Description
Twice Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla Park and Bwindi Forest along with Golden Monkey Trekking
A luxury Safari for those seeking an African Outdoor Adventure-From Kigali
Private 5-Day Luxury Double Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey in Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Day 1: Entebbe
Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda-The Gateway to Southwest Uganda:
You can arrive at either Entebbe International Airport or Kigali International Airport – drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is much shorter from Kigali to Bwindi Forest than it is from Entebbe where it can take from 9 to 10 hours to Bwindi Forest, that is why we have the fly into Kigali – track in Bwindi option.
Please note: Visa – the best visa if you are coming to Kigali would be the online E-Tourism Visa for East Africa, it is 100 USD and covers both countries. It must be applied for with the country you will be visiting first. The other important certificate is the Yellow Fever Immunization – obtain it in your country 30 days prior to arrival – if you do not have it you will be required to obtain it at the airport.
Our Tour-Guide will meet you and take you to a nearby Hotel in either Entebbe or Kigali – both drives are short – 10 minutes in Entebbe and 20 minutes in Kigali.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Convenient and Affordable Lodging with free Airport Pickup:
Day 1 – Drive to Mgahinga Gorilla Park:
Your Safari begins as we leave your hotel in Kigali at 6:30 am or the Kigali Airport for your luxury Safari. The most scenic drive to Mgahinga Gorilla Park will take about three hours.
Usually, the border crossing is about 30 to 45 minutes, and you are in Uganda heading for the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Officials on both sides will try to ease the border crossing for Tourists. We arrive at Mgahinga Gorilla Park and check into Mount Gahinga Gorilla Lodge.
Mount Gahinga Gorilla Lodge
Arrive at the luxury Mount Gahinga Gorilla Lodge in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, locally referred to as the Mufumbiro Mountains, the mountains that cook.
The Lodge opened in 1997 when Gorilla Tourism was still developing. The Lodge is the perfect base for Gorilla Trekkers, and it even has a private footpath directly to Park Headquarters. It is the only luxury gorilla lodge close to Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
There is a short, private trail from the Lodge to Park Headquarters, where you go for gorilla trekking orientation.
The Lodge was refreshed and updated in 2019. Now there are eight luxury bandas or cottages and two deluxe bandas. The lounge area, the dining room, and the gardens reflect the recent updates.
The luxury Bandas reflect the magic of the aesthetic traditions of the Bufimbira people with their distinct colors. Each Banda has an ensuite luxury shower room, fireplace, and private porch.
Guests have a personal butler who attends to their well-being during their stay there. Regarding meals, our clients rave about the culinary delights served at the Lodge. WiFi access and charging stations are located in the main Lodge. Non-Premium Beverages, including local Beers, Sodas, Spirits, and House Wines, are included. You are also offered a one-half-hour complimentary massage. Read more about Mount Gahinga Lodge.
Afternoon Activities are with Mount Gahinga Lodge:
Choose one of the following Activities
• Kisozi Caldera Hike: This is the most scenic hike to a volcanic caldera, where terrace farming takes place on its sides.
• Batwa Heritage trail: Here, you see the Forest through its first people, the Batwa.
• Gahinga Batwa Village Visit; The Village was built for the Batwa by the Lodge.
• Read a Book: You can read a book about Uganda or pick up a book at the Lodge Library.
Meal Plan: Lunch -Dinner
Day 2- Your First Gorilla Trekking – Mgahinga Gorilla Park:
After an early breakfast, pick up your packed lunch and make your way on the private trail to the Park Headquarters for the gorilla trekking orientation.
What Should I wear tracking Gorillas?
Here is practical advice about what to wear while Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. Often Trekkers are not dressed right for the occasion, which can spoil your day, and your focus might not be on the Gorillas but personal discomfort and misery. Wearing suitable clothing and footwear is about protection.
Gorilla Wear and Gear you will need:
Use the same Gear and Wear for Golden Monkey Trekking and the Volcano Climb.
• Daypack: Preferably a waterproof daypack, you can use it as a carry-on flying to Uganda. Pack all essentials inside the daypack.
• Hiking Boots: Make sure that they have good treads on them. You will need ankle support, something boots give you and give you reactions on muddy trails. Have a good pair of merino wool socks.
• Long Trouser: They will protect you from nettles and thorns. Tuck the trousers into your socks for added protection from ants.
• Long-Sleeved Shirt: Neutral in color. Again, this is for your comfort and protection.
• Rain Jacket or Poncho: Pack into your daypack. You never know when it will train. You are in an Afro-montane Rainforest.
• Tough Gardening Gloves: This is to protect your hands from thorns, nettles, and sharp branches.
• Wide Brimmed Hat: It gives you protection from the Sun.
• Camera Equipment – Binoculars: Ensure extra batteries and storage devices. Put them into Ziploc bags. Binoculars are not needed if you are not a birder.
• Packed Lunch and Bottled Water: You will need your packed lunch from the Lodge and two liters of bottled water.
• Insect Repellent – Sun Lotion – Sunglasses: We recommend the effective Australian RID Insect Repellent. Good Sun blocker cream and sunglasses.
• You will need a Porter and Walking Stick: The services of a porter free you on the often-difficult trail, and a local walking stick helps you and steadies you on the often-challenging path. We supply our clients with both.
Read more about Gorilla Gear and Wear here.
After orientation, you are off on your Gorilla Trek up the volcanoes. You are trekking at an elevation above 2,200 meters, which is not problematic for most. Though the Trek is upward, it is not grueling and poses no problems for those with a moderate fitness level. The bamboo walking stick and
You are off on your Safe and Secure Gorilla Trek with Rangers and a secure escort to visit the Nyakagezi Family 10 members with five Silverbacks, which is highly unusual. The blackbacks have matured into Silverbacks, or the boys have grown into men.
Mark is the leader of the family. He is assisted by his brother Mafia and their father, Bugingo, who used to be the leader and has passed the leadership to his son and plays the role of grandpa. They are followed by the now Silverbacks Ndungutse and Rukundo. Females, Toddlers make up the rest of the family. Keeping up with Gorilla Families is not always easy. A respiratory ailment beset the family in 2019.
Intervention by the Gorilla Doctors saved the day, and they all recovered from what could have been a fatal ailment. Gorilla Trekkers need to go by the rules for Gorilla Trekking.
The length of the Trek is between four to five hours, including one hour with the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family, which is, for most, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Usually, you are back at Mount Gahinga Lodge by about 1:00 pm.
Presently, two gorilla families can be tracked here—the Nyakagezi Family and the Hirwa Family, which are visiting from Rwanda.
Afternoon: You might want to relax, reflect, and enjoy the Drink of Choice in Uganda, Uganda Waragi. We suggest mixing it with Krest Bitter Lemon Soda. Others might want to take advantage of the activities offered by the Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast -Lunch – Dinner
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden Monkey Trekking: You embark on your Golden Trek with Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers. This is a hike up on the sides of the Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla Park to the Bamboo Forest.
There are several thousand endangered Golden Monkeys found in the park. They are beautiful and colorful monkeys, weigh about 30 pounds when mature, and are some of the liveliest monkeys you have ever seen.
The group you are trekking will be about 100 in size, but you do not have time to count them since they are always on the move.
The Trek is about 4 hours long, after which you return to Mount Gahinga Lodge, the only luxury lodge near the park where you can enjoy views of Mount Gahinga and even Lake Mutanda.
Golden Monkey Habituation Experience:
Instead of Golden Monkey Trekking, you can spend more time with them on the Golden Monkey Habituation Experience.
Add a Day – Relax and Chill Out-Unwind on one of Africa’s most scenic and Photographed Lakes:
In 2019, the scenery of Mgahinga Gorilla Park’s Volcanoes as seen from Lake Mutanda became the “Third in the World Must Photograph Locations.” Many of our Clients spend a day or two at the Chameleon Hill Lodge. This is Africa’s funkiest Lodge with its bright colors and Fairy Tale Castle Theme.
Chameleon Hill Lodge is an upmarket Lodge with one of the best views. It is the perfect way to end your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda. The Lodge is close to the border and just 2 1/2 hours from Kigali, Rwanda.
Lake Mutanda is a pristine Lake with emerald Isles framed by brooding Volcanoes. One of our clients exclaimed that it was the most beautiful lake he had ever seen.
You can enjoy a Sundowner Boat ride here, having Uganda’s drink of Choice, Uganda Waragi, with a Krest Bitter Lemon Soda. You can try your hand paddling a dugout canoe. Birding Walk and island discovery boat rides can be done here, such as village walks and nature trails along Lake Mutanda.
What is included in your 5-Day Luxury Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari?
• Experienced Ugandan Driver-Guide: A Safari becomes more enjoyable when you go with a knowledgeable and professional Local Driver-Guide.
• Greet and Meet at Airport upon arrival: We provide meet and greet services, including a welcome gift and Safari Informational Packet.
• Full-Board Lodging: All meals are included except alcoholic drinks, sodas, and snacks that you might order apart from meals. Some luxury Lodges have non-premium alcoholic beverages and sodas.
• Private 4×4 Land Cruiser Safari Vehicle with pop-Up Roof: The vehicle has a car fridge, WiFi, and bottled Water.
• Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla Trekking Permits are included in your Safari. Additionally, we provide porter services, a walking stick for support, and bottled Water. Read our Practical Gorilla Trekking Advice:
• WiFi Internet Access: Most Lodges only provide a WiFi Internet Connection in the main Lodge. We offer you a MiFi Router that gives you and your party access to the internet in your cottage or room, depending on nearby transmission towers. Read Staying in touch with
• Your Dietary Needs can be met: Notify us if you are a vegan, vegetarian, or need a gluten-free diet. Halala dietary requirements can be completed in most instances. Strictly kosher nutritional requirements cannot be met on Safari. a.
• ; Automatic AMREF-Flying Doctors Air-Medivac Insurance coverage: Our clients have covered in the case of a rare need for medical evacuation to a hospital that meets international standards.
I have not included: Visas, Travel Insurance, Tips, laundry, drinks at lodges such as Alcoholic drinks and sodas, and optional activities.
Please contact us if you are interested in this 5-Day Luxury Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari.
Enquire about this Safari:
Contact us anytime to book the Safari tour. We’re happy to help with any questions you have about our itineraries, pricing, or services. Call or email us today. the porter assist you in traversing the not-so-tricky trail.
