Rwanda Uganda Gorillas Wildlife Safari (Akagera, Volcanoes & Bwindi)- 6 Days

Rwanda Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Safari - 5 days

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport, transfer to Akagera National Park for BIG-5 Wildlife Safaris

On your arrival at Kigali International Airport meet and greet with your dedicated Rwanda and Uganda safari guide. After a briefing about your safari, we set off for a short sightseeing tour of Kigali City. The approximately 4-hour tour includes among others the Gisozi genocide memorial site where you learn and comprehend the history of genocide in Rwanda and other countries of the world.

Thereafter, we proceed with our drive to Akagera National Park. We traverse some of the most beautiful landscapes you can find in Africa. When we arrive in Akagera National Park, we shall proceed to your pre-booked lodge for our lunch.

Afterward, your guide will pick up a local park guide for a game drive in the park, searching the thickets and bushes for the common resident BIG 5 wildlife -  elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and many more like Antelopes. 

Accommodation options available in Akagera National Park

Upmarket: Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge

Lower Budget: Akagera Rhino Lodge

Meals included: Lunch and dinner only.

Day 2:  BIG-5 Wildlife Safari Experience in Akagera National Park - Game Drives in search of wildlife 

On the game drive in Akagera National Park today you should expect to encounter more Big 5 wildlife because we shall be accompanied by a local ranger/ guide of the park. Our main focus area is the southern tracks alongside the Lake Ihema circuit where plenty of animals can be seen, including elephants, Masai giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, Nile crocodiles, and also many other mammal species. This game drive will also enable you to view the gentle hills blending beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies.

In the evening, you can relax at the lodge poolside, or take evening walks around the hotel where you can see various bird species or participate in the day-to-day local pastoral lifestyle.

Accommodation options:

Upmarket: Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge

Lower Budget: Akagera Rhino Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Transfer from Volcanoes National Park

Today we shall be driving a very scenic route as we make our way to Volcanoes National Park. This area has the most famous National Park in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park. Walks into the jungles of the park provide inspiring views in all directions as you have the famous Virunga mountain ranges peaking from all sides. Inside the jungles, the closeness of the rainforest is alive with the calls of colorful birds and the chattering of the rare golden monkeys besieged with fresh spoor of the mountains' elusive populations of buffalo and elephant.

Accommodation options available (all on a full board basis)

Up-market: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge 

Moderate: Gorilla Solution Lodge

Low Budget:  Hotel Muhabura

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Volcanoes National Park - Golden monkey tracking, Transfer to Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This day is set out for Golden Monkey tracking in the Volcanoes National Park. Entering dense stands of bamboo interspersed with open glades; you will make your way deep into golden monkey territory. Guides lead visitors to the habitat of groups of „habituated‟ golden monkeys – monkeys that have become accustomed to human presence. Though viewing is kept to a maximum of one hour, travelers can get an up-close look at the golden monkey in its natural habitat.

Adult monkeys frolic in plain view, feeding on bamboo leaves and leaping from perch to perch. Females carry their young, completely comfortable among onlookers.

Afterward, a few minutes' drive leads us to the Rwanda/Uganda border post of Kyanika. We cross and continue driving through the amazing landscapes of the terraced Virunga region.

After the fabulous scenery drive, we will be at our overnight accommodation.

Bwindi Accommodation options are available (all on a full board basis)

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Four Gorillas Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge 

Moderate: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge | Mutanda Lake Resort | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge 

Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Today, we shall have the highlight of our Rwanda and Uganda Safari when you hike deeper into the jungles of  Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on a gorilla trekking experience. Your tour guide shall ensure that you have everything necessary in place as they pick you up from your lodge for this exclusive wildlife experience. First, you shall have a pre-gorilla trek briefing at the park headquarters from where you even learn more about the conservation of gorillas, the Bwindi forest ecology, and other wildlife in the forest. There is also a traditional local community group that performs for the gorilla trekking guests every morning. You will then be allocated to your gorilla group to visit which is not more than 8 persons in total.

A team of skilled park guides and rangers shall be trekking with you to the gorillas. At first, the walkways are all trimmed and clear but as you trek deeper into the jungles, the paths are mostly improvised for that day's trek as the gorillas keep moving all the time. You should normally be walking for about 2-3 hours before catching a first glimpse of the mountain gorillas but sometimes this can be longer or even shorter. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. The moment you have reached the gorillas, you will receive further instructions and will be guided to the best viewing and photographing spots. The rangers shall even be clearing away any obstacles so that you get the best views of the gorillas. The time spent with the gorillas is only one hour and after that, you will be guided on the path out of Bwindi forest.

Bwindi Accommodation options available (all on a full board basis)

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Four Gorillas Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge 

Moderate: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge | Mutanda Lake Resort | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge 

Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 16: Transfer back to Kigali, Departure.

After your breakfast, you will proceed to checkout of your lodge before the transfer to Kigali (about 4 hours of driving).

Included

• Transportation from the meeting to the departure point
• 1 Expert local driver/guide
• All accommodations while on tour
• Meal as indicated in the itinerary
• Park Entrance fees
• Uganda Gorilla trekking permits
• Golden monkeys tracking permits
• Guiding fees
• Activities mentioned in the itinerary

Excluded

• International flight (can be arranged if required)
• Visa and personal insurance.
• Gratuity for your professional driver guide
• Personal expenses such as travel insurance
• Excess baggage fee
• Communication charges that include, laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls
• Beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Tips
• Any item or activity not mentioned in the tour package