5 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari & Cultural Tour from Kigali
Perfect Lovely 5 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari & Cultural Tour from Kigali to Mgahinga National Park located in southwestern Uganda. Plan a visit to the mountain gorillas, golden monkey in Mgahinga & Hike various trails in Virunga Mountains that are known as the home for the mountain Gorilla in Africa.
Plan a perfect 5 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari & Cultural Tour from Kigali to enjoy the nature walks and see the primates in the 10 national parks of Uganda with Rwanda Gorilla Trek. This safari will be discounted due to the fact that all safari activities are done in comparison with a visit to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda that has mountain gorillas which gorilla permit costs USD 1500 yet in Mgahinga National Park a Gorilla permit costs USD 700, Golden monkey permit costs 90 $$ in Uganda, which means that it’s 10 $$ less to the golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes Rwanda. The terrain of Mgahinga National Park is the same as Volcanoes National Park due to the fact that they are all located in Virunga Mountains so mountain gorillas in Mgahinga & Virunga Congo are the same too.
The 5 Days Uganda Safari tour starts from Rwanda and crosses to Uganda with the end destination being Rwanda again, for this reason, the travelers are advised to book the East African Tourists Visa to save some $$$$ on Visa.
mountain gorillas in Uganda
Detailed Itinerary – 5 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari & Cultural Tour from Kigali
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Mgahinga National Park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be picked up by your knowledgeable safari guide from Rwanda gorilla trek who will take you for a short city tour to visit the genocide memorials, proceed with the drive to cross to Uganda via Cyanika Border passing near Volcanoes National Park. Arrive in Kisoro in the evening hours and relax at the lodge.Dinner and overnight at Kisoro Travelers or Gahinga Lodge Meals on H/B.
The journey from Kigali to Kisoro may take around 3 hours to drive crossing via Cyanika border but for Katuna Border the journey may take around 6 hours.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park.
After the early morning breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations as the rule for the conservation of the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains. Please remember that the Gorilla packing list for a gorilla safari has to include water, a jacket, a camera, a packed lunch, and hiking boots. The hike can take you around 4-6hours to see the silverback gorilla protecting the entire gorillas in the family and once found you will spend a full hour in the presence of the earth-shaking silverback gorilla and its family. Dinner and overnight as above. Meal plan: F/B
Gorilla Trekking – Uganda
Day 3: Mgahinga hike in Mgahinga National Park
After Early morning breakfast, the guide will transfer you again to Mgahinga National Park for the hiking part. As you approach the park you will notice that there are piles of rocks all around the gardens of homes at the base of the hike – Gahinga means little rocks, little stones, and villagers here have gathered and used them for centuries. This is a 6 – 7-hour hike – climb and once again quite rewarding in nature with great views, you also pass through the Bamboo Forest and different vegetation zones as you move toward the summit. At one time Mount Gahinga had a lovely crater lake but over time it has turned into a scenic swamp – Two liters of water minimum will be needed, packed lunch and snacks. A walking stick and porters are two great additions to your Climb- the stick can be obtained at the beginning of the trek for a small fee and a porter makes your load lighter. After the hike, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above.
Day 4: Mgahinga Batwa Trail
The Mgahinga Batwa Trail is a literal walk through history! The dense forests at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes were home to the Batwa people: hunter-gatherers and fierce warriors who depended on the forest for shelter, food, and medicine thanks to ancient knowledge passed down for generations. When Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established, the Batwa, a group of indigenous people, were suddenly evicted from the forest and forced to abandon their nomadic lifestyle. Now, they are only permitted to re-enter their cherished forest as tour guides on the Batwa Trail. A visit to the Batwa Trail permits visitors to discover the magic of the indigenous people’s old home while partaking in nature walks and learning about the group’s cultural heritage. During this moving cultural encounter tour, the Batwa demonstrate hunting techniques; gather honey; point out medicinal plants and demonstrate bamboo cups. Guests are finally invited to the sacred Ngarama Cave, once home to the Batwa King, where the women of the community perform a sorrowful song that echoes eerily around the depths of the dark cave and leaves guests with a striking and moving sense of the richness of this fading culture. This is truly a unique experience for visitors to learn about the traditional culture of the indigenous people. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight, meal plan: F/B
Mgahinga Batwa Trail
Day 5: Golden Monkey Tracking & Transfer to Kigali
After Early morning breakfast, you will go for the golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga National Park, you will be briefed about the golden monkey tracking in the Virunga Mountains: the search may last for over 4-5 hours, and later embark on the drive journey to Kigali with lunch en route. In case of time allows you will visit a few other genocides along the Kigali, Musanze road & arrive in Kigali in later evening for the flight back home.
The package includes:
- Airport transfers.
- Transport in a 4wd safari truck
- English speaking Ugandan driver/guide
- Accommodation in double/twin rooms
- Gorilla permits
- Community visits
- Mgahinga hiking
- Golden Monkey Tracking permit
- Batwa walking trail
- Visit genocide memorials
Exclusions
- International airfares,
- Entry visa Uganda,
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance,
- A porter for during the gorilla tracking
- All expenses of a personal nature (e.g. drinks. laundry, souvenirs, etc.)