Gorilla safari in Rwanda & Uganda
| country: | Uganda, Rwanda |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary |
| price: | From £2600 (14 days) excluding flights. We can offer advice on flights from the UK |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
This 14 day safari in Uganda and Rwanda combines the highlights of both countries.
This gorilla safari offers you the opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas twice (on payment of supplement at time of booking). We start in the forests of Kibale to track the endangered chimpanzees, moving southwards to Bwindi to track the endangered mountain gorillas, the savannah game of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
Aside from the gorillas travellers visit Ishasha and the tree climbing lions, the savannah game of Queen Elizabeth – elephants, Ugandan kob, leopard, lion – and track the chimpanzees of Kyambura Gorge. Throughout the safari there are opportunities for a number of nature and community walks in the areas that you visit. This gorilla safari ends in Kampala.
This is a year round trip. There are short rains from Oct-Nov and mid March to end of May but this is usually for an hour or so and the rest of the day is pleasant. Weather conditions do not affect your chances of coming across the gorillas. Whenever you track the gorillas you have a 95% chance of encountering them.
This gorilla safari offers you the opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas twice (on payment of supplement at time of booking). We start in the forests of Kibale to track the endangered chimpanzees, moving southwards to Bwindi to track the endangered mountain gorillas, the savannah game of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
Aside from the gorillas travellers visit Ishasha and the tree climbing lions, the savannah game of Queen Elizabeth – elephants, Ugandan kob, leopard, lion – and track the chimpanzees of Kyambura Gorge. Throughout the safari there are opportunities for a number of nature and community walks in the areas that you visit. This gorilla safari ends in Kampala.
This is a year round trip. There are short rains from Oct-Nov and mid March to end of May but this is usually for an hour or so and the rest of the day is pleasant. Weather conditions do not affect your chances of coming across the gorillas. Whenever you track the gorillas you have a 95% chance of encountering them.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival at Entebbe International Airport. Meet and greet at the Airport by your Guide. You will be transferred to Kisubi, our camping site on the shores of Lake Victoria. Dinner and overnight at the camp are included. If you have an early morning flight you might choose to have some activities outside the camp. Some day excursions or visits can be organized for you: Ngamba Island, visit Entebbe (botanical gardens, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)), Kampala visit etc |
| Day 2: | Kisubi - Kibale NP. Early wake up in a beautiful environment. The sun rises at 7 a.m. and your breakfast will be served by our staff. You will meet the other participants and your tour leader will brief you, giving you some general guidelines for your safari. After breakfast we drive to Fort Portal via Mubende. This is a long trip to Western Uganda with a break for a picnic after Mubende. A stop is also foreseen at Fort Portal before heading to Kibale Forest NP. After some shopping we will drive another hour to reach Kibale Forest and we will camp at Bigodi near Kibale Forest NP (B-L-D) |
| Day 3: | Kibale NP- Mweya (Queen Elizabeth NP). After breakfast you leave for Kibale Forest renowned for the greatest variety and the highest concentration of primates in East-Africa. The visitors’ centre of Kanyanchu is only 5 minutes away from our camp in Bigodi. At the visitors centre the rangers are ready to escort different groups of maximum 6 persons. They will brief you about your guided nature walk in the tropical forest in search of the wild chimpanzees. This is one of the great moments of your safari! The rangers are very knowledgeable and will answer all your questions about the forest and the chimps. Jane Goodall Institute has been assisting Uganda Wildlife Authority with the training of the rangers. A picnic lunch is foreseen at Kanyanchu before heading to Mweya via Fort Portal, the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth. After leaving Fort Portal you will pass by the Rwenzori Mountains. It's during the wet season that you will have the best chances to have a clear view of the Rwenzori Mountains. On our way to Mweya you will pass Kasese town and stop at the equator for a traditional picture. You will enter Queen Elizabeth NP at the Kabatoro gate and have a short game drive on our way to Mweya camp. Mweya lies on a peninsula and your tent will be ready on your arrival. (B-L-D) |
