6 days Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Overview
Experience the thrill of a 6-day Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari, where you'll visit two distinct gorilla families in their natural habitats. Spend unforgettable hour with these gentle giants in Bwindi National Park and Volcanoes National Park, while also trekking golden monkeys, one of the primates. Immerse yourself in local cultures visiting the Batwa and Banyarwanda communities, and enjoy stops at the iconic Uganda equator line. Your adventure will conclude with a city tour in Kigali, exploring significant sites such as the genocide memorial grounds, Kimironko market, and vibrant gallery.
Detailed Itinerary
Day1. Pick up and head to Bwindi National Park
The driver guide will pick you up from the location agreed on and he will take you to Bwindi National Park one of a few protected areas that home the endangered mountain gorillas. The journey is memorable as you enjoy a scenic drive covered with plantations of coffee, banana, and tea, and an equator viewpoint in Kayabwe. Arrive and proceed to the booked safari lodge for your dinner.
Day2. Visit the Gorillas in the Wild, optional Batwa community tour
Wake up and have an early breakfast and then make a short drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about today's memorable experience. During a 30-minute exercise, know about what to carry in the forest, the dos and don'ts, the time the experience will take, expectations and many more others.
Head into the forest with the assistance of the park ranger guide to search for these unique apes and primates. Meeting a family of gorillas rewards you with a full hour of taking memorable photos while learning about their behaviors such as feeding, searching for food, playing, breastfeeding and more. After the experience, head back to the lodge for your lunch followed by an optional activity of visiting the Batwa community.
Day3. Cross to Kigali Rwanda and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Have breakfast and then cross to Rwanda using the Katuna border a journey that will last for about 3 hours and then have a break. Proceed for another 3 hours to Volcanoes National Park another conservation area with mountain gorillas and the rare golden monkeys.
This park became famous during the time of Dian Fossey, a female primatologist who saved a good number of gorillas from poachers and they were about to be extinct. She also started the Karisoke Research Centre which is still playing a big role in conservation. Arrive and head to the lodge for your dinner.
Day4. Gorilla trekking adventure
Like the day of trekking gorillas in Uganda, have an early breakfast and head to the park office for a briefing which will not be so different from that of Bwindi National Park. After, begin the trek with the help of the park ranger guide and this will create everlasting memories while spotting animals like red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, Grey cheeked margabys and birds like the Rwenzori turaco, Bushshrike and others. Spend an hour with the gorillas learning about their behaviors but the overall experience can last for about 5 to 7 hours. Return to the lodge for a leisurely evening.
Day5. Golden monkey trekking and visit Iby'iwachu cultural village
Have breakfast and return to the park for another great adventure to visit while trekking the golden monkeys. This will begin with a briefing where you be told to use more of the flashlight camera since these primates enjoy the light. Spend an hour with them capturing photos while enjoying melodies from the birds.
After head back to the lodge for lunch followed by an evening cultural experience with the Ibyiwachu cultural village. Get exposed to Rwanda culture through music and dances, tasting local dishes, participating in story tales and many more others. Stay for the last night of this great safari.
Day6. Head to Kigali, city tour and departure flight
Experience a memorable conclusion to your tour as your driver guide takes you back Kigali city after a delightful breakfast. Explore some of the iconic attractions, including art galleries, the vibrant Kimiron market, and the poignant Kigali Genocide Memorial Grounds. After soaking in the sights, enjoy a delicious lunch a local restaurant before your driver drops you off at the airport, ensuring a end to your journey.