Gorillas and Great Lakes Adventure: Rwanda, Uganda and Congo

After enjoying an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Tshivanga, the headquarters of Kahuzi Biega National Park, in preparation for your lowland gorilla trekking adventure in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The day will begin with an introduction by the park warden, who will share information about lowland gorillas and how they compare to other subspecies.

Following this, you will join a team of rangers and trackers who will take you closer to the starting point of the hiking trails that lead to the gorillas. Gorilla trekking can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the gorillas' movements, and once you locate them, you will have the opportunity to spend 2 hours observing them.

After this exciting experience, you will return to Bukavu for an overnight stay at Nediva Bed and Breakfast or a similar establishment, with an upgrade option available at Orchids Safari Club.

Following a relaxed breakfast, you will transfer to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, so keep your passports handy for the border crossing back into the country.

As you drive towards Gisakura, you'll enjoy stunning views of the tea plantations.

You'll spend the night at Ken Barham Guesthouse or a similar accommodation, with the option to upgrade to Nyungwe Topview Lodge or One and Only.

At 4:30 AM, enjoy an early breakfast or opt for a packed meal. This will be followed by a meeting with the ranger guide, after which you'll transfer to the Cyamudongo or Uwinka visitor center to start your chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Following that, there will be a canopy walk beginning at the Uwinka visitor center, before returning to the lodge to unwind.

You will spend the night at Ken Barham Guesthouse or a similar accommodation, with an upgrade option available at Nyungwe Top View Lodge or One and Only.

After an early breakfast, we'll on a journey along the lakeside to the breathtaking Virunga mountains, which border Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This region is home to half of the world's Mountain Gorilla population, with the other half residing in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is considered one of the top destinations for gorilla trekking, with trekking permits often costing two to three times more than those at other locations. Enjoy lunch en route at Lake Kivu before checking into Volcanoes National Park.

Overnight accommodations will be at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or a similar establishment, with various upgrade options available.

Begin your day early with breakfast before heading to the park headquarters at Kinigi, where you'll meet other groups for gorilla trekking or other activities such as the volcano hike, Golden Monkey trekking, or the Dian Fossey hike, all popular options at Volcanoes National Park. You will be assigned to a specific gorilla group and accompanied by a lead ranger guide along with a team of trekkers. Gorilla trekking can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, so it's advisable to bring sufficient drinking water and a packed lunch in case of any delays. Once you locate the gorilla family, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour observing their daily behaviors.

After this unforgettable experience, return to your lodge to enjoy Wi-Fi while reviewing the incredible moments captured on your camera. Overnight accommodations will be at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or a similar establishment, with various upgrade options available.

Following an early breakfast, head back to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi for the Golden Monkey Trekking. This trek can be scheduled for before noon or at the latest by 1 PM.

Afterward, you will transfer to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in preparation for your second Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.

Spend the night at Travelers Rest Hotel or a comparable accommodation, with various upgrade options available.

Following an early breakfast, you will head to the ranger station for a briefing on the guidelines for interacting with gorillas.

Afterward, a senior ranger guide will accompany you as you hike into the forest in search of these magnificent creatures. Once located, you'll have the opportunity to spend an hour with them.

After this unforgettable experience, you'll return to the lodge for the night at Travelers Rest Hotel or a similar accommodation.

Following a relaxed breakfast, you'll head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. If time permits upon arrival, you can join an afternoon game drive. Lunch will be enjoyed along the way.

Overnight accommodations will be at Bush Lodge or a comparable location.

You will start your day with an early morning breakfast before heading to Kasenyi for a game drive. The Kasenyi plains, known for their high concentration of prey, attract predators, offering opportunities to spot some of the big cats that inhabit Queen Elizabeth National Park during this exciting adventure.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George. During the two-hour boat safari, you will encounter a variety of aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial wildlife, and numerous bird species, making for an unforgettable day in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You will spend the night at Bush Lodge or a similar accommodation.

Enjoy an early breakfast in Queen Elizabeth National Park before transferring to Murchison Falls National Park. Although today includes considerable travel, you'll be treated to stunning scenery, including views of tea plantations and the dramatic rise and fall of the rift valley escarpment, as well as Lake Albert within the great western rift valley.

You'll spend the night at Pakuba Safari Lodge or a similar accommodation.

Rise early for a delightful breakfast served at 6:30 AM, allowing adventurous explorers to go on an early game drive in the peninsula between Victoria and Lake Albert Nile. Experience the highest concentration of wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park, where your guide will assist you in spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, and rare hyenas, along with an abundance of butterflies.

After lunch, enjoy a stunning boat cruise to the base of the impressive Murchison Falls, where the earth shakes from one of the world’s most powerful natural water flows, while crocodiles bask in the sun with their jaws wide open.

Conclude your day with another game drive as you head back to the lodge for an overnight stay at Pakuba Safari Lodge or a similar accommodation.

Following an early morning breakfast, you'll be transferred to Entebbe, making a stop at the viewpoint of Murchison Falls for breathtaking views.

Another stop will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you'll have the unique opportunity to trek with white rhinos on foot.

Arrive in Entebbe with wonderful memories of your journey. Overnight accommodations will be at Protea Hotel or a similar establishment.

Based on your outbound flight schedule, you can choose to visit Mabamba Swamp for shoebill trekking (which offers an authentic birdwatching experience), explore Ngamba Island for a chimpanzee sanctuary, or take part in water rafting in Jinja.

Later in the day, you will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight, concluding your 14-day gorilla trekking and wildlife safari in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.