DAY 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport
On arrival at the Kigali International Airport, our company representative will be waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on the time of arrival, you can decide to do some activities in Kigali like visiting the Genocide Memorial Centre.
DAY 2: Transfer to Rubavu (formerly Gisenyi)
Start the day as you get to trek Rwanda’s cheeky Golden Monkeys, and if successful spend 1hr following them through the forest. The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus Kandti) is endemic to the Albertine Rift. The Virunga Volcanoes harbour the only remaining viable breeding population of this localised monkey, a rare subspecies of the Blue Monkey. You venture through open farmland searching high into the dense bamboo forest canopy. Here, the Golden Monkey feed most of the year on bamboo leaves, insects and on ripe fruit when it is available.
Then you are driven further south to the lake town of Rubavu formerly Gisenyi.*A stone’s throw away from Goma, DRC* on arrival you will check in, freshen up and head to visit Gisenyi town. This afternoon you will visit the Rwanda boarder with Congo “Goma”. Goma lies only 13 to 18 km due south of the crater of the active Nyiragongo Volcano. The recent history of Goma has been dominated by the volcano and the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, which in turn fuelled the First and Second Congo Wars. The aftermath of these events was still having effects on the city and its surroundings in 2010. The city was captured by rebels during the M23 rebellion in late 2012, but has since been retaken by government forces.
Paddling out onto Lake Kivu we see the start of the picturesque coastline, experience the tranquility that comes from being out on the water and discover a few interesting sights – including the hot springs, fish farms and many species of birds.
DAY 3: Transfer to Musanze (Formerly Ruhengeri)
You will then check into your booked accommodation. You have the chance to visit the headquarters of the Gorilla Doctors/Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, located in Musanze/Ruhengeri. Here, you enjoy a 1hr lecture/slideshow presentation on gorilla conservation by one of the staff of the Gorilla Doctors.
The basis of the Gorilla Doctors work is gorilla health monitoring – visually observing the members of gorilla groups on a regular (monthly) basis to check for signs of illness or injury. It is only the habituated groups of gorillas that are monitored and, if absolutely needed, treated. During the routine visual health checks, all of the gorilla members are observed and careful notes are taken for each animal under a variety of health parameters, including; body, skin, and hair condition, respiration, head or face discharge, stool condition, and activity,
i.e. signs of weakness or lethargy.
In addition to the veterinarians’ monthly health checks, the Gorilla Doctors also rely heavily on the observations of the trackers working for the national parks, and organizations such as the Karisoke Research Center of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. The trackers see the gorillas every day and are trained by the Gorilla Doctors to look for any behavioral changes and other signs that could indicate illness and injury. Concerns are reported back to the veterinary team, whom follow up to perform more in-depth visual health checks.
When a gorilla is found to be suffering from a human-induced or life-threatening injury or illness, the veterinary team, in collaboration with national park authorities, will medically intervene in order to save the animal. Such health issues include severe respiratory disease outbreaks, ensnarement in ropes set by poachers, human-gorilla conflict, and major trauma inflicted by other gorillas. GORILLA DOCTORS/MOUNTAIN GORILLA VETERINARY PROJECT (ADDITIONAL US$ 85 Per Person, based on 6x Guests. N.B. the per person cost will increase if less than 6x guests attend the lecture/presentation – has to be arranged in adva nce & pai d for at the time of
booking/co nfirming )
DAY 4: Border Crossing through Cyanika Border post for Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Transfer through the border post of Cyanika and head to Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Check into your preffered accommodation.
DAY 5: Gorilla Tracking
This morning, you either have the chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trek to see the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda (viewing time with the Gorillas, 1hr max), or you get to trek the Rushara Hill Trail.
After signing in and a thorough briefing, you join a team of experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger Guides into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to start your Mountain Gorilla adventure in Uganda. The guides are extremely experienced, and use their knowledge of the Gorillas’ habits and information from the previous day to locate the group’s whereabouts. This therefore means that the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as a three hour return trip back to camp (hopefully including 1hr with the Gorillas), to a nine hour return trip (hopefully including 1hr with the Gorillas). Once the Gorillas are located, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. This is one of the world’s truly memorable experiences – a once-in-a-lifetime awe inspiring moment.
You don’t have to be an athlete to complete a Gorilla trek, but you do have to be prepared to track on fairly steep, rough and uneven terrain for a long period of time. That said, the rangers and porters always go at the speed of the slowest walker, and you will enjoy many drink/food breaks.
Time permitting, you have the opportunity to walk around the local village visiting the local community primary school and community hospital. The Bwindi area supports one of the highest rural population densities in Uganda with 350 people per km2. These activities enable the community to benefit from gorilla tourism and profits are shared with the community through assistance in funding local schools and clinics.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP via Ishasha (Southern sector)
This morning, you head north to the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying a game drive along the way (an approx. 3hr drive). Ishasha is an alluring, quiet off-the-beaten track game viewing area and is renowned for its tree-climbing lions. You explore the many circuits within Ishasha, driving over the plains in the open savannah searching for large herds of Buffalo, Uganda Kob, and Topi, as well as the tree-climbing Lions amongst the many fig trees that dot the landscape. You also have the chance to visit the Uganda Kob mating ground, the preferred hunting area of the Lions. Near to the swamps of the southern circuit you have the chance to search for the elusive Leopard.
