UAAV 020 – 8 days Bwindi, Volcanoes and Nyungwe Tour

The best trip for those who want to see primates in both Uganda and Rwanda. The trip starts in Uganda and ends in Rwanda. Go for mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, cross over to Rwanda, take another gorilla tracking expedition in Parc Nationale des Volcans and visit Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee tracking.

Day 1: Drive to Bwindi National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Southern Bwindi
Day 3: Cross to Rwandan side
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 6: Head to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking
Day 8: Drive to Kigali

Day 1: Drive to Bwindi National Park

Meet at your hotel and leave Kampala for Bwindi National Park. You will have a stop at the Equator where you will perform a simple experiment to experience a tropical balance, have a look at the traditional drums and crafts being made, and thereafter proceed to Lake Mutanda near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest famously known for the rare Mountain Gorillas. Bird life and primate life in this forest is quite superb, and there is an incredible variety of flora. Bwindi is the Bird watchers haven! It holds 348 species of birds and supports 24 of 26 Albertine Rift Endemics that occur in Uganda, of which you might have a chance to encounter some as well as other primate species.

  • Chameleon Hill lodge
  • Gorilla Mist lodge

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Southern Bwindi

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the gorilla tracking information office for a pre-gorilla tracking briefing by the park warden and rangers at 8am. After briefing, the rangers will then lead you into the forest to track these gentle giants (Mountain gorillas). The thrill of spending time observing the gorillas as they interact with each other is a pleasing and unforgettable one, you are allowed an hour witnessing the interaction of these close relatives of ours. You are advised to carry with you a packed lunch for, the time spent tracking the gorillas would not be known to you but varies from 3 to 8 hours. Time permitting; you may go for a late afternoon community walk to see the local people’s way of life and cultures. The meal plan for this day is breakfast, lunch and dinner at your preferred accommodation.

  • Chameleon Hill lodge
  • Gorilla Mist lodge

Day 3: Cross to Rwandan side

After breakfast, drive to the Uganda-Rwanda border and be transferred to Ruhengeri for a relaxation. The meal plan for this day is breakfast, lunch and dinner at your preffered accommodation.

  • Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
  • Mid range: Davinci lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
  • Budget: Kinigi Guest House

Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

This morning with an early breakfast, you will drive to Volcanoes National Pak headquarters where our trackers will be met and head up the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes after a briefing from the park wardens. Visit one of the ten habituated groups assigned to you. Tracking the gorillas through the lush forested slopes of the Virungas is an absolutely exquisite experience. You need to have a good level of fitness for the gorilla trek. You can trek from 1-6 hours through dense forest vegetation, slippery slopes and changing weather. 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 hard to pin down, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. After lunch, you may decide to visit the local communities neighbouring the park or relax at the lodge. The meal plan for this day is breakfast, lunch and dinner at your preferred accommodation.

  • Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
  • Mid range: Davinci lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
  • Budget: Kinigi Guest House

Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Kivu which is the country’s biggest fresh water in western parts of Rwanda. Upon arriving, you will have refreshments and lunch after which you will undertake a 2-4 hours launch cruise along the Lake. The cruise will provide you with a spectacular view of the Kibuye and Gisenyi towns. Return for dinner and overnight. The meal plan for this day is breakfast, lunch and dinner at your preffered accommodation.

  • Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
  • Mid range: Comoran lodge
  • Budget: Paradis Malahide Hotel

Day 6: Head to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, head to Nyungwe Forest, passing through splendid hills and cultivated countryside. Have a stopover in Nyanza to visit the famous King’s Palace and later proceed to Nyungwe Forest for relaxation and overnight. The meal plan for this day is breakfast, lunch and dinner at your preffered accommodation.

  • Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
  • Mid range: Nyungwe Tophill View Lodge

Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking

Earlymorning departure for a guided nature walk in Nyungwe Forest in search of primates like the chimpanzees, the colobus monkey, l’hoests monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey or blue monkey. Tracking the chimpanzees can take anytime from a few hours to a full day depending on where they are. It should be mentioned that it is not guaranteed to see the chimps as they are unpredictable and can move long distances in one day. Birdwatchers will also appreciate the exceptional rich bird life.   After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. The meal plan for this day is breakfast, lunch and dinner at your preffered accommodation.

  • Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
  • Mid range: Nyungwe Tophill View Lodge

Day 8: Drive to Kigali

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kigali to end your safari with a city tour  and dropped off at your preferred hotel or Kigali International Airport to find your departure flight back home.
END OF SAFARI