A safari that traces the western Rift Valley in the very heart of Africa. On the savannah plains below the Rwenzoris, see the great game of Africa in Queen Elizabeth National Park - elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, and leopard. Track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. In Ishasha go on the hunt for the tree-climbing lions lounging on old fig trees.
This safari takes you to 3 gorilla parks - Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda, and Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda. It offers 5 occasions to track gorillas, twice in Bwindi, once in Mgahinga, and twice in PNV. At the end of the safari fly out from Kigali.
- Day 1: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Itinerary
Arrive at Entebbe Airport where you are welcomed by your guides and briefed on the great African adventure. Set off on the southbound road at 10am. On the way see the royal drum makers, stand on the Equator and be in both hemispheres at once, bargain at the roadside markets bursting with fruit & vegetables. Continue to the escarpment overlooking the Great Rift Valley: an unforgettable sight. Time permitting, visit the Tropical Bee Care Centre to look at their range of community projects from bee keeping & honey making to the community nursery for children. Descend to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, keeping an eye out for game.
- Accommodation
Jacana Camp Jacana Camp is situated about 25km west of Mombo, outside the Moremi Game reserve on the Jao Reserve of 60 000 hectares.
Read more about Wilderness Safaris
Mweya Safari Lodge Mweya Safari Lodge is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, in western Uganda.
- Day 2: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Itinerary
Go for an early morning game drive to seek out wildlife, rest during the heat of the day and then go on an evening game drive. The game drives in QE depend on the season. The Kasenyi plains support large concentrations of game especially lion. The area around the 7 crater lakes in the northern hills are very scenic but game viewing is erratic. The Mweya peninsula is usually good to see the large mammals, bushbuck, waterbuck, and elephant, as well as the unusual giant forest hog. Leopard may also be seen in this area.
- Accommodation
Mweya Safari Lodge Mweya Safari Lodge is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, in western Uganda.
Jacana Safari Lodge Jacana Safari Lodge is tucked away in the dense forest of Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Itinerary
Go on an excursion to the nearby Kyambura gorge to track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relatives. The chimp population is quite mobile, hence viewing is unpredictable. The walk in this "lost world" is nevertheless enchanting. Alternatively, go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest. This forest harbours some unusual species - red-tailed and L'Hoest's Monkey, potto, giant forest hog, pygmy antelope, and giant elephant shrew. You can also visit the bat caves and the blue lake. In the afternoon a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is especially rewarding for viewing a variety of game, especially hippo, buffalo, elephant and a vast array of birds.
- Accommodation
Jacana Safari Lodge Jacana Safari Lodge is tucked away in the dense forest of Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Mweya Safari Lodge Mweya Safari Lodge is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, in western Uganda.
- Day 4: Bwindi National Park
- Itinerary
Start for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Either drive via Ishasha, home of the tree climbing lion, roads permitting, or take the alternative route through cultivated expanses. Time permitting, go for a guided nature walk.
- Accommodation
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Volcanoes Bwindi is a gorilla-tracking lodge located in the Impenetrable Forest, Uganda.
- Day 5: Bwindi National Park
- Itinerary
You can go gorilla tracking (subject to permit availability at time of booking), walking up steep, densely forested tracks. In this thick, humid forest you almost have to cut your way through the undergrowth but eventually should come across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation, an inspiring moment. Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Alternatively, you could go for a leisurely walk on one of the different trails that meander through the Impenetrable Forest.
- Accommodation
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Volcanoes Bwindi is a gorilla-tracking lodge located in the Impenetrable Forest, Uganda.
- Day 6: Bwindi National Park
- Itinerary
Either go gorilla tracking again (on payment of supplement at the time of booking, subject to permit availability) or go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest, rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively, look out for monkeys and birds near the river below the lodge.
- Accommodation
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Volcanoes Bwindi is a gorilla-tracking lodge located in the Impenetrable Forest, Uganda.
