6 DAY MGAHINGA GORILLAS – GOLDEN MONKEYS – BATWA AND VOLCANO CLIMBING
This 6 Day Mgahinga Gorillas – Golden Monkeys – Batwa and Volcano Climbing – combines all the top things to do and see in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. This park offers a lot more than just gorilla and golden monkey trekking. Travelers can opt to indulge in very rewarding Volcano Climbings; Mgahinga– 3,474m ASL, Sabyinyo – 3,669m ASL and Muhavura – 4127m ASL, and the Best Batwa Cultural Experience.
PRICE GUIDE:
From USD____ per person sharing.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: 01 Mgahinga / Bwindi Gorilla Permit, 01 Golden Monkey Permit, Volcano Climbing permit, 05 Nights Accommodation, All Meals, All Park Fees, All Ground Transportation in a Standard 4×4 Mini Van. See more information below…
6 DAY MGAHINGA GORILLAS – GOLDEN MONKEYS – BATWA AND VOLCANO CLIMBING
TOUR DETAILS:
Tour Starts:
- We recommend starting your trip in Kigali – 142Km (4 hours drive including border crossing time) to Mgahinga NP – Saves you travel time and Money $$ – you get to spend longer in the gorilla highlands.
- Our Second alternative is flying into Uganda through Entebbe, getting onto a local flight from Entebbe to Kisoro and drive 12Km (41minutes to an hour) to get to Mgahinga NP.
NOTE: The option of Flying in through Entebbe requires staying overnight in Entebbe in order to catch your early the local flight with aero linkUganda that depart early the next morning.
TOUR VISITS:
- Mgahinga Gorilla Park or Bwindi Forest NP – subject to permit availability at the time of booking this tour.
BRIEF ITINERARY:
- Day 01: Arrival into Kigali (Rwanda).
- Day 02: Transfer from Kigali to Lake Mutanda in Uganda
- Day 03: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park or Mgahinga Subject to permit availability at booking time.
- Day 04: Volcano Climbing in Mgahinga NP.
- Day 05: Batwa Pygmy Experience.
- Day 06: Golden Monkeys, thereafter transfer back Kigali – End of the Safari
6 DAY MGAHINGA GORILLAS – GOLDEN MONKEYS – BATWA AND VOLCANO CLIMBING
DAY 01: ARRIVAL INTO KIGALI
On arrival, you will be met at the Airport by a representative of Realm Africa Safaris who will then transfer you to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on the time you arrive Kigali if time allows you might take on a short city tour of Kigali visiting the Gisozi Genocide Memorial.
Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel – Kigali. | Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (B).
DAY 02: TRANSFER TO MGAHINGA GORILLA PARK
Breakfast; thereafter you will transfer from Kigali city to Mgahinga Gorilla Park via Cyanika Border post (Uganda & Rwanda Southwestern border post) – 142km / 3 – 4 hours drive from Kigali. arriving at your Lodge in time for lunch.
Drive time(s): 3 – 4 hours drive from Kigali (Includes border Crossing time).
Accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro Town (Budget) | Lake Mutanda Resort (Midrange) | Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (BLD).
DAY 03: GORILLA TREKKING IN MGAHINGA GORILLA PARK.
Breakfast; thereafter confirm that you have all the basics; a lunch box (to be provided by the Lodge), raincoat, good hiking boots, waterproof pants + long-sleeved shirt, a pair of strong garden gloves, repellent, a waterproof daypack to carry all your valuables.
Your guide will thereafter transfer you to the briefing point and also help you out through the registration process. After the briefing by a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, you will embark on your long-awaited Gorilla trekking experience.
Return to the lodge and relax.
Accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro Town (Budget) | Lake Mutanda Resort (Midrange) | Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (BLD).
DAY 04: VOLCANO CLIMBING IN MGAHINGA GORILLA PARK.
Breakfast at the lodge; with all your trekking gear – good sturdy shoes, raincoat at least two (02) liters of water, a packed lunch, a camera and all relevant photography accessories, your guide will transfer you to the start of your Volcano climbing experience.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park offers up to three (03) Volcano Climbing experiences. Today you can only climb one (01) of them;
Mount Muhabura (4,127 meters / 13,540 ft):
Mount Muhabura, also known as Mount Muhavura which means “the guide” because It can be seen from many parts of Uganda and Rwanda because of its slope. Muhabura is partly in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda and partly in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda.
