13 Days Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla, chimp trekking and wildlife tour
Gorilla Expeditions Ltd has organized this trip to enable our clients make comparison between Uganda Gorilla trekking through the Bwindi impenetrable forest and the Bamboo forest of volcanoes national Park. The trip begins from Uganda (Entebbe International Airport) and end in Rwanda (Kigali International Airport).
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, we shall transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park. The journey will take you through the historical monument known as Uganda Equator, have photographs, proceed to Mbarara for en route lunch. Continue to the Park with en route game drive en route. Relax as you wait for dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Twin Lake Lodge OR Bush lodge.
Day 2: Morning Game drive and Boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel
After a fully served breakfast, you will set out for the morning game drive in the Kasenyi area. Here look out for animals such as the Lions, Buffaloes, Leopard, Elephants, Kobs, Antelopes, Spotted Hyena and the elusive giant forest hog. Return to your lodge for lunch and in the afternoon, set out for the Launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This will give you the opportunity to view wildlife up close such as hippo’s huff and spray mere feet away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others. After this wonderful afternoon, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park known as the Ishasha sector which is commonly known for the rare tree climbing lions in Fig and acacia trees. From here you will be able to spot the tree climbing lions and also other animals in the area. Proceed with your journey to Bwindi reaching in the evening, dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Resort/Gorilla Mist Camp/Nkuringo Gorilla Camp/ Mahogany Spring Lodge/Gorilla Valley Lodge.
Day 4: Life time event!! Mountain Gorilla tracking
Before 8:00am, you will have breakfast and then transfer to the Ranger station for a briefing and guidance of the activity. After this, you will be accompanied by armed ranger guides in the forest to search for the Mountain Gorillas. You will pass through the forest, slashing at the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track gorillas. The time taken to track the Gorillas is unpredictable since it depends on their movements in search for food and shelter. However, it can take from 2 to 8 hours. Upon reaching the Gorillas, you will have one hour with them and this will enable you to sit down and watch them as they interact with each other, communicate and you are also free to take photographs and Videos. Return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight as on day 3.
Day 5: Depart for Lake Bunyonyi – Canoe birding safari
After breakfast, you will set out for a community walk around Buhoma and then later transfer to Lake Bunyonyi via Kabale or the Switzerland of Africa. Lake Bunyonyi derived its name from the many birds that used to inhabit the lake. This is the deepest lake in Uganda and the 2nd deepest in Africa. Upon arrival, you will take a canoe ride to the various Islands found on the Lake. Return back to the mainland in the evening for dinner and overnight stay at Arcadia cottages/ Bunyonyi overland camp/ Bushara Island Camp.
Day 6: Full day relaxation at the shores of Lake Bunyonyi (enjoy a variety of activities)
After breakfast, have a different number of activities allocated on this day. You can opt to visit the local markets in Kabale and also the Bakiga Cultural Museum, visit the different dairy farms and plantations. You can also visit the Batwa community on one of the Islands for a cultural tour and historical experience of these shortest People.
Day 7: Cross to Rwanda through Cyanika Boarder – En route visit the twin lakes: Burera & Buhondo
After breakfast, you will cross the border of Uganda and Rwanda at Cyanika and transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. En route visit the beautiful twin Lakes for memorable photos, proceed to the park for Lunch and relaxation as you wait for dinner and overnight at Kinigi Guest House / Hotel Muhavura/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/ Sabyinyo Silver Back Lodge/ Virunga Lodge OR Gorilla Nest Lodge.
Day 8: Second Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Cultural walk to the near by communities
After breakfast, you will report to the Park headquarters for registration and Gorilla group allocation. You will be briefed shortly about the Gorilla rules and then after this you will be accompanied by your ranger guide into the forest to search for the great Apes.
You will hike into Volcano Virunga Hills and green Valley in search for the gorillas and the activity is somehow tiresome but once you meet the Gorillas, you will definitely forget all the hardships you went through to see the Gorillas. After meeting the Gorillas, you will spend with them one hour which will give you an opportunity to take photographs. After this, you will transfer back to your lodge with gorilla trek experiences and memories for relaxation. In the evening, you can visit the nearby villages for cultural exhibition. Return to your Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Drive to Kibuye on Lake Kivu (beautiful scenic view) – Boat cruise
Breakfast and set off to Kibuye town which is found eastern of Lake Kivu, this is the largest lake in Rwanda with free and clean water suitable for swimming. Here you will get the first impression of Rwanda and where it derived its name of “The Land of a Thousand hills”. Upon arrival in Kibuye town, you will take a boat ride for a tour different islands and hot springs on Lake Kivu. You will explore the Island of Napoleon’s Hat. The boat trip will reward us the view of the Nyiragongo Volcano in Congo. Return to Lake Kivu Serena Hotel/Palm Hotel/Kibuye Guest House/Bethanie Hotel OR Kivu Sun Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Drive to Nyungwe forest National Park (home of many Rwanda’s primates)
After breakfast, you will depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park. The journey will take us through hills and valleys proceed to the home of 13 recorded primates and among which include Blue Monkey, vervet monkey, Grey-Cheeked mangabey, L’Host’s monkey, Red-tailed Monkeys and above all the chimpanzees among others. Arrival for lunch and relax as we wait for dinner and overnight at Nyungwe hill Top View Hotel, Gisakura guest House/Nyungwe Forest Lodge OR Peace Guest House.
Day 11: The day of excitement!! Chimpanzee trekking
After breakfast, you will set out for the chimp trek in this rain forest. You will first report to the Park headquarters for briefing from the Park rangers and then start your trek into the Forest in search for the chimpanzees. You will have the opportunity to see Chimpanzees and other primates like the Rwenzori colobus, L’hoests monkey, the Silver monkey, Owl faced monkey and the Grey cheeked Mangabey and so on. Return for dinner and overnight as on the previous day.
Day 12: Return to Kigali, en route visits
After breakfast, you will transfer back to Kigali with en route visits: visit historical and cultural sites in Butare and Nyanza. You will visit the National Museum and the National University in Butare. You will also visit the Old King’s Palace (Old Mwami’s palace) in Nyanza for a cultural interaction. Have lunch in Butare and proceed with your journey to Kigali for dinner and overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel, Step Town Hotel OR Hotel Chez Lando.
Day 13: Departure
After breakfast, we shall transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight back home.
End of the trip
