Africa Gorilla Expedition

Arrive Entebbe, Uganda and make your way through customs. Meet your expert guide who will travel with you for your entire journey. Drive south towards Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge, your home for the next three nights. En route, visit the royal drum makers, and stand on the equator before arriving to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy a drink on the veranda of the lodge and enjoy an amazing view of the Rwenzori Mountains before sitting down to dinner with your fellow adventurers.

NOTE: You must arrive no later that 11 AM on day 1. Please let your travel consultant know if you need to arrive the day before the trip starts.

Start the day with an early morning game drive. Depending on the season visit Kasenyi Plains to watch for lions and herds of Uganda Kob, or the Mweya peninsula, which offers the best place to see leopards. Depending on the animal sightings, there may be time to visit the Kyambura Women's Coffee Cooperative and its coffee processing station, or go birding in the wetland reserve.

Today you venture into the Kyambura Gorge to track chimpanzee, one of our closets living relatives. The chimp population is extremely mobile, and tracking can be unpredictable, but any visit to the gorge will be worthwhile. This afternoon, cruise the Kazinga Channel, where you will find the largest concentration of hippo in Africa, as well as herds of elephant, buffalo and other animals that seek the cool water of the channel. Keep your eyes peeled for pelicans, Africa fish eagle, and other birds.

Move from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Bwindi forest today. The route is subject to the road conditions and may take the majority of the day. Drive via Ishasha, where you will observe tree-climbing lions. Notice the change in surroundings as you move into the thick forest of Southern Uganda. Arrive at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge in time for dinner.

Enjoy an early breakfast before departing the lodge in search of gorillas. The Bwindi habitat is steep and densely forested and the trek requires stamina, as it can take the better part of a day to come across the gorillas. The first moment you finally see the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged moment. If you would like a change of pace, enjoy any of the other activities hosted by the lodge.

The day is yours to spend as you wish! Choose between another gorilla tracking adventure (fees apply) or any of the optional activities hosted by the Bwindi Lodge.

After breakfast journey through bamboo forests and on mountain roads on your way to Kanaba Gap, where you will have spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink on the veranda of the Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge and soak in the breathtaking views of the nearby volcano.

Accompanied by Batwa elders, walk the Batwa trail and learn about their unique cultural heritage. Watch as the Batwa demonstrate their traditional hunting techniques, and listen as they share their in-depth knowledge of medicinal plants. Visit the sacred Ngarama cave and enjoy the music and dance of this interesting culture. Alternatively, you can participate other activities offered at the lodge.

Take the opportunity to try out another of the optional activities offered at the lodge (except Gorilla Tracking) this morning. Mid-morning you head south to Rwanda and Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, near Lake Bulera and Ruhondo. Watch the changing landscape for the next few hours as you enter Rwanda. Tonight, enjoy a performance for the Intore Dance troupe (weather permitting).

Through the mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga range we track gorillas. Once you locate the troop, spend one hour with these amazing primates. Usually, you return to camp in time for a late lunch, however, some of the gorilla families are elusive, and tracking can take a full day.

Today participate in the activity of your choice hosted by the Virunga Lodge. Choose to track gorillas in the Parc National des Volcans (fees apply), or opt for another activity here.

Your journey comes to an end as you arrive to Kigali. Depending on your international flight times you may have the opportunity for a city tour, or a visit to the Genocide Memorial. Return to your hotel, or transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.

Note: Flights must depart after 4 PM. Earlier flight times will require an overnight in Kigali.