Taste of Rwanda & Uganda – 10 days

Our driver/guide will meet you at Kigali airport and take you to your hotel.  On the way you will get your first impressions of this unusual city for Africa. Depending on the time of day, you may have the opportunity to visit the genocide memorial, where you will gain an insight into Rwanda’s recent history. Alternatively, you can visit one of the lively markets or the Kandt Museum.

This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we head towards the Volcanoes Mountains. You leave Kigali heading west and soon get an impression of where the name “Land of a Thousand Hills” comes from. The small villages are often quite sleepy, you will be amazed by the lush vegetation with the large coffee and tea plantations and you will enjoy driving through the constantly changing landscape. There is little car traffic, and the bicycle is still the  most popular means of transportation for the rural population of Rwanda. In the afternoon you reach Ruhengeri at the foot of the Volcanoes Mountains

Today it’s time to get up early, have breakfast and then drive to the starting point of the Golden Monkey Tracking. In small groups with a maximum of 8 participants, we head into the Vulcanoes National Park. Endangered animals live here. Only here in the border region between Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo are there around 4500 of these mystical golden monkeys left in the world. The animals’ habitat is the bamboo forests at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, and the ascent is comparatively easy. Alternatively, you can go gorilla tracking for an extra charge.

Today the journey continues to Kisoro in the far southwest of Uganda After crossing the border, you will reach the small town at the foot of Mount Gahinga after about an hour’s drive. A paradise for bird lovers, you can observe and photograph a large number of different, sometimes very rare bird species, such as the rare white-tailed blue flycatcher, in the area surrounding your lodge.

Today you have the opportunity to choose your own program for the day. There is the possibility to climb the surrounding volcanoes, which is a 6-8 hour tour. Alternatively, you can visit a Batwa community or simply take a day off at the lodge.

Today we head towards Bwindi on a particularly scenic route. After breakfast, you will travel along winding roads with magnificent views of the green terraced mountains and Lake Bunyonyi with its 19 islands to the starting point for your gorilla tracking.

Today you have the opportunity to go gorilla tracking. Here in Bwindi Impenatrable NP, the gorillas and chimpanzees have their common habitat – nowhere else will you find both primate species so close together. After a briefing by the rangers at the entrance to the national park, you start your hike in the rainforest. To begin with, you will walk with your guide and a ranger on a well-maintained hiking trail slightly uphill into the park. On the way, the guide will answer your questions about the impressive vegetation of the rainforest and the way of life of the primates. Depending on the location of “your” gorilla family, you then head off the beaten track and cross-country through the bush. The ranger leads the way, you follow him and then suddenly you are standing in front of the gorilla family. You have 1 hour to observe and photograph the animals before heading back. Alternatively, you have the option of going on a hike in the surrounding area or visiting a Batwa community. But you will certainly regret it if you don’t visit the gorillas.

After breakfast, we continue to Lake Mburo National Park.  Numerous rocks and hills alternate with small valleys. Once in the park, you will go on a game drive. Here you will find zebras and antelopes together with the impressive Ankole cattle.

It is possible to go on a walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Together with an armed ranger, you set off to observe the animals at close range. Your guide will show you the tracks of the animals and explain their way of life.   After 2-3 hours you return to the lodge and after lunch you start your return journey to Entebbe. At the equator you have the opportunity to take a few souvenir photos before you reach your guesthouse in Entebbe in the evening.

Today is the day of departure, depending on your flight time you will have the opportunity to visit the Botanical Gardens in Entebbe or go on a canoe trip to the Mabamba Swamp, where you can observe the prehistoric shoebill stork and many other bird species. The driver will take you to the airport in time for your return flight.