Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at Kigali international airport, you are met by LIFETIMA AFRICA EXPEDITIONS representative and you are transferred to your hotel in Kigali where you will have a detailed briefing on your safari. Overnight at your hotel in Kigali.
Day 2: Kigali City tour + Genocide memorial– Volcanoes National Park
Have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and afterward, embark on a City tour of Kigali including the Genocide Memorial site a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent’s lives in 1994. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience.
The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 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. Lunch at Hotel Des Milles Collines famously known because of the movie Hotel Rwanda. Thereafter depart to Ruhengeri the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town itself, located only 25km from Uganda border, is relatively a small city. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The Town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Ruhengeri.
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Tracking
Early breakfast at your lodge.
Early transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs
0700 hrs: Registration, where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 80 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group. Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point. Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear. The cost, US$10 per person/per day. We advise that you utilize this service. Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. After the trek, join your driver guide for a transfer back to your lodge.
Dinner and overnight in Ruhengeri.
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park – Golden monkeys
Early breakfast at your lodge.
Early transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs
0700 hrs: Registration at the Volcanoes National Park Offices followed by a transfer to your Trailhead. Golden Monkeys are among the most endangered primates in Africa and is believed the only viable population of these monkeys is in the Virunga Volcanoes. The golden monkey is a distinct species of guenon - Cercopithecus Kandti and is endemic to the Albertine Rift. Two groups each with over 100 individuals are being habituated for visitors in the Virungas. The Kabatwa group, found in the east of the park on the flanks of the Sabyinyo volcano and the Musongo group higher up on the flanks of the Karisimbi volcano at an altitude of about 2800-3000 meters. After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide for a transfer back to your Lodge. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Ruhengeri.
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park – Uganda – Bwindi National Park
Today you will cross the Rwanda-Uganda border and from there you continue to Bwindi while enjoying panoramic views. There is lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at your
lodge in Bwindi.
Day 6: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the gentle giants! Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your
assigned gorilla family as well as safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; it is totally a unique and unforgettable experience! Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Bwindi.
Day 7: Bwindi National Park - Queen Elizabeth
After breakfast we depart to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing though the southern sector of the national park. This part is called Ishasha and is famous for the
tree climbing lions. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park
The day begins early when we start with a morning game drive, we search for Uganda kobs, lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat before
returning for lunch. In the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. Thanks to the abundant birdlife that is sighted, and the elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos that are cooling off at the shores, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Dinner and overnight at your lodge at Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kibale National Park
After breakfast transfer to Kibale National Park. In the afternoon, you will go for chimps tracking. Kibale Forest is reputable of having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and- white colobus monkey and many others. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Kibale National Park.
Day 10: Kibale National Park – Entebbe
Have breakfast at your lodge.
Today you will drive to Entebbe with a lunch en-route. Overnight at your lodge in Entebbe
Day 11: Ngamba Island
Today you will be transferred to the pier in Entebbe, from where you will take a pleasant boat ride on Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island. Once arrived, you will be given an introduction and a briefing on the chimps’ sanctuary. It is astounding to watch the chimps feed; interact with each other and with their keepers. Dinner and overnight at Ngamba Island.
Day 12: Ngamba Island
Have breakfast at your lodge
Today you will enjoy the boat ride from the island and be transferred back to your Hotel in Entebbe for overnight.
Day 13: Departure
Have a leisure breakfast at your hotel.
Later, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.