As the jungles echo to the calls of great apes and karyenda drummers in a land forged by the violent upheavals of colonial war, civil strife and volcanic explosion. This remarkable trip takes us across some of the most beautiful and emotive landscapes on the African continent, travelling through Rwanda and Eastern Congo as we go in search of the largest gorillas on earth, towering volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains and a people whose lives and traditions have withstood imperialism and some of the bloodiest conflicts of the last century. Beginning in Bujumbura city, we travel eastern into the magnificent primary Karera waterfalls, with the rthym of the Gishora drummers in Gitega as we cross to the vibrant city of Kigali. As the journey continues south-west to montane rainforest of Nyungwe National Park and then onwards to explore the expansive waters of Lake Kivu. Along the way we’ll have a chance to visit the lowland gorillas of DR Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park, climb to the summit of a dormant volcano and meet a cast of fascinating and inspiring characters who will provide a truly unique insight into this incredible part of the continent.
Detailed itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Bujumbura
As you arrive in Bujumbura, our Nyumbu Beyond Journeys Safari guide will warmly welcome you & transfer to hotel accommodation. The rest of the day is left at leisure to relax after your flight. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. No meals nor guided arrangements included today.
DAY 2: Bujumbura city tour & Boat trip on River Rusizi
Today, Rusizi National Park’s wetlands form an ideal habitat for hippos, water-adapted Sitatunga antelope, and a wide variety of birds. Taking a boat trip on the Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika, there’s time to visit a nearby fishing village. Later, we explore a little-known and intriguing African capital. Learn about pre- and post-colonial history, and some of the challenges Burindi has faced. Later, we tour the suburb of Kinama, gaining insight into daily life. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. (BL)
Day 3: Visit Source of the Nile & Karera water falls
After breakfast at 7:00 A.M, drive to the Source of the Nile. Afterwards head to the stunning “Karera Falls”. In the afternoon drive to Gitega to visit the Burundi National Museum and enjoy a cultural visit to Gishora hill and drum performance before transfer to the hotel for an overnight. In Burundi, the drums were the pillar of the political power of the monarchy.
Day 4: Transfer to Kigali via Tanzania one border post Rusumo.
Early in the morning after our breakfast, we embark on a drive to a country of a thousand hills -Rwanda through Tanzania to Kigali with our enroute lunch stop on the way. Arriving in the evening check in at the lodge.
Accommodation:
Day 5: Kigali city tour & transfer to Nyungwe forest.
Early in the morning after our breakfast, we check out and set out to the cleanest city in Africa as we explore Kigali, visit the genocide memorial, one of the numerous burial grounds and popular local tourist attraction as we learn about the whole 1994 Rwanda Genocide.
Later in the mid-morning we will have our early lunch before set off to Nyungwe forest a tropical forest home to a number of primates including chimpanzees.
We check in at the lodge, relax and dinner, overnight stay Nyungwe Hilltop view lodge.
Day 6: Canopy walk and transfer to Bukavu city
After our cozy breakfast, we will drive to the Nyungwe Park headquarters for briefing about our canopy walk and later we embark on a 2hr walk way on top of a tropical rainforest as we spot a number of birdlife, some primates like monkeys and our return we will drive to the Rwanda-DR. Congo border in Rusizi as we cross the border Into Bukavu city on the southern shores of lake Kivu.
Late in the afternoon embark on a historical city tour to explore the historical monuments in the city and send your evening relaxing on the lodge lounge, dinner and over night Orchid Safari club lodge.
Day 7: Lowland Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
After early breakfast, drive to Kahuzi Biega National Park for the trekking of the lowland gorillas. Kahuzi-Biega about 600 sq. km, is where the first gorilla tourism was started in the 70th. At the moment in 2012 there are three habituated families of lowland gorillas and the trekking is a real experience of a Congolese jungle.
Bring with you the packed lunch from the hotel as well as be prepared with trekking gear. In the afternoon drive back to Bukavu and explore at leisure the port, the old town and local markets or visit the project for conservation of the chimpanzee (Centre pour la Conservation des Primates). Dinner and overnight in Bukavu, at Orchids Safari Club. Full Board
Day 8: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park- Rwanda
As we watch the sun rise over the beautiful islands lake after our breakfast we check out and start our long day to volcanoes national park home to the rare golden monkeys.
Arriving in the afternoon, we enjoy hot lunch and later we visit the Iby Iwacu cultural village to learn about the cultural tapestry of Rwanda.
