11 DAYS RWANDA EXTENDED GORILLA SAFARI
This safari starts in Kigali and ends in Kampala. It traces the western Rift Valley, from the Virunga volcanoes to the Rwenzori Mountains. Looking at some of the last remaining 700 mountain gorillas in the world is an awesome experience and the safari takes you to three gorilla parks which include Parc Nationale des Volcanos in Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The safari gives you an opportunity to track gorillas five times, that is two times in Parc Nationale des Volcanos, once in Mgahinga/Nkuringo and twice in Bwindi. Parc Nationale des Volcanos in Rwanda has got five habituated gorilla families and tracking most groups in the afro-montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave or visit the endangered golden monkey. Mgahinga, in Uganda, is a great place to appreciate the gorillas and it has one habituated family. Sometimes this group moves across the border and you can track gorillas at Nkuringo in Southern Bwindi instead. You can also climb a volcano or go for a nature walk, visit the endangered golden monkey or go birding. Bwindi in Uganda has four habituated families and the gorillas live in thicker tropical forest and tracking is more challenging as the hillsides are steeper. You can also go for nature walks to see birds, monkeys and orchids.
You can then decide to continue to Ishasha and go see the tree-climbing lions lounging on old fig trees. Further north you will see the great game of Africa in Queen Elizabeth National Park like elephants, lions, buffalos, hippos, and leopard. You will track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. See the rich wildlife and array of birds on the Kazinga Channel. Fly out from Entebbe.
While on safari, clients stay 3 nights at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, 2 nights at Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge, 3 nights at Gorilla resort hotel and 3 nights at Mweya/Jacana.
ITINERARY
Day One: Arrival
You will be met on arrival at the airport by the safari guide and transfer to Kigali. The guide will brief you about the safari. After lunch depart for Parc Nationale des Volcans. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that show much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. Overnight and dinner at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).
Day Two: Rwanda Gorilla Safari
After breakfast, you will go for gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a wonderful experience. Incase you are lucky; you can get to see the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the lodge and have late lunch. Some gorilla families however are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Overnight and dinner Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).
Day Three: Community tour
Visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ross Carr's orphanage, trek to Dian Fossey's grave, visit the local school, community projects and walk to Lake Bulera. Overnight and dinner at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).
Uganda And Rwanda Tour
For an experience of the true African wilderness a tour of Uganda and Rwanda is one of the most rewarding safari experiences. With a blend of both tropical rainforests, savanah grasslands and arid conditions, one will expect to find a diversity of wildlife and birds.
This 11 days tour offers you just that allowing you to do; chimpanzee tracking, mountain gorilla trekking, game drive, community tour and national parks tours
Day Four: Transfer to Uganda
In the morning after breakfast, relax or walk near the Lodge, visit the golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. After lunch transfer to Uganda. Overnight and dinner at Mount Gahinga Lodge (FB).
Day Five: Gorilla tracking
You will go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo, or climb the Muhavura or Gahinga volcano, or go for a nature walk, visit golden monkeys in Mgahinga. Overnight and dinner at Mount Gahinga Lodge (FB).
Day Six: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
In the morning, you will drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes and lakes. Alternatively look for monkeys and birds near the river by the Lodge or go for a community walk. Overnight and dinner at Gorilla resort (FB).
Day Seven: Gorilla Trekking Uganda
Go for a gorilla tour, walking up steep densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. It is an inspiring moment! Tracking in Bwindi requires energy and often takes most of the day. Alternatively go for a leisurely nature or community walk. Overnight and dinner at Gorilla resort (FB).
Day Eight: Travel to Queen Elizabeth
Following breakfast, you will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Either drive via Ishasha, the home of the tree climbing lion, roads permitting, or take the alternative route through cultivated expanses. Incase time allows, you will go for an evening game drive. Dinner and Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge /Jacana (FB).
Day Nine: Game drive
Wake up and go for an early morning game drive, you will see different game in the park, have a rest during the heat of the day and then go on an evening game drive. The game you will see depends on the season; the Kasenyi plains give you an opportunity to see lion and the Mweya peninsula for a variety of animals. Overnight and dinner at Mweya Safari lodge/Jacana (FB).
Day Ten: Chimpanzee Trekking
An excursion to Kyambura gorge nearby to track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable but the walk is enchanting. Alternatively go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest to see other primates and to visit the bat cave and the blue lake. In the afternoon take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where the wildlife and a vast array of birds come to drink. Overnight and dinner at Mweya Safari Lodge/Jacana (FB).
Day Eleven: Drive to Kampala
Drive to Kampala; enroute you will have a stopover at the Equator, and also see the royal drum makers. Freshen up and relax abit at Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe until transfer to the airport for return flight (HB).