Stay at either Virunga Lodge, Rwanda, or Bwindi Lodge or Mount Gahinga Lodge in Uganda and trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda.
As well as trek the gorillas, you can see the rare golden monkey or hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in the park in Rwanda, or experience the ancient Batwa culture and Bwindi Bar in Uganda.
Depending on the location of your gorilla safari, you will experience:
Gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (PNV), Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Golden monkey tracking in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Hike to Dian Fossey’s grave and visit the original Karisoke Research Centre in Parc National des Volcans (PNV)
Intore dance group performance at Virunga Lodge
Visit the Gahinga Batwa Village at Mount Gahinga Lodge
Try a traditional Uganda ‘rolex’ wrap and Gorillini Cocktail at the award-winning Bwindi Bar
Participate in local community and conservation projects at each lodge run by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust
Receive news and insights from our lodges and conservation & community projects.
Write to us on enquiries@volcanoessafaris.com
Rwanda: +250 (0) 252 502 452
Uganda: +256 (0) 414 346 464
Day 1
Arriving in Kigali you will be welcomed by your expert safari guide who will provide knowledge and assistance throughout your safari. Set off for Virunga Lodge. Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails on the western terrace with stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes or warm yourself inside by the cosy fire.
Driving time approximately 3 hours. Helicopter flight approximately 45 minutes.
Please book flights arriving into Kigali no later than 10:00am.
Overnight at Virunga Lodge (lunch, dinner).
Day 2
Wake up early and have breakfast before setting off for gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans. Hike through the enchanting bamboo forest on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes. After a climb of between one and three hours, you will spend one hour in the company of the majestic and gentle mountain gorillas before returning to the lodge in time for a late lunch. Some gorilla families can be more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially if it is wet and muddy.
Overnight at Virunga Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 3
Choose from one of the optional activities:
Overnight at Virunga Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 4
Leave Virunga Lodge and drive to Kigali, and time permitting, enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is a moving testimony to this country’s past that it has courageously overcome (guests to pay/donate entrance fees directly).
Transfer to the airport in time for your return flight.
(breakfast, lunch)
Driving time approximately 3 hours. Helicopter flight approximately 45 minutes.
Day 1
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda where a staff representative will assist you with the transfer to your domestic flight to Kihihi. At Kihihi you will be welcomed by your expert safari guide who will provide knowledge and assistance throughout your journey.
Transfer to Bwindi Lodge. Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails on the veranda overlooking the dramatic Bwindi Forest with the calls of more than 150 bird species echoing in the distance.
Approximate Travel Times: Flying 1 to 2 hours; Driving 2 hours
Overnight at Bwindi Lodge (lunch, dinner)
Day 2
After enjoying an early breakfast, you set off gorilla tracking. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged moment. Tracking in the Bwindi forest can be steep and requires stamina as some gorilla families can be more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially if it is wet and muddy.
Visit the award-winning Bwindi Bar on the way back to the lodge after your gorilla trek and celebrate with the signature Gorillini cocktail! Bwindi Bar provides hospitality training to young disadvantaged youth from the neighbouring communities.
Overnight at Bwindi Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 3
Either go for a second gorilla trek (additional permits required, upon payment of supplement and subject to availability), choose from one of the following community and conservation activities:
Overnight at Bwindi Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 4
Transfer from Bwindi lodge to Kihihi airstrip for your morning or afternoon return flight to Entebbe and connect in time for your international flight.
Approximate Travel Times: Flying 1 to 2 hours; Driving 2 hours
Please book international flights departing after 8pm
(Breakfast at the lodge)
Day 1
Arriving in Kigali you will be welcomed by your expert Volcanoes Safaris guide who will provide knowledge and assistance throughout your safari. Set off for Mount Gahinga Lodge and cross the border into Uganda. (Be sure to turn your clocks one hour ahead). The lodge is located at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes and on the edge of Mgahinga National Park. Enjoy your pre-dinner cocktails on the terrace with stunning views of the Volcanoes or warm yourself inside by the cosy fire.
Driving time approximately 5 hours from Kigali.
Please book flights arriving in Kigali no later than 10.00am.
Alternatively you can arrive in Entebbe International Airport, Uganda and fly to Kisoro airstrip before transferring to the lodge. Flight time 1 to 1.5 hours and driving time 1 to 2 hours.
Overnight at Mount Gahinga Lodge (lunch, dinner).
Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking
After enjoying an early breakfast, you set off gorilla tracking. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged moment.
After a climb of between one and three hours the moment you find the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged one. You will spend one hour in the company of the majestic and gentle mountain gorillas before returning to the lodge in time for a late lunch.
Gorilla trekking requires stamina and can sometimes take a full day, especially if it is wet and muddy
Later in the afternoon visit the Gahinga Batwa Village and experience the culture and history of one of Africa’s oldest tribes. On your tour, you will visit their new village and community centre and will participate to the Batwa Heritage Tour to gain insight into their traditional life as hunter gatherers in the forest.
Overnight at Mount Gahinga Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 3 – Golden Monkey Trekking
A relaxed morning during which you can track the rare golden monkeys through the bamboo forests of the mountains. The monkeys travel in large groups and are as energetic as they are photogenic, often seen playing in the high branches or foraging on the ground for bamboo shoots.
Overnight at Mount Gahinga Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 4
Mid-morning transfer by road across the border into Rwanda (clocks go back an hour) and transfer to Kigali, enjoy a city tour and a visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your return flight. Driving time approximately 5 hours to Kigali.
If departing from Entebbe, you will leave the lodge in time for a morning flight from Kisoro airstrip to Entebbe and then connect in time for your international flight. Flight time 1 to 2 hours and driving time 2 hours.
Please book international flights departing after 8pm.
(breakfast and lunch)
Tracking mountain gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day, and to minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 10m from the gorillas. Typically, tracking can take from 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness; however, all fitness levels can be accommodated and no one should feel deterred from missing this once in a lifetime experience.
With only a small number remaining in the world, the Golden Monkey can be found in the foothills of the volcanic mountains of Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Characterized by its bright golden body, cheeks and tail, with contrasting black limbs, crown and tail end, these playful primates are a pleasure to watch. Whether you choose to do this on the Rwandan or Ugandan side, the walk will take you from the bamboo stands and forested gorge on the lower levels of the volcanoes, to the elevated heath and moorland higher up.
Located in a beautiful meadow nestled between the Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes are the graves of Dian Fossey and some of her beloved research gorillas. For anyone interested in gorilla conservation in Rwanda, or interested in Fossey’s personal story, the trek to her grave is highly recommended. This trek starts early in the morning, can take 6-8 hours and is operated by the National Park.
On a free afternoon at Virunga Lodge we recommend taking advantage of the lodge’s unique position by meandering down the mountain slope, through local villages, and to Lake Bulera, which sits at its foot. Passing through the local communities offers a colorful peek into village life and opportunities to visit local schools and a community library.
Located less than a kilometer from Mount Gahinga Lodge, the Kisozi Caldera is an easy to moderate hike to the top of a small hill where the caldera sweeps from corner to corner. A caldera is formed by volcanic eruptions, and many dot the stunning landscape of this volcanic region.
