Day 1: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

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

Ranging in altitude from 2,400m 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 20 years the American primatologist Dian Fossey under took her pioneering studies of mountain gorilla behaviour.

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

Up-market: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Moderate: Le Bambou Gorillas Lodge | La Palme Hotel

Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House | Muhavura Lodge

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Pac des Volcanoes

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 marvellous peaks are sighted, easily easy to get to and among the uppermost in Africa, indicating an ascent. Gorilla trekking is quite strenuous but a worthwhile on encounter of these gentle giants. The enthusiasm of your coming across with 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

Up-market: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Moderate: Le Bambou Gorillas Lodge | La Palme Hotel

Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House | Muhavura Lodge

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

We depart in the early morning after your breakfast to Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park.

We drive through some of the most fabulous sites with clear views of the 6 Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Bunyonyi, the terraced hills and valley of South Western Uganda. 

We go through stunning savannah grasslands as we head to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The game densities here are high, and this region has reported some of the largest herds of Elephant anywhere in Uganda, as it is their main migration corridor between Uganda and the DRC. 

The northern circuit is known for the only tree climbing lions and your tour guide will do all it takes to ensure you see them.

Overnight at:

 

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge | Katara Lodge

Medium: Ihamba Lake Safari Resort  | Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge

Low Budget: Bush Lodge (tents) or Simba Safari Camp (tents)

 

Day 4: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast we depart to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is dominated on its northern border by the snow-capped 16,000-foot Rwenzori Mountains - the famed "Mountains of the Moon". This 767-square-mile conservation area is bordered on the north-east by Lake George and on the south-west by Lake Edward; its western border adjoins the Congo Parc du Virunga.

As we drive through the park, expect to spot teeming herds of impala-like Uganda kob, as well as topi, elephant, Cape buffalo. There are also several soda lakes filling ancient volcanic calderas where flamingos reside seasonally.

In the afternoon we will go for a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray at very close range from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others.

Overnight at:

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge | Katara Lodge

Medium: Ihamba Lake Safari Resort  | Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge

Low Budget: Bush Lodge (tents) or Simba Safari Camp (tents)

Day 5:  Kibale National Park  

Early morning after breakfast we continue driving through the undulating highlands of western Uganda on our way to the greener and beautiful Fort Portal area.

Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you pass through traditional Ugandan villages where you see people at work tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling hills of this region provide good photo opportunities.

As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda's famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Ndali Lodge | Primate Lodge Kibale

Moderate: Kibale Forest Camp | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (self contained cottages)

Low Budget: Kibale Forest Camp (tents) | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (shared bathroom rooms)

Day 6: Chimpanzee & Primate Trekking in Kibale Forest

In the early morning, we will go chimp tracking.

On your forest walk in the afternoon, you will look for the fascinating multi-species troops of monkeys. Various species move through the forest together, each specie occupying different elevation in the forest. They understand each other's alarm calls when predators are spotted, so when, for example, an eagle soars overhead, the monkeys at the higher elevation will sound the alarm and all monkeys will take appropriate evasive action. The same applies when those at the lowest elevations spot a ground-dwelling or ambush predator such as a leopard: the terrestrial monkeys will sound the alarm signal and all monkeys will rapidly move up to the higher elevation.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Ndali Lodge | Primate Lodge Kibale

Moderate: Kibale Forest Camp | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (self contained cottages)

Low Budget: Kibale Forest Camp (tents) | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (shared bathroom rooms)

Meals Included today: Lunch and dinner at the lodge.

Day 7: Kigali & Gisozi Genocide Memorial

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 centres 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.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to the airport.