9 Days Prime Gorilla Safari (3 Gorilla Treks)
This 9 Days Gorilla Safari combines the three places in East Africa where gorilla tracking is carried out; Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. More activities include wildlife viewing and chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale Forest National Park respectively. If you wish to carry out a broad gorilla trekking activity then this 9 days Gorilla safari is ideal for you because it has three gorilla trekking activities in two countries (Uganda & Rwanda).
9 Days Gorilla Safari Overview
Day 1, Arrival and Transfer to Ruhengeri
Upon arrival at the Kanombe International Airport for your 9 Days Gorilla Safari, you will be welcomed by our guide and transfer to Kigali city for a short city tour. You will visit the local market and the genocide memorial sites. Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy lunch and transfer to Ruhengeri town for dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for Luxury, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge for Mid range or Kinigi Guest house or Muhabura lodge for Budget.
Day 2, Gorilla trekking in Parc National Des Volcans
Early in the morning after breakfast and a briefing from the ORTPN officials, set off for the gorilla tracking. This experience of gorilla tracking is a once in a life time adventure. The rangers will lead you deep into the forest in search for the Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1 hour.
The activity in Rwanda can take 3-5 hours since the gorillas move up and down. This is an awesome and exciting moment. Return for lunch at the Lodge and in the afternoon, visit the Karisoke research center and the graves of Diane Fossey a woman who was murdered because she was protecting these endangered mountain Gorillas. Later in the evening, you will transfer to Kisoro in Uganda via Cyanika Border. Dinner and overnight at Kisoro Traveler’s Rest Hotel / Heritage Guest House.
Day 3, Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will go for the 2nd time Gorilla tracking in the forest but this side on the Ugandan side. Mgahinga National Park is the 2nd smallest National Park and I found in the south western Uganda bordering Congo and Rwanda with in the Virunga ranges.
During this gorilla trek, still you will be accompanied by ranger Guides from Uganda wildlife Authority. Upon meeting the gorillas, you will only be given one hour after which you will come back to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for the cave exploration. Dinner and overnight at Kisoro Traveler’s Rest Hotel / Heritage Guest Houseending the 3rd day of 9 Days Gorilla Safari
Day 4, Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park
After your fully served breakfast, you will leave Kisoro town and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park. En route you will visit Lake Mutanda which is surrounded by many volcanoes. Continue and also make another stopover at the Kanaba Gap which gives a clear view of the Virunga Volcanoes and many terraced hills. Dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma Homestead /Gorilla Resort camp/ Gorilla Forest Camp for Luxury or Lake Kitandara Luxury tented camp/Mantana Engangi Bwindi Lodge for mid range or Buhoma community Bandas/Bwindi View for budget
Day 5, Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park
Early in the morning after breakfast and a briefing from the UWA officials, set off for the gorilla tracking. This is a once life time experience and unforgettable adventure. The ranger guides will lead you into the thick forest and start your search for the endangered Mountain Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about1hour. The activity can take 6-7 hours since the gorillas move up and down.
This is an awesome and exciting moment, perhaps the best day of your 9 days Gorilla safari. En-route there are a lot of chimpanzees and other types of the primates such as the monkeys, birds and so more. Return for dinner and over night stay at Buhoma Homestead /Gorilla Resort camp/ Gorilla Forest Camp for Luxury or Lake Kitandara Luxury tented camp/Mantana Engangi Bwindi Lodge for mid range or Buhoma community Bandas/Bwindi View for budget
Day 6, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Launch cruise)
After breakfast, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will enter the Park with a game drive enroute in the southern Sector of the park called Ishasha which is commonly known for its rare tree climbing lions. You will have a game drive in the Ishasha sector and look out very closely for the rare tree climbing lions in fig trees.
Arrive Mweya in time for the launch cruise. You will go for a 3 hours launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This cruise will let you observe a place of the highest concentration of hippos and you may also see many animals drinking at the water’s edge. The cruise also offers good platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. Dinner and overnight stay at Mweya safari lodge for Luxury or Hippo Hill camp for midrange or Simba safari camp for budget
Day 7, Game drive and transfer to Kibale forest National Park
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will set out for the game drive in search for early risers in the Kasenyi area. The park has diverse eco-system of grassy plains, rivers, crater lakes, forests, swamps and lakes. These are a home to various types of wildlife and a game drive in Queen Elizabeth will reward you with views of animals such as lions, leopards, forest hogs, buffalos, elephants, waterbuck, Uganda Kob and other types of antelopes. Return to your Lodge for lunch and after, you will transfer to Kibale forest National Park. Dinner and overnight at Primates Lodge or Ndali Lodge for Luxury/ Kibale forest Lodge for Mid range/ chimpanzee guest house for Budget.
Day 8, Chimpanzee tracking and transfer back to Kampala
After breakfast, you will set out for chimp tracking with in the Kibale Forest. During your search, expect to see a lot of primate species like chimpanzees, monkeys and other animals like the forest elephants, buffaloes, leopards, bush pig and duiker, lions, warthogs, reptiles and amphibians as well as a colorful variety of butterflies. Return to the Lodge for lunch. After lunch you will return back to Kampala via Mubende-Mityana. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel in Kampala at Holiday Express Hotel/Cassia Lodge/Sheraton Hotel/Serena Hotel (BB)
Day 9, Departure
Have your breakfast at the Hotel and depending on the time of departure, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home ending your 9 days Gorilla Safari.
End of 9 Days Gorilla Safari