Home > Packages > Rwanda > Islands in the Sky

Mihingo Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Virungas Volcanoes Lodge/Kigali Serena Hotel

This eight day programme combines the gorillas of Uganda and of Rwanda. Spend two nights in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda, enjoying excellent game-viewing on specially adapted ATV vehicles, a full day tracking the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park of Uganda and another full day gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Day 1-2: Lake Mburo National Park

Today you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you will be met for a welcome drink and briefing where after you will be transferred to your hotel to freshen up. Drive west for approximately 5 hours to Lake Mburo National park, where you'll check into Mihingo Lodge.  Accommodation for two nights on a full board basis.

On the second morning we enjoy a game drive by ATV.  These specially silenced vehicles give one the opportunity to approach wildlife up close. Our experienced guides and rangers will ensure that this will be a highlight of your trip.  Alternatively, you can experience the park on horseback; another unique activity for Uganda.

This afternoon, enjoy an optional boat trip on Lake Mburo to view the area's hippo and birdlife population, or laze by the pool overlooking the plains far below.

Day 3: Bwindi

We continue our journey west for approximately 8 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.  Spend one night at Gorilla Forest Camp on a full board basis.

Day 4-5: Bwindi 2

We depart early and drive another 8 hours to Rwanda.  We drive across the breathtaking scenery of the Kigezi Highlands, through the Kanaba Gap to the foothills of the Virunga Massif.  Our journey to this second "Island in the Sky: takes us 1 hour back in time.  We check in to our lodge this evening for a well earned rest.

Accommodation for two nights at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Volcanoes Virungas Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge on a full board basis.

The Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi are part of a worldwide population of just 720 individuals.  The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to either one of 6 habituated family groups.  For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild.

The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 9 hours before one returns to camp.  Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.

Day 6: Bwindi 3

Today we have the option of a rest day, doing some local hiking, visiting with the local villages, visiting the Golden Monkeys, or even doing an additional gorilla track.

Day 7: Bwindi

The grand finale of our trip; our encounter with the other half of the Mountain Gorilla population.  Tracking in Rwanda takes place at higher elevations, and the vegetation tends to be more open, offering potentially clear sightings of gorillas.  It is just as physically demanding as in Uganda, but just as rewarding, and the location is simply spectacular.

After tracking, we have lunch and drive approximately 2 hours back to Kigali and check in to our hotel.  Accommodation for one night is at the Kigali Serena Hotel and is on a full board basis.

Day 8: Depart

If time allows, this morning we will do a city tour, before our departure for our flight home.