5 Days Flying Gorilla Adventure

Transferred to Entebbe international airport for your Domestic flight to Kisoro. The flight is scheduled to depart Entebbe at 7:00AM and arrive Kisoro at 8:45.

Upon arrival meeting with the vehicle and our walking safari guide for a briefing on the very interesting activities of the day which will be adapted to the clients’ desires. You can either walk for approx. 90 minutes - 4km to Lake Mutanda Sheba’s Camp - or drive 30 minutes to the lake. You then “settle” in a dugout canoe for 2-3 hours of gentle relaxed cruising across the lake, enjoying the beautiful landscape. After lunch at a restaurant on the lake shores, continuation on foot till Rubuguri (9km – 2/3 hours) where you meet up the vehicle and drive for another 10 km up to the Lodge in Nkuringo (approx. 1 hour). Of course, you can also be picked up by the vehicle at the lake and drive all the way up to the Lodge. Guests decide

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: All-inclusive

After breakfast, at around 7:45 am, with packed lunch and drinking water you will be transferred to the National Park Head Quarters for the briefing on the dos and the don’ts while with the gorillas. You then continue to the forest for the start of the actual gorilla tracking.

The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary as per the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity. The tracking can take place at Nkuringo or at Rushaga (1hr drive from Nkuringo), as per the gorilla permits obtained.

Upon return, relax at the lodge and, for those who like, at 5.00 pm either stroll through the community center or drive up to the “Top of the World” - the name given to the football field, high up in Nkuringo which offers amazing views over the peaks and forests around Nkuringo. A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner.

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: All-inclusive

Morning at leisure and in the afternoon stroll down to the Buniga Forest Trail Walk, an informative project run by USAID and the local Batwa community. The Batwa tribe was forced to leave their home in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in 1991 when it was declared a UNESCO Heritage site for gorillas only. They had been living in the forest as nomadic hunter-gatherers for millennia, in perfect balance with the flora and fauna around. Moving out and suddenly living in communities with a completely different way of life has proven to be a huge challenge. They now survive as best as they can and earn a living explaining their previous life in the forest and their rich heritage.

Continuation of the walk through the community to visit the traditional herbalist and the black smith.

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: All-inclusive

For this day engage in community activities or spend the day chilling at the lodge enjoying the commanding views of the magnificent Virunga volcanoes and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. / You can also opt to have the second Gorilla trek.

Volcanoe Hike

After breakfast proceed to Mgahinga National Park headquarters for briefing to the start a Volcano climb of Mount Sabinyo. Sabinyo with its five jagged peaks is the oldest of the volcanoes here. With two distinct vegetation zones Forest and Alpine it is an exhilarating one day trek with some very steep inclines aided by the assistance of eucalyptus ladders to reach the goal of Sabinyo peak. From the summit, amazing views can be enjoyed of this volcanic chain of mountains into Rwanda that includes Mt. Karisimbi, Mt. Mikeno and the often-snow-covered Mt. Visoke. 

Mount Sabinyo Climb – 3669m 

Mt. Sabinyo, at 3,669m, takes about eight hours to cover the 14km round trip, following a steep ridge up to the peak this trek will be conducted in the company of your Nkuringo Walking Safari guide. Physical fitness is a necessity for this climb.

OR :  Mount Muhavura Climb – 4129m 

Mt. Muhavura and its enormous conical shape looms high into the darkness. Good weather is critical to reach the peak of Muhavura, this youngest in the chain of volcanoes and its status is noted as being still dormant. The surrounding countryside shows evidence of volcanic activity everywhere with giant volcanic vents very obvious after the land has been cleared of vegetation for agriculture. Muhavura peak will drain the last bit of energy out of you as you fight for air in the rarefied atmosphere, but you will be rewarded with stunning views through the cloud and mist as it rolls in and out.

The Crater Lake is only a mere 20m in diameter and the area of the summit not much bigger than a golf course. This is a 1200m ascend in 7 hours, very steep with few switch backs in the trail to give your legs the relief they are screaming for. Physical fitness is a necessity for this climb.

OR: Mount Gahinga Climb – 3400m 

Mt. Gahinga at 3400m is a perfectly formed volcano. On the lower reaches of the volcano the route passes through former cultivated land, reclaimed and reincorporated back into the National Park as late as 1986. A vast area of enormous bamboo forest creates an elaborate labyrinth of passages to wander through where the trail is picked up that leads to Gahinga summit. Many bird species can be observed here with sunbirds being the most obvious. This trek is usually completed in six hours up and down so offers an excellent introduction to acclimatize to the altitude. Physical fitness is a necessity for this climb.

The descend will be rapid to the warmth of the tropical climate normally associated with equatorial regions and the lush vegetation of the lower slopes. After the hike, you will then be transferred to Nkuringo.

GOLDEN mONKEY TRACKING

After Breakfast transfer to Mgahinga National Park headquarters where you will be briefed by the park guide You will then start the golden monkey trekking activity. You will also expect to see various forest birds that live in the forest.

Circular walk in bwindi impenetrable forest

After breakfast, with your guide commence the Nkuringo Walking Safari activity into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park as part of the Kashasha River and Ivy River trails. This is a full day walk where there would be opportunity to visit the Munyaga River falls in the forest. The emphasis of this activity is for your walking guide to share his knowledge of the forest that you come into contact with and not simply an A to B. The walking distance would be about 15km You will rendezvous with your vehicle in the village of Nteko on the DR Congo border to be transported 10km back to Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.

Birding in nombe pocket forest

After a leisurely breakfast, you will be joined by our walking safari guide and head out for birdwatching in Nambe Pocket Forest where you will have a chance to watch different bird species. You will return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon relax at the lodge.

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: All-inclusive

After breakfast you will be transferred to Kisoro Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Entebbe. The flight is scheduled to depart Kisoro at 8:25AM and arrive Entebbe at 11:25AM. Upon arrival at Entebbe international airport connect on your outbound flight or meet up with a representative from Nkuringo Safaris and transfer to Papyrus Guest House for a day room use/overnight as you wait for your outbound flight.