7 Days Congo Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking
7 Days Congo Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking
7 Days Congo Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking safari will start and end in Kigali Rwanda. The safari will take you to the 3 most visited mountain gorilla destinations in the world that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the 7 days mountain gorilla trekking adventure you will be able to compare gorilla trekking experiences from different parks and also engage in the cultural tour and Kigali city tour where you will visit Kigali genocide memorial center, Kimironko market, and craft markets among others.
Highlights
Pick up and transfer to Virunga National Park
Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Departure to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Virunga National Park
Depending on your location on day 1 of the 7 Days Congo Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking safari, you will be welcomed by our driver guide from Safari Vacations and Travel Services. He will brief you about the safari and then transfer to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On the way, you will enjoy great views of the rolling hills in Rwanda, terraced farmlands, views of Lake Kivu, and beautiful scenery among others. You will pass through the Goma Grande Barrier border to obtain your gorilla trekking permit and then join the Virunga security convoy to connect to Bukima Park headquarters. Upon arrival, you will check into the lodge for lunch and relaxation as you prepare yourself for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Mikeno Lodge/Kibumba Camp
Meal plan: Half board
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park
After an early breakfast on day 2 of the 7 Days Congo Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking safari, you will carry a packed lunch and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. After the briefing, you will be allocated a gorilla family to trek with, a park guide who is knowledgeable about the mountain gorillas and then start trekking in the forest which takes about 3o minutes to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are located. During trekking, you will have great views of wildlife species including bird species like blue-headed sunbird, red-faced woodland warbler, and Kivu ground thrush.
Also, view other primate species like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, mammals, and different plant and tree species among others. Once the gorilla family is located you will be able to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat which allows you to watch them feed, breastfeed, play, learn more about their behaviors, take photos, and record the moments to show people back home. After the one hour with the gorillas, you will trek to the park headquarters where you will meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the lodge for an evening relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Lodging: Mikeno Lodge/Kibumba Camp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On day 3 of the 7 days mountain gorilla trekking adventure, you will have breakfast and check out of the lodge to transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours drive passing through Goma Grande Barrier to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi for lunch and relaxation. After lunch, you will connect to Volcanoes National Park where you will arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: One & Only’s Gorilla’s Nest/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Kinigi Guesthouse
Meal plan: Half board
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking, after breakfast on day 4 of the 7 days mountain gorilla trekking adventure you will carry your lunch box and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Kinigi park headquarters for a briefing about the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking before you start trekking in the jungle with an experienced park guide. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of the gorillas because they like to move from one place to another in search of food.
During trekking, you will have views of other wildlife species, and once the gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment which gives you a chance to take photos, watch the gorillas carry out their daily activities like feeding, grooming young ones, playing, record the breathtaking experiences among others. After the face to face interaction with the gentle giants you will trek back to the park headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking and later meet up with your driver guide to return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: One & Only’s Gorilla’s Nest/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Kinigi Guesthouse
Meal plan: Half board
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
After a relaxed breakfast on day 5 of the 7 days mountain gorilla trekking adventure, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park which is located in southwestern Uganda. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours and on the way you will pass through Cyanika border in Kisoro district or Katuna border in Kabale district. Upon arrival in the park, you will check into the lodge and have lunch.
Cultural tour
After lunch, you will go for an optional cultural tour where you will visit the Batwa/pygmies who used to live in the forest before it was gazetted into a national park. During the cultural tour, you will be able to learn about their culture, tradition, and way of living, visit their farmlands, and homesteads, taste their traditional dishes, and enjoy their traditional performances among others. After the cultural tour, you will drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Elephant Hab Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
After an early breakfast, you will carry your packed lunch and meet up with your driver guide. Transfer to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. After the briefing, you will get a habituated gorilla family to trek. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas are located. They like to move from one place to another in search of food. Just like the previous gorilla trekking experiences.
You view other wildlife species during trekking. When the mountain gorilla family is located you will be allowed to spend one hour with the individuals. You will be able to learn about their habits, and behaviors, and watch them carry out their daily activities. Take photos, and record the incredible moments. After the one hour with the gentle giants, you will trek back to the starting point. You will be awarded a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking. Meet up with your driver guide to return to the lodge for evening relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Lodging: Elephant Hab Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 7: Departure to Kigali
After a relaxed breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide. Transfer to Kigali, You will pass through the Cyanika border or Katuna border and connect to Kigali. Go for a city tour upon arrival. Visit the Kigali genocide memorial center where you will learn about the 1994 brutal killing between the Hutus and Tutsi. Visit Kimironko Market where you will be able to interact with the local traders and visit craft markets among others. After the city tour, you will go for lunch where your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport. Or drop off at the hotel in Kigali depending on your schedule.
End of 7 days mountain gorilla trekking adventure
Includes
Gorilla trekking permits
services of an English-speaking driver guide
Accommodation
Vehicle and fuel
Bottled water
Excludes
Alcoholic drink
Air flight tickets
Visas
Optional activities not included on the itinerary
Life insurance
Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, and tips among others.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native. We specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. Also, we are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
