14 Days Uganda Adventure Safari is an extensive and active 13 nights/14-day Uganda Rwanda vacation tour package, offering a truly epic adventure including an encounter with the famous Mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda, the Dian Fossey tomb and gorilla cemetery, the charismatic Chimpanzees, the ‘Big Five’ of African land mammals, the source of the Nile River, the Murchison Falls and the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Your adventure begins from Kampla. From there, move to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda. Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting and bungee jumping at the source of the Nile, one of the most iconic places in Africa. Travel to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos on foot before continuing to Murchison Falls NP for Uganda safari game drives in search of the lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hippos, and more. Enjoy a very relaxing Nile launch cruise to the bottom of Murchison Fall, and hike to the top of this world’s most powerful waterfall.
Undertake a very scenic drive to Fort Portal and enjoy a cycling tour in the Mpanga tea estate, a hike to Amabere caves, and the dramatic Crater Lake field. Move to Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda, in the natural habitat on foot. Continue to Semuliki− a birder’s paradise – for a nature walk before heading to Kasese for a whole day adventure hike on the Rwenzori Mountains. Then undertake a memorable scenic drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, home of the rare tree-climbing lions.
Continue to the mighty Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and trek into the misty jungle for a rare opportunity to watch a family of Mountain gorillas, the world’s biggest and most impressive primates. Drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for volcano hiking.
Cross the border into Rwanda and drive to Volcanoes National Park, the location where Dian Fossey spent 20 years studying and protecting the gentle Mountain gorillas– a lifetime of work that would inspire the well-known feature film, ‘Gorillas in the Mist’. Enjoy a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari tour, Musanze cave exploration, and hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb. End this great 14 Days Uganda Adventure safari in Kigali.
Book Or Customize This Unforgettable 14 Days Adventure Safari in Uganda Rwanda Of A Lifetime At An Affordable Price.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Volcanoes National Parks
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
Dian Fossey hike
Musanze cave exploration, Volcanoes National Park
Rhino tracking Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
White-water rafting at the source of the Nile River in Jinja
Bungee jumping into the historic Nile River in Jinja
Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
A nature walk in the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Hiking along the Sempaya Nature Trail in Semuliki National Park
Hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains or ‘Mountains of the Moon’
Climb Sabinyo volcano in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Search for the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat cruises along the Nile River to the bottom Murchison falls
Hiking to the top of Murchison Falls
Hiking to the dramatic Fort Portal Crater Lake field
Cycling in Mpanga tea estate
Heritage tour to Amabere cave
Meet, explore, and learn from the local communities
Day 1: Jinja – Source of the Nile
Day 2 & 3: Murchison Falls National Park & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 4 & 5: Fort Portal Area
Day 6: Kibale National Park
Day 7: Semuliki National Park & Kasese
Day 8: Rwenzori Mountains
Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 10 & 11: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 12 & 13: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda & Musanze Caves
Day 14: Transfer to Kigali City
Day 1: Drive to Jinja – Source of the Nile, do white water rafting & bungee jumping
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en-route
Day 3: Morning game drive, afternoon Nile launch cruise& hike to the top of Murchison Falls
Day 4: Drive to Fort Portal, Whole day transfer.
Day 5: Cycle in Mpanga tea estate, visit Amabere cave & hike the Fort Portal Crater lake field.
Day 6: Morning Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale & afternoon walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 7: Travel to Semuliki National Park, hike to Sempaya hotsprings & transfer to Kasese. Visit the Rwenzori art foundation & Ruboni Community craft center upon arrival.
Day 8: Whole-day Rwenzori Mountains hike.
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP in search of tree climbing lions.
Day 10: Do Gorilla trekking in Bwindi & transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 11: Climb/hike Mount Sabinyo (3,669m)
Day 12: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Day 13: Do Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda & Musanze Caves exploration.
Day 14: Do Dian Fossey hike & transfer to Kigali City
Wake up for breakfast at around 6.30 am at your place of stay Kampala, after which embark on an 80km (1-2 hours) drive east to Jinja, Uganda’s large historical town whose main claim to fame is the source of the Nile, one of the most iconic places in Africa – the point at which the longest river on Earth exit the world’s largest tropical lake to begin its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea through the deserts of Sudan and Egypt. On your way to Jinja, you drive through impressive landscapes on the outskirts of Kampala before entering into the sugarcane plantations of Lugazi and the magnificent tropical rain forest of Mabira, the home of primates and numerous forest birds.
