RW6: GORILLAS, CHIMPANZEE AND BIRDS IN RWANDA AND UGANDA (15 Days)

This safari starts in Kigali, Rwanda and ends in Entebbe, Uganda.

The tour allows visitors to have the incredible experience of seeing chimps and birds in different habitats, in four different parks, with each park offering its unique attractions.

From Kigali in Rwanda, you will visit Nyungwe Forest, the largest afro-montane forest in Central Africa for chimps, birds and other primates. Continue to Parc National des Volcans in the north for gorillas (the gorilla permit price at US$375 is included in the cost). More than 180 bird species have been recorded here.

Crossing over to Uganda, track chimpanzee and see birds as well as game including lion, buffalo, leopard, and elephant in Queen Elizabeth Park. Further north, in Kibale Forest, visit the chimpanzees. Here 13 species of primates and over 300 bird species have been recorded. In Murchison Falls Park, in the North-west, go for chimps, birds and unusual game.

You will finalise with Ngamba Chimpanzee Island on Lake Victoria, managed and run by the Jane Goodall Institute. Chimp walks in the Ngamba forest require some medical conditions to be fulfilled: Vaccination against -Hepatitis A&B, Measles; Meningococcal meningitis (menomune vaccine); Polio; Tetanus; Yellow fever. A negative TB test before arrival is also required. Minimum age for the walks is 18 years, Maximum age is 65 years, but the latter category is also dependant on size and fitness level of the person.

Clients stay at the Ngamba Island Camp, a 4-tent mid-range Camp directly overlooking the Lake. The entrance fees paid goes towards looking after the chimpanzees.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Kanombe airport, met by our smiling guides. Greet and transfer to Kigali. [Approximate driving time: ½ hour] O/N: Hotel des Mille Collines/Umubano Hotel (BB).

Day 2: Start for Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way, make stops at places of interest including local markets, the traditional palace of Rwanda’s Former King in Nyanza. Birding on the way. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] O/N: ORTPN Gisakura Guest House (FB).

Day 3: Go chimp tracking and birding. Picnic lunch. O/N: ORTPN Gisakura Guest House (FB).

Day 4: Guided nature walk in the forest to see a variety of animals and some of the three hundred bird species found here. Picnic lunch. Bird the hot springs in Rugarama, time permitting. Return late afternoon. O/N: ORTPN Gisakura Guest House (FB).

Day 5: Return to Kigali. In Butare, visit the Botanical Gardens and a cultural museum. Arrive in time for lunch. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] Afterwards drive north to Kinigi via Ruhengeri. Enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. [Approximate driving time: 3 hours] O/N: Gorilla Nest Hotel (FB).

Day 6: In Parc National des Volcans: Birding. O/N: Gorilla Nest Hotel (FB)

Day 7: Transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters to track gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. Birding on the way and in the forest. O/N: Gorilla Nest Hotel (FB).

Day 8: Early start. Drive to Kabale. Bird Lake Bunyonyi, the “lake of small birds”. Lunch while there and transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park, game viewing and birding on the way. [Approximate driving time: 8 hours] O/N: Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (FB).

Day 9: Bird and Chimp tracking in Kyambura gorge. Afternoon boat cruise birding on Kazinga Channel for relaxing on the lake rich in many bird species. O/N: Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (FB).

Day 10: Drive to Kibale. Start for Kibale Forest via Fort Portal, past huge tea and coffee plantations. Arrive in time for lunch. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours] O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Kibale Camp (FB).

Day 11: Bird Kibale forest. Over 13 primate species including chimpanzees have been recorded. Lunch. Bird Magombe/Bigodi swamps in the afternoon. O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Kibale Camp (FB).

Day 12: Drive to Masindi, past huge tea and coffee plantations. Lunch and birding en route. [Approximate driving time: 9 hours] O/N: Masindi Hotel (FB).

Day 13: An early start, carrying a packed lunch. Bird Budongo Forest. This forest is also rich in monkeys and other primates. Birdlife is exceedingly rich – up to 332 different species have been recorded - including the rare blue-throated roller, dwarf kingfisher, velvet-mantled drongo and grey-chinned sunbird. Time permitting, an evening game drive in the park and a visit to the Top of the Falls. O/N: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp (FB).

Day 14: Birding. Game drives and launch cruise. O/N: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp (FB)

Day 15: Return to Kampala and on to Entebbe. Arrive late afternoon and transfer to the airport. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours].

[For hose who wish, a 3-day extension to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island, managed by the Jane Goodall Institute, can be added]. Tour Ends.

Please take time to read our Gorilla Tracking etiquette document.

More Tours to Rwanda

RW1 Gorillas in Rwanda (4 Days)	RW2 Gorillas in the Virunga – PNV & Mgahinga (6 Days)
RW3 Gorillas in Rwanda & Uganda (6 Days)	RW4 Chimps in Rwanda (5 Days)
RW5 Gorillas, chimps & birds in Rwanda (5 Days)	RW6 Gorilla, chimps & birds in Rwanda & Uganda (15 Days)
RW7 Jewels of Rwanda (8 Days)	RW8 Gorillas & culture in Rwanda (10 Days)

Departure Dates: Daily

Itineraries that include a visit to the gorillas are subject to availability of permits at time of booking. Unless otherwise stated, only one gorilla permit is included in the safari cost; the other trackings require a supplement to be paid at time of booking.

Merit Safaris will advise the most appropriate airlines to use to fly to Rwanda. We could book your flights; alternatively you can contact your Africa tour operator or travel agent. Safaris start either in Kigali in Rwanda, or Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda.

Please note: Rwanda is one hour behind Uganda.

Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted include a safari car for the itinerary stated, accommodation on a shared basis and meals (in Kampala/Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board), 1 boat/launch trip, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit.

For all categories of accommodation, ALL drinks (except bottled water) are excluded in the safari cost and clients are to pay for them directly to the hotels/Camps or Lodges. Clients could choose to fly out the following day in case there are no flights for their destination on the last day of the itinerary. A supplement for the extra night will be required.

Prices do not include airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes, all personal expenditure such as tips, telephone calls, laundry and drinks. For single rooms, the supplement (SRS) has to be paid. Fees for mountain climbing, fishing and other specialist activities will attract an extra charge where not stated.

Prices are quoted in US Dollars. At the time of booking, clients should confirm with us the prevailing exchange rates for Pounds and Euros, if they wish to pay in those currencies. At the time of booking, the client(s) will need to pay for all gorilla permits needed in full otherwise a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of a safari paid, whichever is higher.

Key to Itineraries: