Description
11-Day Luxury Primate Habituation Experience & Wildlife Honeymoon Safari in Uganda-Rwanda
4 hours with Gorillas – All-Day with Chimpanzees – A one-of-a-kind Honeymoon Safari.
11-Day Ultimate Primate -Wildlife Honeymoon Safari. This Honeymoon is a Primate Lover’s Dream made real.
Highlights from your 11-day Luxury Primate and Wildlife Honeymoon Safari in Uganda:
- Gorilla Habituation Experience: Spend four hours with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience: Engage with chimpanzees for a full day in Kibale Forest.- Golden Monkey Habituation: Participate in a habituation experience with golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: Explore wildlife on game drives and a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel.
- Tree-Climbing Lions: Search for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Park.
- Luxury Accommodations: Stay in top lodges like Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, and Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
- Scenic Views and Cultural Encounters: Enjoy the landscapes of the Kigezi Highlands and cultural interactions with the Batwa.
- Relaxation at Lake Mutanda: Unwind at Chameleon Hill Lodge with views of Lake Mutanda and the Virunga Volcanoes.
- Volcanic Caldera Walk and Batwa Heritage Trail: Experience the natural beauty and Indigenous culture.
- Experienced Driver/Guide: Benefit from the knowledge and expertise of your friendly driver-guide, enhancing your safari experience with insightful commentary and ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the journey.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience: Engage with chimpanzees for a full day in Kibale Forest.Arrival – Entebbe International Airport:
The 11-Day Luxury Honeymoon Safari in Uganda begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, which is relatively visitor-friendly and has minimal hassles for tourists as they enter East Africa. It takes about 45 minutes to enter the arrivals area from the time that you land. Ensure you have your Uganda Tourist Visa and Yellow Fever Certificate ready.
Our driver-guide will meet you with a Lifetime Experience Safaris sign. After welcoming you to Uganda, he will drive you to the 2-Friends Beach Hotel. This upmarket hotel is in an older residential colonial area along Lake Victoria.
You have one of the Terrace Rooms with views of Lake Victoria reserved for you. You have a great view of the Lake, and there is a private, palm tree-studded sandy beach. On the beach is the famous Tree-House Bar.
You can take a dip in the swimming pool, enjoy a vibrant massage, or enjoy a cold drink while admiring the view.
The Hotel is a great, romantic place to begin your African Honeymoon in Uganda. From the service to the food, wine list, and refreshments served here, there are excellent views of Lake Victoria and a sandy beach.
Meal Plan: Dinner – depending on arrival time
Lodging: Upmarket – 2 Friends Beach Hotel -Terrace Room or Karibu Guesthouse – Entebbe
Day 1 – Kibale Forest
Breakfast, and we depart for Kibale Forest at 6:30, where the jungles of West and Central Africa meet Uganda – about 4½ hours drive time.
You arrive at Papaya Lake Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge is surrounded by the lush, evergreen landscapes of the Ugandan Great Crater Lakes region, set between two extinct volcanoes, nestled against the turquoise waters of the Lyantonde and Kifuruka lakes and with exhilarating views over the majestic Rwenzori Mountain Range.
Your honeymoon cottage overlooks an ancient Explosion Crater Lake. There is a swimming pool for you to enjoy. The crater Lake is below you, and you can enjoy a quiet moment at the dock where you can sit and enjoy the stillness of the lake. Take a boat ride around the lake and discover the abundance of colorful birds that call the lake and its surroundings their home.
The lodge has been featured in Vogue and the Huffington Post. You will delight in the meals served and the extra touches provided. Private meals can be arranged ahead of time.
Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary:
During the mid-afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a Jungle Swamp filled with all kinds of Natural Wonders that await you on this guided nature walk, which often uses boardwalks made of planks to stay above the water. 
If you are a Birding enthusiast, this is a place to visit; one of the birds most seen here is the large blue Turaco. During the afternoon, you can often see chimpanzees who come to forage here from Kibale Forest, but also other monkeys,
You can also see the rare semi-aquatic Sitatunga Antelope here, which has webbed toes to help it navigate swamp areas such as Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.
Your guide is from the local community of Bigodi, which is the swamp caretaker, which includes protecting the swamp and its wildlife.
Dinner
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodging: Papaya Lake Lodge
Day 2: The All-Day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience – Kibale Forest:
Early breakfast and your Chimpanzee Habituation Experience with researchers, trackers, and your guide is about to begin. This is being with the chimpanzees for the day and takes a bit of planning on your part.
You will need a daypack, a packed lunch from the lodge, two liters of water, some snacks such as dried fruit that you can buy in Uganda, waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket, and a hat. Such clothing is for protection and comfort from getting scratched on branches, protection from insects, and staying comfortable in the rainforest.
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience lasts all day, from the crack of dawn until late afternoon. However, there is much to see as you observe the Chimpanzees, other primates, birds, and mammals that are found in Kibale Forest.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodge: Papaya Lake Lodge
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth Park – Mweya Region
We start the day with breakfast, then embark on a scenic 2-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth Park.
