Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National park.
You will be picked from your hotel in Kigali or the airport on arrival by our driver guide and drive northwards to Volcanoes national park in Ruhengeri a home to 360 Mountain Gorillas.
Volcanoes national park is also an ecologically diverse destination and it is no surprise that tracking mountain gorillas remains the most popular activity. A wide variety of other hikes and activities are offered thus making it possible to spend several days in the area without running out of what to do.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla view Lodge
Midrange: Le Bambou Gorilla lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Day 2: First Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park.
In the morning at 7:30 am, you will assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing in the morning together with your trekking gears and drinking water and packed lunch.
After briefing you will begin the trekking. The trek can be quite tough that it takes a lot of time usually 2-8 hours and that is why we emphasize physical fitness making the entire encounter with these unique species an unusual experience. The hike amidst the jungle while viewing the lovely Rwandan flora and fauna, the impressive panoramic views and magical scenic landscapes of the Virungas will surely leave you mesmerized. The 1 hour direct contact with the world’s rarest animals is worth remembering and getting attracted to their thick beautiful fur while being entertained by the playful young gorillas puts your stressful minds and thoughts into a state of relaxation and happiness, worth the expensive price of a gorilla ticket.
Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. Dedicate your evening to nature walk or visiting the Ib’yiwachu Cultural Village for Rwanda’s cultural heritage and practices.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla view Lodge
Midrange: Le Bambou Gorilla lodge
Budget: Hotel Muhabura
Day 3: Golden Monkey tracking / Dian Fossey hike.
In the morning, you will gather at the park headquarters for briefing. You set for golden monkey tracking. Trekking golden monkeys and gorillas is a similar experience – in a small group of not more than eight people, and visitors are allowed a maximum of one hour to spend with the monkeys once they find them.
They are very active creatures that keep jumping from tree to tree which is really interesting, though a little difficult to photograph.
A hike up to Karisoke research centre is quite amazing too; this ancient centre was established by Dian Fossey; an American primatologist who dedicated all her life conserving the lives of mountain gorillas by conducting an18 year comprehensive study about the fateful ape until she was killed and buried next to Digit, a mountain gorilla. You will learn more about the lives of the mountain gorillas at the research centre. On return, you will cross over to Uganda and drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park; which is remarkably home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. This “impenetrable forest” harbors an approximate number of 400 Mountain gorillas–including several habituated groups, which can be tracked quite easily.
Apart from the mountain gorillas, this region is biologically diverse as it shelters over 120 mammals; including various primates like baboons and chimpanzees, as well as forest elephants and antelopes. There are approximately 350 bird species in this forest, including 23 Albertine rift endemics.
Dinner and overnight at lodge
Accommodation:
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla mist camp
Budget: Broad bill forest camp
Day 4: Second gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
In the morning, assemble at the park headquarters for briefing from the park rangers about the dos and don’ts while tracking and amidst the gorillas. Proceed for the memorable adventure in the forest; an activity that may take 2-6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas in the wild.
Once a habituated gorilla family has been located by the guides, you can settle down for 1 hour to observe them as they feed and groom while their babies tumble about the undergrowth; all under the watchful gaze of the great silverback male. Sitting only a few meters from a gorilla and looking into its soft brown eyes is a spine-tingling experience not easily forgotten.
As you exit the forest, your tour guide will be waiting to transfer you to the lodge for relaxation / lunch. In the evening, you may visit the nearby Batwa community or relax at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at your hotel
Accommodation:
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla mist camp
Budget: Broad bill forest camp
Day 5: Transfer to Kigali and departure.
After breakfast transfer back to Kigali. You may enjoy a city tour of Kigali (optional); including a visit to the local market, museum, Gisozi genocide memorial center, etc. Your safari guide will drop you at the airport for your out bound flight back to your next destination or home country.
End of the safari with Love Uganda Safaris
