Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Parc National des Volcans
Upon arrival in Kigali, you will meet your driver guide at the airport and then transfer to Parc National des Volcans. Depending on your arrival time, we can take a tour of Kigali city; visit Genocide memorial site, local markets, and local art and crafts among others. The 2 hours journey to PNV goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape. Dinner and overnight stay in Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.
Day 2: Day for Magical Experience: Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
Gorilla Family in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
Wake up early and prepare for today’s incredible experience of Gorilla trekking. We shall assemble at Park Headquarters with packed lunch, and attend a briefing on the Dos and Don’ts while with Gorillas. Tracking gorillas takes 2-7 Hours depending on their movements. You will stay with these giant apes for 1 hr for observation and photography. Descend to the hotel for a rest and if the evening is free, we can have a walk to nearby communities, interact with them and learn more about their culture. Dinner and overnight stay in Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Uganda
Have breakfast, depart Volcanoes National Park for Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda; famous for its beautiful islands and prolific bird life, settle into Arcadia Cottages, and relax as we wait for lunch. Join a canoe ride in the afternoon that expose you to excellent bird watching, and visit the beautiful Islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight at Arcadia Cottages on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda
Take breakfast and drive through the Switzerland of Africa, with the roads winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes. The journey rewards you with beautiful scenic viewing. Arrive by lunchtime and have lunch at Gorilla Forest Camp or Gorilla Mist Camp. Take an evening walk in nearby Batwa (Pygmies) communities for entertainment and learn more about local cultures. Return for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Second Gorilla Tracking Expedition Uganda
After early breakfast, we shall proceed to park offices with packed lunch for a briefing about the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ while with gorillas. Tracking can take 2-8 hours depending on their movements. Tracking involves walking up steep and densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. You will stay with these Giant apes for 1 hour for observation and photography. Relax in the evening as we wait for dinner and overnight stay in Gorilla Forest Camp or Gorilla Mist Camp.
Day 6: Bwindi Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Mountain Gorilla Bwindi Forest National Park – Uganda
Take breakfast and set off to Queen Elizabeth Park. The journey takes you through beautiful rolling hills and the Ishasha sector for -Tree-climbing-Lions in the south of Queen Elizabeth. Have lunch at Mweya safari lodge. Proceed for a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel, famous for the highest concentration of Hippos in Africa. Bird life is prolific with over 610 species and hundreds of Nile crocodiles. You will also see herds of elephants and buffaloes drinking water on the channel. The boat provides a clear platform for photographing. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge OR Enganzi Lodge
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking & Game drive
Have early breakfast and drive to Kyambura Gorge nearby to track the fast-moving and elusive wild chimpanzees, one of man’s closest relations. Kyambura Gorge harbors the only family of habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Chimpanzee tracking safaris depart from Fig Tree Camp each morning at 08:00 Hrs and in the afternoon at 13:00 Hrs. The chimp population is quite mobile and the walk is enchanting. Other primates include Red tailed monkeys, Vervet, Black and White colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and Giant forest hogs. Return to the lodge for lunch and proceed for an evening game drive along Mweya Peninsular before sunset. Dinner and overnight at Mweya safari lodge / Enganzi Lodge.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale Forest
Elephants – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up early for a cup of tea or coffee and take a morning game drive to Kasenyi plains to catch up with early raisers and predators returning to their hideouts. You will be exposed to a large variety of animals like Elephants, Buffaloes, Warthogs, several Antelope species, lions, leopards, and many more. Return to your lodge for a full breakfast and relax as we wait for lunch.
Depart Queen Elizabeth for Kibale forest following the Rwenzori ranges. The journey will reward you with big game viewing en route. Dinner and overnight at Luxury Tented Camp / Mountain of the moon hotel Fort Portal.
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking – Kibale Forest
Have early breakfast and assemble at Kibale Park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The trek will expose you to other primates like Colobus Monkeys Giant forest hogs, Vervet, red-tailed monkeys, the Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Olive Baboons, and over 350 bird species. Return for lunch; relax as we wait for an evening cultural walk to nearby communities OR a nature walk to Bigodi swamps for more primates, birds, and antelopes. Dinner and overnight at Luxury tented camp / Mountains of the Moon Hotel.
Day 10: Departure
Breakfast at the lodge and drive to Fort Portal town, visit Toro King’s Palace, Karambi Tombs, Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru cultural site, share historical stories about the Chwezi Empire, lunch in Fort Portal town, and set off to Kampala with lots of scenic viewing en-route. Dinner and overnight stay at Kampala Forest Cottages Or transfer to Entebbe airport for your scheduled departure flight.
End of the Tour
COST OF THE TOUR ABOVE;
This will be a private tour and will cost;
– US$4190 per person in Superior Lodges
– US$3795 per person in Deluxe lodges.
– US$3300 per person in Budget Lodges.
The price is based on 2 persons sharing a double or Twin room and shall include;
– One gorilla permit per person for Rwanda (US$750 for each permit)
– One gorilla permit per person for Uganda (US$500 for each permit)
– Chimpanzee tracking permits in Kibale Forest (US$150 each)
– All tour activities and park entry fees as per the itinerary (see attachment)
– Ground transport in a comfortable 4WD safari vehicle with an open roof for excellent game viewing and photographing.
– Full-time English-speaking driver / Tour guide.
– 9 Nights accommodation and meals (Full board)
– Enroute meals, water, tea/coffee for refreshment
– Airport transfers
Excluded are flights, visa, and other personal expenses like tips, beverages, etc
Also, See 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari
