8 Days Uganda Congo safari offering gorilla trekking in the wild and mount Nyiragongo hiking tour offering travelers the very best of the 3 countries. This itinerary is one of its own kind exploring Uganda’s best and Congo’s best adventure starting from Murchison Falls national park, to Bwindi national park to track mountain gorillas and lastly travel through Rwanda crossing into Democratic Republic of Congo via Gisenyi to hike the world’s most active volcano – mount Nyiragongo.
[wptab name=’Trip Summary’]
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Zziwa Rhino sanctuary
Day 2: Morning game drive – After noon Launch cruise
Day 3: Transfer Back to Kampala en Route Visit Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Overnight in Kampala
Day 4: Drive to Bwindi National Park – (10 – 11 hours Drive) – Long drive to Bwindi with stops.
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Visit Batwa Pygmies / Canoeing
Day 6: Transfer to Rwanda to Gisenyi
Day 7: Hike Mount Nyiragongo
Day 8: Descend the Volcano
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[wptab name=’Safari Itinerary’]
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Zziwa Rhino sanctuary
Pickup from your hotel after breakfast, and drive north west of Uganda to Murchison falls national park. En route visit the Zziwa rhino sanctuary to track white rhinos. Have lunch and continue to Murchison falls national park.
Murchison falls national park today stands as Uganda’s largest wildlife reserve with a variety of wildlife including large herds of buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, a variety of bird species and so much more. We love Murchison falls because of her unique nature of the water falls as they make a roaring sound as water pours.
Dinner and overnight at Redchilli campsite (budget), Pakuba lodge (Midrange) and Paraa safari lodge (luxury)
Day 2: Morning game drive – After noon Launch cruise
Today you will wake up easy and be off early with packed breakfast and drive to the park to start your game drive with a ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The rangers know all the spots with wildlife, you will see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, variety of savannah birds and so much more
Have lunch after which head out for a river Nile sunset Launch cruise. Expect to view crocodiles, herds of elephants, buffalos, hippos, lizards, lots of birds.
Return to your lodge for Dinner and overnight at Redchilli campsite (budget), Pakuba lodge (Midrange) and Paraa safari lodge (luxury)
Day 3: Transfer Back to Kampala en Route Visit Zziwa Rhino
Sanctuary – Overnight in Kampala
After breakfast, start your drive back to Kampala with enroute stopover at the Zziwa Rhino sanctuary where you will track white rhinos, later proceed to Kampala arriving late evening.
Dinner and overnight at Accacia Lodge.
Day 4: Drive to Bwindi National Park – (10 – 11 hours Drive) –
Long drive to Bwindi with stops.
Depart from Kampala at 7:00am and head to Bwindi national park. A brief stop at the Equator allows time for photographs and refreshments as well a visit to the craft shops. We have a lunch break en route in Mbarara with an option of visiting the Igongo cultural center to experience the Ankole culture. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable park and arrive late evening.
Dinner and Overnight at Silverback Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp / Bakiga Lodge / Bwindi jungle lodge (Midrange) and Gorilla Forest Lodge / Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury) and Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge (Super Luxury)
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Visit Batwa Pygmies / Canoeing
After a comprehensive briefing overview from one of the head guides about what to expect during your gorilla trekking adventure, you will split into groups of 8 people for which gorilla family you will be tracking. If you need a simple hike, inform your guide before the briefing so that he helps speak to the trackers to select for you a simple hike. The trackers have an idea of how far each group is as their colleagues go into the forest earlier to establish actual locations of the gorilla groups. Do hire a porter, even if you feel fit enough not to need a hand up having someone else to carry your backpack makes it so much easier as you hike.
Return to your hotel for lunch and an afternoon rest, and late evening head out to visit the Batwa pygmies communities which are just neighboring the park. These where the former forest inhabitants who where led out of the forest in order to conserve mountain gorillas and their habitant. You will have a chance to interact with them and learn about their cultures.
Dinner and Overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp / Bakiga Lodge / Bwindi jungle lodge (Midrange) and Gorilla Forest Lodge / Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury) and Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge (Super Luxury)
Day 6: Transfer to Rwanda to Gisenyi
Kigali to Gisenyi where you will have overnight at Paradise Malahide Dinner and overnight at Paradise Malahide / Gorillas Hotel (midrange), Lake Kivu serena hotel (luxury)
Day 7: Hike Mount Nyiragongo
Mount Nyiragongo hikes start from Kibati village, Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The hike isnt strenous but requires sturdy shoes as you step on loose volcanic rocks from the previous eruptions taking you crossing all vegetation zones as you go up.
Don’t underestimate the hike, good physical shape if very necessary. We recommend a walking sticks at the briefing point and a porter carry your backpack.
The view at the top is absolutely stunning in the night staring watching the glowing red lava.
Day 8: Descend the Volcano
The descend is much easier than the hiking and your guide / drive will be waiting for you to drive you back via Goma to Gisenyi.
Drive back to Kigali with a drop off at either your hotel or the airport.
End of Tour
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[wptab name=’What is included’]
Tour inclusions
– Murchison Falls Game drive
– Launch Cruise
– Gorilla permit/s
– Nyiragongo Volcano Hike permit
– The Congo tourist Visa @ $100 Per Person
– All Accommodations according to Itinerary
– 4*4 Safari Vehicle
– English speaking guide
– Drinking water
– Transportation
Tour Exclusion
– Air tickets
– Flights
– Visa ad visa fees
– Items of personal nature
– Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
– Tips through the tour
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[wptab name=’Planning’]
Useful Links to Help you Plan
Murchison falls national park today stands as Uganda’s largest wildlife reserve with a variety of wildlife including large herds of buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, a variety of bird species and so much more. We love Murchison falls because of her unique nature of the water falls as they make a roaring sound as water pours.
Mount Nyiragongo hikes start from Kibati village, Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The hike isnt strenous but requires sturdy shoes as you step on loose volcanic rocks from the previous eruptions taking you crossing all vegetation zones as you go up.
Don’t underestimate the hike, good physical shape if very necessary. We recommend a walking sticks at the briefing point and a porter carry your backpack.
The view at the top is absolutely stunning in the night staring watching the glowing red lava.
Packing List for Nyiragongo
Bring a lot of water pack at least 5 big water bottles
Hire a porter to carry your pack and your water at $25
Take a walking stick as it helps with the climb – provided at the pack offices at briefing point
Physical fitness is very important for this Hike.
– You can hire hiking gear from Virunga authorities if you are traveling on your own while if you are planning your tour with a local tour company, they take care of everything.
All year round you must pack sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, comfortable hiking pants, warm clothes, layer of socks, gloves, hat, scarf, headlamp for the night, snacks and energy food and snack, enough water, long under wear and sweater for the night it gets freezing cold in the night.
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[end_wptabset]
Useful Links
Gorilla Permits
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Packing for Gorilla Tracking
Nyiragongo Volcano Hiking
Gorilla Families
Facts on Mountain Gorillas
Gorilla Habituation
