Search for amazing wildlife while you traverse the varied landscapes of Rwanda and Uganda on this seven day African Safari. Track mountain Gorillas in the Parc National des Volcans, visit the forest watching for the elusive Golden Monkey, journey into the Kyambura Gorge to see Chimpanzees and cruise the Kazinga Channel to see the largest herd of hippos in Africa. Enjoy the charming yet luxury accommodations of Virunga Lodge and Kyambura Gorge Lodge, wildlife tours and great food while one of the world's most unique safari experiences.
Highlights
Track gorillas through mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga range
Spend the day tracking Golden Monkeys in Rwanda
Game drive through the Kasenyi plains in search of lions and Uganda kob
Cruise the Kazinga Channel where animals gather at the waters edge
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arriving in Kigali you will be welcomed by your expert guide who will provide knowledge and assistance throughout your safari. Your journey takes you through the beautiful terraced hills that characterise much of Rwanda’s landscape. Climbing gradually to the base of the spectacular volcanoes of the Virunga range, the five nearest peaks rising high above the verdant countryside, you arrive at the magnificent Volcanoes Virunga Lodge.
Through the mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga range we track some of the last remaining wild gorilla families. Once you locate the troop, you will have one hour to spend with these amazing primates. Usually, you return to camp in time for a late lunch, however, some of the gorilla families are elusive, and tracking can take a full day.
Today you will set off for another early-morning adventure, heading back into the Volcanoes National Park to track golden monkeys. This rare species lives in the bamboo vegetation toward the base of the volcanoes, and visitors can spend one hour with the troop upon locating the family. Return to Virunga Lodge for a restful evening.
This morning you will leave the lodge at 6:00am and cross the border into Uganda. Transfer to the airstrip in Kisoro for the 9:10am flight to Kasese, arriving at 10:00am.
Once there, you will be met by the next guide who will transfer you to Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Depending on when you arrive, there maybe time before dinner to explore the lodge grounds with its clear mountain stream or visit the local village or to go for a nature walk.
Either take an early morning or evening game drive for the best opportunity to see game. What you see depends on the season, but the Kasenyi plains are excellent for sighting lion and large herds of Uganda kob. The Mweya peninsula is one of the best places to look for leopard, which live in the dense, scrubby thickets.
You can also visit various community projects from the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) including: Women’s Coffee Cooperative Tour, Reclaimed Wetland Tour, Bee-Keeping Fence Visit, Omumushaka Dance Group Performance, Empundu Playground Visit and much more.
The Kyambura Gorge is an extraordinary natural environment and forms a stark contrast to the surrounding grasslands. Here you can track one of our closest animal relatives: the chimpanzee. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing can be unpredictable but the walk is enchanting.
In the afternoon take a cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which flows between Lakes Edward and George. Kazinga is home to one of the greatest concentration of hippo in Africa and herds of elephant, buffalo and other animals come to drink at the waters edge. The channel is a magnet for waterbirds, with great flocks of pelicans and others birds on the shore, and a great spot to see African fish eagle.
Day 7: Depart Uganda
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Transfer from Kyambura Gorge Lodge to the Kasese airstrip. Leave with the 10:20am (arrive at 11:25am) or 14:55pm (arrive at 15:55pm) return flight to Entebbe and connect in time for your return flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% Plus Gorilla Permit Cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
6 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
1 Gorilla Tracking Permit
1 Gorilla permit, 1 Chimp permit and 1 Golden monkey permit
1 Golden Monkey Tracking permit
1 Chimpanzee Tracking Permit
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Optional Excursions - Additional Gorilla Tracking Permit in PNV
Passengers must ensure that their purchased insurance includes cruise travel in the polar regions and has evacuation and repatriation coverage of no less than 200,000 USD per person, both for Arctic and Antarctica cruises.
For non-polar trips with Poseidon, please be sure to check their insurance requirements, see HERE for more info.
Optional Excursions - Gorilla Tracking Permits in PNV
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.7 | 111 reviews
TrustScore 4.7 of 5
Based on 111 reviews on
7 hours ago
Kassandra rocks! She had our trip planned and helped us arrange our air travel within the day we contacted her. She has helped us with our trips to Chile Argentina and Costa Rica, and she always finds us wonderful activities and accommodations. We’re looking forward to seeing what she’s planning for us this time when we go to Easter island
Janet
1 day ago
Nice thank you
Leo Lommen
1 day ago
quick to respond
thorough
Lisa Gallagher
3 days ago
Personal knowledge of the trip I was considering. Patience with our figuring out which dates we could travel.
Brian
4 days ago
Clara and Rhenee were gracious and available. Phone contact is so important to answer questions and discuss all aspects of trip. If not immediately available they scheduled a time to speak.
They were knowledgeable, honest, realistic and very friendly. They are both very professional and take their role seriously.