Upon arrival, get onto the rafts to undertake a challenging half-day whitewater-rafting adventure along the Nile. The source of the Nile is one of the most spectacular white-water rafting destinations in the world with long, rollicking strings of Grade IV and V rapids. Raft in the company of expert guides who are at your rescue in case the waters push you off the raft. The crowd cheers from the locals on the river bank enjoying the free sights of your struggle with waters will make you part of the community.
Return from the activity for lunch and then connect to the bungee jumping site. You’re tied with the latex rubber in the ankles that allows you to slope for over 44m down the waters of the Nile from the cliff safely. Enjoy the great adventure with the wind rushing through your air, the views of the cliff, and the views of the sky which combine to generate a lasting experience. Retreat from the Jinja adventure and return to Kampala for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Rafting along the historic Nile River.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Sheraton Kampala Hotel/Speke Resort Munyonyo/Kampala Serena Hotel
Midrange/Standard: – Cassia Lodge
Budget/Basic: – /Biyem Hotel/Nexus Resorts Nansana
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Drive distance & time: Approx. 80km or 1-2 hours
After your breakfast at around 7.30 am, undertake a 311km (5 – 6 hours) drive northwest to Murchison Falls National Park which is the largest of the 10 national parks in Uganda. This 3840km² features a high diversity of habitats, the world’s most powerful waterfalls, the Nile River, 451 bird species, and 76 species of mammals including 4 of the Big Five and the largest population of Rothschild’s giraffes in the world.
During your journey to Murchison, enjoy amazing views of the flat landscapes of central Uganda, before branching off at Nakitooma for a 7km drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place to see wild rhinos in Uganda. In Ziwa, undertake 2 hours on foot rhino tracking expedition in search of the sanctuary’s over 22 re-introduced Southern white rhinos. As you track the rhinos, you may also encounter a range of other wildlife species including Uganda kobs, oribis, bushbucks, waterbucks among others, and several bird species. This activity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and should not be missed! After the activity, settle for lunch at Kabalega dinner and continue to Murchison Falls National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Encountering the massive Southern white rhinoceros on foot.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge
Moderate/Mid-range:- Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Basic/Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 375km or 7-8 hours
Have your breakfast at around 6.30 am and then embark 3-4 hours game drive in the northern sector, a very scenic section of the park with rolling savanna grassland dotted with impressive stands of Borassus palms, acacia trees, riverine woodland, variety of mammals, and unique birds.
During the game drive, look for Lions, Elephants, Buffalos, Leopards, Rothschild’s Giraffes, Hyenas, Patas Monkeys, Warthogs, Hartebeests, Waterbucks, Hippos, Uganda Kobs, and much more. You also encounter several of the park’s unique bird species including the pre-historic like Shoebill, the well-named Goliath heron, the turkey like Abyssinian ground hornbill, the elegant Grey-crowned crane (Uganda national bird), Secretary birds, Squacco herons, Saddle-billed stork, Denham’s bustard, Kingfishers to name just a few.
After the activity, return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch, after which transfer to Paraa Jetty for an afternoon boat cruise on the historic Nile River to the bottom of the Murchison fall. This boat trip which starts at 2 pm is one of the highlights of this 14 days Uganda adventure safari. It is not only recreations but also offers a great chance to watch crocodiles gliding along the surface, with pods of submerged hippos breaking the surface of the still water as they peep up to catch a glimpse of you, elephants and buffalos quenching their thirst at the river banks along with a variety of waterbirds such as Shoebills, Saddle bellied stork, Goliath herons, African jacana, Squacco heron, and African fish eagles
Upon arrival to the bottom of the falls, undertake a 45 minutes hike to the top of the fall. The Murchison fall is arguably the world’s most powerful! It is not very big or wide like some you may have seen before but think of the longest river on Earth which is 50 meters wide squeezing through a narrow cleft in the rift valley escarpment which is 7 meters wide and falls 45 meters down. Retreat to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The relaxing boat cruise along the Nile River to the bottom of Murchison Falls.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Bakers Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge
Moderate/Mid-range:- Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge
Basic/Budget: – Red Chilli Rest Camp/Hornbill Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have a relaxed breakfast today and then connect to the Paraa Jetty to catch up with the ferry crossing at 9.00 am to transfer to Fort Portal area 441km about 9 hours’ drive passing through the impressive landscapes of Hoima with the views of the Albertine Rift.
You make a lunch stop in Hoima after which you proceed to the Fort Portal region arriving in the evening to check-in at the lodge, relax and settle for dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The heritage tour to Amabere Cave and the scenic hike to Fort Portal Crater Lake Field.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/ Ndali Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Papaya Lodge/ Mountains of the moon Hotel/Isunga Lodge Kibale
Budget/Basic: – Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy your breakfast at around 8.00 am and embark on a cycling tour in the Mpanga tea estate. This green tea plantation is spread over a beautiful undulating landscape with endless scenic views which makes it ideal to encounter on your mountain bikes. On your cycling, you encounter the estate staff plucking tea and you are free to participate in the exercise to gain the exact touch. Retreat from the activity and continue to Fort Portal town where you will settle for lunch, after which undertake a heritage tour to Amabere cave which is named after the live stalactite formation, Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru (literally, Breast of Nyinamwiru).
These breast-like features in the caves are believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru, the daughter of King Bukuku who is said to have been so beautiful that no man could leave her alone. When King Bukuku became weary of receiving marital requests from unsuitable suitors, he took the extreme measure of cutting off his daughter’s breasts to make her less attractive. But even this proved to be insufficient to deter Nyinamwiru’s many admirers, so the king hid her away in the cave now known as Amabere. Here, she was discovered by the Batembuzi King Isaza, who impregnated her with a son. Because Nyinamwiru lacked breasts, she stayed on in the cave with her baby, feeding him on the cloudy limestone ‘milk’ that drips from its stalactites. The child nurtured by the stalactite formation grew up and became king Ndahura, founder of the Bachwezi dynasty that ruled over the Bunyoro Kitara Empire centuries ago.
Retreat from this encounter and embark on the hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field where you traverse the challenging slopes of Kyeganywa hill surrounded by a range of crater lakes and crater hollows presenting one of the beautiful scenic sites in Uganda. The top of Kyeganywa hill offers the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park 26km from Fort Portal town for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The heritage tour to Amabere Cave and the scenic hike to Fort Portal Crater Lake Field.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/ Primate Lodge Kibale/Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Budget/Basic: – Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast at 6.00 am, pack your lunch and transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre to meet the expert local ranger guide. At 8.00 am, the guide gives you a short briefing on the chimpanzee tracking experience as well as dos and don’ts. After the briefing, you’re accompanied by the ranger guide into the forest to see Chimps in their natural habitat and marvel at how similar they are to humans.
The activity lasts 2-5 hours and contacts time with chimpanzees is limited to 1 hour. As you track in the depth of the lush green forest you will see a variety of other primates including Black-and-white colobus, Red-tailed, Uganda red colobus, and blue monkeys. You also see a variety of birds as Kibale is home to 375 bird species. Finally, you approach the chimps which have been fully habituated (accustomed to human) and thus offering you an opportunity to draw closer, watching them (from a safe but intimate distance of 8-10 meters), and take pictures.
Retreat from the chimpanzee tracking adventure and connect to the starting point where you connect with your company guide. Settle for your packed lunch and then embark on a short drive to community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a 2 hours swamp walk in this eco-tourism site which hosts 200 bird species and several primates. You can opt to undertake a cultural to Bigodi village and craft center to explore the local way of life. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Encountering chimpanzees, our closes living genetic relatives in their natural habitat on foot.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/ Primate Lodge Kibale/Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Budget/Basic: – Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have your breakfast at around 9.30 am, and then embark on 78km (2-5 hours) drive to Semuliki, a 220km² forest park on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, harboring intriguing wildlife including 440 bird species, Anubis baboons, Mona monkeys, Guereza colobus, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, Chimpanzees, Red-tailed monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, Forest buffalos, Forest Elephants, Water chevrotains Pygmy antelopes and Zenker’s flying mice
Upon arrival in Semuliki, embark on a 2-4 nature walk along the Sempaya Nature Trail to view the Sempaya hot springs, birds, and primates. There are two hot springs: the “male” hot spring is known as Bitente and the “female” hots spring, the geyser is known as Nyansimbi. The geyser spouts up to 2 meters into the air from an opening in a low salt sculpture. The emerging water has a temperature of over 100 °C and the surrounding pools are hot. You can boil some plantain or eggs to have picnic bites.
