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Gorilla Trekking Rwanda, Uganda
7 days / 6 nights
Kigali, Parc National des Volcans, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Entebbe

DAY 1: ARRIVAL > KIGALI
Arrival into Kigali International Airport (KGL), meet your English Speaking Driver / Guide (ESD/G) and transfer to the hotel
Rest of the day is at leisure

DAY 2: KIGALI > PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS
Breakfast at the hotel or arrival into Kigali
Meet your ESD/G and depart on your Kigali city tour, including lunch
Amongst other places to visit on this tour you will visit the genocide memorial.
Thereafter transfer to the lodge
Dinner at the lodge

DAY 3: PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS
Early breakfast at the lodge
06:20 Meet your ESD/G and transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs for your Gorilla trekking.
07:00 Registration is a simple process 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 gorilla groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There is a total of 88 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. 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.
Your trek again starts in the cultivated foothills of the Virunga’s offering stirring views in all directions. When it enters the national park, trekkers will be immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the colorful bird calls, chattering golden monkeys, littered with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, among the highest in Africa yet easily accessible, beckon an ascent.Weaving through overhanging vines, moss-covered hagenia trees and giant lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate, our experienced trackers, who have spent their entire lives in or close to this forest, soon bring us up close with one of the Gorilla Families.Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth! After the trek, re-join your ESD/G and transfer to the lodge for lunch.Rest of the day is at leisure Dinner at the lodge

DAY 4: PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS > BWINDI NATIONAL PARK
Breakfast at the lodge
Meet your ESD/G and depart for your visit to Iby’iwacu village Iby’iwacu cultural village is located 15 minutes drive from Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and is an interesting cultural excursion. The village convinced ex poachers to turn their back on poaching and instead perform for visitors.Visiting the village, you can discover the traditional house of a local king, watch an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, try your hand at bow and arrow shooting or enjoy cultural dances and drumming performed by people from the local area.The guided walk of the village takes around an hour and you can freely take photographs.Depart from foothills of the volcanoes and drive on a scenic drive to Bwindi, crossing the border into Uganda. Dinner at the lodge

DAY 5: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Early breakfast at the lodge
07:30 Meet your ESD/G and transfer to the Bwindi HQs for your Gorilla trekking.
08:00 Proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip- Gorilla trekking which may last the entire day. Trek through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be totally forgotten.When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres of the gorillas. You will be able to sit around them for an hour while gazing at them. These giants are extremely powerful and sometimes weigh up to 250 kilos. Pictures with non flash zoom lens can be taken.The experience may take between 2 and 6 hours.After the trek, re-join your ESD/G and transfer to the lodge for lunch.The afternoon is spent on a village walk.The Buhoma Village Walk gives you a great opportunity to meet the people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It also is a great way to support the local community. Rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner at the lodge

DAY 6: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK > ENTEBBE
Breakfast at the lodge
Meet your ESD/G and transfer to either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Entebbe
Depart Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip
Arrival into Entebbe, meet your English Speaking Driver / Guide (ESD/G) and transfer to the hotel
Rest of the day is at leisure

DAY 7: ENTEBBE > DEPART
Breakfast at the hotel
Meet your ESD/G and transfer to Entebbe Airport for your onward flight

End of services.