Ultimate Rwanda-Uganda Gorilla Safari
Highlight of the Tour – Gorillas are such amazing creatures and arguably one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in the world. They’re the closest animals out there to us humans and we aim to bring you up-close to these giant primates.
DAY 1: PICK UP FROM KIGALI AND DEPART FOR RUHENGERI
On arrival at the Kigali International Airport, you will be met by the Amahoro driver/guide and your day starts with a complimentary tour of the city. Named in 1907 by Dr. Richard Kandt, the first colonial resident governor of Rwanda, Kigali City is surrounded by lush hills of green and is referred to as the land of a thousand hills. With Amahoro Tours, you will get to visit interesting spots which may include the craft market, Gisozi genocide memorial site, and Kigali museum. Depart for a two-hour drive to the area of Ruhengeri, the second largest town in Rwanda, with its stunning backdrop of five volcanic mountains — The Virungas. While on your Rwanda tour, you will arrive at Red Rocks Intercultural Exchange Centre for lunch and then join the local brew makers to understand the chemistry behind the process of brewing a local beer from banana fruits. If you find the activity interesting enough, you can join the women in squeezing the juice out of the bananas and drink a glass of juice (optional). This education tour will help visitors understand how long juice takes to turn into alcohol after adding in sorghum floor. Sit back and enjoy a big glass of our local brew. Among other cultural activities, they also do basket weaving. Your visit and participation in these and other tourist activities will make the local community proud, while also supporting families in the community financially. Later, we will drive to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Driving distance: 2 hours
Activities: City tour + Cultural Activities
Overnight: Amahoro Redrocks Guest House | La Palme Hotel | Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
DAY 2: GOLDEN MONKEY TREK + DEPART FOR BWINDI NATIONAL PARK
This day is set out for Golden Monkey trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. Entering dense stands of bamboo interspersed with open glades, you will make your way deep into golden monkey territory. Tour guides lead visitors to the habitat of groups of ‘habituated’ golden monkeys — monkeys that have become accustomed to human presence. Though viewing is kept to a maximum of one hour, travellers can get an up-close look at golden monkies in their natural habitat. Adult monkeys frolic in plain view, feeding on bamboo leaves and leaping from perch to perch. Females carry their young, completely comfortable among onlookers. Afterwards, you will return to your hotel to freshen up and have lunch. Bid your host goodbye and depart for Bwindi National Park arriving late in the afternoon. Then you can settle in for dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Driving distance: 2 Hours
Activities: Golden Monkey + Depart For Bwindi Park
Overnight: Ichumbi Lodge |Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge| Mahogany Springs Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
DAY 3: GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK OR MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK
Today, after an early morning breakfast, prepare yourself for an encounter with the Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees — the only forest in Africa which can make this claim, in fact. It also hosts five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies, and 360 birds. Given the fact that the time it takes to track Uganda gorillas is unpredictable, it is difficult to foresee how many hours you will actually hike. The escapade of tracking the gorillas in the superb ecosystem of the park will be passionate for adventurers. It may take from two hours up to nine hours or more and you should be prepared to walk long distances in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any Uganda gorillas. “The excitement of seeing the gorillas makes it all worthwhile!” A briefing will be given on how to handle or behave with these gentle giants. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own “Gorillas in the Mist.” Afterward, you will return to your hotel for lunch. then, enjoy an afternoon Batwa (Pygmies) community walk before heading back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Driving distance: Depends on the family you trek to
Activities: Gorilla trekking + Batwa (Pygmies) Community walk
Overnight: Ichumbi Lodge |Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge| Mahogany Springs Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
DAY 4: DEPART FOR KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
After breakfast, you will bid your host goodbye and depart for Kigali. Along the way, you will take a complementary city tour to visit interesting shopping areas for some last minute shopping in one of the friendliest African capitals, before returning to the airport for your onward international flight back home.
This will conclude your Uganda gorilla safari.
Driving distance: 3.5 Hours
Activities: Shopping
Overnight: 0
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
To be more specific, here is what is included and excluded in this gorilla trekking Uganda package:
COST INCLUDES:
- Transport in a 4WD safari vehicle exclusive to you
- English-speaking driver guide
- Accommodation and meals as stated in the program
- All guide fees
- Golden monkey trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park
- One gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga National Park
- Cultural activities
- Complimentary city tour
COST EXCLUDES:
- International flights and visas for Rwanda and Uganda
- Travel insurance
- Driver guide or local escort tips
- Drinks and dining room tips, porterage, personal travel, and baggage
- Telephone bill, laundry, and any items of a personal nature
- Activities not mentioned in the Uganda tours program
We look forward to guiding you on your golden monkey adventure and Uganda gorilla safari. For more information about our Uganda travel packages, or to learn more about our Rwanda tours, Uganda tours, and Congo tours, please contact us at Amahoro Tours today!