A 12 day safari which starts in Kigali and finishes
in Kampala. This safari can also be done on a scheduled
basis. [One PNV gorilla permit is included in the cost
but the other gorilla trackings require a supplement
to be paid at time of booking.]
This safari traces the western Rift Valley, from the
Virunga volcanoes to the Rwenzori mountains. 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 five times, twice in PNV, once in
Mgahinga/Nkuringo and twice 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.
Continue to Ishasha (roads permitting) and go on the
hunt for the tree-climbing lions lounging on old fig
trees. Further north see the great game of Africa in
Queen Elizabeth National Park - elephant, lion, buffalo,
hippo, and leopard. Track the fast moving and elusive
chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. See the rich wildlife
and array of birds on the Kazinga Channel. Fly out
from Entebbe.
On safari clients stay 3 nights at Volcanoes Virunga
Lodge, 2 nights at Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge, 3
nights at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge and 3 nights at Mweya/Jacana.
A choice of three short safaris can be added at the
end: Sipi and rafting (4 days), Chimps on Ngamba Island
(3 days) or Wildlife in Murchison (4 days).
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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 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 the 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].
O/N: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge (FB).
Day 5
Either go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo,
(on payment of supplement at the time of booking), or climb
the Muhavura or Gahinga volcanoes, or go for a nature walk,
visit 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. Alternatively look for
monkeys and birds near the river by the Lodge or go for
a community walk. 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
Either go gorilla tracking (subject to permit availability
at 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 9
Leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Either drive
via Ishasha, home of the tree climbing lion, roads permitting,
or take the alternative route through cultivated expanses.
Time permitting, go for an evening game drive O/N: Mweya/Jacana
(FB).
Day 10
Go for an early morning game drive to seek out wildlife,
rest during the heat of the day and then go on an evening
game drive. The game seen will depend on the season, the
Kasenyi plains are good for lion and the Mweya peninsula
for a variety of animals. O/N: Mweya/Jacana (FB).
Day 11
An excursion to Kyambura gorge nearby to track the fast
moving and elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations.
The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable
but the walk is enchanting. Alternatively go for a nature
walk in Maramagambo Forest to see other primates and to
visit the bat cave and the blue lake. In the afternoon
take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where the wildlife
and a vast array of birds come to drink. O/N: Mweya/Jacana
(FB).
Day 12
Drive to Kampala; enroute stand on the Equator, bargain at the roadside markets
and see the royal drum makers. Freshen up in day rooms at Windsor Lake Victoria
Hotel in Entebbe until transfer to the airport for return flight (HB). |
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