This cone-shaped Muhabura Volcano is the highest of the other two ( Gahinga – 3,474M ASL, and Sabinyo – 3,669m ASL) and Therefore accords those that climb to the very top the Best views of the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Geaorge & Edward in Queen Elizabeth Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the Rwenzori Mountains.
Mount Gahinga (3,474 meters):
Mount Gahinga is the smallest of all the three (03) Volcanoes – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park derives its name from this mountain.
Gahinga means “a pile of stones” and you will find piles of stones in the gardens and farms below Mount Gahinga that the locals clear from their gardens put into piles at the edges of their gardens and are also being used as construction material in the area.
Climbing Mount Gahinga typically takes about six (06) hours – round trip. Meaning you can trek up and down the Volcano in just one (01) Day.
Mount Sabinyo 3,645 metres (11,959 ft):
Mount Sabinyo also called “Old Man’s Teeth” because its serrated summit resembles worn teeth in a gum line. Mount Sabinyo marks the intersection of the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda. It also is within the adjoining national parks established by these countries: Virunga National Park in the DRC, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Trekking up Mount Sabinyo requires a good level of physical fitness, especial during ascent and descent of the stretch of ladders leading you to the border intersection point of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda – its on Mount where you won’t need to lose border crossing time – you will be in all three countries at ago.
DAY 05: VISIT THE BATWA PYGMIES THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE OF THE GORILLA FOREST.
Breakfast at the lodge; thereafter you will embark on yet another exciting experience with the marginalized Batwa community as they take you through the culture and daily way of life lived in the forest over 100,000 years ago as fruit gatherers and occasional hunters of small antelopes that roamed the forest. In 1991, the then forest was gazetted as a National Park and the Batwa were expelled from living in the Forest. This impacted on them in different ways – it’s these sort of stories and experience that make the Batwa trail one of the best Cultural encounters while visiting Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
The Batwa trail is a full Day affair and we, therefore, recommend taking with you enough drinking water (at least two litres each, a packed lunch (can be prepared at your lodge), granola bars (for some added sugars just in case you need them), a raincoat, Good hiking boots/shoes and of course a camera for your photography needs.
Accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro Town (Budget) | Lake Mutanda Resort (Midrange) | Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (BLD).
DAY 06: GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING, AND TRANSFER TO KIGALI
Breakfast; thereafter with the right trekking shoes/boots, with long socks, 2 liters of water, a raincoat, a camera and of course a couple of well-charged batteries and extra memory chips for your photography needs, you will transfer to the Mgahinga park offices for pre-briefing on Golden Monkey trekking In Uganda. During the briefing, if keen, you will learn that Mgahinga gorilla Park boasts of having the Highest number of Golden Monkeys in the Virunga mountains, and Mgahinga Gorilla Park is the only place in Uganda where one can trek Golden Monkeys. Golden Monkey trekking In Mgahinga Gorilla Park usually lasts 3 – 4 Hours – it is after this experience that you will then transfer back to your Lodge for lunch and thereafter check out of the lodge and embark on your 3 hours drive back to Kigali for your International flight back home.
Accommodation: Not Included But Can Be arranged at EXTRA cost.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (BLD).
End of Service – 6 Days Mgahinga Gorillas – Golden Monkeys – Batwa and Volcano Climbing
THINGS TO NOTE IF YOUR TRIP STARTS IN KIGALI.
# Ensure you apply for an East African Tourist Visa – USD100 – admits you into Rwanda and Uganda, and Kenya to in case of onward travel.
# Please ensure you carry an international Yellow fever Immunisation Card – its the only proof you have actually had your yellow fever shot – Authorities can be very STRICT on this.
# Ensure your Departure flight is clearly marked to fly-out from Kigali International airport in the evening – please allow ample time for your flight connections – Realm Africa Safaris™ will not accept liabilities arising from Missed Connections.
# Please make it a point to pre-inform us about your intentions to finish the tour in Kigali.
THINGS TO NOTE IF YOUR TRIP STARTS IN ENTEBBE.
# Driving from Entebbe to Mgahinga Gorilla Park takes almost the entire day 9 – 10 hours. We, therefore, recommend flying out of Entebbe to Kisoro Town – 12 Km / 41 minutes drive to Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Aero-link Uganda operates Daily flights in and out Of Entebbe to Kisoro. The cost of these flights is NOT included in the Tour Price.
