Itinerary Highlights
- Exploring and learning about conservation in Akagera National Park, Rwanda
- Stunning scenery and Golden monkeys at Mgahinga Gorilla Park, Uganda
- Stunning scenery at Lake Mutanda and the Kisozi Crater
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi
- Batwa Settlement Walk at Mgahinga Gorilla Park
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
10 nights from £7,365 per person
Candice Buchan
Travel Specialist
While on this tailor-made, individual tour, you have the opportunity to experience Akagera National Park, where park staff will enlighten you
as to the inspirational work they are conducting with African Parks. Enjoy quintessential African scenery also during a boat trip on Lake
Ihema.
Two of the nights in the park will be spent at Karenga Bush Camp. During the time you are based there, enjoy a 2-hour 'Walk the Line' excursion.
During this exercise the ranger who accompanies you, will explain the conservation measures being undertaken to safeguard wildlife; anti-poaching measures and how human-wildlife conflict is being mitigated.
Travel in your private, comfortable 4-wheel drive vehicle with your dedicated, experienced, professional driver-guide out of Akagera and northwards, crossing the Rwanda-Uganda border, from where you drive to beautiful Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for an overnight stay. You'll be taken on a Batwa Settlement walk here, during which guests are encouraged to have dialogue with the resident Batwa community through an interpreter.
You'll also be taken to seek the Golden monkeys and walk on the unusual and scenic Kisozi Caldera and take a short canoe trip on picturesque
Lake Mutanda. This day allows you to experience a very special and seldom=explored corner of rural southwest Uganda.
During your stay at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you begin with the thrilling experience of visiting a habituated family group of Mountain gorilla.
(One gorilla permit per person, is included in the tour price). You have the chance for a second gorilla trek - or, to make the 'Top of the World'
hike. After your stay at Nkuringo, your driver-guide will take you back to Kigali from where you fly home after a wonderful holiday.
Itinerary
Day 1 Take to the skies: UK (selected airports) - Kigali
Take the early morning KLM flight from London Heathrow or selected other UK airports via Amsterdam to Kigali, where you arrive in the evening.
On arrival, you will be welcomed by your experienced, professional, English-speaking driver-guide and transferred to the Heaven Boutique Hotel, to stay overnight.
Day 2 Head for the bush - Akagera National Park
Depart after breakfast in Kigali, to the southern sector of Akagera National Park, where you will be given a fascinating 'Behind the Scenes' talk by one of the rangers. Learn about Akagera's history; the wildlife relocation programmes (including Black rhinos and African lions) and the 2010 management takeover by African Parks, which has done exemplary work in terms of turning this park - Rwanda's only 'big five' protected area - into the success story that it is.
Take a boat trip in the afternoon on scenic Lake Ihema, where birdlife, hippos and crocs are prolific.
Tonight you'll stay in the widely appreciated Ruzizi Tented Lodge, all meals included.
Day 3 Getting to know Akagera National Park
Breakfast is followed by a full day game drive northwwards to Karenga Bush Camp, now open most of the year except April and November. (Rainy season).
During the drive you should see plenty of game, notably African elephant, Cape buffalo, Giraffe and antelopes including Sable, Roan, Oribi, Bushbuck, Reedbuck and Topi.
Enjoy panoramic vistas from the top of the mountain across Lake Ihema and further southwards out to Tanzania. Stay 2 nights in Karenge Bush Camp, all meals included.
Day 4 Akagera - how it all works
You may, as we did in our last inspection visit, see elusive African leopard while out on a game drive this morning. In the afternoon, a ranger will take you on a 'Walk the Line' excursion. During this 7km walk (duration about 2 hours) you head into the hills following the fence along the outside of the park. You'll learn about how park staff safeguard wildlife and what measures are in place to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
From the top of the ridge where you walk to, you'll enjoy stunning views over the national park.
Overnight in Karenge Bush Camp, all meals included.
Day 5 Crossing over into Uganda - Mgahinga Gorilla Natio
Depart after breakfast to the Rwanda/Uganda border, from where you head up to the scenically spectacular Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, for an overnight stay in the very comfortable Mount Gahinga Lodge, all meals included.
This afternoon you'll be taken on an authentic experience to meet the reident Batwa community. With a mediator between the lodge management and the Batwa community and a translator, guests are invited to have dialogue with the Batwa, which can be a very moving experience. The experience isn't staged - you can often expect very direct answers to challenging questions.
Day 6 Rural Uganda at its best: Lake Mutanda, Kisoze Cra
After breakfast, set off to visit the rare Golden monkeys, which enjoy bamboo groves in their rainforest habitat. Then travel to the Kisozi Caldera, where you enjoy a walk. Afterwards, make a short canoe trip on picture-postcard perfect Lake Mutanda. Drive on to Nkuringo in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, for a 3- night at the comfortable and very well-run Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, with all meals included.
Day 7 Gorillas!
After an early breakfast, you'll be taken to the park office for your briefing on conduct during Gorilla tracking.
Set off with scouts and porters to seek one of the resident, habituated family groups of Mountain gorilla are. Your golden hour with these incredible primates is something you'll cherish for the rest of your life - something with which very few wildlife experiences can compare.
Day 8 Optional second Gorilla trek, OR, Gorilla Habituat
You have three wonderful alternatives to choose from today:
Either you can do a second Gorilla trek (please let us know as long in advance as is possible if you select this option, because oftentimes Gorilla permit availability is outweighed by demand)
OR
You could do the 4-hour Gorilla Habituation Experience (price of a permit for this activity is US$1,500)
OR
Make the very scenic 'Top of the World' rainforest walk in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi. During this walk, you can take in more stunning scenery and seek abundant birdlife and small rainforest wildlife.
Day 9 Back to Kigali for the flight home
Depart Bwindi this morning to scenic Lake Mutanda, where you enjoy an early lunch at the scenically appointed Chameleon Hill Lodge.
You will then be transferred over the Uganda/Rwanda border and south to Kigali Airport, in time to check in for the KLM flight departing tonight to London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) via Amsterdam
Day 10 Welcome home!
On your early morning arrival into Amsderdam Schiphol Airport, connect with the KLM flight back to London Heathrow or selected other UK airports.
You'll be home by mid-morning after a wonderful holiday.
Candice Buchan
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
10 nights from £7,365 per person
Candice Buchan
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Return international KLM flights from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) to Kigali, with airport taxes
(economy class seating)
All private transfers and private, 4-wheel drive transportation
Services of your dedicated, experienced, knowledgeable, English-speaking driver-guide throughout
All excursions and activities as outlined on the itinerary
1 Uganda gorilla permit per person
1 Golden monkeys permit per person
National Park permits and entry fees
AMREF Evacuation insurance cover
All accommodation as stated, with all meals as listed
Mineral water in the vehicle
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Visas
Any meals not listed
Personal items (drinks, tips, phone calls, laundry, travel insurance)
Any additional gorilla permits
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
