HIGHLIGHTS OF UGANDA AND RWANDA 11 NIGHTS/12 DAYS Safari Highlights include: GORILLA TRACKING in Bwindi, Uganda, and Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda (five opportunities). STAND on the Equator. GAME DRIVES in Queen Elizabeth National Park. BOAT CRUISE on the Kazinga Channel. PRIMATES bat cave and Blue Lake in Maramagambo Forest. CHIMPANZEES in Kyambura Gorge. TREE CLIMBING LIONS in Ishasha. NATURE WALK in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. CLIMB the Muhavura or Gahinga Volcanoes/nature walk. GOLDEN MONKEYS in Mgahinga/Parc National des Volcans. DIAN FOSSEY'S grave in Parc National des Volcans/Ros Carr's orphanage.
Day 1 MONDAY Arrive at Entebbe Airport, probably the friendliest in Africa, welcomed by a Volcanoes guide. Briefing 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, bargain at the roadside markets. Descend to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, keeping an eye out for game. Overnight: Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge (L,D) Day 2 TUESDAY 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 seen will depend on the season, the Kasenyi plains are good for lion and the Mweya peninsula for a variety of animals. Overnight: Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge (B,L,D) Day 3 WEDNESDAY An excursion to Kyambura Gorge nearby to track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable but the walk is enchanting. Alternatively go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest to see other primates and to visit the Blue Lake. In the afternoon take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where the wildlife and a vast array of birds come to drink. Overnight: Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge (B,L,D) Day 4 THURSDAY 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. Overnight: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (B,L,D).
Day 5 FRIDAY Go gorilla tracking (subject to permit availability at time of booking), walking up steep densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. An inspiring moment! Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Alternatively go for a leisurely nature or community walk. Overnight: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (B,L,D) Day 6 SATURDAY 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 go for a stroll around the Lodge or for a community walk. Overnight: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (B,L,D) Day 7 SUNDAY Leave for Mgahinga. Make brief stops at places of interest including Kanaba Gap to view the dramatic Virunga volcanoes and the beautiful terraced hills. Proceed, via the frontier town of Kisoro, up the mountain to Mgahinga at 2,300m. Overnight: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge (B,L,D) Day 8 MONDAY Either go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb the Muhavura or Gahinga volcanoes, or go for a nature walk or visit golden monkeys in Mgahinga. Overnight: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge (B,L,D) Day 9 TUESDAY Either relax or walk near the Lodge, or do one of the activities in day 8 in the morning (except gorilla tracking) and transfer to Rwanda after lunch. [Clocks go backward one hour]. Stroll around the Lodge, or simply take in the panoramic sunset over the volcanoes.
Day 10 WEDNESDAY Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the 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 however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Day 11 THURSDAY Either go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ros Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian Fossey's grave, or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. Day 12 FRIDAY Leave for Kigali. Time permitting, go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops and the genocide memorial. Transfer to the airport. (B,L)
THIS SMALL GROUP SAFARI DEPARTS ONCE A MONTH FROM KAMPALA PLEASE ASK FOR DATES! TRACKS SAFARIS WE GET YOU CLOSER TO AFRICA!