5 Days Rwanda – Uganda Eco Primate Experience

Have breakfast at the lodge on a leisurely morning and go for Buhanga Eco Park – nature experience. (Subject to change based on arrival timing).

Visit Buhanga Eco Park: This Eco Park covers a small forest zone of about 31 hectares of land and it is considered a sacred place due to its cultural significance. Back in the monarchy era in Rwanda, Buhanga was home to the first King Gahinga believed to be the founder of the country’s only kingdom until the reign of King Yuhi V Musinga whose leadership had roots in Nyanza, which became home to the High Palace but currently a museum. Buhanga Eco Park remained a vital venue where all kings were crowned; thus consists of many sacred sites, once used for rituals performed in the coronation ceremonies. On your guided tour; enjoy a nature walk through rugged trails forged with cut lava stones strolling through crawling plants, sprawling trees and shrubs, as you listen to the rhythms of birds and crickets, before approaching a small ditch where the king’s assistants “Abiru” would pick herbs for making a ritual bath for the king on his coronation day. You will visit the dark cave surrounded by huge boulders where the king would be brought for a ritual bath, also see an ancient conference podium made out of hard-cut lava rocks, and here is where the King after his ritual bath, would receive instruments of power, and declared a newly crowned king (Umwami) of Rwanda.

Returning to the lodge will be for lunch and refreshments.  

Afternoon: Iby’Iwacu “Gorilla Guardians” Village visit:  This cultural village convinced ex-poachers to turn away from poaching to showcase the culture of Rwanda to all visiting guests. Once you make it here, visit a traditional house of a traditional king, witness an authentic herbalist preparing herbal mixtures and explore their various uses, try your hand at a traditional bow and arrow shooting or enjoy cultural performances.

Get back to the lodge in the evening and refresh for dinner at leisure.

Overnight: The Bishop’s House – or similar

Meal Plan: Full Board

Journey Time: 3 – 4 Hours               

Have an early breakfast at the lodge and check-out. Thereafter transfer to the park headquarters at Kinigi to register and be briefed for the trek.

Volcanoes Golden Monkey tracking: Following completion of the park formalities, go for a once in an exciting experience of tracking the endangered golden monkeys. Entering dense bamboo interspersed with open glades, you will make your way deep into the golden monkey territory of Volcanoes National Park. Ranger guides will lead you to the habitat of groups of ‘habituated’ golden monkeys; that have become accustomed to human presence. Although viewing is kept to a maximum of one hour, travellers a closer interaction with the golden monkeys in their natural habitat; best moment for primate photography.

What to pack; Safety hiking boots, Trousers, gloves for protection against stinging nettles, extra water since the rain forest gets hot and humid in day time.

Volcanoes National Park; in the Northern Province of Rwanda (Ruhengeri) covering 160Sq.km, was turned into a wildlife conservation area in the early 1920’s same time as Virunga National Park of D.R. Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda. The trio form what is known as the Virunga conservation region for the main purpose of protecting the elusive mountain gorillas. The arrival of Dian Fossey in 1967 and establishment of Karisoke Research Centre increased publicity of the park.

Thereafter, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park across the border. Arrive and have lunch at the lodge in Bwindi. After lunch the afternoon is yours at leisure.

Included (01 Treat of your choice): Enjoy the lodge’s soothing Mist Spa services – subject to availability at the lodge booked.

Overnight: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – Or similar

Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast you will be handed a lunchbox and mineral water to put in your backpack, then proceed to the park office for registration and briefing.

Bwindi Gorilla tracking experience: Upon completing your park formalities, you will embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking Uganda’s mountain gorillas.
Once you meet the gorillas on a tracking adventure, you are allowed between 1 to 2 hours watching and photographing them. This is perhaps one of the most breath-taking primate experience on earth!!! You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. These massive primates are extremely rare, with less than 1000 living today, but you will get within meters with the gorillas photographing and observing their unique character. Gorilla tracking is fairly strenuous experience which takes between 1 to 2 hours at a relatively high altitude. The chances of seeing the gorillas are at 99%; so this is a guaranteed primate experience. Your ranger guide will identify a safe and scenic spot where you can settle for a picnic lunch after which you will proceed with the Trek or return to the lodge. (Subject to change).

Note: Carry along hiking boots, long trousers, and gloves for protection against stinging nettles as well as sufficient water as the rain forest gets hot and humid during the day. 

Afternoon Activity: Buniga Batwa trail and Top of the World Sundowner walk  

Buniga Batwa Cultural Trail – this trail exhibits a mutual relationship between the Batwa and the jungle before their expulsion in the process of converting this forest into a protected reserve. In a bid to promote their unique heritage and traditions; the Batwa will walk you through their small pocket forests, showcasing their ancient forest life during their occupation of the rain forest. Approach the Batwa settlement and observe how the women go about cooking and serving a traditional meal. Continue to visit herbalists so as to explore the various herbs plus medicinal significance, and listening to ancient legends alongside traditional songs. You will as well explore their lifestyle (from religion to food gathering, hunting skills, and creating fire from rubbing sticks). Additionally; you will as well walk across a rich biodiversity composed of indigenous plant species (with medicinal benefits) such as the Giant lobelias, tree ferns, and Syzygium, with over 100 bird species alongside mammals such as Duikers, B/W colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys.

Have a sundower at Nkuringo’s scenic Top of the World; several drinks and snacks will be served as you experience a golden sunset across the tropical rainforest (subject to change).

Return to the lodge late evening to refresh for dinner at leisure.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: Located in south-western Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities. The rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys and steep ridges. This untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its breath-taking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other draw cards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 bird species and several butterflies.

Overnight: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – Or similar

Meal Plan: Full Board

Journey time: 4 – 5 hours

Have breakfast at the lodge enjoying a golden sunrise above the tropical rainforest. Depart the lodge not later than 9AM. Arrive in Kigali for lunch at Heaven Restaurant. 

If guests have a late flight: a city tour of Kigali is offered.  

Kigali City: Named in 1907 by Dr Richard Kandt, the first colonial resident governor of Rwanda; Kigali city is surrounded by lush green hills and it is referred to as the land of a thousand hills. On your city tour; visit a local market, Kigali Genocide Memorial and Kigali Museum. In addition to sightseeing, the city’s highlight is Kigali Genocide Memorial Site; this offered a place in which the bereaved could bury their families and friends, now over 250,000 victims are buried at the site. This site also includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the genocide of April 1994. There is also a children's memorial, and an exhibition on the history of global genocide violence.

A day room (12:00 – 17:00) at Kigali Serena Hotel. Arrive at the airport and proceed to check-in for your flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, and Lunch at a Restaurant.

END–SAFARI

DISCLAIMER:

• The journey time(s) stated in the itinerary is an estimation and it is subject to variation depending on traffic and road conditions.


• Listed accommodation options are subject to availability at the time of booking. If not available, similar properties will be considered.


• Kindly note that we cannot determine which of the five sectors of Bwindi you will be allocated as this will be depend on availability at the time of booking.


• Rates are subject to change without a prior notice due to factors out of our control. We will notify you concerning any top-ups as a result, if the booking is not made within the same period of inquiry.