The 12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari is a comprehensive safari package allowing you to explore these remarkable African destinations noted to be the only ones sheltering the critically endangered Mountain gorillas on a world scale. The safari features Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, Nyiragongo Volcano hike in Congo, Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park popularly known as the primate capital of the world, extensive wild game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park with the Big four including tree climbing lions, nature walks in the fort portal crater area and Bigodi wetland not forgetting recreational boat cruise on Lake Kivu and Kazinga Channel.
The expanse tropical waters of the world’s largest tropical lake – Lake Victoria fronted by lush tropical city mark your courteous welcome into Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. On the peninsular of Entebbe International Airport, you set your first foot in this maiden country and all that meets you are smiling faces of most hospitable people in the region and among these will be our representative who will usher you in to the country. After the meet and greet, you drive to the hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Kampala Sheraton Hotel / Lake Victoria Serena Resort, Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge / Boma Hotel Entebbe, Budget / Basic: Airport Guesthouse / Banda Inns
Team up with your safari guide after breakfast to transfer to Fort Portal Area 300km about 5 hours drive from Kampala. The views of the countryside will astonish you along the drive including the Inselberg geological features in Mubende, Lake Wamala viewed at a distance along with human settlement patterns en route. The views of lush tea plantations as you draw close to Fort Portal town also provide a lasting memory. Settle for lunch in Fort Portal town after which you connect to Nyakasura Area to explore the heritage site of Amabere g’Nyinamwiru caves standing as breast-like features of which the locals presume to be belonging to Nnyinamwiru – the daughter of Bukuku who was a self enthroned king of the Bachwezi. He is noted to have denied the daughter to breastfeed her hard gotten baby – Ndahura on a foretold story that the grand child would kill him and take over the throne. Though he undertook all the measures to stop this, it eventually happened. It is such a historical story worth listening to. After the caves, embark on the hike to Fort Portal crater field hiking the magical Kyeganywa hill to gain notable views of the crater lakes below and the overlooking Rwenzori Mountains. Retire from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages, Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tents, Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
The briefing for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park commences at exactly 8am at Kanyanchu Tourism Center and after detailing the dos and don’ts, you head to the lush tropical forest of Kibale with immense biodiversity including 13 primate species including common Chimpanzees, Black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest Monkey among others, 351 species of trees and 375 bird species including the unique Green breasted pitta and Kibale ground thrush. The search for chimpanzees can last 3 – 5 hours with one full hour of direct viewing. The moment is remarkable as you see them forage, copulate, play and do other behavioral tactics which are magical to explore. In the afternoon, a wetland walk in Bigodi sanctuary is impressive offering probable sights of birds like great blue turaco and gonolecks. Other swamps dwelling species like Sitatunga may also be viewed. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages, Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tents, Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 2 – 3 hours drive enjoying the impressive landscapes of Rwenzori Mountains standing as the third highest mountain in Africa with glacial peaks. A stop at Ruboni community on its foothills presents an insight into the cultural setting of the Bakonjo people that have lived in this area for over 300 hundred years past. Proceed on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park to catch up with an afternoon boat cruise along Kazinga Channel departing at 2pm. The 2 hour boat ride offers beautiful views of the channel waters, the birds on the banks including Great Cormorants and African Skimmers and wild game drinking on the channel side like elephants, Buffaloes among others. You retreat from the activity and undertake a game drive along the channel track in Mweya peninsular as you connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
If you slept inside the park, the game drive can start at 6am but if you slept outside the park, the park gates open at 7am. Kasenyi sector to the north east of the park features an extensive savannah landscape supporting a myriad of wild game including; elephants, lions, Buffaloes, leopards, Side stripped jackals, Spotted Hyenas, Antelopes like Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, water bucks, Topis among others. The area also features counts of birds that can be viewed along with wildlife. In the afternoon, you can opt to spend time relaxing at the lodge or take an optional nature walk the lush forest of Maramagambo for birds and unique flora. Another alternative is undertaking a chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu forest for more chimpanzee viewing experience. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
Following breakfast at the lodge, you set off Bwindi Impenetrable National Park traversing the Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions where you gain chances to explore these amazing creatures hanging on the tree branches in the mid day sun. Proceed to Bwindi arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp, Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park featuring a minimum of 400 mountain gorillas presents a remarkable opportunity to explore these critically endangered Apes. The trekking encounter commences at 8am at the respective gorilla trekking region with briefing conducted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority park rangers. This is followed by the trek to the forested hilly landscapes of Bwindi dubbed Impenetrable with beautiful forest cover always covered by mist in the morning, scenic slopes, abundant birdlife and eventually the mountain gorillas. The viewing of these gentle giants is limited to one hour but the entire return trek can last between 2 – 8 hours. After the trek, you drive to Lake Bunyonyi for an afternoon relaxation and overnight driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort, Midrange / Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
You take a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi exploring the lake of a thousand Islands as it has been known because of its count of 29 Islands. The views are spectacular and the life of the Islanders is magical to explore. From the activity, you transfer to Volcanoes National Park 120km about 3 hours drive enjoying the views of the Kigezi Highlands and Virunga Volcanoes. Cross at chanica border and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
This is a second opportunity to explore the critically endangered mountain gorillas but this time in a different habitat. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga volcanoes where the remaining population of Mountain gorillas 480 thrives. The trek commences at the park headquarters Kinigi at 8am with briefing by the park rangers. However, an early arrival offers an opportunity to enjoy the traditional Kinyarwanda performance and a warm cup of home grown Rwandan coffee. After briefing, you drive to the trail head to embark on the hike through the gorilla highlands marked by lush flora and bird life. The eventual encounter with the mountain gorillas is a lifetime moment and a range of photos can be taken and questions about the gorillas can be asked. After one hour of direct viewing, you return to the starting point and embark on the transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu 110km about 2 hours drive for an evening recreation and relaxation. An optional boat cruise can be taken to explore this beautiful lake and its Islands. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Resort, Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide
Wake up early enough to transfer to Congo (Goma) about 1 hour drive to catch up with the Nyiragongo Volcano hiking. Gather at Kibati Patrol post from where you will begin the hike from in the company of the Virunga National Park rangers. Enjoy the amazing views and environment of Nyiragongo Volcano noted to feature the largest lava lake in the world. The lava lake is very violent and noted to have had a significant impact on the surrounding environment following its last subsequent eruptions including the 2002 eruption that destroyed half of Goma town 20km away. The accommodation is presented in the mountain shelter and you enjoy the glowing views of the lava lake at night. Nyiragongo Volcano hike lasts between 4 – 6 hours.
Accommodation: Mountain Shelter
This is the second day on the mountain and you enjoy the mountain scenery as you trek back to the starting point. From Kibati, you embark on the drive to Gisenyi to relax at the endless sandy beaches refreshing from the 2 day volcano hike. Retire for overnight
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Resort, Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide
Drive from Gisenyi to Kigali 358km about 3 hours drive enjoying the scenic Rwandan countryside. After arriving in Kigali city, you tour the Gisozi genocide memorial to learn into the depth of the 1994 tragic ethnic conflict that befell Rwanda leaving over 800,000 people dead. From the museum, do some last minute shopping as you explore Kigali landscapes after which you connect to Kigali International Airport for the flight back home.
End of the 12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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