Rwanda and Uganda Safari

After breakfast depart at 08:00 on a Kigali city tour then enjoy a scenic transfer to Musanze with several stop overs for photography (2h 30min drive). On arrival you will check in at your lodge followed by lunch. Thereafter visit Ibyi Iwacu Cultural Village.

Ibyi Iwacu Cultural Village is changing traditional perceptions of what constitutes tourism by turning fate into fame through sharing various aspects of rural cultures and livelihoods as tourist attractions and creating income-generating activities for rural poor people that have lived on bush meat and poaching for generations. The village provides tourist experiences beyond wildlife viewing, showing the local people, their culture and how they live. The village also gives a chance for visitors to enjoy the eight different local dances, listen to gorilla songs, local food preparations, visit the local healer, visit the king’s place and hear old stories.

After the cultural entatinment, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge – Meal plan B, L, D
Activities Included: Kigali city tour, Ibyi iwacu cultural village

Early in the morning at 05:30 you will have breakfast and transfer to the Rwanda Development Board offices for your golden monkey trekking briefing which takes place at 07:00. You will then start your walk at 08:00.

There are two habituated groups of golden monkey, one group comprises around 80–100 members and has its home at the foot of Mt Sabyinyo. As with treks to see the mountain gorillas, treks to see the golden monkeys take place in the mornings and visitors are permitted to stay for one hour with the monkeys.

After golden monkey trekking, you will return to the lodge for lunch. This afternoon you will go canoeing on Mukungwa River. Set in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, discover a special way to travel, soak up impressive views, watch abundant birds, look out for the otters, meet friendly communities and find just a little excitement in our modern canoes. Choose a morning or afternoon start and have a great time in the heart of the Rwandan countryside.  With an experienced guide who will give you with full instruction, the whole trip from pick up to return lasts about 4 hours – with about 2½ – 3 hours on the water. And don’t worry, there are no hippos or crocs in the water!

Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge – Meal plan B, L, D
Activities Included: Golden monky trek, canoeing on the Mukungwa River

This morning at 08:00 you will transfer to Gisenyi for kayaking on the largest lake in Rwanda. Paddling out onto Lake Kivu we find a picturesque coastline where traditional fishing boats ply the azure waters and lush, verdant hills reach up around us. Go fast or enjoy a gentle pace whist enjoying the silence of the open water and watch for the many birds that dart in and out of bushes along the shoreline.

After lunch, drive to the Rwanda–Uganda boarder to meet your Ugandan guide, who will then transfer you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and one of the richest biological and botanical regions in the world. The forest covers an area of 331 km² at the south-western edge of the western Rift Valley. Bwindi’s most-revered species are the approximately 350 wild mountain gorillas that make up just over half of the world population of these gentle apes. Bwindi bird watching is highly recommended by the African Bird Club.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Camp – Meal plan B, L, D
Activities Included: Transfer to Gisenyi, kayak on Lake Kivu, transfer to Bwindi

You will be up early on the morning of your gorilla tracking for a good breakfast in preparation for the day’s physical activity. You will report for registration at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station by 08.00. After a briefing by the rangers, your gorilla trek will start. The trek usually takes between three and six hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a strong pair of walking boots or shoes.

The rangers will guide you through the village gardens and into the jungle-like forest. They will escort you through the sometimes thick bush, occasionally hacking the dense undergrowth with a machete as you search to locate the gorillas. The mountain gorillas are under 24 hour monitoring for their own safety, so you’re almost guaranteed to see them. The rangers monitor each gorilla family by keeping in close radio contact.

In part due to gorilla tourism, the population of gorillas is slowly increasing but the species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health must not be compromised by coming into contact with human diseases (via our food for example). To reduce transmission of disease from humans to gorillas, you will also be advised to keep a distance of 7 metres from the gorillas.

Once you have located the gorilla family, you will be asked to leave all your belongings to one side and approach the gentle giants, just with your camera. The guides will interpret the animals’ behavior and advise on what you are watching. Females and their young, young males and even a dominant Silverback may be seen: feeding, playing, interacting with each other, or just sleeping! You will never forget your encounter with the gorillas. They will be quite curious to see you too! You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to base.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Camp – Meal plan B, L, D
Activities Included: Bwindi gorilla trek

Today you will drive from Bwindi to Kigali and to Kigali International Airport in due time for your outbound flight.

Accommodation: Onward journey
Activities Included: Transfer to Kigali