- Day 7: Mgahinga National Park
- Itinerary
Leave for Mgahinga, making brief stops at places of interest en route, including Kanaba Gap to view the dramatic Virunga volcanoes and beautiful terraced hills. You then proceed, via the frontier town of Kisoro, up the mountain to Mgahinga. Mount Gahinga Lodge, at 2 300m, nestles in the shadow of the dramatic Virunga volcanoes. This is a great place to appreciate these unique volcanoes and also has one habituated gorilla family. The afternoon is at your leisure.
- Accommodation
Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge is situated at the foot of Mount Mgahinga, on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Day 8: Mgahinga National Park
- Itinerary
You can choose to go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga, on the northern side of the Virunga mountains, (on payment of supplement at time of booking), climb the Muhavura or Gahinga volcanoes, go for a nature walk or visit the endangered golden monkeys. This is also a great area for birding.
- Accommodation
Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge is situated at the foot of Mount Mgahinga, on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Days 9: Parc National des Volcans
- Itinerary
Either relax, walk near the lodge, or do one of the activities mentioned on Day 8 in the morning (except gorilla tracking) and transfer to Rwanda after lunch. (Note: clocks go back 1hr). Visit local communities around Virunga Lodge, or simply take in the panoramic sunset over the volcanoes.
- Accommodation
Volcanoes Virungas Lodge Virungas Volcanoes Lodge is just outside the town of Ruhengeri and about 45 minutes' drive from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, Rwanda.
Gorilla Nest Hotel Gorilla Nest hotel is located close to the Parc National des Volcans, in northern Rwanda.
- Day 10: Parc National des Volcans
- Itinerary
Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the lush forested 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 in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy.
- Accommodation
Volcanoes Virungas Lodge Virungas Volcanoes Lodge is just outside the town of Ruhengeri and about 45 minutes' drive from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, Rwanda.
- Day 11: Parc National des Volcans
- Itinerary
Go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), visit the golden monkeys, climb the Visoke volcano, trek to the remains of Old Karisoke, visit local communities or simply relax.
- Accommodation
Volcanoes Virungas Lodge Virungas Volcanoes Lodge is just outside the town of Ruhengeri and about 45 minutes' drive from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, Rwanda.
- Day 12: Kigali
- Itinerary
Leave for Kigali. Time permitting, go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, a widows' project which sells quilts, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and a genocide memorial. Transfer to the airport.
Included in tour:
Transport
Driver/guide
Accommodation on a shared basis
Meals as stated in the itinerary
Boat trips
Park fees
Chimpanzee permits
1 Gorilla permit
At Volcanoes gorilla lodges (Bwindi, Mount Gahinga & Virunga): unlimited consumption of all alcoholic beverages & soft drinks, laundry services & any activities around the lodges
A complimentary massage
Excluded:
Airfares to Uganda/Rwanda
Entry visas
Airport taxes
At non-Volcanoes lodges: laundry & drinks
All personal expenditure such as tips & telephone calls
Additional Gorilla permits:
Parc des Volcans in Rwanda USD 500.00 per permit
Mgahinga USD 500.00 per permit
Bwindi USD 500.00 per permit
Short Safari extensions:
Wildlife & birds in Akagera Park (2 nights) Add USD 657.00
Primates & birds in Nyungwe Forest (3 nights) Add USD 808.00
Tour rates. †
| Starting at |
Kampala |
end in |
Kigali |
| |
| From |
To |
PPS |
SS |
| 7 Jan 2008 |
1 Dec 2008 |
|
|
† All prices are accurate but you may find that the final rates in your quotation vary slightly due to room type, seasonality and currency conversion.
Extra tour notes.
The Bwindi gorilla permit is included in the cost but the other gorilla trackings require a supplement to be paid at time of booking.
A choice of 2 safaris can be added at the end - chimpanzee and birds in Nyungwe Forest (4 days), wildlife and birds in Akagera Park (3 days).
Minimum 2 / Maximum 7 in a vehicle to guarantee a window seat.