Relax at the lodge, dinner and overnight stay at DaVinci Gorilla Lodge
Day 9: Golden Monkey trekking & transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Wake up for an early breakfast and transfer to the park head offices in Kinigi by 7:00 am. Join other golden monkeys’ trekkers and meet the ranger guide for a few minutes to talk about the activity and the park. At 8:00 am, you’ll transfer to the trailhead just outside the park. Enjoy great views of the mountain scenery as you start your trek into the park to find the golden monkeys. The golden monkeys live near the edge of the park in the bamboo forests where the ground is relatively flat and easy to trek. Find the monkeys and follow them as they feed, noticing how they skillfully pick the young bamboo leaves from the tip of the bamboo tree. They may also move out of the park into the potato fields. How they love the potatoes!
After an amazing one hour with the golden monkeys, you will return to the trailhead and drive back to the lodge for lunch. Thereafter, head to the border where after clearing we will proceed to Bwindi.
Dinner and overnight stay: Ichumbi Gorilla lodge
Day 10: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After early morning breakfast, walk to the park headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don’ts during gorilla tracking. Thereafter, you will proceed to the gorilla trail. Gorilla tracking normally lasts between 2 to 8 hours or even a day to encounter the gorillas. However, you’ll be allowed to stay in the presence of these awesome apes for at least an hour. It is advisable that you carry packed lunch, which will be provided, as one cannot determine how long it may take to encounter the mountain gorillas. After this thrilling activity, you will head back to the lodge for lunch and relaxation then later head out for the Batwa cultural tour (Community Tours).
Dinner and overnight stay: Bird Nest Resort lake Bunyonyi
Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park through Ishasha Sector in Search of Tree-Climbing Lions
On the way from lake Bunyonyi, we will drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, popularly known for the tree-climbing lions. While the sighting of the tree-climbing lions is not 100% guaranteed, a stopover at Ishasha is worth a visit! After the Ishasha game drive, proceed to the Kasenyi plains famous for the cats of Queen Elizabeth for evening game drive before we drive back to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight stay: Aardvark Safari lodge
Day 12: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Queen Elizabeth has amazing Kasenyi sector which has Acacia climbing lions with likely chances of spotting the Leopard, Buffalo, Hyena. If you love Birds then this sector also has many craft shops and salty crater lake where flamingos can be seen during the day. After Lunch, you will take a boat safari in the Kazinga channel then connects Lake George and Lake Albert. Here you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly see anywhere) as well as a lot of animals rushing to drink in the water hole. It is amazing to see how crocodiles of this area live in harmony with the rest of the animals without feeding on them.
Dinner and overnight stay: Aardvark Safari lodge
Day 13: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Drive to Bigodi, Kibale N/P
Today we take a picturesque route through the rift valley while enjoying spectacular views of Lake Albert and beautiful little villages. The trip lasts 3 hours and may be tiring but incredible views of the farmlands and the lush green countryside that is typical of Uganda will keep you relaxed Because you’ve been traveling with a stop to visit the famous lake Nyinambunga and other carters for panoramic photography views reaching our lodge around lunch time. Spend the evening at leisure enjoying the amazing views of the Kibale forest where you will track the chimpanzees the next morning.
Dinner and overnight stay: Chimpanzee Forest lodge
DAY 6: Chimpanzee tracking & Bigodi Community tour.
Start the day with an early breakfast and prepare to meet our cousins in the Wild. It is recommended that you carry enough drinking water and in case you opt to go for Chimpanzee habituation rather than tracking, packed lunch will be a better option our tour begins with a briefing where a ranger gives you rules and regulations for encounters with chimpanzees, birds, and monkeys. In the afternoon we embark on a community tour that will take you through the small communities, swamps, and tea plantations.
The locals here will teach you how to make craft, herbal medicine and you will have the opportunity to taste some of the finest locally made coffee, gins, and beers Nevertheless, the highlight of these walks is the transition to see at least five different species of monkeys and catch a glimpse of the Blue Turaco.
Dinner and overnight stay: Chimpanzee Forest lodge
DAY 15: Transfer to Entebbe, depart back home!
After breakfast, we make our final journey towards Entebbe, stopping for lunch en-route. Transfer to Entebbe International Airport in time to catch your international flight.
End of the safari
Inclusions
Gorilla trekking
Chimpanzee trekking
Accommodation
Transportation
Experts safari guides
Safari vehicle 4×4
Park entry
Local community tours
Canopy walk in Nyungwe
Boat cruises
Exclusions
International air fares
Entry visa (for DR. Congo, Transit visa through Tanzania)
Meals that are not part of your accommodation;
A porter for during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack);
Personal (medical/travel) insurance;
Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.;
All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)
PRICE
| NO /PEOPLE | 1PAX | 2PAX | 3PAX | 4PAX | 5PAX | 6PAX |
| QUOTATION | $ 12870 | $ 8757 | $ 7996 | $ 7128 | $ 6983 | $ 6585 |
Team Leader $5000
Tour leader rates apply to 5+ Pax
Thank you! For choosing to travel with Nyumbu Beyond Journeys.