation, gripping vines, or steadying yourself on steep forest slopes. A comfortable daypack allows you to carry water, snacks, and personal essentials during each trek, while a brimmed hat or cap provides sun protection during open savannah game drives and lakeshore activities on Lake Tanganyika.

Insect repellent, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle become daily necessities across all regions. A personal first-aid kit, including any prescription medications, ensures peace of mind during remote stretches of the trip—especially in Kahuzi-Biega and Gombe, which require boat and forest access. For capturing the diversity of wildlife and landscapes, a good camera with extra batteries and memory cards is invaluable, while binoculars greatly enhance forest and savannah sightings.

Comfortable lodge wear makes evenings relaxing after long days in the field, and a quick-dry towel or small travel cloth may be useful in humid forest environments. For border crossings, carrying photocopies of your passport, yellow fever certificate, and required visas helps streamline travel across the region. With thoughtful preparation, your luggage becomes a toolkit that supports each extraordinary moment—from the Serengeti plains to Congo’s lowland jungles and the mountain forests of Rwanda and Uganda.