DAY 1: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
The driver-guide will meet you at your chosen residence or the Kigali airport and bring you to Volcanoes National Park, which is located north of Ruhengeri. Travel across undulating and attractive terraced hills to get a sense of Rwanda's general terrain and altitude. You'll spend the evening unwinding at the lodge before embarking on your trip the next day.
DAY 2: BWINDI
Following a briefing, you will embark on the golden monkey hunt. The adventure begins at 7 a.m. at the Kinigi Park headquarters, from whence you will journey into the forest in search of these endangered animals. The tracking experience lasts around four hours, which includes a one-hour interaction with them. They'll be rolling around on the bamboo stalks and showing off (their shyness has been diminished by habit). Consider the look on their silver patch's face.
Then you'll be taken to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which is home to gorillas. The journey takes you through beautiful rainforests and the undulating terraced hills of Kigezi, dubbed the "Switzerland of East Africa." Drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight before the next day's adventure.
DAY 3: LAKE BUNYONYI
After breakfast, proceed to the briefing location for the trip's highlight - gorilla trekking. Depending on the group you visit, it might take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. We travel through the bush and bamboo-covered slopes with a Uganda Wildlife Authority guide and six trackers in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walk might be challenging and time-consuming at times, but once you glimpse the gorgeous silverback, all your troubles will fade away. Due to the nature of the activity, you will need to bring a packed lunch. You'll then drive through the terraced hills to Lake Bunyonyi.
Aside from canoeing, there are a few other optional activities such as swimming (which is safe in this lake) and hiking on some of the island trails along the lakeshores. You may also go on community walks to meet the locals while listening to the singing of tiny native and exotic bird species. You will stay at Bunyonyi Rock Resort for supper and overnight.
DAY 4: LAKE BUNYONYI – KIGALI
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and drive to Lake Bunyonyi for a guided canoe tour. Then you'll cross the border into Rwanda. You will have vivid recollections of the enormous and critically endangered mountain gorillas when you return to Kigali. Enjoy a meal en route before arriving late at night and being dropped off at your hotel or airport as you bid farewell to the "Pearl of Africa."