| Day 4: | Mweya (Queen Elizabeth NP). The best time for game-viewing is early in the morning! You will take the channel track which runs parallel with the Kazinga Channel and we drive slowly towards the Katunguru gate. The channel track is particularly rewarding with warthog, bushbuck, waterbuck and elephants. There are some chances in the morning hours to see the spotted hyena and leopard. We will cross the Mbarara-Kassese-Fort Portal road and drive to Kasenyi an area near to Lake George which is an interesting game viewing area. The wetlands surrounding the lake are of international importance protected by the Ramsar Convention. Watch the spectacular fights as kobs defend their territories, look for lions as well because the high concentration of kobs attracts their predators. After the game drive we also visit the fishing village and the salt works at Kasenyi village near to Lake George. Both sites are part of Queen Elizabeth NP and local communities can develop some of their activities. It will be an opportunity for your guide to explain the conservation policies and the relationship with the local communities. (Fishing is an important activity among the local residents.) We continue our game drive and we take the Kasenyi track when returning to Mweya camp for lunch. In the afternoon you will take the launch trip on the Kazinga Channel which many consider as a highlight of the safari. After the launch trip we visit Mweya Safari Lodge and enjoy the splendid views of the channel. A drink at the bar lodge is an option before we return to the camp for an African dinner with Congolese and Ugandan dishes. After diner we sit around the campfire and we identify the nature sounds coming from the channel. You can hear the hippo, hyena and sometimes lions when they visit the peninsula area. (B-L-D) |
| Day 5: | Mweya (Queen Elizabeth NP). This is the second day of Queen Elizabeth northern sector exploration. After an early morning breakfast we take another track driving to the Kabatoro main gate and we take the Katwe road to visit the Uganda Kob mating ground again. In the raining season the area around Lake George is also a very rewarding area to see some birds and to have a nice view of the Rwenzoris. After our morning game we will drive to Katunguru and cross the Kazinga Channel to visit Maramagambo Forest which lies on the southern part of Queen Elizabeth. Lunch will be served there by our staff at Nyamusingiri in the forest. After lunch, a time for a guided nature walk into the forest. A ranger will take you to the bats cave to observe the fruit bats and the rock pythons. On the way back you will pass by the Blue Lake which is the smallest lake of the area. After the guided nature walk we drive back to the camp along the Channel track for another game drive. There are different circuits available and this is also an excellent time to try out some other tracks for game viewing. Sometimes visitors can see the Giant forest hog. Mweya offers probably the best chances of East Africa to see them because an English scientist habituated them years ago. BBQ in the evening and briefing around the campfire for some guidelines for your second chimpanzee tracking the next morning.(B-L-D) |
| Day 6: | Kyambura - Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth NP). Early wake up because we need to drive to Kyambura WR, a one hour drive from Mweya. For the last time you will take the Channel track trying the last chance to see leopard. Kyambura lies in the southern sector of the park and we take the main road to Mbarara and cross the Kazinga Channel at Katunguru. The Kyambura River, about 16 km long, flows into the Kazinga Channel. On arrival, the rangers will lead us and we drive to the nearest point, where they (rangers) usually know the chimpanzees are approximately located. The rangers will give you a briefing before descending into the depths of the gorge. The nature walk takes a few hours and lunch will be served at Kyambura fig tree campsite before heading to Ishasha. While having your nature walk, the logistic team will clear the Mweya camp and drive to Ishasha. Ishasha is about 3 hours away from Kyambura and you will have a short game drive on your way to the camp. We camp on the banks of the Ishasha river in company of the hippos! The first night at Ishasha is always the most impressive one for visitors. At night we usually have a concert of black-and-white colobus monkeys, baboons, hyena, hippos and the roaring lions! The Ishasha River supports a narrow strip of riverine gallery forest on either side plenty of rustling wildlife. (B-L-D) |
| Day 7: | Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth NP). You will explore Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth considered by some experts as one of the most alluring game viewing area of East Africa. It's an off-the-beaten-track destination that you will surely enjoy. We wake up early, of course, since this is the best time for observing nature. You start from the southern circuit in search of the elephants and we will drive over the plains of Ishasha in the open savannah. The southern circuit has usually large herds of buffalo, Uganda kob and topi. Near to the swamps of the southern circuit you might see even leopard. We continue and drive to the northern circuit which is the area near the main road known for its tree climbing lions. We look particularly at the many fig trees where lions like to stay. But we also visit the Uganda kob mating ground which is their preferred hunting area. After an initial scouting expedition, we return to the camp for a lunch, we relax, observe the hippos and we take time for a shower or siesta in the shadow of the woods. In the afternoon you will have another game drive and during the dry season we will drive you to the Edward's flats to see elephants, large herds of buffalo and different waterbirds. Occasionally we might find in this area the shoebill stork and by surprise some hunting lions. We return late in the afternoon to enjoy the last moments of the day on the Ishasha river. After diner we sit around the campfire and enjoy the nature sounds of the woods. (B-L-D) |
