10 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda Rwanda Mountaineering Wildlife Primate & Heritage Safari – Overview

The 10 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda Rwanda Mountaineering Wildlife Primate & Heritage Safari is one of the active adventure safaris that you can have in these two destinations in the shortest time possible.

It takes you to the mystical mountain of the moon towering to 5,1109m above sea level with snow cappers – the Rwenzoris, Albertine rift flats of Queen Elizabeth National Park with enormous wild game, Volcano climbing in Mgahinga, Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda genocide memorial tour in Rwanda, Island Hopping ion Lake Bunyonyi and the rewarding community tours in Fort Portal and Kasese.

10 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda Rwanda Mountaineering Wildlife Primate & Heritage Safari – Highlights

Day 1: Transfer to Fort portal Area, do Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves walk & Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike

Day 2: Do Mpanga Tea Estate cycling in the morning, transfer to Kibale National Park & do Chimpanzee trekking in the afternoon

Day 3: Do Morning Bigodi Wetland Walk & transfer to Kasese. Visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa & Ruboni Community craft & wax center upon arrival

Day 4: Do whole day Mount Rwenzori hiking

Day 5: Do Morning game drive & afternoon launch cruise along the 45km Kazinga Channel

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do a game drive in Ishasha sector en route in search of tree climbing lions

Day 7: Do Mountain Gorilla trekking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 8: Do Island Hopping on Lake Bunyonyi & transfer to Mgahinga NP

Day 9: Do Volcano Climbing & transfer to Rwanda Volcanoes National Park

Day 10: Do Mountain Gorilla trekking, transfer to Kigali & visit the Gisozi genocide memorial.

10 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda Rwanda Mountaineering Wildlife Primate & Heritage Safari – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Fortportal Area, do Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru Caves Walk & Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike

After your jolly breakfast, embark on transfer drive of about 5 hours to cover 300km to Fort Portal town – one of the most beautiful towns in Uganda.

The drive will take you through the majestic country side landscapes dotted with rural setting and beautiful local populations.

Arrive in Fort Portal town for lunch after which you will advance to do the Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike to gain magnificent views of the Fort Portal explosion crater.

You will also visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves with a magical Nyakasura River falling over them forming wonderful water fall.

The unique caves have breast like features which the locals attach a great cultural connotation and are thought to date back to the Chwezi era. Retreat from the activity and get to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Mountains of the Moon Hotel (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 2: Do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling in The Morning, Transfer to Kibale National Park & do Chimpanzee Trekking in The Afternoon

After breakfast, embark on the active cycling in the Mpanga Tea Estates which lie in close proximity to Fort Portal Town.

The estates have got undulating landscapes with raised hill sides and then lowlands making it suitable for cycling.

The biking encounter will expose to the magical scenery of the estates, have an encounter with estate works as they pluck the tea leaves and tour the factory.

From thus encounter, you will embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park 26km from Fort Portal town for an afternoon Chimpanzee trekking starting at 2pm.

The Park is proud of 13 primate species including the world endangered species of the Chimpanzees which have been fully habituated and opened to be visited by tourists.

The chimp trekking encounter in the primates Capital starts at Kanyanchu tourism center at 8:00am local time in the morning and the professional UWA Park ranger will lead you throughout the whole fascinating processes of trekking the Chimps in their natural Habitat.

The trek exposes you to stunning flora, other primate species including black and white colobus monkey and birds before meeting face to face with the chimps.

The Chimpanzees will seduce you in a state of stupefaction as they swing through the branches, make pant hooting calls, play with each other, and imitate your body language along with other features that will make your one full hour with them a life time experience of its own.

Retreat from the activity which tends to take 2 – 5 hours to embark in the transfer to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 3: Do Morning Bigodi Wetland Walk & Transfer to Kasese. Visit The Rwenzori Art Foundation , Rubonii Community Craft & Wax Center Upon Arrival

After breakfast, connect to the Bigodi wetland for a walk that exposes you to typical eco –tourism encounter in Uganda.

The impressive flora and fauna existing along with the local community is indeed rewarding to encounter. The sights of great blue turaco and the Sitatunga may not be missed.

Rom this activity, embark on the transfer to Kasese following the Murram road to Rwimi and upon arrival, you will tour the Rwenzori Art Foundation which is the only bronze casting center in Africa with a range of sculptures that will leave you in a state of amazement.

You can opt to participate and go through the bronze casting process and after have a cup of coffee overlooking the Rwenzori Mountains.

From the art foundation, you will pay a visit to the Ruboni Community craft and wax center to encounter the local crafts and the wax processing process led by the local people themselves.

This offers you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditions of the local people. From here, you will connect to the lode for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Midrange) / Ruboni Community Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Do Whole Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking

Embark on the whole day hike to the Rwenzori Mountains known as the legendary mountains of the moon as described by the Greek Geographer Ptolemy in the 150AD.

The Rwenzori Mountains tower up to 5,109m above sea level with snow-capped peaks. The whole day hike exposes you to the lower ridges of this mountain exploring the flowing glaciers and mountain flora that have earned the Rwenzoris the world heritage site status.

