Tour Overview
Seeing some of the last remaining 700 mountain gorillas in the world is a fantastic experience and this safari takes you to three gorilla parks- Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda and Mgahinga and Bwindi in Uganda. It offers an opportunity to track gorillas four times, twice in PNV, once in Mgahinga and once in Bwindi. PNV in Rwanda has five habituated gorilla families and tracking most groups in the afro- montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can also climb a volcano, visit Dian Fossey’s grave or visit the endangered golden monkey.Mgahinga in Uganda is a great place to appreciate the unique Virunga volcanoes and it has one habituated family. Sometimes this group moves across the border and you can track gorillas at Nkuringo in Southern Bwindi instead. You can also climb a volcano or go for a nature walk, visit the endangered golden monkey or go birding. Bwindi in Uganda has four habituated families and the gorillas there live in thicker tropical forest and tracking is more challenging, as the hillsides are steeper. You can also go for nature walks to see birds, monkeys and orchids.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 (Tuesday)Kigali, Rwanda- Volcanoes National Park
Today you will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to Kigali for a briefing on your safari. After lunch, depart or Volcanoes National Park (PNV) at 2:00pm. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. (A three-hour drive from Kigali). Overnight at the Volcanoes Virunga Lodge. The magnificent Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, set on a stunning hillside, has eight bandas with a panoramic view of the Virunga volcanoes and the lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. The terraced gardens on this high ridge are now well established, with a magical sunken paradise garden as the focal point.
Lunch, Dinner
Volcanoes Virunga Lodge Day 2: Volcanoes National Park
Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky, you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them and be back at the base for a late lunch! Some gorilla families, however, are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Volcanoes Virunga Lodge Day 3: Volcanoes National Park
Either go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at the time of booking), or visit the golden monkeys, or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ros Carr’s orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian Fossey’s grave, or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake Bulera.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Volcanoes Virunga Lodge Day 4: Volcanoes National Park- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
In the morning, relax or walk near the lodge, visit the golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey’s grave. After lunch we transfer to Uganda. Time permitting, go for a walk near Mount Gahinga. You will be accommodated for two nights at Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge. Mount Gahinga Lodge is nestled in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lodge is being totally renovated, a sunroom facing the volcanoes has been added, and a new terrace and gardens created. The ideal place to stay while gorilla tracking in Mgahinga, when the gorillas are there, climbing a volcano, going birding, or just taking in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Africa.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge Day 5: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Either go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb a volcano, or go for a nature walk, or visit the golden monkeys in Mgahinga.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge Day 6: Bwindi
Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes and lakes. Time permitting go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively go for a short stroll around the Lodge. You’ll spend the next three nights at the Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge. The Bwindi Lodge overlooks the primeval Bwindi Forest, home to gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and birds. Tracking gorillas in the so-called ‘impenetrable’ forest is a rewarding experience! At this stunning eco-lodge with eight bandas, you can spend the day on the terrace, which juts out into the forest, mesmerized by its exotic sounds, watching primates and birds in the canopy. The walk to the river through the regenerated bush, which is carefully nurtured as a buffer zone is magical. It is a favorite haunt for the gorillas and they often come back to sleep at the lodge!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Day 7: Bwindi
Either go gorilla tracking (on payment of supplement at the time of booking), walking up steep densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. An inspiring moment! Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Alternatively go for a leisurely nature or community walk.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Day 8: Bwindi- Kigali- Depart
Leave for Kigali in Rwanda via Kabale and Katuna, [Clocks go back one hour]. Time permitting, go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops and the genocide memorial. Transfer to the airport.
Breakfast, Lunch
