DAY 01: ARRIVAL AT ENTEBBE

Tukwaniriza!! Welcome to the Pearl of Africa – Uganda.

You will arrival at Entebbe International Airport where you will be welcomed by your Discover Virunga Ltd representative and later be transfer you to your hotel to rest as you prepare for your magical safari experiences in the wild.

DAY 02: DRIVE TO KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, you will start your journey to Kibale Forest National Park through verdant countryside and past traditional homesteads and farms. Rapidly becoming a must-do destination in Uganda, Kibale Forest offers an accessible and enlightening insight into life in a tropical rainforest. Large mammals aren’t so easily seen but the clouds of dazzling butterflies and gorgeous forest birds more than make up for it, and besides, Kibale is most famous for its primates and it is commonly known as the primates capital with about 13 species of primates. The commonest being the Chimpanzees.. Thereafter, proceed to your accommodation for an overnight.

DAY 03: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING, DRIVE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

After having breakfast, you will be transferred to the headquarters of the park where you will be briefed by the rangers and by around 8:00am the search of the amazing chimpanzees begins. Kibaale Forest is where the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa is exceptionally represented and as you track the chimpanzees you will have an opportunity to see other wildlife species such as the rare I’Hoest’s monkey, the black and white Colobus, Blue monkey, Grey cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkey, Olive baboon among others. In the group, the adult males dominate the group and provide protection to the territory against the rest of the males from other territories. The chimps are located by simply listening for their pant hooting calls, and then head to the place from which they replied from. Here you can observe them as they feed, play as well as socializing with each other. The tracking takes 2-3 hours depening on the location of the Chimpanzees. You will later drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park named after Her Majesty the Queen of England Queen Elizabeth II. for an overnight.

DAY 4: GAME DRIVE AND BOAT RIDE ON KAZINGA CHANNEL.

Rise up early to go for a morning game drive.  It is covered by Savannah vegetation, humid forests, lakes and fertile wetlands which makes it the ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife species like buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, baboons and Lions. It also has over 600 bird species. You will catch-up with the early risers and predators returning to their hideouts. You will most likely meet grazing Hippos, Elephants, Lions, spotted Hyenas, bush buck, water buck, stripped jackal, comical warthogs and the elusive leopard. Later in the afternoon, you will go for a boat ride on Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel is home to many of the captivating species that inhabit the park and taking a boat ride along it gives tourists a chance to cruise just meters from the enormous hippos and buffalos while elephants linger on the shores. Later return to your accommodation for an overnight.

DAY 5: DRIVE TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

This day you will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park is a home to over half of the remaining population of the rare mountain Gorillas and offers visitors an excellent Gorilla tracking experience. You will proceed to your accommodation for an overnight.

 DAY 6: GORILLA TREKKING

After breakfast, with your packed lunch, your guide will drive you to the park headquarters for briefing about the do’s and don’ts during your gorilla trekking. Your gorilla family tracking will start immediately after the briefing. This is a memorable and an amazing experience watching the Mountain gorillas feed, play around and also do their day to day activities. This activity can take 2 hours or even up to 8 hours since its dependent on the location and movement of the gorillas. Also expect to walk long distances in muddy and steep conditions- this will require you to have a walking stick. On meeting the gorillas, you will spend one hour with them as you take photos and watch then play and swing on tree branches. Later return to the lodge and choose to relax in the afternoon.

DAY 7: DRIVE TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, you will start your journey to Volcanoes National Park Laying in the northwestern Rwanda. It is also well-known as a haven for the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas and Golden monkeys. The journey goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that show much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible.

DAY 8: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Today you will choose to take part in one the activities that can be done in Volcaones National Park which include;

Gorilla tracking; Tracking the Gorillas is often referred to as a life changing experience. Seeing the Gorillas in their natural habitats is truly an amazing experience.  Visit Dian Fossey’s grave; Trekking to the Dian Fossey Tomb is one of the most sought after safari activities carried out while visiting Volcanoes National Park. This hike is an incredible experience physically and emotionally. It is so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today and has helped the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Golden Monkey trekking; The Golden Monkeys are a species of a Widespread Skyes Monkey also known as the Blue Monkey. They are beautiful to look at mainly because of their colours. These are also endangered species that are so exclusive to the Virunga Mountain ranges. Mt. Bisoke Hike; It stands at an elevation of approximately (3711m). The mountain has a massive crater lake at the summit. It is relatively strenuous but absolutely achievable even for inexperienced hikers or climbers, requiring some basic fitness. At the summit, the view of the crater lake is amazing. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Ibyiwachu cultral group.

DAY 9: DRIVE TO LAKE KIVU

Today you will drive to Lake Kivu in the western part of Rwanda. Lake Kivu is the largest lake in Rwanda and is surrounded by mountains thus you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake. It is the perfect place to relax after Gorilla trekking. The area offers boating, Kayaking, fishing and sun-bathing on the beautiful sandy beaches. Once you have settled in, you will go for a boat ride on Lake Kivu where you will explore the fishing villages around.

DAY 10: DRIVE TO KIGALI AND DEPART

After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Kigali. Upon arrival, you will have a brief city tour Kigali where you will visit the genocide museum. Thereafter proceed to the airport for your flight back home.