Retire from the activity, connect back to Fort Portal and transfer to Kasese. On arrival, visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation which is the only bronze casting center in the whole of Africa where you have an opportunity to explore the gallery with a collection of beautiful artworks. The foundation also offers an experiential touch and allows you to participate in the casting process.
From the art foundation, if you still have time, you visit the Ruboni Craft village and encounter the local women putting together different materials to produce one of the best craft products in Uganda. You can learn a skill like basket weaving. Retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The highlight of the day: – The hike to the Sempaya hot springs.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Equator Snow Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have your breakfast at around 7.00 am and then transfer to Nyakalengija ranger post to start the Mount Rwenzori hike at 8 am. Organized by the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services that manages the central circuit, the Rwenzori hike is a daylong encounter enabling you to explore the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains in detail. The Rwenzori Mountains stand as the third-highest in Africa rising to 5,109m above sea level with snowcapped peaks.
The day-long exploration of the legendary mountains of the moon presents magical sights of the Rwenzori ridges, the rift valley lakes below including Edward and George, the savannah stretches of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the panoramic view of Kasese town. Retire at 5 pm for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains, the legendary ‘Mountains of the Moon’.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Equator Snow Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a relaxed breakfast, today at around 9.30 am, embark on a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, home of the legendary tree-climbing lions where you take a short game drive in search of them. Continue to Bwindi arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a montane tropical rainforest wonderland, situated at the edge of the Rift Valley on an area of 321 km². Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, the park is incredibly biodiverse and breathtakingly beautiful. This “impenetrable forest” protects an estimated 459 mountain gorillas – almost half of the world’s population. Aside from gorillas, Bwindi is hosts another 9 primate species including Chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Black-and-white colobus, Olive baboons, Red-tailed monkeys, and Blue monkeys, as well as a variety of endemic bird species. In total, there are over 120 mammal species and 351 bird species in Bwindi.
The highlight of the day: – Seeing rare tree-climbing lions Ishasha
Luxury/Upmarket: – Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp/ Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate: – Bakiga Lodge/Gorilla Valley Lodge/ Silverback Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 190km-287km or 4- 7hours
Wake up very early in the morning (at around 6.00 am). Have a hearty breakfast, pack your lunch and then embark on a short drive to the respective park headquarter where you meet the expert local ranger guides. At 8.00 am, the guides give you an informative briefing about the gorilla trekking rules. After the briefing, you’re off on a chance-of-a-lifetime experience of the Mountain gorillas trekking in Uganda.
A Gorilla trek in the dense forest of Bwindi is relatively difficult and needs some stamina. It usually takes 2- 6 hours and may reach altitudes of almost 2000m above sea level. The forest also can sometimes be wet, muddy, and uncomfortable, but the trek proves well worth it when you see these marvelous creatures in their natural habitat.
An adult male can weigh up to 220kg and reach 6 feet in height but gorillas are placid and gentle. Contact time with gorillas is limited to one hour but coming face to face with a family of mountain gorillas is an experience that will stay etched on your mind forever. After your one hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Retreat from the activity and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 204km from Buhoma, 146km from Ruhija, 53km from Rushaga and Nkuringo driving through the impressive Kigezi Highlands arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Meeting a family of the gentle Mountain Gorillas for one breathtaking hour.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Mount Gahinga Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate: – Lake Chahafi Resort
Budget/Basic: – Traveler’s Rest Kisoro
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have a hearty breakfast at around 6.30 am, pack your lunch, mountain trekking essentials, and transfer to Ntebeko visitor center. Have a short briefing about the encounter, after which embark on the hike to the peak of Sabyinyo Volcano at 3,669m above sea level. Hike through regenerating forest, home to bushbucks and buffaloes. Entering a beautiful bamboo forest where you might be lucky and see the beautiful golden monkeys.
Then hike Afro-montane forest dominated by Hagenia trees whose boughs are laden with wispy old man’s beard. Look out for unique birds including the Rwenzori turaco. Hike further, upper slopes to encounter the alpine moorland vegetation dotted with bizarre giant lobelias and groundsels. The path is very steep and there is a little wooden ladder along the way to prevent erosion and help you on more difficult parts of the ascent.
The final part of the climb requires summiting three peaks linked by high-altitude saddles. Hiking up from the second to the third and the highest peak−located at a tripartite border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is particularly spectacular.
