The 6 Days Bwindi & Volcanoes National Park Safari kicks-off and ends in Rwanda’s City of Kigali, allowing visitors to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Parks.
This trip also includes other exciting activities like trekking the golden monkeys or Dian Fossey gravesite hike, tour the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, cultural tours and City excursion in Kigali.
Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On the first day arrive in Rwanda, via Kigali International Airport where you will find your Safari driver waiting to drop you off at a Hotel in the City for lunch. The possibility of undertaking a city excursion and the amount of time spent at different tourist sites depends on arrival time into the country. Later continue to Volcanoes National Park outskirts for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Trekking the Gentle gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
On this day you will have your first gorilla trek and will be in Volcanoes National Park, north-western part of Rwanda. You will hit the road to Kinigi Park Headquarters after breakfast and you will meet other trekkers waiting to participate in the gorilla trek.
Trekking mountain gorillas begins with a briefing on the crucial guidelines to be followed while trekking then you will be divided into groups of 8 individuals to trek each habituated gorilla group. Start trekking these gentle giants at 8:00am and finally meet them after 1-5 hours of searching in the jungles is one of the most rewarding experiences. One hour with the gorillas might seem little but it is a great time to watch them forage, play, rest and communicate with one another. Be sure to make good use of your time with the before returning to the Lodge for Lunch.
In the afternoon you will witness one of the most fascinating cultural experiences at the Gorilla Guardian Village through traditional dances and drumming, preparation and tasting of traditional dishes, making of handicrafts especially baskets and many other traditional ways of life. Dinner and overnight will be in the same Lodge as day one.
Day 3: Hike the Dian Fossey gravesite, climb Mount. Bisoke or Golden monkey tracking adventure
On the third day you will make a choice between climbing Mount Bisoke, hiking to the Dian Fossey gravesite or tracking the Golden monkeys. Whichever activity you undertake, be sure of mind-boggling views of the Park, Virunga Volcanoes, animals especially primates, bushbucks, giant forest hogs and bird species.
Carrying lunch box or having lunch at the Lodge depends on the activity chosen but your evening will be spent exploring the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera with a traditional canoe.
Day 4: Cross-over to Uganda and continue to Bwindi
Have breakfast at the elegant Lodge in the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park and cross over to Uganda via Cyanika or Katuna border points. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to relax and rejuvenate your energy for the second gorilla trek.
Day 5: Trekking gorillas in the misty Bwindi Forest
Arise to an early breakfast and connect to the Park Headquarters for briefing on how to take on the misty jungles of Bwindi, as you search for the gentle giants. Start your search for mountain gorillas by 8am after registration, briefing and allocation into one of the habituated gorilla groups.
Upon finding the gentle giants, you will have only one hour to observe and take photos of them displaying some interesting behavior while feeding, playing, nursing babies and mating. You will return to the Lodge with total satisfaction of not just the mountain gorillas but also views of other Park residents. Rest at the Lodge for the remainder of the evening or opt for another thrilling cultural tour.
Day 6: Cross the border back to Rwanda and departure
After breakfast, leave the verdant and misty Bwindi jungle for Rwanda, crossing the border at Katuna or Cyanika. This marks the end of the 6 days Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park Safari.