DAY 7: Transfer to main Queen Elizabeth NP
Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP and arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This morning, you set out in a southerly direction to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Mweya section. Along the way, you enjoy panoramic views of the Ndicho Crater Lakes (an approx. 3hr drive) as you head to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This is a magnificent journey, a drive where the landscape changes from hot, dry, and flat savannah to lush green, fertile and mountainous scenery in a matter of hours, something that very few countries in the world can boast. The journey to Bwindi Impenetrable (a World Heritage Site) passes through the scenic area known as The Switzerland of East Africa. The driving today is about 5 1/2 hours (not including game drives).
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth NP
Queen Elizabeth is arguably one of the most scenic national parks in Uganda. Gazetted in 1952, the park occupies an area of 1,978km2 and is located on the rift valley floor at 910m (a.s.l) and rises to 1,390m (a.s.l) in the Explosion Crater Field. The dramatic scenery is enhanced by the Rwenzori Mountain range, which rises dramatically beyond the park boundary. A staggering fifty-seven vegetation types exist in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including moist semi-deciduous forest, moist thicket, riparian and riverine forests, bush savannah and open acacia woodland, open grassland, swamps, craters, and crater lakes. You enjoy a game drive en-route to the lodge and if lucky you can spot Elephant, Lion, Cape buffalo, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck and Ugandan Kob, as well as Hippopotamus, Warthog, Spotted Hyena, Side-Striped Jackal, and Banded Mongoose… just some of the species that are known to exist in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
In the afternoon, you enjoy an exiting boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, a channel connecting Lakes Edward and George. The Kazinga Channel is home to one of the greatest concentration of Hippo in Africa and herds of Elephant, Cape Buffalo and other animals come to drink at the waters edge. The channel is also a magnet for the huge Nile Crocodile, as well as waterbirds, with great flocks of Pelicans and others birds on the shore, and a great spot to see African fish eagle.
DAY 9: Transfer to Kibale Forest national park via Fort Portal
Drive to Kibale Forest area, the drive is a full day of approximately eight hours. After leaving the Rift Valley passes through beautiful agricultural countryside where every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown. Upon reaching Kyenjojo, in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains {Mountains of the Moon}, we drive through beautiful tea plantations and into Kibale tropical rain forest.
DAY 10: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp walk
This morning we get the opportunity to explore Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest is home to 13 primate species and a guided forest trek can be taken in search of one of the most popular primate species in the world – the chimpanzee. There are 9 diurnal primates, these include, vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red Colobus, black and white Colobus, olive baboon and the most famous of all, the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds are good with the chance of encountering them standing at higher than 90%.
This morning you will go on a forest walk in search of primates. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least 5 or 6 other types of primate, most probably the grey-cheeked mangabey and the red-tailed monkey and of course the chimpanzee. The walking is fairly easy due to the well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain.
You can do a swamp walk in the evening to catch a glimpse of different bird species.
Day 11: To Murchison Falls via Kagadi.
After your early morning breakfast (6:00AM) you startyour journey to the Murchison falls national park through the beautiful countryside with spectacular views of tea estates and the famous blue mountains separating the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Day 12: Murchison Falls Activities – Game Viewing – Both Land & Water
6.45: Depart taking along a packed Lunch from your Lodge. Enjoy a 4-hour game drive around the Buligi game tracks, which stretch between the Victoria and Albert Niles, and down to the Nile-Lake Albert Delta. Most of the park’s game like leopards, lions, giraffes, elephants and many more wildlife and birdlife can be viewed from here, but please note – nothing is guaranteed!
12.30: Return to the banks to relax as we wait for your boat cruise in the afternoon.
14.30: Depart for a 3 hour boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of the fall, along the way; you will be able to observe a wide variety of birds and wildlife, including numerous hippos and crocodiles – as well as breathtaking scenery. On reaching the bottom I would advise you to hike to the top of the falls *OPTIONAL(please let your guide be aware if you’re hiking so that his in position to drive and wait for you so that he can drive you back to your lodge). Also note that Cold drinks are for sale on board!
Day 13: Transfer to Jinja via Nakasongola
Finally, by mid-morning, you leave this wonderful area and are transferred to Jinja City (The Adrenaline capital of Uganda) arriving late in the evening and then you check in at the hotel booked for you. Jinja is strategically located at the source of the Nile, where Lake Victoria flows into the famous River Nile. It is the perfect base for a wide range of activities and water sports. In addition to the famous white water rafting, you may like to try tandem kayaking, canoeing, fishing, bird watching……..If you love adrenaline activities, we assure you you’ll want to try some of these out.
Day 14: Transfer to Kenyan border through Busia
We take a short 4 hour journey towards the Kenyan border town of Busia the cross into Kenya heading for the Masai Mara Game reserve. Drive while you enjoy the stunning views of the largest Valley in the world, said to be visible from outer space. Arrive at your camp in Masai Mara for a leisurely lunch. Your afternoon game drive starts at 3.30pm, allowing spotting of the amazing wildlife in the reserve ranging from the Big Cats such as Lion, Leopard & Cheetah to Rhino, Elephant and Wildebeest. Our Driver-Guide will try his best to show you not just the ”Big Five” animals but the ”Big Nine” as well. Return to your tented camp by 6.30pm.
Day 15: Game drives in the Masai Mara.
You will be taken on two game drives today, one in the morning from 6.15am to 9am, before breakfast and the other in the late afternoon after lunch from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. As your safari is private your game drive timings are flexible, useful if you are travelling with children, honeymoon. You may also choose to have a full day game drive (one for most of the day from 10am to 4pm) with a packed picnic lunch at no extra cost. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 16: Fly from Mara (Keekorok Airstrip) to your next destination
You can fly from the airstrip right next to the lodge out to Wilson airport in Nairobi then head to Zanzibar or the Seychelles.
