Upon arrival, you clear customs and immigration, obtain your visa and collect your luggage. You are met by your private professional English-speaking driver-guide and private 4WD vehicle and transferred to Hôtel des Mille Collines (breakfast on this day has not been included but can be arranged on the day at your own cost). After a relaxing morning, you visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, an intensely moving experience. Created by the Kigali City Council in partnership with the UK-based Aegis Trust, the centre contains an exhibition of the Rwandan genocide, as well as an exhibition of other genocides around the world.
This afternoon, you are transferred over the Rwanda/Uganda Cyanika border and onto the Nkuringo section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda (an approx. 5-6hr scenic drive).
En-route (time permitting), you have the opportunity of visit the stunningly rural Lake Mutanda, which houses stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Situated in the shadow of the Virunga Mountains, the lake and its surrounding diverse lakeside forests, wetlands and farmland habitats boast some of Africa’s most beautiful wildlife. You move through the communities and local farms and notice that the pace around here is somewhat slower. Your guide will enlighten you further regarding the ethnic groups of people and aspects of rural life.
Overnight at the wonderful Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge where you will stay for 2-Nights in 1x Private Cottage on a Full-Board Basis.
Accommodation at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Day 2: Nkuringo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today, you enjoy your awe-inspiring trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (viewing time with the gorillas, 1hr max).
After signing in and a thorough briefing, you join a team of experienced ranger guides into the national park to start your mountain gorilla adventure. The guides are extremely experienced, and use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts. This therefore means that the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as a 3hr trip back to camp (hopefully including 1hr with the gorillas), to a 9hr return trip (hopefully including 1hr with the gorillas). Once the gorillas are located, the group will be allowed a maximum of 1hr with them. This is one of the world's truly memorable experiences – a once-in-a-lifetime awe-inspiring moment.
You don’t have to be an athlete to complete a gorilla trek, but you do have to be prepared to track on fairly steep, rough and uneven terrain for a long period of time. That said, the rangers and porters always go at the speed of the slowest walker, and you will enjoy many drink/food breaks. The rest of the day is yours to relax at leisure.
Accommodation at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Day 3: Nkuringo – Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred a short distance to Nteko village, the start point of an amazing walk through Bwindi forest to the Buhoma sector of the national park. En-route to Nteko, pass breathtaking vistas of the hills, valleys, mountains, villages, and the plains in Democratic Republic of Congo and the North Kivu region. Set to become one of the most popular walks on offer in Uganda, the 5hr ‘Ivy Trail’ gives guests the chance to encounter various forest-dwelling species of monkey and wonderful birdlife. Take in stunning mountain and canopy views as you descend steeply, crossing the Ivy River into the rainforest. Aside from being a lovely walk through the forest, this route is a crucial in that it links local villages to the westernmost part of the country.
Upon arrival in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi, you are met by your private professional English-speaking driver-guide and private 4WD vehicle and transferred north to Queen Elizabeth National Park (an approx. 5hr scenic drive). During this drive, landscapes change from lush green, fertile and mountainous terrain to hot, dry, and flat savannah country.
Finally, you check-in to Kasenyi Safari Camp where you stay for 2-Nights in an en-suite tent on a Full-Board Basis.
Accommodation at Kasenyi Safari Camp
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
This morning, you enjoy a game drive in search of the resident lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, warthogs, crocodiles, and a whole range of antelope.
In the afternoon, you enjoy an exciting boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, a channel connecting Lakes Edward and George. The Kazinga Channel is home to one of the greatest concentration of Hippo in Africa and herds of Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Ugandan Kob, Warthog, and other animals come to drink at the water’s edge. The channel is also a magnet for the huge Nile crocodile, as well as waterbirds, with great flocks of Pelicans and others birds on the shore, and a great spot to see African fish eagle.
Accommodation at Kasenyi Safari Camp
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kibale Forest National Park
This morning, you enjoy another morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park in search of the resident lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, warthogs, and antelope.
By the afternoon, you are transferred to Kibale Forest National Park, one of the best places to track Chimpanzees on the continent (an approx. 3hr scenic drive). Along the way, you get the chance to enjoy panoramic views of the Rwenjuba and the Ndicho Crater Lakes.
Check into Primate Lodge Kibale where you stay for 2-Nights in 1x Double Room on a Full-Board Basis.
Accommodation at Primate Lodge Kibale
Day 6: Kibale Forest National Park
This morning, you venture out on a Chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest National Park. Once with the fully habituated Chimpanzees, you stay with them for a max. of 1hr. Look out for various species of monkeys, and a wealth of birdlife.
Make an afternoon visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where people enjoy the boardwalk trail for birds, monkeys (notably Red colobus) and butterflies. It is managed by Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), a community based environmental organization formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. With the generated income KAFRED has been able to maintain the tourism infrastructure and support community projects.
Day 7: Kibale Forest National Park – Entebe
After a relaxing breakfast, you are transferred to Entebbe enjoying a picnic lunch en-route, and drop off onto Entebbe hotel.
Day 8: Departure Entebe Airport (EBB)
After a relaxing breakfast, you are transferred to Entebbe enjoying a picnic lunch en-route, and onto Entebbe Airport
Tour includes:
· Accommodation on a full board basis on safari
· All Gorilla/Chimps Trekking Permits
· All park entrance fees
· All museums entrance fees
· All meals as stipulated in the itinerary
· Full time English speaking driver guide
· Ground transportation by 4x4 wheel drive
· Mineral water in the car during the safari (3 bottles per person per day)
· Relevant government taxes
· Medical evacuation insurance
· Airport transfers
Tour excludes:
· International flight
· Visa entry
· The cost of obtaining visas (Rwanda visa can be obtained with ease at Kigali International Airport for $ 30 per person (Passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond period of stay).
· Expenses like laundry, beverages, bar bill, telephone, Hotel mini bar etc
· Tips (Tipping guideline $ 10 per person/day)
In case of non-availability, we may have to reroute and provide alternative accommodation at lodges/hotels of similar category.
Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris as our vehicles have limited luggage space
· All the passengers must have identification Card/Passport with them throughout their Travel.
