The BEST of UGANDA & RWANDA - Women Only, GORILLA Trekking & Wildlife-Photo Safari -13 days/12 nights
Download and Print Our Women Only Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trek & Safari Itinerary (Adobe pdf)
INTERESTED IN OUR UGANDA-RWANDA TRIP? Book your place today to join this exclusive experience! We have our Gorilla Trekking permits. ONLY 16 persons per day are allowed into the park to trek and observe the Gorillas ! Join us for this once in a lifetime opportunity to witness these gentle creatures in the wild !
Click here to read a recent article about Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda - there is also a fabulous video accompanying this article - This was shared by a fellow woman traveler!
We're very excited to announce that travelers who prefer to have their own room when traveling can now book this trip on a single occupancy basis and pay a single supplement - details at the bottom of this page. Book your trip today, as there are a limited number of single rooms available!
From the Kibale National Forest-one of Uganda's most accessible rainforests, the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda-including the Ishasha sector to the spectacular volcanic peaks and lush green forests of Rwanda's Virunga Mountains and Parc National des Volcans, Uganda and Rwanda offer unparalleled up-close and personal primate experiences, big game viewing and birding opportunities. Both countries combined create the perfect setting for one of Africa's most memorable primate and wildlife safari adventures. Our ROAM adventure begins with chimpanzee tracking in the lush green forests of Kibale National Forest in western Uganda, home to over 13 primate species including the L'Hoest and red colobus monkey. The ultimate attraction however, is to track the habituated chimpanzees. Trekking through shady forest trails of Kibale will also delight butterfly lovers, and birders will be in for a real treat with the forest's more than 335 species of birds. After our first primate encounter, we continue on to spend several days traveling through Queen Elizabeth National Park, a superb "big game" park which lies in the shadow of the Ruwenzori Mountains, named "Mountains of the Moon" where we'll enjoy privileged experiences, including viewing vast herds of African elephants, buffalo, hippos, antelope, baboons, chimpanzees, and a dazzling variety of exotic East African birds. While in Queen Elizabeth National Park, we'll also cruise the Kazinga Channel to witness the world's largest concentration of Nile Hippo! Our last experience before leaving Queen Elizabeth National Park takes us to Ishasha, a vast low-lying savannah plain lying south of the equator in the Albertine Rift (part of the Great Rift Valley) which is home to the famous tree climbing lions. As our adventure unfolds one-day, one-breath-taking-scene, one-life-changing experience at a time, it's only then that we make our way into Rwanda for our next primate experience - Gorilla Trekking.
As we leave Uganda entering into Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda, we will prepare ourselves for one of the most powerful, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing experiences that redefines "memorable" ! We will track some of the last remaining mountain gorillas that still live in their natural habitat. Few wildlife safari experiences in East Africa can compare with the thrill, and the privilege, of seeing the rare and endangered families of mountain gorillas in the lush, misty forests of Rwanda. Rwanda is home to eight (8) habituated gorilla families, the most recent one was celebrated and named June 18, 2011. It was here that Dian Fossey did her groundbreaking work on the highly endangered mountain gorillas, and wrote her book Gorillas in the Mist, which ultimately led to the conservation of these gentle giants. As we trek through Volcanoes National Park and Rwanda's Virunga Mountains in search of these last surviving mountain gorilla groups, discover how beautiful these magnificent creatures are, and how important it is that they continue to be protected in their natural habitat. Approaching these enormous yet gentle creatures on foot, and observing from only a few feet away, as they feed, play and socialize, will certainly bring tears of excitement and happiness to your eyes.
Scroll to bottom of page for 2013 trip date and price.
ITINERARY
Travelers depart from their home on an overnight flight to Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Overnight International Flight - D
On arrival in Amsterdam, Netherlands, after completing customs, immigrations and collecting your luggage, you will be met by a ROAM associate and transfer to our local airport hotel where we spend one night. Travelers may wish to explore downtown Amsterdam during the day or simply rest and catch up from jet lag in preparation for our departure to Uganda tomorrow.
Please note: It is not possible to fly from the US/Canada to East Africa in one "direct" overnight flight. For this reason, travelers fly to Amsterdam where the group meets and overnights at a local airport hotel. The following day (Day #3), we then continue on, as a group, with the next leg of our adventure flying on Day #3 "direct" to Entebbe, Uganda.
PLEASE NOTE- You may also opt for your own flight itinerary and meet the group directly in Entebbe, Uganda on January 15, 2013. If you are planning to use miles or a flight option other than the one we suggest in order to join the trip, you are welcome to do so. Please contact us for details on where specifically to meet the group in Entebbe on Day #3 (January 15, 2013).
Overnight Airport Hotel, Amsterdam, Netherlands - D
This morning we depart as a group on KLM's direct flight to Entebbe, Uganda.
On arrival in Uganda, after completing customs, immigrations and collecting
our luggage, we will be met by our destination specialist representative and
transfer to the Lake Victoria Hotel where we will spend one night.
