Great Adventure Trips

Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda and Uganda

The spectacular African landscapes and wildlife of Uganda and Rwanda offer a diverse range of safari activities. Tracking the mountain gorilla through the misty forests of Bwindi and the Virungas, spotting game on the vast savannah plains that lie in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley, taking a boat to the dramatic Murchison Falls or tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge makes a truly unique safari.

8 Day - Gorillas in the Virungas & Bwindi

Day 1 Met on arrival at airport and transfer to Kigali. Briefing on your safari. After lunch, depart for PNV at 2pm. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda's landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. O/N: Virunga Lodge (L,D).

Day 2 Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the 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. O/N: Virunga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 3 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. O/N: Virunga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 4 In the morning either relax or walk near the Lodge, visit the golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. After lunch transfer to Uganda [Clocks go forward one hour]. Time permitting go for a walk near Mount Gahinga. O/N: Mount Gahinga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 5 Either go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb a volcano, or go for a nature walk, or visit the golden monkeys in Mgahinga. O/N: Mount Gahinga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 6 Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes and lakes. Time permitting go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively go for a short stroll around the Lodge. O/N: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 7 Either go gorilla tracking (on payment of supplement at the 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. O/N: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 8 Leave for Kigali in Rwanda via Kabale and Katuna, [Clocks go back one hour]. 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).

3 Nights Virunga Lodge
Virunga Lodge is set in a spectacular location overlooking the Virunga volcanoes and shimmering lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. The lodge has eight bandas, each with a unique view. Three hours drive from Kigali or a long days drive from Kampala.

2 Nights Mount Gahinga Lodge
Mount Gahinga Lodge nestles in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. This cosy lodge has 8 bandas and is ideally located for tracking the endangered golden monkeys, or climbing a volcano. A long days drive form Kampala (or ones hour flight) or four hours drive from Kigali.

2 Nights Bwindi Lodge
The lodge overlooks the primeval Bwindi forest home to gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and birds. Tracking gorillas in the so-called ‘impenetrable' forest is a magical experience. A long days drive from Kampala (or one hour flight) or five hours drive from Kigali.

2011 Group Departure Dates: SEP 6, OCT 18, NOV 18, DEC 6

2011 Prices: Per person sharing a twin room = US$5,406. Single room supplement = US$644

Only a limited number of permits are available in each gorilla park. It is therefore essential to book well in advance

12 Day - Classic Uganda & Rwanda

Day 1 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. O/N: Mweya/Jacana (L,D).

Day 2 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. O/N: Mweya/Jacana (B,L,D).

Day 3 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. O/N: Mweya/Jacana (B,L,D).

Day 4 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. O/N: Bwindi Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 5 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. O/N: Bwindi Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 6 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. O/N: Bwindi Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 7 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. O/N: Mount Gahinga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 8 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. O/N: Mount Gahinga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 9 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. O/N: Virunga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 10 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. O/N: Virunga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 11 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. O/N: Virunga Lodge (B,L,D).

Day 12 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).

I want to book this!

2011 Group Departure Dates: AUG 15, SEP 5, OCT 17, NOV7, DEC 12

Reverse Itinerary Dates: AUG 20, SEP 10, OCT 8, NOV 19, DEC 17

Group Prices are valid until 31 December 2011. US$ Per person sharing a twin room $7,592 . Single room supplement $956

Private departure Prices: 2 people = $9353 per person, 3 people = $8435 per person, 4 people = $7977 per person, 5 people = $7705 per person
Single room supplement = $956

Published prices may change without notice in case of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.

Prices include transport and a driver/guide for the itinerary agreed, accommodation on a shared basis and meals stated (in Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board) and, where appropriate, boat trips, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit. At
lodges (Bwindi, Mount Gahinga, Kyambura and Virunga), the tariffs are on an all inclusive basis and in addition to accommodation and meals, include unlimited consumption of all alcoholic and soft drinks; laundry services; and any activities clients wish to do around the lodges. A complimentary massage is also offered.

Prices exclude airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes. At non-Volcanoes lodges all personal expenditure such as telephone calls, laundry and drinks are excluded.

All gorilla permits need to be purchased at the time of booking or a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of the safari paid, whichever is higher. Gorilla viewing is subject to availability of permits, which are limited; any additional gorilla permits required should be purchased when booking. Gorilla permit prices are subject to change without warning.

prices are all-inclusive so that, as far as possible, all costs for an agreed safari itinerary are fully covered rather than charging a low initial price for basic activities and then charge for extra services later or other unforeseen factors. Clients’ only extra expenditure is for personal items or items such as alcohol at non-Volcanoes lodges or gratuities. Our prices may therefore appear higher than other companies but they are all-inclusive,
include more activities, are more flexible and have the safety of international back-up and insurance cover.

Prices include:

• An expert guide for the itinerary agreed.
• Accommodation on a shared basis and meals as stated in the itinerary (in Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali hotels bed and breakfast only and on safari full board, all inclusive in Lodges only).
• Where appropriate, boat trips, park fees, nature and community walk fees, one chimpanzee and one gorilla permit.
.

Prices exclude:

• Airfares to Uganda/Rwanda.
• Entry visas and airport taxes.
• Gratuities.
• Personal expenditure such as drinks and laundry at non-Volcanoes Lodges.
• For single rooms, a supplement (SRS) needs to be paid