# Please ensure you carry an international Yellow fever Immunisation Card – its the only proof you have actually had your yellow fever shot – Authorities can be very STRICT on this.
# Ensure your Departure flight is clearly marked to fly-out from Entebbe International airport in the evening – please allow ample time for your flight connections – Realm Africa Safaris™ will not accept liabilities arising from Missed Connections.
# Please make it a point to pre-inform us about your intentions to finish the tour in Entebbe.
STANDARD OFFER:
4X4 Safari Customized Toyota Super custom – Mini Van
Our standard mode of transportation is Road transport with the use of 4×4 Safari Customized Vans as our standard offering.
Our Vans have an open roof that offers a 360° animal view allowing for photography while on safari.
Our Vans take a maximum of 06 passengers each with the privilege of having a personal window seat.
UPGRADE:
4X4 Safari Customized Toyota Landcruiser – Superior off Road Driving.
For our upmarket clients that wish to enjoy Superior comfort of traveling in our state of art Toyota land cruiser, we can upgrade you at an extra charge of US$190 per day
All our land cruisers come fully air-conditioned and with a cool box fully packed with complimentary en route drinks and snacks. The trucks all have large windows and an open roof that offers a 360° animal view allowing for photography while on safari.
BUDGET TOUR
USD_____ p/p
- → 01 Mgahinga Gorilla Permit Per Person.
- → 01 Mgahinga Golden Monkey Permit Per Person.
- →01 Batwa Trail visit.
- →01 Volcano Climbing.
- → 05 Nights Stay at Travellers Rest Hotel – Kisoro Mentioned in the Itinerary.
- → All Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- → All Ground Transportation in a 4X4 Mini – Van.
- → All Park Fees.
MIDRANGE TOUR
USD_____ p/p
- → 01 Mgahinga Gorilla Permit Per Person.
- → 01 Mgahinga Golden Monkey Permit Per Person.
- →01 Batwa Trail visit.
- →01 Volcano Climbing.
- → 05 Nights Stay at Lake Mutanda Resort Mentioned in the Itinerary.
- → All Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- → All Ground Transportation in a 4X4 Mini – Van.
- → All Park Fees.
UPMARKET TOUR
USD_____p/p
- → 01 Mgahinga Gorilla Permit Per Person.
- → 01 Mgahinga Golden Monkey Permit Per Person.
- →01 Batwa Trail visit.
- →01 Volcano Climbing.
- → 05 Nights Stay at Gahinga Lodge Mentioned in the Itinerary.
- → All Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- → All Ground Transportation in a 4X4 Mini – Van.
- → All Park Fees.
6 DAY MGAHINGA GORILLAS – GOLDEN MONKEYS – BATWA AND VOLCANO CLIMBING
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
- 01 Mgahinga Gorilla trekking permit per person on this tour.
- 05 nights Accommodation at the lodge mentioned or similar.
- All Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- All Ground transportation in a 4X4 minivan – Upgrades available at Extra Cost.
- Services of an English speaking driver-guide. (Other Language guides – EXTRA Cost)
- All fuel Costs for the tours as per the itinerary.
- Bottled mineral water in the car NOT at the lodges.
TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Visa Fees.
- Any government imposed increments on park fees/taxes.
- Accommodation on the last day.
- International flights (from/to home).
- Tips (tipping guideline US$10 pp per day).
- *Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Add-On Options to Consider adding to your 6 DAY MGAHINGA GORILLAS – GOLDEN MONKEYS – BATWA AND VOLCANO CLIMBING
.
Instead of the usual 01-hour gorilla viewing time. You could opt to go for the full day Gorilla Habituation Experience which allows you 4-hours with wild mountain gorillas in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. If you choose Gorilla habituation, then there will be an extra charge on the permits and accommodation – Gorilla habituation permits cost US$1500 each. This however changes the itinerary since gorilla habituation is only done in Rushaga area of southern Bwindi. Read more “Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda”.
Forego long drive times from Entebbe or Kampala and fly into Kigali – Rwanda where it is just a 5-hours drive to Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Versus the long 09+-hour drive from Entebbe, Uganda.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
**Treat all the above information as a guide – we will make necessary adjustments depending on gorilla permits, and accommodation availability at the time of booking this tour. Of course, we will inform you before making any adjustments to your itinerary.
