An 8 day safari which starts and finishes in Kigali.
This safari can also be done on a scheduled basis.
[One gorilla permit in Parc National des Volcans is
included in the cost but the other gorilla trackings
require a supplement to be paid at time of booking.]
Seeing some of the last remaining 700 mountain gorillas
in the world is a fantastic experience and this safari
takes you to three gorilla parks – PNV in Rwanda
and Mgahinga and Bwindi in Uganda. It offers an opportunity
to track gorillas four times, twice in PNV, once in
Mgahinga/Nkuringo and once in Bwindi. PNV in Rwanda
has five habituated gorilla families and tracking most
groups in the afro-montane forest usually takes only
a few hours. You can also climb a volcano, visit the
remains of Dian Fossey’s grave or visit the endangered
golden monkey. Mgahinga, in Uganda, is a great place
to appreciate the unique Virunga volcanoes and it has
one habituated family. Sometimes this group moves across
the border and you can track gorillas at Nkuringo in
Southern Bwindi instead. You can also climb a volcano
or go for a nature walk, visit the endangered golden
monkey or go birding. Bwindi in Uganda has four habituated
families and the gorillas there live in thicker tropical
forest and tracking is more challenging as the hillsides
are steeper. You can also go for nature walks to see
birds, monkeys and orchids.
On safari clients stay 3 nights at Volcanoes Virunga
Lodge, 2 nights at Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge and
2 nights at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.
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Day 1
Met on arrival at airport and transfer to Kigali.
Briefing on your safari. After lunch, depart
for PNV at 2pm. The journey north goes through
the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterise
much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually
climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga
volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks
visible. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).
Day 2
Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject
to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking
the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes
of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky
you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and
be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla
families, however, are more elusive, and tracking can take
a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. O/N: Volcanoes
Virunga Lodge (FB).
Day 3
Either go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans
(on payment of supplement at time of booking), or visit
the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ros Carr's
orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes,
or trek to Dian Fossey's grave, or visit the local school,
community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. O/N: Volcanoes
Virunga Lodge (FB).
Day 4
In the morning either relax or walk near the Lodge, visit
the golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. After
lunch transfer to Uganda [Clocks go forward one hour].
Time permitting go for a walk near Mount Gahinga. O/N:
Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge (FB).
Day 5
Either go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo
(on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb
a volcano, or go for a nature walk, or visit the golden
monkeys in Mgahinga. O/N: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge
(FB).
Day 6
Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with
the road winding through many hills and valleys, with distant
views of the volcanoes and lakes. Time permitting go for
a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds,
butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively go for a short stroll
around the Lodge. O/N: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (FB).
Day 7
Either go gorilla tracking (on payment of supplement at
the time of booking), walking up steep densely forested
hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged
in the vegetation. An inspiring moment! Tracking in Bwindi
requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Alternatively
go for a leisurely nature or community walk. O/N: Volcanoes
Bwindi Lodge (FB).
Day 8
Leave for Kigali in Rwanda via Kabale and Katuna, [Clocks
go back one hour]. Time permitting, go for a tour of the
city including a visit to the market, a pottery project,
handicraft shops and
the genocide memorial. Transfer to the airport (HB).
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