This primates and wildlife safari is perfectly crafted for African animal lovers with hikes into the natural habitats of the Mountain Gorilla, Golden Monkey and chimpanzees of Rwanda and Uganda. After some exploration of Rwanda’s capital Kigali we drove north to the Volcanoes National Park to discover the rare mountain gorillas and the Golden Monkeys, a delightful entry to the following days’ hike through the Virunga Mountains in search of gorillas again.
Tracking the mountain gorillas is an un-equalled jungle trek experience culminating in the thrill of standing within meters of a family, often including the imposing male silverback. Rwanda and Uganda are also known for the colorful cultures and pretty water bodies like Lakes around where many of these communities live and Gisenyi is a fine example of this and crossing for your Tours Uganda after the another extraordinary amazing gorilla trekking, we relaxed around the shores of the volcanic Mutanda Lake and later as we had love of Lake Bunyonyi, we spent some time here to experience its undulating terrains, visit the Batwa leaving on the beautiful dotted islands surrounding the Lake. Continuing north to the Queen Elizabeth National Park you we will enjoy game viewing along the Kazinga Channel with its vast numbers of hippos, crocodiles, elephants among other wildlife relaxing at the shores of the channels.
Close to Kibale we undertook a trek into the forests once again to spot chimps before including some the nature walk into the Bigodi wetland. After these amazing experiences we had to transfer to Murchison Falls where we had 2 extra ordinary cruises and one towards to bottom of the falls and then lastly towards the delta, this trip involved more game drives in this park and much wildlife species were spotted, when you are at this park you may think all Uganda wildlife are spotted but cross to the 3rd ranked best African wildlife national park (Kidepo Valley National Park), more wildlife will be at your exposure. We took 3 overnights in this park and we had several game drives and a lot of wildlife were spotted, visited to the local communities and I highly recommend this trip, later we concluded the safari via the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking and then back to Entebbe. So our trip was so sweet and lifetime experience for the rest of our lives. Later we went to Kenya for holiday at the Dian Reef Beach and after the 3 days rest arrived in Rwanda and our guide was ready to pick us and upon our arrival in Kigali, we were met by our driver-guide who was with us before in Uganda for the full duration of our safari in Rwanda again. We transferred from the airport to the Serena Hotel. There was a briefing on our forthcoming safari in the late afternoon.
After breakfast we took a short morning tour of Kigali, including a visit to the genocide memorial. Afterwards we made our way to Musanze (previously named Ruhengeri) at the foot of the beautiful and pristine Volcanoes National Park, approximately 2.5 – 3 hours’ drive. This was the region where Dian Fossey amazed the world with her research of the magnificent mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Following Dian Fosse’s work and David Attenborough’s famous documentaries, the mountain gorillas have inspired travelers from all over the world to experience one of nature’s greatest interactions.
Anyone who has witnessed the mountain gorillas of East Africa will strongly agree that it is a once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten. Tonight we sleep in a comfortable lodge in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains.
As a warm-up for our gorilla trek, we will have an early start to search for the equally rare and endangered Golden Monkey. These primates are unique to this region of Rwanda and the Volcanoes National Park, where there is a troupe numbering about forty. Little is known about these beautiful monkeys and experts are only recently able to put together the basic details about their routines and lifestyles. They can be quite difficult to spot. With our expert local guides and trackers we search for them in the thickets of bamboo where they like to spend most of their time. Be prepared for rain, mud and giant stinging nettles – long trousers, gloves and a waterproof jacket will help. It will be necessary to take your own water and snacks – e.g. chocolates, biscuits or sweets – with you in case you have to trek for a while before finding the monkeys. Approx. trek time: 3-5 hours. After your visit to the Golden Monkeys, return to the road head where your driver-guide will be waiting for you. We transfer back to the lodge for a late lunch. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Another early start as we trek deep into the forest in search of the mountain gorillas. With our expert local guides and trackers we search for them in the thickets of bamboo, and allowed not more than one hour with your allocated gorilla family. To find your family group the guide will lead you to where the gorillas were sighted on the previous day and then literally track them through the forest.
The terrain is very rough, often over steep slopes covered with matted vegetation. Be prepared for rain, mud and giant stinging nettles – long trousers, gloves and a waterproof jacket will help. Approx. trek time: 3-8 hours. After our trek and humbled by this incredible experience, we returned to the road head where our driver-guide will be waiting for you. Transfer back to the lodge for a late lunch. Rest of the day is at leisure. And if you traveling to Africa and would love to have this experience visit their “website”
After breakfast, we drove to Lake Kivu which is one of Africa’s mighty fresh water inland lakes. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountains, and the hotel is located on a white sandy beach for honey moon holidays. Rest of the day is at leisure, visit the local fishing villages, and hike along the shores of the Lake.
Then we visited the Virunga via the Goma border, we crossed near the Rwanda-DRC, Goma town of DRC Congo. Drive on scenic and winding roads to Congo’s most famous National Park – Virunga National Park – arriving at our lodge (Mikeno Lodge or Bukima Tented Camp) for dinner and overnight. Today, early morning breakfast and then drive to the start point of the Nyiragongo Hike which is one day to reach the top and you will have your overnight in the shelters at the top, when you reach at the top you will experience Mount Nyiragongo lava expulsion. In the following day morning you will descend back to foots steps of the mount and then to the lodge.
Then in the following day, we did the another amazing Congo gorilla trekking in the Virunga mountains and later in the evening we visited the Senkwenkwe gorilla orphanage centre, this park has much more that one can experience as there is also the chimpanzee habituation which experience can occupy you a full staying with the chimpanzees in the mist, understanding the life style of the chimpanzees.
Then on our last day after all these experience in Africa with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited, we do highly recommend this company for their quality hospitality services and the hospitable staff, that is Moses, the seasonal tour consultant and his other team, the guides and we shall always remember “Michael” that made our African Photo Safari so special both in Uganda and Rwanda!