Are you looking for the double trek gorilla package? This itinerary offers the best of Uganda’s Bwindi and Rwanda volcanoes national park’s gorilla trekking experience. Delve into the rich diversity of Bwindi impenetrable forest including bird species and perhaps a forest African elephant. Enjoy the Batwa trail cultural encounter and taste the coffee made from the leaves; a unique taste for livelihood support of the Batwa community.
Further, enjoy trekking for the gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, and relax by Lake Mutanda enjoying the beautiful sunset over the smoky Virunga ranges. Finally, embark on a Kigali city tour with visits to the genocide memorial grounds and the Kigali convention center to taste the modern architectural art of the structure.
Highlight
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park
- Equator visit and souvenir shops
- Batwa Trail cultural encounter
- Lake Mutanda relaxation
- Kigali city tour
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
A professional driver/guide will pick you up and welcome you to Uganda. Depending on your time of arrival, Entebbe town drive is ideal to settle you into the vibrance of Uganda culture. Later on, the driver will escort you to your accommodation choice for a night’s rest and preparation for the next day.
Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi and the equator.
After a hearty breakfast at your accommodation, the journey begins to Bwindi’s impenetrable national park. It is approximately a 6-hour drive from Kampala to Bwindi in southwestern Uganda.
Via Kampala Masaka Mbarara Road, you can have stopovers to interact with the vendors at the roadside markets and buy some fruit to support your livelihood. At the Equator-Kayabwe, you will delve into the authentic taste of the local cuisine of Uganda like matooke.
Enjoy the experiment at the equator and also buy something from the crafts souvenir shops; still supporting the local business hence contributing to the sustainability efforts indirectly.
Reaching Bwindi in the evening, you will check into a cozy accommodation facing the verdant misty tree canopies and the distant Virunga ranges. Relax, have dinner at the lodge, and enjoy a night’s stay.
To note: we encourage our customers to support the local businesses as an indirect way to contribute to the sustainability and responsible tourism practices in Uganda.
Day 3: Bwindi gorilla trekking and Batwa trail cultural encounter
This is the actuarial adventure day and I hope the night’s rest was the right way to prepare you. At dawn, a hearty breakfast is served at the lodge’s restaurant. After breakfast, embark on a short drive or walk, depending on where your lodge is located, to the headquarters for the briefing before hitting the forest for the renowned Bwindi gorilla trekking experience.
The time spent trekking after your gorilla family, is rewarded with a 1-hour actual encounter with the gentle gorillas. Witness the silverback majestically leading its family with the juveniles, baby gorillas with their mothers, and maybe the grandmothers; quite an extended family. The most emotional experience is learning the gorilla interaction skills closely similar to human ways.
After gorilla trekking, you will head back for lunch and then embark on the epic Batwa trail walk for the cultural encounter. Delve into the warm welcomes of the Batwa people with singing and dances. Enjoy the stories about survival skills amidst the forest full of gorillas.
In the afternoon, transfer to Lake Mutanda, where you will have a night’s rest, and prepare for the Rwanda expedition.
To note: the batwa cultural encounter, and the gorilla trekking permits, contribute directly to the conservation of the mountain gorillas for sustainability.
Day 4: Lake Mutanda expedition and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Lake Mutanda is one of the beauties of Uganda. The tranquil environment of Lake Mutanda might have given you a soothing night. Waking up to the nature calls of the tweeting birds, you will embark on exploring Lake Mutanda after a good breakfast.
You can enjoy canoeing on the tranquil Lake Mutanda, swimming, cycling, and sport fishing. Lake Mutanda provides the perfect relaxation between Bwindi and volcanoes gorilla trekking.
Spend the day enjoying the tranquil Lake Mutanda and in the evening transfer to Volcanoes National Park via Kyanika Uganda Rwanda border point. It is about a 1hr drive from Lake Mutanda to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Enjoy the scenic views of the undulating forested hills and valleys.
To note: the guide/driver will help you with all the border check-in and clearing like visa payment where need be.
Day 5: Volcanoes gorilla trekking and Kigali city tour
Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will join the other trekkers for a briefing. Also, receive your trekking gear from the park headquarters like hiking stikes and others. You will be escorted by the professional gorilla trekking guides in Volcanoes National Park. You can get a chance to also enjoy the nature walk in a different terrain, with different animal species. Spend one hour with the mountain gorilla family; contribute to the conservation of gorillas in Rwanda.
You will head back to the lodge for lunch and check out. Then, embark on another short drive to Kigali city; one of the most humble cities with beautiful people. Enjoy visiting the conventional center of Kigali; one of the modern conference facilities in East Africa.
Delve into history at the Kigali genocide memorial grounds and Nyamata church visit. Learn about the real Hotel Rwanda story. Last but not least, encountered the local people during the Kigali local market visit.
You will head to your lodge and check-in, enjoy relaxation, or join the other travelers for an evening as the city is a tourist town. You can choose to enjoy a relaxing night at the hotel or enjoy the vibe of Kigali nightlife.
Day 6: Last of Kigali and transfer to the airport
From your breakfast, you will take a last drive through Kigali city, visiting the Nyamirambo women’s center, support the local people by buying some of the grafts and the African print clothes sold.
You will then head for kimironko market and have the final interaction with the local vendors; immersing into the culture of the people. Then after, you will be transferred to the airport by the guide for your flight back home, depending on your time of departure. Alternatively, you can choose to stay and explore Kigali and Kinyarwanda culture on a deeper level.
Inclusion
- Transfers within and between destinations
- Accommodation on full board
- Gorilla trekking permits in both Uganda and rwanda
- All activity fees in Uganda and rwanda
Exclusion
- Alternative stay before and after the safari
- Expenditure on souvenirs and tips
- All other expenses are not stated in the itinerary.
