7-Day Ultimate Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Overview
The 7-day Ultimate Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure is an exhilarating journey into the heart of East Africa, offering a unique opportunity to witness mountain gorillas in their natural environment. This remarkable safari, organized by Tahfeez Tours and Travel, is a top choice for travelers seeking an authentic African experience.
Gorilla trekking, the pinnacle of this adventure, allows tourists an hour-long, up-close observation of these majestic primates. To participate, visitors must acquire a gorilla permit in either Uganda or Rwanda. This experience stands as one of the most sought-after outdoor activities in East Africa, blending the thrill of wildlife with the beauty of the region’s landscape.
The tour takes adventurers through the dense, mist-shrouded jungles of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. These areas are renowned for their populations of endangered mountain gorillas, which have thankfully moved away from the brink of extinction due to concerted conservation efforts in both countries. The trek through these lush, challenging terrains is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, offering an intimate 60-minute encounter with the mighty mountain gorillas.
Besides the captivating gorilla trekking, the 7-day Ultimate Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure includes a visit to Lake Bunyonyi and a cultural encounter with the Batwa people. These experiences provide a deeper understanding of the region’s rich heritage and natural beauty.
In essence, this 7-day Ultimate Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure is not just a safari but a journey into the heart of Africa’s wilderness, promising unforgettable memories and a profound connection with nature’s most magnificent creatures.
Highlight
- Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,
- Gorilla trekking
- Batwa trails cultural encounter
- Lake Bunyonyi
Day 1: Arrival and Team Gathering in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Arriving at Entebbe International Airport, you will be picked up by our specialized guide. your adventure begins as you touch down and immediately depart for the mystical Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about a 5-6 hours drive southwest of Uganda via the Masaka Mbarara route. The distance of the journey is like an introduction to the wild Ugandan adventure. A scenic drive that whisks you away from the humdrum of daily life into a world where nature reigns supreme.
The afternoon hours will find you already checked into your tranquil safari lodge within the lush foliage of Bwindi’s impenetrable national park. Almost all the accommodation choices in Bwindi’s impenetrable national park offer you a chance to enjoy the forest canopy view with the backdrop of the undulating landscape of the Virunga massif.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in the Forest
Day two is the revelation of the most exhilarating adventure in the world, based on travelers’ reviews. In the early morning, from your lodge after breakfast, you will be escorted by the guide to the Uganda wildlife headquarters of Bwindi impenetrable national park where you will have a short but serious briefing about the trekking and the guidelines for encountering the mountain gorillas in the natural tropical rain forest with is their habitat.
From the briefing, you will Step into the lush foliage of Bwindi’s impenetrable forest, the thick undergrowth with the tall trees is the derivative of its name “impenetrable”. After the gorillas were categorized as endangered, Bwindi’s impenetrable forest provided a sanctuary for the majestic mountain gorillas, to thrive and bounce back, this has been achieved through conservation efforts by the government of Uganda.
The trekking in the brook rain forest and the sound of the birds make, Bwindi gorilla trekking no ordinary hike. An encounter with the mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime chance where you’ll stand mere meters from these gentle giants. It’s not just an activity; it’s an immersion into a world untouched by time.
Day 3: Batwa Trail Cultural Encounter & Community Visits
On the third day of your Uganda-Rwanda gorilla trekking combo safari, you will Delve into the rich heritage of the Batwa people. Engage with traditions and stories that have been woven into the very fabric of the forest and the narrations will supplement your previous trekking experience. You will delve into the community visits, offering a heartfelt insight into the lives of the locals.
From the Batwa trails, you will depart for the serene Lake Bunyonyi, your peaceful retreat for the night. You will enjoy the views along the journey and rest on the shores of Lake Bunyoinyi also known as the Switzerland of Uganda. The misty view, the sunset, and the tweets from the weaver birds will offer you a tranquil moment from the gorilla trekking adventure into the serenity and ambiance of the lodge at Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi Thrill
After a peaceful rejuvenating night by the lake, you will wake up to the morning breakfast at the lodge. The morning offers the full tranquility of Lake Bunyonyi, dotted with 29 islands, each with its own story. Revel in activities like canoeing, bird watching, or simply unwinding by the lakeside. if you are that photogenic, then Lake Bunyonyi is the best place for an African safari photo shoot. It’s a day to let the soul of Africa touch yours.
Day 5: Depart for Volcanoes National Park
With the relaxation by the lake bunyonyi, you will be revitalized and ready for the next adventure to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Day six will start with checking out of Lake Bunyoni and then joining the Journey onwards to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. the journey is about 2-3hrs drive to the south, you will continue enjoying the local communities and the landscape of the area to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Settle into your new surroundings, preparing for the adventures that lie ahead, you will unwind in a cozy lodge with a view of the forests, the far landscape, and the nearby monkeys and birds.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
To make all the Uganda-Rwanda gorilla encounters worthwhile, day six will have you enjoying the other 8 gorilla families within Volcanoes National Park, in the moringa after the early breakfast, you will Embark on another gorilla trekking expedition within the realms of Volcanoes National Park. Here, the mist-covered mountains create an impeccable backdrop for your encounter with these magnificent creatures, with support of the short film” Gorillas in the Mist”. You will enjoy more knowledge about mountain gorillas, Each step is a story, and each glance is an everlasting memory.
From gorilla trekking, you will enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the lodge, or embark on a simple nature walk within the forest; whichever is your option, enjoyment and learning a guaranteed with an experienced guide. You will spend the evening by the fireplace, a great time to enjoy a local beer or a glass of wine to celebrate the safari done great.
Day 7: Departure to Kigali International Airport
As your journey concludes, reflect on the incredible experiences as you’re comfortably transferred by our guide to Kigali International Airport. Depart with more than just photos; leave with stories etched into your soul and a certificate for completing gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Do not forget to give a review about your experience to help another adventure enthusiast find a cause to visit Uganda. Remember, every penny spent on a gorilla trekking safari experience, is directly or indirectly aimed at boosting the conservation efforts of the Bwindi impenetrable national park: a home to over half of the world’s remaining gorillas.
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Accommodation both in Uganda and Rwanda
- Gorilla permit for Uganda and Rwanda
- Professional guides
- All transportation and transfers are designed for team camaraderie.
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Trekking permits
Excluded
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- International airfare
- Anything said to be optional itinerary
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Vaccinations where needed
- Anything said to be optional in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages.