5-Day Gorilla Trekking Tour

Trip Highlights

• You will visit Rwanda and Uganda, with Thousand Hills Expeditions..
• Main destination is Kigali town and Mgahinga Impenetrable National Park/Forest.
• Main activities include: Kigali City tour , Batwa Experience and Gorilla Trekking,
• Trip starts in Kigali and ends in Kigali.
• You will stay in either mid-range lodges or high end lodges with meals included.
• You will be travelling in a 4×4 safari vehicle.

Day 1

You will be met by a representative from Thousand Hills representative, who will assist you with customs and immigration clearance. Thereafter you will be handled over to a driver and be transferred to the hotel.

Lunch and dinner under own arrangements.

Accommodating at at either luxury properties or Mid-range properties. ( BB)

Day 2

After breakfast you will go for a city tour which includes visit Central Markets, Rwandan Genocide Memorial,

The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for a hundred years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare. Since then, the city has seen major economic development resulting in what it is today; a vibrant African city of 1 million with wide boulevards, an international airport, world-class hotels and restaurants, crafts & crafts centres as well as a lively, cosmopolitan population.

Pay a moving visit to the Kigali Memorial Centre – we feel it puts a lot else in perspective. Established in 2004 as a permanent memorial to the victims of the widely documented Rwandan genocide in 1994 it is a constant reminder of the cost of ignorance - it also serves as a place for people to grieve those they lost. Learn about Rwanda’s history pre-colonial to 1994 genocide as well as other genocides in the world.

Have lunch under your own account. later be transferred to Mgahinga national park .After clearing with the immigration at Rwanda/Uganda at Cyanika boarder you will continue your journey to the Lodge (Approx. 3 hours’ drive)

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a tropical rainforest, is situated in the southwestern corner of Uganda, on the border with Rwanda and DR Congo, 540 kms from Kampala and 14 km south of Kisoro. One of Uganda’s smallest parks at a mere 33.7 km², she encompasses the slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes - Muhavura (4,127 m), Gahinga (3,474 m) and Sabyinyo (3,645 m) - thus protecting the Ugandan part of the Virungas, their huge volcanic cones dominate her entire landscape.

Besides the Nyakagezi, the one habituated gorilla family consisting of 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants, this little gem is also home to Black & White Colobus monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Leopard, Forest elephant, Giant forest hog, etc.

Activities in this park include Gorilla Tracking (the Nyakagezi group sometimes crosses the border into Rwanda thus not very reliable), a popular 6 hours round trip hike through a pure Bamboo forest as well as Bird walks in search of the park’s 79 bird species including several endemics to East Congo Montane region..

In the afternoon you can either relax at the lodge or walk around the lodge.

Accommodating at at either luxury properties or Mid-range properties. All meals includes.

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Day 3

Wake up and prepare for the unforgettable experience! After an early breakfast transfer to the park HQs for pre-Gorilla tracking briefing and about the gorilla family you will track then 08:00 AM: set off into the forest in the footsteps of the Mountain Gorillas. You will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the gorilla tracking begins. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young. Follow the mountain gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest, and discover their gorgeous natural habitual and the many species they share it with. You are allowed an hour with the gorillas.

The trekking can take from 1 to 5 hours but sometime it might take long hours. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film is recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. It is important to take plenty of water.

Afterwards trek back to the lodge for lunch and a refreshing shower.

In the afternoon go for a Batwa experience - entertained with the local music and dance

Accommodating at at either luxury properties or Mid-range properties. All meals includes.

Day 4

Wake up and prepare for the second unforgettable experience! After an early breakfast transfer to the park HQs for pre-Gorilla tracking briefing and about the gorilla family you will track then 08:00 AM: set off into the forest in the footsteps of the Mountain Gorillas. You will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the gorilla tracking begins. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young. Follow the mountain gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest, and discover their gorgeous natural habitual and the many species they share it with. You are allowed an hour with the gorillas.

The trekking can take from 1 to 5 hours but sometime it might take long hours. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film is recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. It is important to take plenty of water.

Afterwards trek back to the lodge for lunch and a refreshing shower.

Accommodating at at either luxury properties or Mid-range properties. All meals includes.

Day 5

You will be collected from the lodge and be transferred to Cyanika onto Uganda/’Rwanda boarder after clearing with the immigrations you will continue your drive to Kigali airport to check in for your international flight to your next destination which departs at 22:20hrs