Description
Encountering mountain gorillas in the wild is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.A unique opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas of both Uganda and Rwanda, and enjoy the scenery of these beautiful countries.
Overview
This small group safari offers an amazing opportunity to track the rare mountain gorillas of Bwindi National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Led by experienced gorilla trackers and guides, this safari will take you face to face with several habituated gorilla families, giving you the chance to observe the behaviour of these captivating creatures in their natural environment.
What makes this trip extraordinary
- Track endangered mountain gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda.
- East Africa game viewing including the chance to see elephants, buffalo, leopards and the tree climbing lions of Ishasha.
- Take a boat cruise along the stunning Kazinga channel, host to a varied range of animals and birds.
- Enjoy the scenery of Uganda and Rwanda in the company of your fellow travellers.
Itinerary
Arrive Entebbe
On your arrival into Entebbe you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You will have the opportunity to explore the small, quiet town of Entebbe; soak up the atmosphere of the local markets filled with clothes and crafts, shop for souvenirs in curio shops, explore the Botanical Gardens on Lake Victoria, or enjoy the wide variety of cuisines on offer.
Entebbe - Queen Elizabeth National Park
This morning you will be transferred to Entebbe Airport for your flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise on the Kazinga Channel, with spectacular views of the beautiful Mweya Peninsula and life in local fishing villages, as well as good opportunities for spotting wildlife. Arrive at your camp in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (B, L, D)
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Ishasha Sector
Today you will explore Ishasha, in the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This unspoilt and 'off-the-beaten-track' destination comprises a diverse range of habitats, from deep forest to vast savannah. Set off shortly after sunrise across the acacia studded plains to encounter elephants, large herds of buffalo, leopard and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (B, L, D)
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A three hour drive through scenic country will bring you to Bwindi Forest National Park, considered the most diverse forest in Uganda. Home to over 120 mammal species, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa, and also contains almost half of the world's population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla. Upon arrival, relax at your lodge and prepare for your first gorilla tracking experience in the morning.
Bwindi Gorilla Tracking
Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a real once-in-a-lifetime experience! You will be accompanied by experienced guides and trackers on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the mountain slopes. The mountain gorillas in Bwindi are part of a worldwide population of just 700. The gorillas you are allowed to track belong to one of three habituated family groups. For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild. Please note that gorilla tracking may be fairly strenuous, with treks ranging from 30 mins to six hours or longer.
Bwindi - Volcanoes National Park
From Bwindi, you will set off on a drive through the 'Little Switzerland of Africa' along winding mountain roads and through rural villages to reach the border of Rwanda, Kisoro. On a clear day the Virungas, a row of massive, dormant volcanoes, can be seen standing sentry along the border. Cross over the border and continue on to your next base for gorilla tracking.
Volcanoes Gorilla Tracking
Today will be spent tracking the world famous mountain gorillas of Rwanda. The gorillas you will track belong to one of ten habituated family groups. After an early breakfast, you will head to the park where you will be allocated your gorilla family, before setting off on your gorilla tracking adventure. You will be accompanied by experienced guides, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves, who will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits to determine the group's whereabouts.
Volcanoes National Park - Kigali
After lunch, you will set off on the three hour drive to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Here, you have the option of paying a visit to the Genocide Museum, before heading to the airport for your flight home.
Accommodation
- Boma Guesthouse
- Ishasha Wilderness Camp
- Buhoma Lodge
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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