5 Days Uganda Gorilla Habituation & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking tour
5 Days Uganda Gorilla Habituation & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking tour: Uganda the pearl of Africa is among the top best tourist destinations in Africa with diverse attractions best known as the home of primates and wildlife in the same country as compared to other African countries that either have primates or wildlife. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is the world’s habitant for half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world offering visitors the best experience of gorillas with a maximum adventure for both habituated and semi-habituated gorilla families. Bwindi forest is one of Uganda’s oldest national park with diverse rainforest of over 25,000 years ago and contains about 400 plant species. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is divided into 4 sectors including; Buhoma sector which is the oldest trekking sector, Rushaga sector which has the largest number of gorilla families, Ruhija sector and finally Nkuringo sector. Bwindi forest also shelters some species of mammals including the forest elephants and the different species of antelopes. The park is also rich with different bird species including Albertine Rift endemics. Rushaga sector is the only sector that offers opportunities of Gorilla habituation, this means visitors are also enjoy a habituation experience, a process that involves taming the gorillas to get used to visitors. This is a full day experience with the help of the researchers.
Rwanda is also well-known as the land of a thousand hills; Rwanda has spectacular scenery offering unique experiences in the remarkable wildlife and primates destinations in Africa. The destinations are blessed with extraordinary biodiversity with incredible montane rainforest, and wildlife adventure in Volcanoes national park, Nyungwe national park and Akagera national park. This 5 Days Rwanda Africa’s best destination for Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park and Rwanda’s only wildlife savannah national park – Akagera national park. Volcanoes national park is one of the only 3 countries in the world where we find the endangered mountain gorillas. The park occupies part of the eight Virunga Mountains on the Rwanda side shared with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park is the most expensive gorilla trekking experience where a gorilla permit is $1,500 per person per day. The experience of trekking gorillas in this park is quite easier as compared to Bwindi national park and Virunga national park. There are about 10 habituated gorilla families for visitors to see. Apart from Rwanda gorilla trekking, Volcanoes national park is also a home to the endangered golden monkeys. The park also offers hiking experience such as the Karisimbi Hike, Bisoke hike and Dian Fossey Hike, with about 200 different bird species.
Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Day 2: Gorilla habituation experience
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking experience
- Day 5: Return to Kigali – Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Option 1: Transfer from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi forest
Depending on your location in Kampala/Entebbe, you will be met by your safari guide and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park. It’s an 8-9 hours’ drive with en-route stop at the Equator and lunch break in Mbarara town before you proceed to Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Dinner and overnight stay Chameleon Hill lodge/Four Gorilla Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla lodge/Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Option 2: Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Depending on your location in Kigali city, you will meet our company representative/your safari guide and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. It’s usually about 4-5 hours’ drive from Kigali city with the great views of the rolling Rwanda hills. This is exciting and magical! Cross to Uganda via Katuna border/Cyanika border en-route lunch in one of the closest towns to Bwindi forest that is Kabale or Kisoro towns before you proceed to some more kilometres to your lodge close to the park. Upon arrival at your accommodation, you will be welcomed by the staff, check-in and rest for the day as you prepare for the next day activity. Dinner will be served at your convenience and overnight stay in your room at Chameleon Hill lodge/Four Gorilla Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla lodge/Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 2: Gorilla habituation experience
Wake up very early, enjoy your breakfast and drive out of the lodge to connect to the sector park headquarters with your trekking gears and packed lunch and water. Meet with other trekkers and gather for a briefing from the park officials where you will be guided on the expectations of gorilla experiences. Thereafter in only a group of 4 people and ranger guides/researchers, set off for gorilla habituation experience. This is a full day activity were you will visit a semi-habituated gorilla family that in the process of training to get used to people. These gorillas are usually difficult to find because they keep running away however the research rangers will find them and allow you study and learn about the family for 4 hours maximum in their presence. After habituation experience return to meet your safari guide and receiving your certificate to return back to your lodge. Relax at the lodge with great memories of the wild gorillas; dinner will be serve and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
After breakfast, set off to transfer to Volcanoes national park located close to Uganda-Rwanda border. It’s a 3-4 hours’ drive from Bwindi forest to Musanze where we find the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Proceed to check-in for lunch at your booked lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon on a community tour.
Visit Iby’wacu Cultural Village-a Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will be guided around the place as you enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies and a guided community walk. Connect to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay at 5 Volcanoes Gorilla lodge/Virunga lodge for Luxury option/Le Bambou Gorilla lodge for the mid-range option/Hotel Muhabura/Kinigi Guesthouse for the budget option
Day 4: Gorilla trekking experience
After early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the Kinigi park headquarters with your trekking gears for a briefing about the endangered mountain gorillas. You have been allocated a gorilla family to trek, connect to the starting point and start trekking along with the guidance of the armed ranger guides together with ranger guides. This activity may take between 2-8 hours searching for the gorillas depending on their movement. However, meeting them is so rewarding and you will spend maximally 1 hour with them as you take time studying them and taking pictures and videos. After spending your time with the fascinating mountain gorillas, return to the base and meet your driver to connect to your lodge for lunch and refresh. Spend the rest of your day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at booked lodge as above
Day 5: Return to Kigali – Departure
After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and transfer back to Kigali. Upon arrival in Kigali, have lunch and proceed to Kigali airport for your onward flight back home. End of safari
