This tour is the intimate safari for adventure lovers taking you to Rwanda, Congo and Uganda. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda one of the oldest forests in Africa. Trekking the Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Congo and climbing the active Nyiragongo volcano and tracking Mountain Gorilla in Virunga National Park in Congo and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. This tour is a unique experience to see all the highlights of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
There are few memorable experiences traveling that can be compared to spending time with Mountain gorillas in their Natural habitat. Following a trek through the untamed jungle of the Virunga Mountains, the first sight of these close cousins is one that is likely to remain with you for the rest of all life. Watching them move about the foliage, juveniles playing under the watchful eye of the females and the giant form of the Silver back, the head of the family, can be emotional and enriching. This short 12 Day Gorilla Safari break has no set departures but can be done as an exciting long weekend or as an extension to another trip when flying to East Africa.
Your driver/guide will be at Kigali Airport to pick you up from your flight. Depending on your arrival time you may be able to do a city tour in Kigali with a visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial site, visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. All activities and purchases today are at your own cost.
Early in the morning we shall meet a Nature Adventure Africa Safaris tour leader who speaks good English and will be with you during your entire tour. Rwanda, Congo and Uganda. We shall set off towards the famous Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. This national park is also the largest tropical afro Montane rain forest east or central Africa and a rain forest it is and receives over 2000mm of rain each year and its Rwanda’s largest water catchment area and its home to 2/3rd of all Rwanda’s water. The forest also feeds both the river Congo and the River Nile with water.
The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from Colobus monkeys, mangabey, and blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important – and still little known – bird-watching destinations in Africa. In the evening, we shall settle into our room at Top View Hill Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
After a very early morning start, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in Uwinka section at Nyungwe park headquarters. Chimpanzee tracking starts in the morning and its best to carry a day pack where you have a couple of litres of water, have long trousers, the long sleeved shirt, rain jacket, the hiking boots and the hat. There will also be a maximum of over 8 people in your group that sets out to track the chimpanzees. These chimps at Nyungwe forest have been and are being habituated which means that they are used to human beings. This exciting up-close encounter with human’s closest relative you will not soon forget.
In the afternoon you are going for a special activity to track down the Rwenzori Black Colobus and other rare monkey species that live in Nyungwe forest National Park. It is also one of the few places worldwide where you’ll see L’Hoest’s monkeys. Another rare animal you might also run into is the owl-faced monkey, an Albertine Rift endemic that inhabits Nyungwe southern forests.
The next day we drive to Bukavu in DR Congo After a relaxed breakfast. This scenic route passes over the rolling hills of Rwanda and the shores of Lake Kivu until you reach the city of Bukavu. You Congolese driver will pick you from the border and take you to your accommodation for the night. Your English speaking tour leader will accompany you the entire trip. In the afternoon you have time to explore Bukavu with its old colonial architecture and impressive cathedral in the city centre. You can also just enjoy the lake view from your veranda.
While at Bukavu you will stay in Orchids Safari club. An hour from Bukavu, along Lake Kivu, you can discover Kahuzi Biega National Park. This park is one of the last nature reserves to home gorillas. You can approach these giants within a few metres, an unforgettable experience. Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to an exceptional diversity of fauna and flora. Situated at an altitude of between 2,100 and 2,400 m, one of the last populations of gorillas can be found here, of which you can, within a few metres, observe and watch them evolve in their own environment. A mind-blowing, extraordinary, unique experience.