Bujumbura City tour, See the Explorers Memorial, Lake Tanganyika, Kibira Park, track gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and/or Congo, Visit Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.
Visit the three operational gorilla countries of the world Rwanda for Parc National des Volcans (PNV), Uganda for Bwindi and Mgahinga; and Congo for Virunga National Park. PNV, Virunga in Congo and Mgahinga are on either side of the misty Virungas. The tour starts with Bujumbura in Burundi for Source of the Nile and Kibira National Park before continuing to Parc National des Volcans gorilla park in Rwanda, continuing to Mgahinga and then to Bwindi in Uganda.
Clients have an opportunity to track gorillas for a total of FOUR times in the three countries. Tracking and seeing these great primates in their different, natural surroundings is a memorable experience, with each park presenting its unique attractions! Other activities possible include; tracking the golden monkeys, climbing a volcano, nature walks in the forests for birds, or visiting local villages.
Day 1: Arrive Bujumbura meet, greet and transfer to your hotel to check-in. Half day tours in Bujumbura, to visit the Snake & Culture Museum; the Explorers Memorial, the Islam Culture Centre; City Hall; President’s Office and the main attraction of the City: Lake Tanganyika.
Day 2: Visit Kibira Forest National Park, for a guided nature walks in this park of few animals’ species. If time permits, visit the Explorers Memorial, a huge rock in the Suburbs of Bujumbura commemorating the meeting between explorers John Speke and Hanington.
Day 3: Drive eastwards to Kigali in Rwanda. Drive through hills and turns, continuing to the border with Rwanda and on to Butare. Lunch while there and visit the Botanical Gardens and a cultural museum. Arrive late afternoon. [Approximate driving time: 8 hours]
Day 4: Morning in Kigali, Lunch. In the afternoon, drive the two hours North of Kigali to Kinigi via Ruhengeri. Enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours]
Day 5: Transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters to track gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. Gorilla tracking through the forest, hills and swamps can be tough, arduous and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest. But coming face to face with the great primates is well worth the effort.
Day 6: Transfer to Kisoro and on to Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda. [Approximate driving time: 2 hours] Either guided nature walk in Gahinga or climb a volcano, visit the natural, beautiful-looking Lake Mutanda and other lakes in the area, surrounded by the Virunga volcanoes, take a walk on the shores.
Day 7: After breakfast EITHER: Gorilla tracking in Uganda. This will depend on the permits availability. Gorilla tracking through the forest, hills and swamps can be tough, demanding and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest. But coming face to face with the great primates is well worth the effort. Thereafter have late lunch on return.
Day 8: Breakfast and, transfer to lake Bunyonyi for scenic views of the most beautiful lake in the region, visit the Batwa pygmies, take a boat on the lake to see fishing villages and other local communities.
Day 9: Back to Rwanda
Start early for Kigali in Rwanda via Katuna boarder this time. Go for a tour of the city including a visit to a genocide memorial and the art and craft centre. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours] Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is an attractive city spread over many hills for which Rwanda is well known. The City has a pleasant, buoyant air and its people are some of the most friendly in the world. The markets, the handicraft shops and the genocide sites are some of the main places of interest. The range of hotels and restaurants is steadily increasing. Time permitting, visit the Nyabugogo market, the Moslem quarter in Nyamirambo, the Franco-Rwanda cultural centre and a genocide memorial.
Day 10: Fly out Transfer to the airport for your flight. [Approximate driving time: 30mins]