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| DAY 1
- KAMPALA / QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
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Today you will be met by your guide at your hotel or at the airport and depart by road for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way you will stop at the Equator where you can stand astride both hemispheres and you’ll also have the opportunity to stop at the roadside markets bursting with fruit and vegetables. Continuing on, you’ll descend the escarpment to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s oldest national park, which lies in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. The park is centered around Lake Edward and Lake George, with the two lakes being linked by the Kazinga channel, a waterway rich in wildlife and birds. The Rwenzori Mountains act as a majestic backdrop to the park’s variety of habitats - tropical forest, green meadows, savannah, crater lakes and swamps.
Around Ishasha you may spot the famous tree-climbing lions which lounge nonchalantly in the upper branches of old fig trees. In the Maramagambo forest, a vast virtually untouched woodland area, search for forest game and primates. Over 500 bird species have been recorded with 260 sighted in a day, making it a Mecca for bird-watchers. They include the shoebill stork, the black bee-eater, kingfishers, raptors and spectacular flocks of flamingos.
While in the park you will stay at one of the two safari lodges: Mweya Safari Lodge built on a peninsula with has stunning views of this magnificent panorama. This small classic lodge contains a restaurant, bar, terrace and swimming pool.
The Jacana Safari Lodge is situated on the margin of Maramagambo Forest close to Lake Nyamusingiri and Kyasanduka. The log cabins built in an African way stretch from the woods up to the great views of Lake Nyamusingiri and the forest. Above all, these cabins are self contained. There is a restaurant, waterside bar and swimming pool. The lodge also offers a boat trip on Lake Nyamusingiri which is encircled by a blanket of forest.
Overnight
- Jacana Camp/Mweya Lodge (L,D & activities) |
| DAY 2
- QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
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Depart after breakfast on a game drive, in search of lion and other plains animals. Return to your lodge for lunch and a rest, then head out again to see the wildlife.
Overnight
- Jacana Camp/Mweya Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 3
- QUEEN ELIZABETH - KYAMBURA GORGE – CHIMPANZEE TREK
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This morning after breakfast you will drive to Kyambura to track the fast moving Chimpanzees. The chimp population here is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable. The walk in this "lost world" is nevertheless enchanting. You may also visit the tropical Bee Care Center to look at their range of community projects from bee keeping, honey making to the community nursery for children. You may also see the famous tuskless elephants that have evolved in response to poaching in the past.
In the afternoon you will go on boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to spot hippo, elephant, crocodile and a wide array of birds. Return to your lodge before dark.
Overnight
- Jacana Camp/Mweya Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 4
- BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
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This morning after breakfast you will drive to the dense forested hills of Bwindi. Bwindi is a rainforest and thus is wet all year round, so depending road conditions and where the gorillas where last spotted you may have time to an afternoon wildlife walk after arriving in camp.
The Bwindi Impenetrable forest was established in 1991 to protect some of the last remaining great apes in the wild. Here exists about one half of the world's population of the endangered mountain gorillas. Other animals including the Colobus monkey, chimpanzee, elephant, bushbuck, duiker, buffalo, golden cat, leopard, civet, bushpig and giant forest hog. This pocket of primeval forest in the Virunga Mountain range is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth and has been designated as a World Heritage Site. The Gorillas live at altitudes of up to 6,500 feet (1,980 m) so be prepared for a long and difficult hike. Usually these habituated gorilla’s are tracked daily by the park rangers, but they can travel long distances through the dense jungle in a matter of hours.
Your stay here will be at Volcanoes’ Bwindi Lodge. The Lodge overlooks the primeval Bwindi forest, home to gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and birds. Amidst the many noises of forest life, it is the perfect place to experience the magic of this area. The lodge consist of 8 spacious bandas with a dinning room, bar and lounge that overlooks the forest below.
Overnight
- Bwindi Lodge (all meals & activities)
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| DAY 5
- BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST – GORILLA TREK
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This morning you arise early to begin your hike to find the Gorilla’s. Depending on where they were last spotted it may take several hours to come upon them. But your patience and stamina will be rewarded. Coming upon a family of these amazing creatures in the undergrowth is an inspiring moment. After a full hour with these intelligent gentle creatures it’s time for one last look before hiking back to camp.
Overnight
- Bwindi Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 6
- BWINDI – GORILLA TREK (OPTIONAL)
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Either go gorilla tracking again (on payment of supplement at the time of booking subject to permit availability) or go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and primates.. Alternatively go for a stroll around the Lodge or a community walk.
Overnight
- Bwindi Lodge (all meals & activities)
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| DAY 7
- MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK – VIRUNGA VOLCANOES
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Today you depart for the Virunga Volcanoes home to ½ the world’s mountain Gorillas. The Volcanoes lie within the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. En route you will stop at Kanaba Gap to view the mountains and the beautiful terraced hills. You then continue to the small town of Kisoro before heading, up the mountain to Mount Gahinga, part of Mgahinga National Park. Unfortunately the habituated troop in the park has moved over to the Rwandan side, but you will have an opportunity to see more Gorillas there in Rwanda.
Your will arrive at the Mount Gahinga Lodge in time for lunch. This luxury Lodge is set in the lush hills and has 8 luxury bandas and a beautiful main building housing the lounge and restaurant.
After lunch set out on a guided nature walk or visit the Batwa Cave, returning for drinks and dinner.
Overnight
- Mount Gahinga Lodge (all meals & activities)
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| DAY 8
- MGAHINGA - GORILLA TREK (Optional)
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Today you can go on an optional Gorilla trek. There is only one habituated family in the area, so only a few permits are available and success is not guaranteed. Alternately you can climb the Muhavura or Gahinga volcanoes, go for a nature walk or visit golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park.
Overnight
- Mount Gahinga Lodge (all meals & activities)
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| DAY 9
- VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – VIRUNGA VOLCANOES
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Today after lunch you will be transferred to the Rwandan border. After clearing customs you will be met by your Rwandan guide and drive a short ways to your home for the next three nights – the Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, a spectacular eco-lodge, set on a stunning hillside with breathtaking views of the Virunga volcanoes and Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. Accommodations are in eight bamdas that terrace the hillside.
Aside from gorilla tracking, you can climb the Visoke or Karisimbi volcanoes, track the golden monkey, visit the remains of the Karisoke Centre and Dian Fossey’s grave site, or go for gentle strolls around the picturesque villages near the lakes.
The rest of the day is yours to relax.
Overnight
- Virugna Lodge (all meals & activities)
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| DAY 10
- VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – GORILLA TREK
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Be prepared for an exciting adventure this morning as you go gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park. There are four habituated troops here and tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga’s is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy.
Overnight
- Virugna Lodge (all meals & activities)
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| DAY 11
- VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – GORILLA TREK (OPTIONAL)
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Today you can go on another trek (on payment of supplement at the time of booking subject to permit availability), visit the golden monkeys, drive to Gisenyi, visit Ros Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or you can trek to Dian Fossey's grave, visit the local school and community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. Guided pygmy forest walks can also be arranged (in advance only).
Overnight
- Volcanoes Virugna Lodge (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 12
- VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK / KIGALI - DEPART
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After breakfast, leave for Kigali on a scenic three hour drive. Time permitting, you will have a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and the genocide memorial. You will then be taken to the airport for your departing flight. (B)
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| NOTE
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2 Gorilla Trekking Permits are included in the cost. Additional permits may be obtained - subject to availability, for an additional $500 per permit.
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