Glimpse of Gorillas

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by one of our representatives and transfer you to hotel for check in. 

Overnight in Kigali

This morning after breakfast enjoy a city tour of Kigali, which includes a visit to the Genocide Museum. Inaugurated on the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi is where 250,000 victims have been buried. This memorial also serves to educate people about how the Genocide against the Tutsi took shape and examines genocide in the 20th century. With a packed lunch, you will drive through the border town of Kabale and continue to the Katuna border post. From here you may cross into Uganda and drive to Bwindi, where you will arrive in time for dinner.

Overnight in Bwindi Area

Begin this exciting gorilla-tracking day with breakfast before a short transfer to the Bwindi National Park Headquarters. There, you will meet a local guide/ranger and trackers. They will give you an overview of what to expect with a briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette. Gorilla trekking etiquette are the rules and regulations to be followed while in the jungle searching for the critically endangered apes along with the conservation measures set aside to implement the conservation of gorillas. One of the most important rules to follow is to pack in and pack out. Do not leave anything behind since it will pollute the environment and become a hazard to the wildlife. General guidelines are to keep 15ft from the mountain gorilla, staying with the group, speaking quietly, and not making any eye contact. The purpose of these guidelines is to protect yourself and the animals to ensure they are not exposed to illnesses or feel confused by your presence. Then set off with your well-trained guides, leading you to the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before. From here the tracking will begin.

The gorillas, whose continuous search for food requires a nomadic lifestyle, determine the duration of the hike. The trek can take between one and six hours, sometimes more, at elevations over 7,500 feet tall and rough terrain. While the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is invigorating, and the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is fascinating. When you encounter gorillas, any fatigue you may be experiencing will be quickly forgotten. Observing a wild gorilla family in its natural habitat and on its terms is considered by many naturalists to be the most profound natural history experience in the world. It is important to recognize that these gorillas have only recently been habituated to tourists. Their curiosity is obvious, but they have only begun to grow accustomed to humans. Each strictly regulated 60-minute visit passes all too quickly, and you will depart leaving the gorillas to their fragile existence. After time with the gorillas and a picnic lunch, you will return to the headquarters with unforgettable memories of a rare and wondrous experience. From there you will head back to your Uganda safari lodge and relax before dinner.

Overnight in Bwindi

After breakfast, enjoy some free time before checking out and getting transferred back to Kigali International Airport for your flight home.