This amazing adventure takes us to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda where we will encounter Golden monkeys, to ‘Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’ in Uganda’s mountainous far southwestern tip where you will have the opportunity to track Mountain Gorillas and to Kibale Forest National Park where you will encounter Chimpanzees.
Highlights:
- Discover the southern region of the Pearl of Africa.
- Unforgettable encounter with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Meet, explore and learn from the local communities.
- Support sustainable tourism initiatives.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN KIGALI
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by a representative from Nkuringo Safaris and transferred to the hotel
Meal plan: Bed and Breakfast
DAY 2: TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Depart Kigali and transfer for 2 ½ hours to Volcanoes National Park. Enroute to the park, we have an opportunity to explore Kigali and the countryside en-route to Musanze. In case we didn’t have an opportunity to visit the Genocide Museum this can be done in this morning before driving to Volcanoes National Park.
Optional Extra: In the afternoon after checking into the lodge – time permitting, we proceed for a village visit at Iby’lwacu cultural village which is a great place to get a cultural insight into Rwandan life.
Meal Plan: All-inclusive (All-meals, house beverages and laundry)
DAY 3: GORILLA TRACKING IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK.
With an early breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for gorilla briefing (45 minutes). When venturing into this gigantic forest, a packed lunch, comfortable clothes, shoes and a walking stick is a must before. The time spent gorilla tracking is unpredictable; it varies from 2-8 hours before an encounter with the family of these gentle creatures. The location of each gorilla family depends on temperature, their feeding range and movement of the previous day with the trackers ahead of your tracking group. Strict guidelines will be issued at the trailhead briefing point, make sure you remember the most important ones.
Enjoy the one hour allotted, (only time allowed in the company of each gorilla family a day) watch and capture this memorable experience as they go about their day-to-day activities; the young ones playing around the old ones, feeding each other and eating foliage. The sight of these outstanding creatures is the climax of this entire safari. Later retire for an overnight at the lodge.
Meal Plan: All-inclusive (All-meals, house beverages and laundry)
DAY 4: GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK JUNGLE
Take an early breakfast, depart the lodge with packed lunch for a drive to the trailhead. You will be briefed by the park rangers and then escorted into the misty jungles to find your nemesis. These fragile cute little golden monkeys light up the jungle and alter all your perceptions about wild creatures that occupy jungles across the world. It’s a moment you want to keep forever, and you will stay with them for one hour.
Later retire at the lodge to meditate about your encounters this day and the previous; these are days you want to talk about and hold on to forever because they’re hard and not cheap to come by. Relax at the lodge, share your experience, put together your photo slideshow, and take in the African air.
Meal Plan: All-inclusive (All-meals, house beverages and laundry)
DAY 5: TRANSFER TO UGANDA – L. MUTANDA HIKE & CANOE
Transfer to Uganda via the Cyanika Land border and upon arrival in Kisoro meet with the walking safari guide and drive to Lake Mutanda. You then “settle” in a dugout canoe for 2-3 hours of gentle relaxed canoeing across the lake, enjoying the beautiful panorama.
And transfer to lodge after the activity.
Meal Plan: All-inclusive (All-meals, house beverages and laundry)
DAY 6: GORILLA TRACKING (NKURINGO SECTOR)
After breakfast, at around 7:45 am, with packed lunch and drinking water you will be transferred to the National Park Head Quarters for the briefing on the dos and the don’ts while with the gorillas.
You then continue to the forest for the start of the actual gorilla tracking.
The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary as per the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity. The tracking can take place at Nkuringo or at Rushaga (1hr drive from Nkuringo), as per the gorilla permits obtained.
Optional extra: Upon return, relax at the lodge and, for those who like, at 5.00 pm either stroll through the community center or drive up to the “Top of the World” – the name given to the football field which offers amazing views over the peaks and forests around Nkuringo. A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner.
Meal Plan: All-inclusive (All-meals, house beverages and laundry)
DAY 7: BATWA EXPERIENCE
Morning at leisure and in the afternoon stroll down to the Buniga Forest Trail Walk, an informative project run by USAID and the local Batwa community. The Batwa tribe was forced to leave their home in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in 1991 when it was declared a UNESCO Heritage site for gorillas only. They had been living in the forest as nomadic huntergatherers for millennia, in perfect balance with the flora and fauna around. Moving out and suddenly living in communities with a completely different way of life has proven to be a huge challenge. They now survive as best as they can and earn a living explaining their previous life in the forest and their rich heritage.
Optional Extra: Continuation of the walk through the community to visit the traditional herbalist and the black smith.
Meal Plan: All-inclusive (All-meals, house beverages and laundry)
DAY 8: FLY TO KASESE AND TRANSFER TO KIBALE
After breakfast you will be transferred to Kisoro Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Entebbe. The flight is scheduled to depart Kisoro at 8:25AM and arrive at Entebbe at 11:25AM. Upon arrival at Kasese Airstrip, meet with your guide and with an enroute game drive transfer to a boat trip – at Kazinga channel – – the 36 km waterway which connects Lake George and Lake Edward which allows special viewing of game and birds on the riverbanks, as the boat passes through pods of hippos. Crocodiles have only recently been seen in the Channel; they disappeared for 8,000 years after they were eliminated from Lake Edward by toxic ash from local volcanoes.
After the boat trip transfer to Kibale Forest National Park via the town of Fort Portal. Kibale Forest National Park itself is an extensive tract of dense tropical rainforest located just south of the town Fort Portal. The various ecosystems in this space are reputed to harbor the highest density of primates in all of Africa. The rare red colobus monkey as well as the black and white colobus are just some of the primates you may encounter on your forest walks here. The highlight of a trip to Kibale Forest is of course to spend some time observing the wonderfully entertaining chimpanzees.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING.
Morning chimpanzee trek. The density and diversity of primates in Kibale National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. The most well-known of its 13 species are the chimpanzees, our closest relative. Kibale’s 1450 chimpanzee population of this threatened primate is Uganda’s biggest. Additionally, Kibale is home to the uncommon I’Hoest’s monkey as well as East Africa’s biggest population of the endangered red colobus monkey. The black & white colobus, red tailed monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, grey cheeked mangabey, bush baby and potto are among the other primates.
Meal Plan: Full Board
DAY 10: TRANSFER BACK TO ENTEBBE AND DEPART.
After breakfast start the drive back to Entebbe airport – lunch break en-route. Arrival expected around 17.00. End of services. The drive takes about 5 – 6 hours (315 km).
Included in the Above Quote
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
- 1 Uganda gorilla tracking permits 1 Rwanda Gorilla tracking permit, 1 Rwanda golden monkey tracking and 1 Uganda chimpanzee tracking permit per person
- All the excursions and activities indicated in the itinerary under the supervision of an experienced English-speaking walking guide.
- Private 4×4 Vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- AMREF Evacuation Insurance cover
Government taxes
Excluded from the above quote:
- Rwanda & Uganda Entry Visa fee
- International air flights
- Any optional activity not indicated in above program
- Gratuities and Tips