Newly launched in 2024, this 7-day Great Ape Conservation Safari takes you to Kyambura Gorge and Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Combining exceptional wildlife viewing with the opportunity to participate in vital conservation projects and meet the people who work to protect the great apes, this safari gives you behind-the-scenes access to conservation and community projects run by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust.
Spend three nights each at Kyambura Gorge Lodge and Mount Gahinga Lodge and explore the wonderful changing landscapes and exceptional biodiversity of the Albertine Rift. Enjoy early morning walking safaris through the rolling savannah and Kyambura Gorge, a magical sunken rainforest, to search for the ‘Lost Chimps of Kyambura’.
Join the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Team as they identify large carnivores as part of an annual census and participate in the Kyambura Ecotourism Project, a series of initiatives in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute which aims to protect a small isolated group of chimpanzees and the fragile gorge ecosystem in which they live.
At Mount Gahinga Lodge, visit the Batwa Village and learn about the ancient culture of one of the oldest surviving indigenous people in the Central African Region. Trek to see the rare golden monkey and end your safari with a trek to the enchanting and playful Nyakagezi gorilla family, the only gorilla group in Mgahinga Park and famous for its high number of silverbacks.
2025 Rates from $12,310 per person for this 7-day all-inclusive safari, including a tax deductible donation of $3,000 per person, used to fund the Gahinga Batwa Village and the Kyambura Gorge Ecotourism Project.
Trekking mountain gorillas in dense African forests is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Groups of eight visit per day, maintaining a 10m distance to protect the gorillas. Treks last 3-8 hours, requiring some fitness, but all levels are accommodated for this unforgettable adventure.
Experience the thrill of chimpanzee trekking in the natural high canopies and across river bridges. Starting from Kyambura Gorge Lodge, the 2-3 hour trek involves navigating steep gorges and log bridges, demanding agility and fitness. Nearby Kalinzu Forest also offers a glimpse into the lives of 40 habituated chimpanzees.
Golden monkeys, with their striking golden fur and playful nature, inhabit the volcanic foothills of Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Treks lead through bamboo forests and moorlands, offering a chance to observe these rare primates in their natural habitat.
The Kyambura Gorge Buffer Walk, a 3-hour guided experience, showcases the buffer area developed by the VSPT and local communities. Guests enjoy scenic views of the gorge, the park, and Kyambura reserve, while learning about the 3000 indigenous trees planted in the area.
Discover the art of Ugandan coffee making on a hands-on tour led by local community members. Witness the transformation of coffee beans into a delicious brew and sample the final product. At the tour’s conclusion, guests have the opportunity to purchase the cooperative’s coffee, supporting the local community and taking home a unique souvenir.
Discover the Kisozi Caldera, just a short hike from Mount Gahinga Lodge. This easy to moderate trek leads to a small hilltop with sweeping views of the volcanic landscape, where calderas mark the terrain formed by ancient eruptions.
Participate in the lion monitoring project at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Collect and submit survey data on game drives to the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Team. Record GPS locations and take identification photos of lions. Your contributions aid in the protection and research of Uganda’s carnivore populations.
In 2013, VSPT began tea processing at Bwindi Lodge to reduce human-wildlife conflict by using tea as a buffer crop. Guests can enjoy a tea tour to learn about cultivation, traditional processing, and the differences between black, green, and white teas, concluding with a tasting overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
In 2013, the VSPT launched a beekeeping initiative at the Volcanoes Safaris Virunga Lodge in Rwanda, inspired by the success of a similar project in Kyambura. Situated on a designated plot near the lodge, this project features 11 colonized beehives and offers tours for guests to learn about honey production and harvesting. Five local beekeepers, each contributing a traditional beehive with a colony, participate in this venture, which continues to support local livelihoods and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
Established in November 2010, the Kyambura Community Playground, sponsored by the VSPT and situated near Kyambura Gorge Lodge, serves as a vital recreational area for local children and a hub for community activities. The playground hosts football and netball games, and fitness classes from Kyenzaza Primary School. By investing in community resources and supporting local sports, the VSPT promotes wildlife conservation and community self-sufficiency.
The Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative offers vocational training and a sustainable income source for twenty local women, many facing significant challenges. They cultivate over 2,500 coffee plants organically, which are processed locally and served at Volcanoes Safaris lodges. This initiative not only supports these women but also serves as a wildlife buffer, mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. Contributions help expand the project and sustain the community.
Since 2009, the VSPT has developed a 3km buffer along Kyambura Gorge, showcased through a guided walk that offers views over the Gorge, Park, and local homesteads. Plans for 2024 include expanding this buffer by twenty acres to further protect wildlife and support local communities. Contributions towards this effort are crucial for continued conservation success.
Write to us on [email protected] or send us a message via the form on our contact page.
Rwanda: +250 (0) 252 502 452
Uganda: +256 (0) 414 346 464
© Volcanoes Safaris 1997 – 2024. All Rights Reserved
Write to us on [email protected] or send us a message via the form on our contact page.
Rwanda: +250 (0) 252 502 452
Uganda: +256 (0) 414 346 464
| High Season Safari Rates 2025 | Per Person Sharing | Single Traveler Supplement |
|---|---|---|
| 7 day Community and Conservation Safari in Uganda | $ 15305 | $ 3125 |
High season rates are applicable on bookings from 1st June to 30th September and 15th December to 28th February. Rates are based on a minimum of 2 people.
| Low Season Safari Rates 2025 | Per Person Sharing | Single Traveler Supplement |
|---|---|---|
| 7 day Community and Conservation Safari in Uganda | $ 12310 | $ 1595 |
Low season rates are applicable from 1st October to 14th December and 1st March to 31st May. Rates are based on a minimum of 2 people.
Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness.
Chimpanzee tracking is also available in nearby Kalinzu, a forest reserve 30 minutes drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.
