5 Days Rift Valley circuit
Tour Details
For many tourists, gorilla tracking is the highlight of their trip and often a reason to travel to Uganda. In Uganda, you can visit the Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP and Mgahinga Gorilla NP. Bwindi is Africa’s oldest rainforest and has beautiful ridges, steep valleys, and waterfalls. Be prepared for some steep hikes though. Buhoma is the most accessible track, whereas in Rushaga you can find the largest number of primates. Mgahinga is the path less traveled. Occasionally the gorillas cross to Rwanda but don’t worry as you will get a replacement ticket for Bwindi.
The Batwa Experience in Buhoma (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) is the original Batwa cultural walk. The Batwa Trail and the Buniga Forest Walk are heavily inspired by its success, attempting to replicate it with Batwa communities from other parts of the Gorilla Highlands region.
The Batwa Experience happens in a forest bordering the national park, an area that can be relatively steep. A path in excellent condition leads from one station to another, showcasing traditional herbalist knowledge, hunting techniques, forest shelters, and more. The crescendo is reached at a spacious purposely-built hut that acts as a dance floor and dining area. The dancing includes an elaborately and impressively costumed deity that is quite a scary sight. The food served has little to do with the Batwa forest diet; it is instead a tasty example of what rural Ugandans usually eat: matooke (plantains), goat stew, and fruits.
The activity lasts about 5 hours and can be started any time from early morning to early afternoon. Up to 12 visitors can go at once; two groups per day can be served.
Trip Highlights
- Batwa Experience
- Uganda Cultural Safaris
- Gorilla Tracking
- Bwindi Impenetrable N.P
- Mgahinga Gorilla NP
- Wild Expeditions Uganda
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: On arrival at Kigali International Airport
Our company driver from Wild Expeditions Uganda will pick you up from the airport or your hotel and brief you on your overall tour. After the briefing, the driver will take you for the popular Kigali city tour where you will visit the presidential palace museum, one of the city markets, the genocide memorial centre and one souvenir shop. You should also be able to drive around to see some of the prominent buildings and suburbs. Kigali is a small but very neat city and you will love the tour. After the city tour, you will start the long journey to Nyungwe National Park. Nyungwe forest is located in the southwestern part of the country and is famous for chimpanzee tracking, smaller primate viewing, nature walks, birding and taking a forest canopy walk. The journey to the park takes about 5 hours but you won’t get bored, as the scenery and landmarks along the way are amazing. Dinner and Overnight will be at Gisakura Guest House (Budget), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range) and Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking – Canopy walks in Nyungwe forest
Wake up very early and have breakfast before being driven to the Nyungwe forest offices for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. The briefing covers topics about the history of the forest, wildlife to be found, what to expect and how to prepare. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda takes between 2 to 6 hours. Very experienced Guides/Rangers will escort you. Although you will be looking out for the chimps, Nyungwe forest is home to 12 other species of primates. Golden monkeys are almost impossible to spot here but expect to see the 11 other species. The park Guides will explain everything about the forest and the different species of wildlife. After tracking the chimpanzees, you will be taken back to your lodge for lunch and rest. Late in the afternoon, you will go for the forest canopy walk. The canopy walk in Nyungwe was one of the very first to be established in East Africa. It offers tourists an opportunity to get an aerial view of the park while working across the viewing platform. From the viewing platform, you can spot butterflies, birds, primates and the different trees species. By the end of the day, you would be tired but happy to have had amazing wildlife encounters in a lush green African forest. We hope that you ask as many questions as possible during your time with the park officials. Dinner and Overnight will be at Gisakura Guest House (Budget), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range) and Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Visit the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
Wake up at your own time, have breakfasts and checkout. The safari guide will pick you up and proceed to the Volcanoes National Park. You will drive by the beautiful Lake Kivu and other beautiful features. Take as many photos of the lake as you can. Rwanda has a beautiful countryside with rolling hills, green plantations and welcoming locals. Lunch will be taken along the way. Once you reach the park, you will check in and have a rest before going out to visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. If there is time, you can take a boat and visit the islands or watch the birds. Dinner and overnight at The 5 Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Hotel Muhabura (Budget).
Day 4: Gorilla trekking – Tour the Iby’iwacu cultural village
Briefing for gorilla tracking at the Volcanoes National Park starts at 7:00 am. Wake up early and take your breakfast then head to the park headquarters in Musanze. Request your hotel to pack for you lunch and enough drinking water. While attending the briefing, you will learn about the gorilla trekking rules, what to expect and the creatures in the park. There are 10 habituated gorilla families in Rwanda. You will be assigned one based on your overall fitness and age among other factors. The time taken tracking mountain gorillas is unpredictable but we estimate between 2 to 6 hours at most. The activity can be very challenging but the opportunity to observe a group of gorillas in the wild is very rewarding. The safety and security of visitors while tracking mountain gorillas are guaranteed, as mountain gorillas are generally calm and peaceful. Take as many photos of the group as you will be with them for only one hour. Always remain calm even when they get close to you and follow guidance from your park guide. Once you have finished observing the primates for one hour, you will go back to the starting point where you will find our safari guide waiting for you. Take lunch at the hotel and have some rest. Later in the evening, you will go to the Iby’iwacu cultural village, which is very close to the park. The Centre is now referred to as the Gorilla Guardians Village. It started as a place where former poachers would sell their artisan products to tourists but has now turned into a centre of excellence in cultural performances. Enjoy watching traditional dance performances and visit each part of the facility to learn about the culture of the different tribes in Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at The 5 Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Hotel Muhabura (Budget).
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking – Departure
Wake up early once again, have breakfast and proceed to the park offices in Kinigi. You will meet other travellers who have assembled to take part in the briefing for golden monkey trekking. After the briefing, the park guides will take you to search for the monkeys in the bamboo forests. Unlike gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking in Rwanda takes a shorter time. Expect to complete the activity in 4 hours at most. Golden monkeys are cute but endangered primates. They are only found in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. Golden monkeys are very playful and feel very comfortable with flash cameras, unlike gorillas. After spending time with the primates, you will head back to the starting point and find our driver waiting to take you back to the hotel for checkout before departing to Kigali. The journey back to Kigali takes between 2 to 3 hours. The driver will take you to the airport for departure.
End of Tour
Mugisha Henry
Hotel Information
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Ishasha Wilderness Camp
- Jacana Lodge
- Mweya Safari Lodge
The price includes
- Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English speaking Driver/guide, Accommodation as shown at the lodges mentioned in the itinerary; Meals as shown (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), all Park Entrance Fees, Equator shopping, Gorilla Tracking, Batwa Experience, and Airport Transfer.
The price excludes
- International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Ugandan Entry Visa Fees; fees for International travel Vaccinations and Inoculations; Items of personal nature such us Room service, Beverages, Communications charges (telephone, fax, internet), Laundry, etc.; Postage fees, Porterage fees, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff, Shopping charges for Curios and Crafts, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities unless specified as included, Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.
NB: Prices are current, net and subject to change. Availability of accommodations and activities is not guaranteed; reservations will be made after receiving confirmation of the final itinerary and the requested deposit. Should any of the included accommodations not be available, we reserve the right to substitute it with alternative suitable accommodation, which might affect the final quoted price. Gorilla and Chimp permits can only be secured after receiving the requested deposit. The estimated travelling hours are based on the actual hours of driving. Stops for lunch and photos are not included.