The 7 days Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Safari takes visitors to two amazing countries, exploring three National Parks (Volcanoes, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks) to trek the endangered mountain gorillas on top of other thrilling activities such as tour of the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo, memorial visit to Dian Fossey gravesite, visit to Gorilla Guardian Village, climbing Mount Muhabura and Batwa Community visit.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Arrive via Kigali International Airport and drive to Volcanoes National Park.
On arrival for the safari, our professional our guide will be ready to welcome you into the country and for the safari. Depending on the arrival time, you will first undertake a short City tour to explore the top historical and cultural sites in Kigali City such as the Presidential Palace Museum-former home to Juvenal Habyarimana, then President of Rwanda before outbreak of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. It is his assassination together with Burundi’s then President that sparked the genocide.
The City tour continues to other fantastic places such as Kimironko market where you will find beautiful handicrafts and souvenirs (such as bags, wear and shoes with typical African fabrics), variety of fresh fruits and many others. If time allows, you will also visit the Caplaki Craft Village where an assortment of masks, wood carvings and other souvenirs from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Congo are showcased.
Later have Lunch and embark on your drive northwards to Ruhengeri through beautiful rolling hills and arrive in the evening for a cold bathe, hot delicious meal, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and visit the Twin Lakes – Bulera and Ruhondo.
Early morning, have a taste of Rwanda’s finest coffee or tea accompanied with fresh fruits and cereals before leaving for Kinigi Park Headquarters. While here, you will be taken through the necessary pre-tracking briefing, allocation to gorilla groups and being assigned a tour guide before hiring a porter. After this informative briefing, hop into your safari vehicle for a transfer to the Park borders where the group trailhead is found and later begin the unforgettable walk through the dense forest in search of mountain gorillas.
Typical gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park take about 1-5 hours but come with continuous encounters of other Park residents such as butterflies, bird species, elephants, giant forest hogs, bushbucks and other primates such as the red-tailed monkeys. Spend only one hour with the mountain gorillas for photography and watching their extraordinary behavior before returning back to the Lodge for a hefty Lunch.
Your evening will be spent touring the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo for unique bird species such as African fish eagles, grey-crowned cranes, cattle egrets, cormorants, pied and malachite kingfishers, Hammerkop and many others. Get back to the Lodge for another moment of relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Dian Fossey Grave tour and Guided tour at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
Have breakfast and return again to Kinigi Park Headquarters for another moment for discovery in the jungles of Volcanoes National Park. Your briefing will be on everything you need to know about the Dian Fossey Gravesite Hike such as length of the hike, what to expect during hiking and Dian Fossey’s conservation journey.
Start the hike at 8am and walk through different vegetation types while encountering a number of wildlife and bird species. This hike takes about one and a half to two hours before finally getting to the gravesite and that of Dian’s favorite gorilla digit. Take photos and descend back to the starting point then be driven to the Lodge for Lunch.
Either relax for the rest of the evening or take a leisurely visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for a moment of cultural discovery. Learn about Rwandan people’s cultures and unique ways of life through some of the organized activities. Later drive back to your place of stay for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Nkuringo sector.
Start your fourth day with an amazing breakfast and check-out of the Lodge and Volcanoes National Park for a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Cross over to Uganda through Cyanika border point and continue straight to the booked Safari Lodge for unwinding, Lunch, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking adventure and drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Early morning be served breakfast and with your passport as well as gorilla permit report at the Park Headquarters for registration and briefing. This briefing is on the rules and regulations to be followed when trekking and observing mountain gorillas. This ends by 8am when you start the 1-4 hours’ search for them in the thick jungles crisscrossed by many hiking trails and spend one hour with them.
Treks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are not different from the ones in Volcanoes National Park, although the vegetation and terrain varies across these two destinations. After a wonderful time with the mountain gorillas and in the jungles, return back to the Lodge for Lunch. After your Lunch leave for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where you will dine and spend overnight.
Day 6: Climb Mount. Muhabura and evening relaxation.
Hiking Mount Muhabura is the most difficult among all the Virunga Mountains and to take on this hike, you have to be physically fit and prepared for the challenge. This 3116-meter tall mountain can be hiked in 5-7 hours (ascent and descent) and starts with briefing at Ntebeko Visitor Center. Hikers bare first provided with information on the formation of the mountain, what to expect and how to deal with altitude sickness.
Make sure you have a walking stick, enough drinking water, lunch box and wear hiking boots before starting the hike. Reaching the summit is a great achievement because some hikers don’t make it to the top and while here, enjoy views of the other Volcanoes and even swim in the Crater Lake.
Enjoy your packed lunch and descend back to the base then to your Lodge for relaxation. Because of the fatigue from the hike, relax for the remainder of the evening and later enjoy dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Drive back to Kigali City.
Have breakfast and pack your bags to cross back to Rwanda, then be transferred to Kigali City for Lunch and later to the Airport for departure.
