Gorillas
A highlight of Rwanda is gorilla trekking in the Virunga Mountains but for the travelers with more time, adding a 2nd stop in Nyungwe Forest offers the opportunity to also trek for chimpanzees.
Why choose Rwanda for your gorilla trekking excursion? Efficiency and luxury. Rwanda is logistically easy to travel with flight connecting from Europe and East Africa. The country is incredibly beautiful and the gorilla trekking experience is practically guaranteed. Among gorilla trekking destinations, Rwanda offers a variety of ultra-luxe accommodations and has adapted the philosophy of low volume, high experience when it comes to tourists.
Rwanda is a fascinating and unique country. Your adventure starts with an overnight stay in Kigali. The following day you will have a privately guided city tour with a visit to the genocide museum. Rwanda’s history is one of the most fascinating aspects to this destination. After your tour you will continue by road to your luxury lodge situated amongst the forested Virunga mountains. This property offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and plenty of activities offering the perfect combination of exploration and relaxation. The focus of your stay will be the two treks to find the magnificent Mountain Gorillas which no doubt will be one of the top wildlife experiences of your lives. A trek can last anywhere from 1 – 8 hours and travelers hike in groups of 8 accompanied by your expert ranger guide and porters. Surprisingly, all fitness levels can be accommodated as we can arrange a “safari chair” to take you up the mountain. Conservation activities such as lunch with a representative from Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and a meeting with The Gorilla Doctors can be arranged on request.
For those looking to add chimpanzee trekking to your experience, continue via helicopter flight across the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ along Lake Kivu to Nyungwe Forest where you will spend time exploring this biodiverse forest boasting thirteen species of primates including chimpanzees. A friend once said, “Spending time with the gorillas is like going to church… when you’re with the chimps, it’s like being in a motorcycle bar.” Get ready for an exciting few days!
Venture into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda, where you will trek for critically endangered mountain gorillas. There are only about 1 000 gorillas left on earth, making this a bucket-list experience of a lifetime. You will also get to meet up with some local people in the nearby Buhoma Village, where you will get an insight into the cultural aspect of this beautiful country.
Your trip begins with arrival at Entebbe International Airport. You will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight. The following day, you’ll enjoy breakfast at the hotel then fly by scheduled light aircraft to transfer to Kihihi in southwestern Uganda.
Spend 2 nights at your forest camp, nestled deep inside the world-famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Relax on your first afternoon at the lodge and gather your strength for your trekking activity, starting early the following morning.
You’ll wake up at 6:00 am and prepare for the unforgettable day ahead. After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters (5 mins walk) for a quick brief on your gorilla trek. Then, you will set off into the forest in the footsteps of the Mountain Gorillas, led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes.
Once you find the gorilla troop you are tracking, you will be allowed an hour with the gorillas.
Wake up and enjoy breakfast the next day. After your check out, you will be transferred to Kihihi Airstrip to take your scheduled flight back to Entebbe. Overnight in Entebbe and depart the following day.
This itinerary is for the active adventurer. Most gorilla trekking itineraries include 1 or 2 gorilla treks. This itinerary includes 3 gorilla treks, offering multiple chances to observe these captivating and critically endangered animals. The experience of gorilla trekking in the Congo is wild compared to Rwanda and Uganda, so we only recommend this trip for the truly adventurous wanting an immersive experience.
Your trip begins in Brazzaville, where you’ll take your light aircraft flight north to your forest camp surrounded by greenery and immersed in natural beauty. You’ll first meet with the Western Lowland Gorilla research team and settle in for your 3-night stay. The next few days will be spent gorilla trekking daily, with your final trek taking place the morning before you depart. Additional activities include guided forest night walks and community and cultural interactions.
Next, private transfer by road through Mbomo village and the Odzala-Kokoua National Park for one night in your camp set along the Lekoli River amidst the lush green forest-line of the savannah creating privacy.
Have lunch followed by a kayak safari or sundowner river cruise. Finally, fly back to Brazzaville after breakfast and continue your onward journey.
You can extend this trip to include more time at each camp, plus the addition of a third camp for those looking for a longer trip. Alternatively, this trip works in combination with an Ethiopian or France Itinerary.
If you’re a gorilla superfan? You can also combine this itinerary with a Rwanda itinerary and trek for the Western Lowland and the Mountain gorillas on the same trip.
