Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Tracking Safari - 5 Days

Day 1: Volcanoes National Park (Home of the Mountain Gorillas)

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide. Transfer to Volcanoes National Park with a private vehicle and driver.   

Ranging in altitude from 2,400km to 4,507 the Volcanoes National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) is dominated by the setting of volcanoes after which it is named.

Best known to the outside world as the place where for almost 20yrs the American primatologist Dian Fossey undertook her pioneering studies of mountain gorilla behavior.

Day hikes to see the gorilla families can be strenuous on tracks climbing through the forest, and time is very limited once contact is made with the gorilla families. It is a rare and memorable experience to visit with these giant cousins of man.

Our accommodation is ideally positioned for those who want to watch animals in their habitat, specifically the endangered Rwanda mountain gorillas that still roam these areas.

Share in the cuisine of Rwanda, which is served with the hospitality for which we all return to African countries. Take walks, learn more about the gorillas, and absorb the gorgeous surrounding landscape.

Accommodation options available

Upper Luxury: Virunga Lodge | Silverback Sabinyo Lodge | Bishop's House Rwanda

Luxury level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Moderate: Gorilla Solution Lodge

Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge

Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Have breakfast and go to ORTPN offices for briefing after that set off in the forest for gorilla trekking.

A thrilling trek through the refined foothills of the Virungas provides inspiring views in all directions. Then, suddenly, the trail enters the national park, engrossing trekkers in the strange closeness of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey and besieged with fresh spoor of the mountains' elusive populations of buffalo and elephant.

Through gaps in the forest canopy, the marvelous peaks are sighted, easily easy to get to, and among the uppermost in Africa, indicating an ascent.

Gorilla trekking is quite strenuous but it is worthwhile to encounter of these gentle giants. The enthusiasm of your coming across these apes will wipe away your intricacy of the strenuous trek. Spend time watching gorillas, watch the adults feeding their young ones, brushing and resting as the youngsters play from vines in a pleasurably playful display.

Accommodation options available

Upper Luxury: Virunga Lodge | Silverback Sabinyo Lodge | Bishop's House Rwanda

Luxury level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Moderate:  Gorilla Solution Lodge

Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge

Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda's Mountain Gorilla Home)

Take breakfast and depart for Uganda. You will cross the border via Kisoro and then clear the border. Uganda is 1 hour ahead of Rwanda.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to the few remaining mountain gorillas.

Birdlife and primate life in Bwindi is quite superb, and there is an incredible variety of flora. Bwindi is a birdwatchers' haven! It holds 348 species of birds and supports 24 of 26 Albertine Rift Endemics that occur in Uganda; and seven red data book species. Once continuous with the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes (Dian Fossey’s stomping ground).

Bwindi Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Upper Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge | Bwindi Lodge

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge or Four Gorillas Lodge

Moderate: Engagi Lodge |Gorilla Mist Camp | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp

Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Gorilla Tracking Adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip - gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day.

We trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten.

When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters of the gorillas and sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.

Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It's difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 to 8 hours. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended.

For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Upper Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge | Bwindi Lodge

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge or Four Gorillas Lodge

Moderate: Engagi Lodge |Gorilla Mist Camp | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp

Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Kigali and Gisozi Genocide Memorial Museum

Following breakfast, you will leave for Kigali.

You have the opportunity to visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Museum. The memorial is very moving – the tour takes a couple of hours - and will be of interest to anyone who has spent some time in this enchanting country. It is in memory of the multitudes murdered in Rwanda´s genocide 1994. The memorial sites and centers are places of dignified remembrance for loved ones lost. It is also a place of reflection and learning for the wider community, both in Rwanda and internationally.

Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport.

Included

• Transport to and from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi (Uganda) with a qualified tour guide/driver
• 2 Gorilla tracking permits (one in Rwanda @ 1500$ and the other in Uganda at $700)
• Full board accommodation with all meals included
• Sightseeing as noted in the trip itinerary
• Park fees
• Entry fees
• Airport transfers
• Ground transportation and support vehicles.

Excluded

• Fees for optional activities and additional gorilla permits
• Flight tickets and departure taxes
• Travel documentation (visas) travel and medical insurance
• Optional excursions
• Excess baggage charges
• Tips and gratuities for your guides and accommodation staff
• Laundry
• Beverages other than mineral water in the vehicle and at meal times with meals
• Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, postage fees and so on
• Meals not indicated on your detailed itinerary