The double gorilla trekking safari starts in Rwanda and ends in Uganda (Entebbe/Kampala). Take on a double gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. Both destinations present an opportunity to have an encounter with the mountain gorillas in 2 different natural habitats. Get an understanding of the different cultures, the Batwa in Bwindi and visit different cultural sites and markets in Rwanda. An experience worth taking on without forgetting having the right items to pack for the ultimate gorilla safari.
Summarized itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda
Day 2: Gorilla trekking – Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 4: Bwindi Gorilla trekking
Day 5: Transfer to Entebbe/Fly to Entebbe
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda
On arrival in Kigali, you will be welcomed by the Letsgo Safaris representative for a meet and greet and a quick briefing then transfer to the hotel for relaxation as you prepare for the next day’s activities.
Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda. The national park shares borders with Mgaahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The national park only encompasses an area of 62 square miles (160 sq km).
Day 2: Gorilla trekking – Volcanoes National Park
Wake up, have an early breakfast, and transfer/drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi for a briefing before you start the adventurous gorilla trekking activity. This may take about 30 minutes to a whole day and this depends on the fitness of the trekkers and the location of the gorillas. On encountering the gorillas, you will spend an hour, watching and learning about their behavior as you capture all the moments. You will later visit a traditional village where you will learn and have an in-depth cultural experience of Banyarwanda.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Today you will have breakfast, check out of the lodge and have a leisure transfer to South Western Uganda, enjoy a change in topography and nature as you cross over from Rwanda to Uganda. The journey takes about 5 hours. Arrive in time for lunch and have an afternoon relaxation as you prepare to take on another memorable gorilla trekking experience in the jungles of Bwindi.
Day 4: Bwindi gorilla trekking
Enjoy an early breakfast, have your packed lunch ready before driving to the park headquarters of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Rushaga sector for a briefing. Here you will be informed about the do’s and dont’s of gorilla trekking, thereafter, you will be allocated gorilla family to track and a ranger guide to take you through the thick forest. The time taken to locate the gorilla depends on the location of the gorilla family and may take up to 3-8 hours. You will have up to 1 hour. The one hour is spent monitoring and learning about their different behavior.
Later you may take on the Batwa community experience which involves hiking through the forest and discovering and learning their different ways of life. Get an opportunity to take part in the local traditional songs and dances. Pay attention to the ancient stories about their history and origin.
Day 5: Transfer to Entebbe
After breakfast on the last day, check out of the lodge and embark on your journey to Entebbe with an en-route stop over at the equator for a photo session. You may also purchase souvenirs. Arrival in Entebbe will be later in the afternoon in time for your flight back home.
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