Upon arrival, we take the Explosion Crater Drive, a route that spans 27 kilometers and features 12 unique craters and lakes. It offers stunning vistas from the park’s highest points. Keep an eye out for diverse wildlife along the way, a highlight often featured in National Geographic.
After exploring, we check into the luxurious Kyambura Gorge Lodge. This exclusive lodge offers stunning views of the surrounding savannah and lies close to the Kyambura Gorge, making it an excellent base for both relaxation and adventure.
At Kyambura Gorge Lodge, enjoy local coffee as the sun rises or unwind with a sundowner of Uganda Waragi mixed with Krest Bitter-Lemon Soda by the saltwater swimming pool. Indulge in gourmet meals and experience world-class service amidst the tranquil African bush.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge is renowned for its rustic charm and historical roots as a coffee plantation, the lodge directly supports a Women’s Group that produces the coffee served here.
We cap off the day with a late afternoon Sunset Game Drive on the Kasenyi plains. Alongside a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger and your guide, spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes as you navigate through their natural habitats.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodge: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Other Lodging options include Elephant Plains Lodge and Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth Park: 
Early Morning Lion Tracking Research with the Uganda Carnivore Project, where you take part in the research of collared Lions and other Carnivores on the Kasenyi Plains in the northern area of Queen Elizabeth Park. This is not a regular Tourist activity but falls into the area of experiential experiences. You are part of the research team that monitors the health of carnivores in this area of the park.
The Uganda Carnivore Projects, along with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, educate the local community on how to live in harmony with carnivores, seeing them as an irreplaceable asset and how tourism provides opportunities for those who live next to or in the park.
This activity is limited in terms of the number of participants, and we book it for you well in Advance. It is taken using a Research vehicle with tracking equipment on board.
During the afternoon enjoy the highlight of any safari to Queen Elizabeth Park – the Kazinga Channel Boat Safari. This is a two-hour boat ride with wildlife, birds, reptiles along the way.
You can choose a smaller boat at a higher cost or use the larger Uganda Wildlife Authority boat—both will give you great views of elephants, buffalo herds, antelopes, crocodiles, monitor lizards, hippos, and countless water birds, including large schools of pelicans.
The Kazinga Channel is known for its large concentration of hippos that are found here.
The channel is well known for its birds, large elephant herds that congregate along the channel as well as buffalo herds.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodge: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Day 5: – Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions – Queen Elizabeth Park
Breakfast and Departure for Ishasha
Start your day with breakfast and then set off on a 2-hour drive to Ishasha region, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. These lions spend much of their day nestled in fig and acacia trees, a fascinating behavior that remains unexplained by science. Today, enjoy the spectacle without getting caught up in the why.
Upon arrival in Ishasha, embark on a game drive to spot these elusive tree-climbing lions. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, which might also be found in the trees with their prey. The area teems with elephants, buffaloes, topi, and Uganda kob antelopes, providing a full safari experience.
Check-in at Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Proceed to check into the Ishasha Wilderness Camp, situated along the meandering Ntungwe River in the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This exclusive camp blends into the wilderness, offering tented accommodations with breathtaking views of the river and wildlife. Watch herds of elephants from your tent or while enjoying lunch as they gather at the river to drink and bathe.
The camp serves as an ideal backdrop for an African honeymoon, featuring spacious, beautifully furnished tents complete with baths. Here, you’ll enjoy exquisite meals and first-class service.
Late Afternoon Game Drive
Take another game drive in the late afternoon, focusing again on the park’s renowned tree-climbing lions. These lions, which now roam deeper into the park, are still among the best sightings in East Africa. You’ll also have a chance to see both savannah and forest elephants, distinguished by their hairier bodies, straighter and shorter tusks, and slightly smaller size.
Sundowner in the Bush
Finish your day with a traditional sundowner in the bush, a cherished safari tradition originating from colonial times. Back then, the gin and tonic—rich in quinine—was favored for its malaria-preventative properties. Today, celebrate with Uganda Waragi and Krest Bitter Lemon Soda, embracing this enduring safari custom.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodge: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
We begin our day with breakfast and then depart at 7 am for Rushaga, the exclusive location for gorilla habituation experiences. The 5-hour drive will bring us to the southern area of Bwindi Forest in time for lunch. This scenic journey through the Kigezi Highlands often likened to a bit of Switzerland in Uganda, offers stunning views and lush landscapes.
Upon arrival, we check into Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, one of Uganda’s premier luxury lodges. From your cottage, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the distant Virunga Volcanoes. The lodge provides an ideal setting for a gorilla honeymoon safari, featuring unrivaled service and creative meals that showcase the flavors of southwest Uganda. Each cottage also includes a fireplace to ward off the evening chill of the Gorilla Highlands.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodge: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Alternative Lodges: Four Gorillas Lodge
Day 7: Gorilla Habituation Experience – Rushaga – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Begin your morning with a delightful breakfast and get ready for an extraordinary day: four incredible hours with the mountain gorillas. Please pack your daypack with a lunch and a light rain jacket, and grab a walking stick available onsite—you’ll find it quite handy. For your trek, make sure to wear waterproof hiking boots, comfortable socks, a long-sleeved shirt, and long trousers. Gardening gloves are a great choice to help you hold onto branches. Don’t forget to bring a hat and two liters of water to stay hydrated throughout your adventure.