Depending on your fitness level and how many stops you make on the way, the hike can take anything from 7 to 10 hours. If it proves to be very strenuous for you or if you battle with the altitude, you can opt to turn back after summiting the first peak. That way, you still get to experience all the different vegetation zones and on a clear day, you’re rewarded with an amazing view from the top. Retreat from the climb to mark the end of the encounter
The highlight of the day: – Hiking the magnificent extinct 3,669m Sabinyo Volcano
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mount Gahinga Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate: – Lake Chahafi Resort
Budget/Basic: – Traveler’s Rest Kisoro
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at around 9.00 am and then embark on a 300km (4-5 hours) drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Cross Chanika border with impressive magical views of the eight mountains that compose the Virunga massifs. Arrive in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is an immensely scenic and ecologically diverse destination situated on an area of 160km². The park encompasses 5 of the 8 Virunga Mountains, a chain of free-standing volcanoes that straddle the Ugandan and Congolese borders. It was on the bamboo-covered slopes of these Volcanoes National Park that the legendary primatologist, Dian Fossey protected and did her research on Mountain Gorillas for 20 years, becoming a leading authority on their physiology and behavior. Through her research, Dian transformed the way we see gorillas. Before her work, gorillas had an appalling reputation as violent brutes that would kill a human on sight. Dian demolished this myth. Living alongside a group of mountain gorillas in the forests of Rwanda, she showed that these massive ground-dwelling apes are gentle giants, with individual personalities and rich social lives. In many ways, they are like us.
She also raised awareness of their vulnerability and promoted conservation initiatives, including setting up the Karisoke Research Foundation.
However, Dian Fossey did not enjoy universal popularity, and she made many enemies amongst local Rwandan’s, including poachers and those who wished to convert the gorillas’ habitat to farmland. Tragically she was found murdered at her research station in 1985, however, her legacy lives on and her work continues through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. She is buried on the slopes of Mt Karisimbi near the graves of the gorillas she studied for so long.
The highlight of the day: – The scenic drive from Uganda to Rwanda with impressive magical views of the eight mountains that compose the Virunga massifs
Luxury/Upmarket: – Bisate Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/ Virunga Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate: – Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Settle for breakfast at the lodge at 6 am and connect to Kinigi Park headquarters of Volcanoes National Park. The earlier arrival offers you an opportunity to explore the traditional Kinyarwanda performance and the hot cup of Rwandan coffee all presented at a zero cost. After this encounter, you attend the ranger guide briefing at 8 am in the respective gorilla families allocated after which you connect to the trailhead to embark on the active gorilla trekking experience.
The park protects roughly 300 of these endangered primates, and the family groups that you will be tracking are habituated (or accustomed) to human presence. In the wet, muddy and humid conditions it can be challenging work as you journey north through the dense vegetation and climb to the base of the Virunga Volcanoes where the groups are found.
On successfully tracking them down, however, you are generously rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime sighting of these gentle creatures interacting, playing, eating, grooming, and going about their daily lives in their natural habitat.
Retreat from the activity which tends to last 2 – 8 hours according to the movements of mountain gorillas and connect to the lodge for short relaxation. In the afternoon, you embark on the Musanze Caves tour exploring the ancient caves that feature 21 entrances stretching to 2km inside having formed over 65 million years ago as a result of lava flow from Bisoke and Sabyinyo Volcanoes. The walk takes 2 hours after which you retreat to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/ Virunga Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate: – Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast at around 6.00 am, transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters and meet your experienced local guide at around 07:00. From here, drive around 30-minutes to the start point where you head out on your hike to the Dian Fossey tomb site.
Pass through dense bamboo and hagenia forest en route and, if you are lucky, you may spot the beautiful Golden monkeys jumping through the trees. The trek takes around 3-4 hours as your guide gives you plenty of information on Dian Fossey and the impact of her research.
On reaching the site, see the ruins of her house and of course pay a visit to her grave. Lying next to her is the grave of her favorite gorilla, Digit, along with several other gorillas killed by poachers. After spending time at her grave you will head back down the mountain to meet your driver-guide. Embark on 116km (2–3 hours) drive to Kigali passing through impressing rolling hills of Rwanda to mark the end of the tour.
The highlight of the day: – The hike to the Dian Fossey Research Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch
End of the 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Adventure Safari
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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