This 7 Days Congo, Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is the perfect combination for gorilla trekking, habituation and primate tracking in the world’s top three great ape and primate destinations. During this safari, you will be travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, gorilla habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and finally golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. This tour begins and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.
Highlights for 7 Days Congo Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Day 2: Transfer to Bukavu-Congo- Optional City town
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Day 4: Pick up and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park – Kisoro
Day 5: Gorilla habituation experience
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes national park (Rwanda) – Iby’iwacu village tour
Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking – drop off Kigali
Detailed Itinerary for 7 Days Congo Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Upon your arrival in Kigali, you will be met by our company representative and drive to your lodge. If your flight lands in Kigali early, you will take a tour of Kigali city where you can visit interesting places like the genocide memorial center, Inema Arts center, Richard Kandt center, Caplaki Craft Village and Nyamirambo Women’s center among others.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Kigali.
Day 2: Transfer to Bukavu-Congo- Optional City town
Breakfast will be served at your hotel and you will then meet up with your guide. Set off from Kigali early and embark on approximately 6-7 hour’s drive Rusizi border where you will check-in at the immigrations office before crossing over to Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Once you have been cleared at the immigrations post, you will meet your Congo guide and drive to your hotel in Bukavu town.
If you wish, you can do an optional tour of Bukavu town or visit Lwiro sanctuary where you will pay a visit to orphaned and rescued chimpanzees and other primate species that have been rescued from the snares of poachers and are being rehabilitated at the sanctuary.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Wake up early in the morning and have breakfast at your hotel. You will then drive to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the park’s head guide. You will then be placed in a group of eight trekkers and lead by the park rangers and guides into the forest in search for eastern lowland gorillas. Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park can take between 1 to 6 hours depending on their location.
Once you have located a group of lowland gorillas, you will be given an hour to spend with the gorillas. Get to use this opportunity to take pictures of these amazing apes, and also study their habits and physical features.
Have your packed lunch and then head back to your lodge. Rest at your lodge for the evening as you unwind and reflect on the wonderful day you just had!
Dinner will be served at your lodge.
Day 4: Pick up and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park – Kisoro
Have your breakfast early in the morning and embark on your drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park located in the western part of Uganda. You will have a stopover at Lake Kivu for lunch and to take pictures of the beautiful scenery of the lake and surroundings. Proceed to Bwindi arriving in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 5: Gorilla habituation experience
Enjoy early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch for briefing by the ranger guides and later head into the forest for your trek. Gorilla habituation in Bwindi involves visiting a semi-habituated gorilla family that is under the process of habituation. This activity takes a whole day and you are granted 4 hours to stay with the gorillas. After the habituation experience, meet your guide and drive back to your lodge to rest. Dinner and overnight at lodge as above
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes national park (Rwanda) – Iby’iwacu village tour
After breakfast, you will drive to Kisoro to across the Uganda –Rwanda- Cyanika Border to connect to Volcanoes National Park, which is about 3-4 hours’ drive. Upon arrival, visit the Iby’iwacu village for a cultural tour before you check-in at your booked lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking – drop off Kigali
After breakfast, drive to the park head offices and then have a briefing about the golden monkeys and thereafter enter into the park taking the golden monkey tracking trail and on this experience other primates, birds, butterflies will be spotted. After spending time with the golden monkeys have lunch and after embark on your journey back to Kigali to either your hotel or airport for your return flight with memories of your safari.
End of your 7 Days Congo, Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari!
