east africa:
mist, mountains + mighty gorillas (13 Days)
This incredible corner of East Africa draws you in with mist-shrouded mountains, dense rainforest, and the rare chance to sit face to face with mountain gorillas in the wild. Spend 13 days moving between Uganda and Rwanda with like-minded people, tracking gorillas and golden monkeys through the forest, cruising the Nile below Murchison Falls, spotting big game in Akagera, and unwinding on the islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
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small group departure June 19-July 1 2027
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
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Watching white rhinos roam free in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a conservation success story in the making
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A sunset cruise below Murchison Falls, the world's most powerful waterfall
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Trekking to mountain gorillas, not once but twice, in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Volcanoes National Park
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Island-hopping and canoeing across the idyllic waters of Lake Bunyonyi
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Golden monkey trekking through the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park
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A night game drive and boat cruise through Akagera, spotting elephants, hippos, and lions
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Closing the trip with Kigali's craft markets and the moving history of the Genocide Memorial
the plan
ARRIVE IN ENTEBBE (EBB). Meet your driver for pick up at arrivals.
Day 1 | Set off at 07:00am for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Upon arrival, head to the offices for briefing. Then your ranger/guide will lead you into the savannah grasslands in search for the rhinos. Spend an hour watching the rhinos as you listen to the great conservation efforts that have led to
the reintroduction of white rhinos in Ugandan wilderness.
After a lunch break, head to the iconic Murchison Falls National Park via the top of the falls. Experience the scenic sights of the wild as the sun sets over Murchison Falls, the world’s most powerful waterfall.
Head to the lodge for dinner and the night’s stay.
Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 2 | After your breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls. Look out for night dwellers including the leopards, lions and hyenas, which, with a little luck, we will see before they retreat
to the coolness of the thickets in the afternoon hours.
After lunch, head out for a cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls as you enjoy the unique sights of aquatic wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds and the breathtaking views of the water falls.
After this eventful Nile cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and the night.
Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge
DAY 3 | After a leisurely breakfast, fly to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you will arrive in the afternoon. Unwind in the peaceful forest side lodge as
you prepare for the action filled day of gorilla trekking.
Overnight: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Treetops
DAY 4 | IT'S GORILLA DAY! After an early breakfast, head to the park office at 8:00am for briefing and then the rangers will walk you down the narrow forest paths through thick undergrowth, with the bird sounds in the background as you search for the gorilla families.
Trekking can take between 2-6 hours and once you find the experience of watching these incredible primates in their natural habitat it's worth the trek to get there.
Trekkers should be in good physical condition**
Get in close proximity with the gorillas as you quietly observe these pacific primates in their natural habitat. Watch the Gorillas eat, groom and play.
After spending an hour with the mountain gorillas, we'll break for a picnic lunch in the forest. Then we'll return to the lodge to rest after an action packed day.
Overnight: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Treetops
DAY 5 | Enjoy a slow morning and breakfast then drive to the idyllic islands of Lake Bunyonyi where you will arrive in time for lunch.
Free afternoon! Choose from a range of activities: swimming, canoe rides, zip linking, hiking or visiting a community women's group
Overnight: Arcadia Cottages
DAY 6 | Start your day with a boat cruise on the lake, going through Joshua's Island where you're in for a treat and a feel of the local life in Lake Bunyoni. Learn to make a rolex and see how traditional millet beer is brewed and then visit a local bar to try some beers.
At the lake, you have the option to go hiking, quad biking and swimming.
Overnight: Arcadia Cottages
DAY 7 | After breakfast, drive through Cyanika border to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, stopping in enroute for lunch and a short break before continuing north. Arrive at your lodge near the park in the late afternoon, check in, enjoy dinner and rest for the night.
DAY 8 | After an early breakfast, head to the park office at 8:00am for briefing.Then follow your ranger as you walk
down the narrow forest paths through thick undergrowth, with the bird sounds in the background as you search for the gorilla families. Trekking can take between 2-6 hours.
Get in close proximity with the gorillas as you quietly observe these pacific primates in their natural habitat. Watch the gorillas eat, groom and play. After spending an hour with the mountain gorillas, we'll
break for a picnic lunch in the forest. Then return to the lodge and relax.
DAY 9 | Enjoy an early breakfast before heading to Volcanoes National Park for your Golden Monkey trekking experience. The hike typically lasts one to three hours and is moderately easy compared to gorilla trekking. After a briefing, trek into the forest and spend one hour observing these energetic and endangered primates as they feed, groom, and leap through the bamboo.
The experience usually concludes by late morning, allowing time to return to the lodge.
Day 10 | Start your day with breakfast, followed by a scenic 6-7 hours drive to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival, proceed directly to your lodge for check-in and some time to relax before the evening activity.
Later, head out for an exciting night game drive in search of nocturnal wildlife. Keep an eye out for leopards, spotted hyenas, and lions as they become more active after dark.
After the drive, return to the lodge.
DAY 11 | We’ll start before dawn with a morning game drive, watching Akagera wake up as the sun rises over the
savannah. We’ll spot wildlife like giraffes, buffalo,
elephants, and birds in the cool, golden light, pausing often to take it all in. After a relaxed break at lodge during the heat of the day, the afternoon shifts to the water with a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Gliding past hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and abundant birdlife, you end the day as the light softens and the park settles into evening. Return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight stay.
DAY 12 | Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your lodge, taking in the final views before departure. Thereafter, begin your scenic drive to Kigali, approximately 3-4 hours through Rwanda's rolling hills and countryside.
DAY 13 | Have a leisurely breakfast and then have a Kigali city tour. Visit the craft market for souvenirs, genocide memorial to hear about the stories from the survivors of the genocide. Break for lunch and thereafter, your driver will drop you off at Kigali Airport for your return flight.
Departure airport: Kigali (KGL)
