4 Days Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda from Kigali
This 4 Days Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda from Kigali will take place in both Uganda and Rwanda. The trip shall begin from Rwanda to Uganda and back to Rwanda. This package is designed for those interested in Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and have a limited time to see the rest of the country. In Rwanda, the terrain is very mountainous so the gorillas mainly feed on bamboo shoots unlike in Bwindi Impenetrable which consists of mostly tropical rainforests hence plenty of food for the gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the largest population of mountain Gorillas in the world. The park is located in the Southwestern part of Uganda next to Rwanda and Congo and has over 16 habituated gorilla groups with 3 more undergoing habituation. In Bwindi, gorillas can be tracked from 4 different sectors of the park making it one of the best places that offers memorable gorilla trekking experiences.
On the other hand, Volcanoes National Park is located in Rwanda and is smaller than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park was cut out of the greater Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes National Park is home to mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, and 5 Volcanoes. It became very popular after Dian Fossey a primatologist started a Primate research centre there in the 1960s.
On this 4-day Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking Safari, expect to see differences in vegetation, terrain, and wildlife species. The trip includes the Batwa cultural trail experience and a visit to Gorilla Guardians Village in Rwanda.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Pick up, Kigali City Tour, and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
A Journeys Uganda representative will pick you up from the airport or hotel in Kigali Rwanda. He/she will then take you for a day tour of Kigali City. Expect to see and visit a souvenir shop, the Genocide Memorial Centre, the main City market, and the former presidential palace. After the Kigali City tour, get ready for a 4-hour long journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Enjoy the magnificent views of rolling hills and plantations in the Rwanda countryside as you travel. We shall briefly stop over the Uganda border to clear immigration and then transfer you to your lodge for relaxing and overnight.
Accommodation: Buhoma Haven Lodge or Equivalent.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2. Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park- Visit Batwa Pygmies.
After early morning breakfast, you will go for a briefing at the park offices. The Gorilla Trekking briefing begins between 7 and 8:00 am and usually involves informing you about the Do’s and Don’ts while in the park, and what to carry and pack. You will then be divided into groups of not more than 8 people, assigned a ranger, assisting rangers, and allowed to hire a porter. Groups are allocated based on general physical body fitness. You will then head for the trails to track down the humble giants. It usually takes 2-4 hours to locate a habituated gorilla family and only one hour with the gorillas. You will descend back to the starting point where you find a Journey’s Uganda representative who will transfer you to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
After lunch, you will be taken to visit the Batwa Pygmy community staying near the park. These people were the first inhabitants of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest before they were relocated by the government for conservation purposes. Expect to learn a lot about their culture, norms, food, and entertainment through traditional dance groups. You then be transferred back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3. Transfer to Volcanoes National Park- Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
After yesterday’s strenuous activities while at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will wake up in your own time, have breakfast, and await our driver-guide who will transfer you to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It’s about a 4 hours journey with magnificent views along the way. You will have lunch at your lodge and relax while waiting for our representative to transfer you to the Gorilla Guardians Village. This was formerly known as Ib’iwacu Cultural Village a place where poachers used to sell souvenirs to tourists. The site was revamped by the government turning it into a top cultural centre in East Africa. Expect to spend the afternoon dressing up in traditional robes for photographs and watching and getting involved in traditional dance performances. You will be transferred to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Bisate Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4. Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park- Departure.
After an early morning breakfast in the morning, you will be taken to Volcanoes National Park for a briefing on Golden Monkey Trekking in the park at exactly. You will be assigned a ranger and allowed to hire a porter who will help you carry your backpack while tracking the monkeys. You will have to hike for 2 hours before you locate the Golden monkeys. These monkeys are a rare and endangered species only found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are cute and extremely playful monkeys who live in large groups of about 75 individuals and are free to flashlights, unlike the mountain gorillas. After the activity, you move back to the starting point where you meet a Journey’s Uganda representative who will transfer you to the hotel or airport to end your 4 Days Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda from Kigali.
Meal plan: Breakfast