Trip Overview
Book a 7 Days Rwanda & Uganda safari for a combined gorillas & wildlife adventure with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. The 7 Days safari offers you double mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park Uganda giving you chance to trek two different gorilla families for better comparisons. The gorilla tours will be complemented by cultural visits to the Iby’iwacu Cultural village (Gorilla Guardian Village) in Rwanda and Batwa pygmies in Uganda which is your opportunity to learn the traditions, norms, customs and beliefs. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest located in South western Uganda shelters the highest gorilla population in the Africa. The forest is believed to be harboring over 450 mountain gorillas which have been habituated into 17 gorilla families. Bwindi is divided into four regions Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo which shelter different gorilla groups. Gorilla groups in Bwindi include Mubare, Nkuringo, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Nkuringo, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Bitukura, Christmas Oruzogo and Katwe among others. Each gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 for foreign non residents and $600 for foreign residents. Regarding Volcanoes National park, the park is located in North western Rwanda and it shelters the second highest number of mountain gorillas after Bwindi Forest. There are 10 gorilla families in Volcanoes hence 80 gorilla permits issued by Rwanda Development Board. Gorilla families in Volcanoes Park include Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Hirwa, Susa A, Umubano, Agashya, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Titus, Ugenda and Bwengye gorilla families. Still on the 7 Days safari, you will visit Queen Elizabeth National Park which is Uganda’s second largest park located in western Uganda. Queen Elizabeth offers you best game viewing, launch cruise, bird watching,lion tracking and community tour experience. Visit Kalinzu forest for chimpanzee trekking and birding expereince. The trip starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda tailored and guided by Uganda and Rwanda with Lets Go Tours Rwanda
Trip Summary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’wacu Cultural Center
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Forest NP
Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trek and Batwa Pygmies
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On arrival, you will be received and welcomed by our company representative before hitting the road to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze province. En route; enjoy the beautiful views of the rolling hills and green vegetation. Dinner and overnight at The Garden Place (Budget), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’wacu Cultural Center
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and assemble at the Kinigi park head offices by 7:00am for morning briefing on the trekking guidelines before taking onto your adventurous expedition. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to several hours to encounter the mountain gorillas; but once got, enjoy an hour with them before retrieving to the starting point (for Certificates of Participation) before retrieving your lodge. Later in the afternoon, head out for the Iby’wacu Cultural tour for a clearer understanding of the Rwandese Culture. Dinner and overnight at The Garden Place (Budget), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Forest NP
After your morning breakfast, you will set off for Bwindi Forest NP; driving via the Katuna border, take in the beautiful scenery views of the Kigezi Highlands as you head to Lake Bunyonyi – a birders’ paradise. Here you will engage in an amazing canoe ride before proceeding with your drive to Bwindi Forest National park. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Jungle (Budget / Midrange,), Chameleon Hill / Mahogany springs (luxury).
Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trek and Batwa Pygmies
Rise early, enjoy your breakfast and assemble at the park offices for morning briefing on the trekking guidelines before embarking on this wonderful expedition through the thick dense canopy forest of Bwindi. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to several hours to encounter the mountain gorillas; but once got, enjoy an hour with them before retrieving to the starting point (for Certificates of Participation) before retrieving your lodge. Later in the afternoon, head out for the Batwa pgymies tour for a clearer understanding of their culture. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Jungle (Budget / Midrange,), Chameleon Hill / Mahogany springs (luxury).
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
After morning breakfast, get ready for your transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park; driving through the Ishasha Sector, you will look out for the Rare tree climbing lions alongside other wildlife species. Reaching just in time for lunch, later proceed with an evening game drive through the savannah grassland. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge(Luxury), Park View Lodge(Midrange), Simba Safari Lodge(Budget).
Day 6: Kalinzu Chimps Tracking and Launch Cruise
Have breakfast and embark on an exciting chimpanzee tracking exercise in Kalinzu forest reserve. After lunch, set out for an amazing Launch cruise on Kazinga channel for aquatic wildlife viewing; crocodiles, hippopotami, elephants and several bird species as they all wash up in the afternoon sunshine. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge(Luxury), Park View Lodge(Midrange0, Simba Safari Camp(Budget)
Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Kigali
Very early in the morning, you will set off with your morning cup of coffee for a wonderful game drive to catch a glimpse of the early risers and late night hunters; hyenas, lions, buffaloes, elephants etc before they go into their hide outs or days’ search for food and shelter. Proceed with your drive to Kigali and with an early arrival, you may engage in a Kigali City Tour; visiting the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site, National Museum and many other exceptional tourist centers within the city before drop off at either a hotel or airport for departure flight.
End of the safari
What is included
– Chimpanzee trekking permit
– Full Board Accommodation
– Bottled Mineral water
– All meals on safari
– Gorilla Permits
– 4×4 safari vehicle with driver/guide
– Park Entrance fees
– Genocide memorial site tour
What is excluded
– Visas
– International / domestic Flights
– Alcoholic beverages
– Tipping
– Laundry