The hike exposes you to the impressive views of the low lying Albertine flats and the towering peaks at a distance.

You will have lunch on the Mountain and retreat in the evening around 5:30om to transfer to the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 5: Do Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Launch Cruise Along The 45km Kazinga Channel

After breakfast, embark on a thrilling game drive across the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park that stretch across the Albertine flats.

The game drive which starts as early as 6am offers you possibilities of encountering a range of wild game including four of the Big five Land Animals including lions, leopard, elephants and buffaloes.

The well placed tracks in Kasenyi traverse a common dwelling for this wild game with additions of side stripped jackals, water buck, Uganda Kobs, among others.

The activity tend to take 3 – 4 hours after which you will return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you will drive to Mweya jetty in the afternoon fir a thrilling boat cruise along the paradise of Hippos – the 45km long Kazinga Channel which adjoins Lake Edward and George with overlooking sights of Democratic Republic of Congo.

The range of birds, Nile crocodiles, Hippos and other wild game drinking on the channel side may not be missed.

Retreat from the 2 hour activity, do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do a Game Drive in Ishasha Sector En-route in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi. You will drive through Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park where the famous tree climbing lions are known to thrive.

The drive offers you the possibilities of encountering more game adding to the sights of the upper parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Encountering the tree climbing lions lying on the fig tree branches is very rewarding. You will have lunch en route and continue in the drive to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 7: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Gather at the respective park headquarter in the morning after an early heavy breakfast for briefing about the gorilla trekking encounter by the park rangers at 8am.

After briefing, you will head to the forest for the thrilling gorilla trekking adventure. The hike across the varied landscapes of Bwindi marked with deep valleys, steep hills and dense vegetation cover is very rewarding.

The moment you come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one those must list moments that you can ever encounter in the life time.

The gorilla trek lasts between 2 – 8 hours and after the one full hour of direct encounter with them; you will return the starting point and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi via the fascinating Kigezi Highlands for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Mid-range/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Do Island Hopping on Lake Bunyonyi & Transfer to Mgahinga NP

After breakfast, embark in the Island Hopping experience. Lake Bunyonyi has 29 Islands which have earned it a dub as the lake of as thousand Islands.

There are five main Islands that can be explored. The Island Communities and their traditions like local brewing, local schools, community hospitals, the music dance and drama and the food prepared are very interesting to encounter.

The boat on the lake is also thrilling in its self. You will retreat from this half day activity for lunch at the lodge after which you transfer to Mgahinga National Park driving along the magical scenic Kabale – Kisoro Road arriving in the late afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Midrange/Standard) or Amajambere iwacu Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 9: Do Volcano Climbing & Transfer to Rwanda Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, embark on the Volcano Climbing in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. There are three volcanic Mountains the park including Sabyinyo known as the Old Man’s Teeth, Gahinga the Pile of stones and Muhabura the Guide.

You would have chosen which Mountain to climb prior to his date. The Mountains include; 3,474m Mt. Gahinga taking 6 hours, 3,669m Mt. Sabyinyo taking 8 hours and 4,127m Mt. Muhavura going beyond 8 hours.

Climbing any of these is possible and they can be summited including the round trip. The highest Muhavura gives the great views of Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward, Rwenzori peaks and the roof top views of the impenetrable forest of Bwindi.

While climbing Mt. Gahinga offers chances of citing golden monkeys in the Bamboo zone of this highland.

After this encounter, you will embark in the transfer to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Hotel La Palme (Midrange/Standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget/Basic)

Day 10: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Transfer to Kigali & Visit The Gisozi Genocide Memorial

After breakfast, gather at the Kinigi Park headquarters at 8am to start with a briefing session from the rangers about the gorilla trekking conduct.

The before trek experience is spiced by a cup of coffee grown from the Rwandan soils amidst traditional Kinyarwanda performances.

After this session, you will be allocated a respective gorilla family to track and head to the forest in the slopes of Virunga Volcanoes in search of the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

The trek for the gorillas is one of the lifetime experiences that you will always wonder to have had. Hiking the slopes and challenging landscapes is an experience in its self while the magical scenery of the Virunga Volcanoes, the rolling hills of Rwanda, impressive flora and the birds combine to make the gorilla trek to go beyond only gorillas.

The one hour of direct encounter with the gorillas is availed to you upon reaching them and will be utilized maximum by asking the questions that you wish to know about gorillas from the Ranger, taking life time pictures and viewing of the gorillas themselves.

Retreat from the activity which tends to last 2 – 8 hours to the starting point after your picnic lunch and then transfer to Kigali City.

Upon arrival in Kigali, you will tour the Kigali genocide memorial in Gisozi where counts of Rwandese dominantly from the Tutsi ethnicity and moderate Hutus lay in memory following their slain in cold blood in 1994 genocide that hit Rwanda.

You will listen to the sorrowful account of genocide and the lasting effect that it bestowed on Rwanda not forgetting the hearing the reconciliation efforts that the country has employed in order to prevent any tragedy of that sort in the future.

End of the 10 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda Rwanda Mountaineering Wildlife Primate & Heritage Safari.