After a brief orientation with the Gorilla Habituation Researchers, you will embark on your four-hour session with the gentle giants of the forest. This experience will likely be a highlight of your life, allowing you to spend extensive time observing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat during an all-day trek in Rushaga.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodge: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Alternative Lodges: Four Gorillas Lodge
Day 8: Mgahinga Gorilla Park:
Late Breakfast and Departure for Mount Gahinga Lodge: After a late breakfast, embark on a scenic 1½-hour drive to Mount Gahinga Lodge, an exclusive luxury lodge nestled on the edge of Mgahinga Gorilla Park. This park, known for its off-the-beaten-path approach to gorilla trekking, offers a more secluded experience.
Stay at Mount Gahinga Lodge: Settle in for a two-night stay in the shadow of the brooding Virunga Volcanoes, locally known as the Mufumbiro Mountains—the mountains that cook. Mount Gahinga Lodge serves as your prime base for various activities, including tracking gorillas and golden monkeys and taking the Cultural Batwa Trail. You can also choose to climb one of the volcanoes or explore the hiking trails within the park. The lodge features both regular and deluxe bandas, the latter of which was completed in 2018. 
Choice of Afternoon Activities at the Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge offers a plethora of activities. You might opt for the Volcanic Caldera Walk or engage in one of the Batwa Cultural Encounters, such as the Batwa Heritage Trail, where the forest’s first inhabitants, including the mountain gorillas, demonstrate how they lived in harmony with nature. Another option is a village visit to Gahinga Village, constructed by the lodge, or a trip to the vocational school.
Alternatively, spend your afternoon relaxing at the lodge, perhaps choosing a book from our selection of gorilla-related literature, enjoying a Uganda Waragi with Krest Bitter Lemon, or unwinding with a complimentary massage, all under the gaze of the brooding volcanoes.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Day 9: Golden Monkey Habituation Experience – Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Breakfast and Departure to Mgahinga Gorilla Park: After breakfast, head off to the nearby Mgahinga Gorilla Park for your last primate habituation experience with the endangered Golden Monkeys of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Preparation for the Habituation Experience: Dress similarly to how you did for the Gorilla Habituation Experience, including a packed lunch and two liters of water. Researchers will lead you on an upward climb toward the bamboo forests that serve as the habitat for the Golden Monkeys.
Golden Monkey Habituation Experience: Engage with the liveliest of all primate groups—the Golden Monkeys. You’ll find them jumping and making noise all around you; they are a constant, vibrant presence. It takes about two years to habituate any primate group, including the Golden Monkeys of Mgahinga Gorilla Park. You’ll spend most of the day with these enchanting creatures, immersed not only in their playful antics but also in the stunning scenery of Mgahinga Gorilla Park and the Virunga Volcanoes.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodging: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Day 10: Lake Mutanda: Relax & Chill Out or Drive to Lake Mburo Park
Morning Drive to Chameleon Hill Lodge: We start the day with breakfast, then drive to Chameleon Hill Lodge, celebrated for its panoramic views of Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Once you arrive, you’ll quickly see why this vista is ranked as the “third must-photograph spot in the world.”
Stay at Chameleon Hill Lodge – Check into Chameleon Hill Lodge, perhaps the funkiest lodge in Africa. This dream-like, upmarket lodge resembles a vibrant castle. Each colorful cottage offers a stunning view of the lake and the Virunga Volcanoes—perfect for relaxation.
Activities at Lake Mutanda: Relax your way—take a dugout canoe across the lake, have the lodge arrange a visit to one of the emerald islands, or enjoy the tranquil settings of the lodge itself.
Meal Plan: All meals
Lodge: Chameleon Hill Lodge
If we move to Lake Mburo Park, we’ll run a late afternoon game drive before checking in at either Mihingo Lodge or Kigambira Safari Lodge.
Day 11: Kigali or Entebbe – Departure for home:
Conclude the Luxury Primate Habituation Experience Safari. We start the day with breakfast, then depart for Kigali, marking the end of our thrilling Luxury Primate Habituation Experience Safari.
Explore the Genocide Museum in Kigali – Upon arrival in Kigali, you have the opportunity to visit the Genocide Museum. This important site offers deep insights into the tragic events that shaped Rwanda, providing a meaningful reflection on history.
Enjoy Lunch at Hotel des Mille Collines: Afterward, consider enjoying lunch at the Hotel des Mille Collines, known as “Hotel Rwanda.” It’s important to note that the cost of lunch is not included in the safari package.
Optional Flight Back to Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast
You also have the option to fly back to Entebbe if you choose, depending on your travel preferences.
If we move to Lake Mburo Park the night before, we’ll go on a walking safari this morning before proceeding to Entebbe in a 4 – 5 hour drive, including a lunch break.
Interested in this 11-day Ultimate Primate & Wildlife Honeymoon Safari? Fill out the contact form below:
