Day 1: Travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After breakfast, your driver guide will take you to Kisoro in Uganda, located at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes. Along the way, enjoy the scenic views of the ‘thousand hills’ and the majestic Volcanoes if you come via Kigali, or opt for arrival through Entebbe International Airport. Spend the afternoon at leisure, gearing up for the upcoming trekking and hiking adventures.
Alternatively, you can choose to take a morning flight from Entebbe Airport to Kisoro airstrip, allowing time at the lodge for community activities or relaxation.
Estimated driving time: 8 hours, or Scheduled Flight: 1 hr 50 minutes (4 hours via Kigali)
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Golden Monkey Trekking
Today, embark on an exciting golden monkey trekking adventure. Golden monkeys inhabit the Virunga volcanoes shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. After an early breakfast, depart from your lodge with your driver guide to the briefing point for the trek. A ranger will provide guidance on what to expect in the park before setting off to encounter these lively primates. Consider hiring a porter for assistance on steep sections of the hike. Enforcement officers will accompany you for safety, especially in the presence of wild buffaloes and elephants. Follow the golden monkeys as they move around, feeding on bamboo shoots, fruits, vegetation, and occasionally, ants. Spend an hour observing them before descending back to your lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Batwa Trail
Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Batwa, an indigenous tribe that once inhabited the forests of the Virunga volcanoes. The Batwa lived as hunter-gatherers, coexisting with wildlife before the forests were designated as national parks for conservation. Meet members of the Batwa community who will guide you through the forest, sharing their traditional way of life and stories of survival amidst encounters with wildlife. Explore the ‘Batwa trail,’ developed in collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Authority, to gain insight into their harmonious relationship with nature. Proceeds from this tour contribute to a fund used for land purchase and housing for Batwa families.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Departure via Kigali/Entebbe
Bid farewell to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park after a memorable adventure-filled stay. Following breakfast, your driver guide will escort you to Kigali city, from where you’ll proceed to the airport for your return flight home. Thank you for exploring Uganda with us.
Estimated driving time: 8 hours, or Scheduled Flight: 1 hr 50 minutes (4 hours via Kigali)
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