| Day 8: | Ishasha - Bwindi Impenetrable NP. This is your last game drive in Queen Elizabeth. If you have missed the lions the previous days it will be the last opportunity to try again. You will start again with the northern circuit and finish your game drive with the southern part. When returning from the morning game drive the camp will already be cleared and a picnic is served at the camp before we drive to Bwindi a journey that can take a max. of 2 hours. We shall have a stop over at Kihihi for refuelling and some shopping at the local stores. The Muzungu (the white visitors) are an attraction for the children of the village! Bwindi is not far away and you will arrive at Buhoma in the afternoon. Time to have a cool drink, you are guests of the local community! We support the local community at Bwindi by using their services and camp site. (B-L-D) |
| Day 9: | Gorilla trekking - Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Bwindi Impenetrable NP is a natural world heritage site. Hikers will love it, with the gorilla excursion as a high point of your safari! Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It's difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas. Once you are back from trekking before 5 pm, you can be entertained by orphans of the Buhoma village, with their traditional Bakiga dances. For participants who want to contribute to the orphans, we advise them to bring some used clothes or school pencils/pens. (B-L-D) |
| Day 10: | Bwindi - Lake Bunyonyi. After breakfast, while our logistic staff are clearing the camp, you can take a village walk and have a look at handcraft & blacksmith nearby. Thereafter, we depart for Lake Bunyonyi, meandering driving along the Kigezi mountains. Kigezi mountains provides more unique scenery for you to view during your trip. On the way you will have a picnic at an altitude above 2200m in the mountain tops. Arrival is foreseen in the afternoon. A relaxing moment on the shores of this wonderful lake will be welcome for most participants. Lake Bunyonyi is bilharzia free hence an ideal water for swimming and water sports. (B-L-D) |
| Day 11: | Lake Bunyonyi - Kigali - Kinigi (Rwanda). Lake Bunyonyi means place of little birds, it is a very idyllic spot that you will likely regret to leave. We drive to Kabale and join the highway to Kigali. The border is only 25 minutes way. After the border formalities we continue to Kigali and will be there for lunch. After lunch you visit the Genocide Memorial at Gisozi and continue to Kinigi at the foothills of the Volcanoes. Overnight in Kinigi Guest House (B-L-D) |
| Day 12: | Gorilla Trekking - Kigali (Rwanda). After breakfast, you will depart for the headquarters of the Park where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the greatest animal experience ever! After assigning your gorilla group we will drive you to the slopes of one of The Virunga volcanoes for your gorilla trekking. Your driver-guide will wait for you. After the gorilla trekking, lunch at Ruhengeri and transfer to Kigali. On your way to Kigali, several stops will be made to admire the scenery. Rwanda is the country of the thousand hills! Overnight at your hotel |
| Day 13: | Kigali - Kabale - Mbarara - Masaka - Kisubi. After an early breakfast you will depart for Kisubi (Entebbe). You will first travel to the border (Gatuna) and join the highway to Kampala via Kabale,Mbarara and Masaka. The journey to Kisubi shall take about 10 hours. We shall have a stop on the way at Mbarara for lunch! Your tent will be ready by the time you reach the campsite! |
| Day 14: | Departure. A calm day with a flexible programme. A guided trip of Kampala city through the Owino market, Kasubi tombs, Uganda Museum and doing some shopping as wel. After lunch you will return to Kisubi. In the afternoon you can visit the Wildlife Education Centre (option) or have some relaxing moments on the shores of Lake Victoria. (B-L-D) Another day excursion can be booked (option): Mabamba Wetlands, Ngamba Island, visit of Jinja (source and rapids of the Nile). |
travellers' tales
Both camping in Uganda and visiting the Gorillas in their natural habitat were the highlights for me (more)
this holiday is operated by a primate specialist
Typically trips are expertly guided by a leading specialist with a good knowledge of the area to be visited. Primates are the main focus of attention however most safaris also incorporate other fauna and flora highlights of the destination as well. Primate specialist trips are conducted by local guides and drivers.how this holiday makes a difference
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A unique gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda that combines the highlights of both countries. All of our trips are conducted by local guides and drivers who specialise in this region of Africa. Through the employment of local staff, money is fed directly back into individual families and villages that would otherwise not benefit from tourism.
Throughout this safari we use luxury tents which minimise the impact on the environment; you are looked after by our expert logistics team who are all local staff including guides and your own chef! Our luxury mobile camping safaris are extremely popular as they provide unbeatable access to the wildlife at the same time as providing you with that necessary comfort at the end of the day!  With a maximum of 10 clients on each trip we also keep noise to a minimum resulting in minimising our impact on the local wildlife. Our direct contribution to conservation is evident in that from each gorilla tracking permit sold a percentage goes directly back to the park staff and local communities. This has resulted in a number of positive results:
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Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |