5 Days Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Kinigi

Airport transfer with private vehincle and guide . transfer to volcanoes National Park with private vehincle and driver. Ranging in altitude from 2400km to 4507 the volcanoes National Park ( French: Parc National Des Volcans) is dominated by setting of volcanoes after which it is named. Best known to the outside world as the place where for almost 20urs the American primatologist Dian Fossey under took her pioneering studies of mountain gorilla behaviour. Day hikes to see the gorilla families can be strennous on tracks climbing through the forest, and time is very limited once contact is made with the gorilla families. The rare visitation to our cousins will definitely be memorable and intriguing. We have our accommodation ideally at a place from where you can watch these animals in their natural habitat, especially the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Later you’ll be served with delicious Rwandan cuisine and take walks and learn more about gorillas and absorb in the mesmerizing surrounding landscape. Overnight will be at your lodge of booking.

• Luxury lodge (Up-market): Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Gorillas Nest Lodge
• Moderate: La Palme Hotel or Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge
• Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House or Muhavura Lodge.
• Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Pac des Volcanoes

After having your breakfast, you’ll go to the offices of ORTPN to receive a briefing about the tour. Then set off to the forest for your gorilla trekking. The trekking journey through the Virunga foothills provides an exceptional view in all direction and sub directions. The trail will then continue on to the national park which you’ll get to experience a strange closeness to the rainforest. You can hear the colourful birds chirping and the rare golden monkeys chattering. The marvellous peaks of the mountain are spotted through the gaps of the forest canopy and summiting these peaks are rather easy. But the gorilla trekking is quite strenuous and requires both physical and mental strength. But all of that is worth it as you’ll encounter the enthusiastic gorillas who’ll wipe away your pain and suffering through their majestic playful display. You can spent few minutes watching the adults feed their young ones, brushing and resting as the youngsters hang from the vines. Overnight will be at your lodge of booking.

• Luxury lodge (Up-market): Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Gorillas Nest Lodge
• Moderate: La Palme Hotel or Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge
• Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House or Muhavura Lodge.
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ( Uganda)

Take breakfast and depart for Uganda. You will cross the border via Kisoro then clear at the border – Uganda is 1 a head of Rwanda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the place in Uganda where the few of the remaining mountain gorillas reside. The birdlife and the primate life is superb and the variety in flora is exceptional. In Bwindi, you can spot up to 348 bird species which makes it a birding paradise for birders. Out of 348, 24 to 26 are Albertine Rift endemic species.

Seven red data book species can be spotted in Uganda. It is a continuation of the Virunga Volcanoes mountain. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.

• Gorilla Valley Lodge/ Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro (lower budget)
• Moderate: Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Chameleon Hill Resort/ Mutanda Lake Resort
• Up-market: Volcanoes Mgahinga Lodge/ Rushaga Gorillas Safari Lodge

Day 4:Gorilla tracking adventure in bwindi impenetrable forest national park.

Today enjoy gorilla tracking in Bwindi. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before the highlighting of the trip. Accompanied by the guide and trackers, you’ll trek the rainforest and slopes covered with bamboo in search of the famous mountain gorilla families. The journey can be at times be long and tough, but once you come across the magnificent silverback, who is the head of a gorilla family, all your discomfort will seemingly vanish. You’ll have a close encounter with the gorillas and you’ll be sitting at a distance of 6 meters from them, making an eye-to-eye contact with them. But gorilla tracking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike .the gorilla excursion can take from 2 up 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. An optimal physical fitness level is recommended. A maximum of one hour is permitted to stay with a gorilla family for conservation purposes. You’ll be briefed by a ranger on how to behave when you’re close to a gorilla family. Overnight will be to your hotel of booking.

• Gorilla Valley Lodge/ Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro (lower budget)
• Moderate: Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Chameleon Hill Resort/ Mutanda Lake Resort
• Up-market: Volcanoes Mgahinga Lodge/ Rushaga Gorillas Safari Lodge

Day 5: Return to Kigali, visit Gisozi Genocide Memorial and museum, transfer to airport

Following breakfast, you will leave for Kigali. From here, you can easily reach the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Museum which is very moving in nature. It was built in the memories of the people who lost their life in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The sites and centers are places of dignified remembrance for the loved ones. The place also is a reflection and learning ground for the wider community, both at national and international level. The tour will take close to two hours and will appeal to anyone who has spent some time in this enchanting country. Afterwards, you will be transferred to the airport.

End of the service

Whats included in this itinerary?

• Transportation by 4 WD safari van, Fuel expenses
• Accommodation while on safari as per the itinerary
• The costs also cover the services of English speaking driver/guide
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) while on safari,
• Park entrance fees
• One Gorilla permit trekking Parc Volcanoes, One gorilla trek permit for Bwindi- Uganda
• Ranger fees
• Kigali City Tour

Whats not included in this route?

• Local and international flights, Personal Travel insurance, Visa Fees to Uganda, drinks, cigarettes, tips, souvenirs and any other items of personal nature.