Overnight Lake Victoria Hotel - D
About the Hotel - Located in Entebbe, gateway to Uganda, the 99-room Lake Victoria Hotel is set within beautiful grounds, adjacent to the golf course. Built in 1945, the hotel is of the old colonial style with manicured gardens, a shady veranda and breezy upstairs terrace offering a good view of Lake Victoria across the golf course. The hotel has recently been renovated to a high standard; the work was completed in 2008. All rooms have satellite television, air conditioning or fan and an en suite bathroom. The hotel’s a la carte menu offers European, Indian and Chinese cuisine in the upstairs Equator Restaurant or the ground floor Palm terrace and a snack menu is also available. Hotel amenities include a swimming pool, gym and health club, two conference rooms and small shopping arcade.
This morning after breakfast and check out, we are collected from our hotel
and begin our scenic drive to the Primate Lodge. After leaving the Lake Victoria
Basin, which passes through beautiful agricultural countryside, where every
type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown. Upon reaching Kyanjojo, in
the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon), we drive
through beautiful tea plantations and into the Kibale tropical rain forest.
Arrive at the Primate Lodge where we will enjoy two nights inclusive of all
meals. Game (wildlife) viewing en-route.
Overnight Primate Lodge - B/L/D
About the Primate Lodge - the lodge is situated in Kibale Forest National Park and is the perfect gateway for tracking the primates of Uganda. The lodge is committed to the conservation of nature and culture, and is constructed using local materials and makes use of solar power electricity in order to minimize the impact on the environment. Primate Lodge features luxury safari tents. All the rooms are privately situated within the forest, making it an ideal place to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you. The luxury tents are on a raised wooden platform and covered by a grass thatched roof, blending perfectly with the natural environment. The interior is tastefully decorated in African style, each with 2 twin sized beds, brightly colored bed spreads and large windows to take in the forests. The en suite bathrooms are furnished with a natural touch of stone and bamboo.
This morning after breakfast, we embark on a forest trek in search of chimpanzees and other primates in the Kibale Forest National Park where the walking is fairly easy due to the well maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. After our excursion, return to the lodge for lunch and then this afternoon we embark on a swamp walk.
Overnight Primate Lodge - B/L/D
Chimp Tracking
The forest opens its doors for a sensational chimp tracking! Enjoy a guided primate walk in the lush expenses of the tropical rainforest, in search of the wild chimpanzees. The ranger guide will explain you more about the animals and plants species that you encounter on your way. Also look out for other primates like the Red-Colobus Monkeys and Mangabey, birds, tracks of mammals and much more!
Swamp Walk
At the eastern side of the national park you will find Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a protected area situated in Magombe Swamp. Different trails are available to encounter a variety of birds (137 species), primates and butterflies. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the villagers of Bigodi and the revenues are shared by the local community.
This morning, after breakfast and check out, we transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive passes through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, with the hope of viewing the glaciated peaks. We gently descend into the Great African Rift Valley and Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mweya Lodge, situated on a peninsula overlooking lake Edward and Kasinga Channel, offering beautiful views of the park with the Rwenzori Mountains in the background. Queen Elizabeth National Park resides in a fertile, equatorial area and has beautiful scenery. It is Uganda’s most popular and accessible savannah reserve, with a total area of 1229 miles. It is primarily associated with greasy savannah plains, but this impressive park also includes within its boundaries, leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps and natural volcanic crater lakes. As a result it has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world, including a total of 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 species of birds. In the afternoon, we will explore the park and its wonders on a game (wildlife) viewing drive.
Overnight Kyambura Game Lodge - B/L/D
About Kyambura Game Lodge - the lodge is a new luxury lodge situated on the eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with stunning views over the park and Kyambura Gorge. The lodge has been built using environmentally friendly local materials. Accommodation is provided in 8 spacious and tastefully decorated self-contained grass-thatched cottages, with bath tubs/showers with views to the park, running hot and cold water and equipped with 220v electricity. Each cottage is privately located and has a lovely wooden balcony from which the diversity of wildlife in the park can be viewed and enjoyed. The lodge also has a beautiful swimming pool and camp fire around which local traditional dancers will entertain you as you relax after the day’s activities. The restaurant and lounge area open towards a sundowner deck overlooking the park - the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with the drink of your choice. The kitchen features both international and local cuisine and meals are prepared using organic vegetables from our own gardens and served by friendly and professionally trained staff. From the lodge you can immerse yourself in wildlife, with game viewing from your private balcony or by going on a bird walk from the lodge down into the valley. There are also community walks and walks around the crater lakes available from the lodge.
Today we enjoy game (wildlife) viewing drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including a launch trip of about two hours on the Kazinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of Nile hippo in the world (reported to be about 30,000) and other game with excellent birding.
Overnight Kyambura Game Lodge - B/L/D
About Queen Elizabeth National Park - the park is Uganda's most popular and accessible savanna reserve. It is primarily associated with open savanna, studded in some areas with a dense cover of acacia and euphorbia trees, but it also embraces large areas of swamp around Lake George. Over 95 mammal species have been recorded in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National park boasts of a variety of big game like; lions, elephants, buffaloes, Hyenas, Hippos, bushbucks, the comical warthogs and rare leopards. The park harbors over 10 primates including chimpanzees, velvets, blue, red tailed and L’Host Monkeys and others. Around 20 predators are found in the park, including lions, side stripped jackals, hyenas, leopards and others. Antelopes common to the park include Uganda Kob, Defassa water bucks, Topi and many more. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best birding parks in Africa, with 560 + recorded species and a record of 296 bird species seen in one 24 hour period.
Today, after breakfast and check out, we transfer through the park to the Ishasha region to the Ishasha Wilderness Camp where we spend two nights in East African meru style tents. While en-route, we will be in search of the tree climbing lion and other game. Game (wildlife) viewing en-route.
Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp - B/L/D
About Ishasha Wilderness Camp - the camp is located in a magical setting on the edge of the Ntungwe river in the middle of the wilderness. The camp is composed of East Africa meru styled tents. Each tent has its own private en suite bathroom and dressing area providing hot water ‘bush’ showers and an eco friendly toilet. A central dining area, also under canvas, provides a comfortable environment for meals and an outdoor lounge area beside the river and evening ‘fireplace’ venue for guests completes this unique bush experience.
Enjoy game (wildlife) drives to view the famous tree climbing lions in the Ishasha region
of Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as other birds and game in this
sector of the park. Ishasha is a vast low-lying savannah plain lying south
of the equator in the Albertine Rift Valley. The Ishasha Sector of Queen
Elizabeth National Park is home to the tree-climbing lions, unique to this
area. The males of these lions sport manes that are black, another unique
feature.
Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp - B/L/D
This morning, after breakfast and check out, we depart Uganda, driving across the border into Rwanda - land of a thousand hills, arriving at Volcanoes National Park and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge where we will spend two nights. Game (wildlife) viewing en-route. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Some habituated gorilla groups have been spotted near the lodge and have been known to wonder close enough to the lodge area affording guests opportunities to observe these wonderful primates in a secure environment even prior to our gorilla trekking day excursions. Game (wildlife) viewing en-route.
Overnight Mountain Gorilla View Lodge - B/L/D
About Mountain Gorilla View Lodge - Located just over 9 miles from Musanze (Ruhengeri) and 62 miles from Kigali with spectacular views of the volcanoes that make up the Virungas Range is Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. Experience the quiet and tranquility of nature where you are 1 mile from the world famous and endangered Mountain Gorillas. MGVL has thirty-two chalets furnished with your comfort in mind. After a day visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the warmth of your personal fireplace awaits you.
After breakfast we take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We will then hike into the forest to where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes not in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. The beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located, the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film and/or extra memory cards are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. We will return to the lodge after our trek and spend the rest of the day at leisure. To lighten our load, we will also have porters during our gorilla trekking excursions who will carry all of our gear for us.
Overnight Mountain Gorilla View Lodge - B/L/D
This morning, after breakfast we embark on our 2nd day of Gorilla trekking. This afternoon, we return from our trek with time to freshen up, and afterwards we will transfer to Kigali where we spend one night at the Laico Umubano Hotel. Game (wildlife) viewing en-route.
Overnight Laico Umubano Hotel - B/L/D
About The Laico Umubano Kigali Hotel - the hotel is situated in the embassy district of Kigali, about 3miles from the centre of town and is a quite base for any stay in this vibrant city. The hotel features a bar and restaurant, various leisure facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, fitness, aerobics, sauna and tennis court. There is also a bank, several shops and parking on site.
This morning after breakfast we are collected from our hotel lobby and taken on a half day city tour, including a visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre and other cultural sites. After the tour, we return to the hotel where we can freshen up and relax in a dayroom before our transfer to the airport for your flight evening flight home.
Overnight return flight to Amsterdam as a Group or Travelers may opt for their own flight schedule - B/L/D
B = Breakfast Included, L = Lunch Included, D = Dinner Included
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Thanks for Choosing ROAM Adventures for your next Women's Adventure Vacation!!
TRIP DATES - January 13-25, 2013 (13 days/12 nights)
TRIP PRICE - $8,395 USD per person, land-all-inclusive
--optional single supplement (if wanting your own private room, no sharing) - add $1,195 USD
Room-shares guaranteed on all trips, if you don't want to pay a single supplement fee.
Group Size - 16 women
Trip Rating - Easy to Moderate, 2 days of possible
high energy on gorilla trekking days.
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Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari
Join us to track famous Gorilla families of Rwanda and
Chimps of Uganda, photograph endemic bird species,
witness Nile Hippo and Tree Climbing Lions. -
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