Depth of Africa Safaris

Gorilla and Chimpazee Safaris in Rwanda & Uganda

In the tropical rainforest of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda lives the rare Mountain Gorilla.

This "Gentle Giant" is one of the 11 different primates you can visit in the pearls of Africa: Uganda and Rwanda. Others include chimpanzees, baboons, colobus and vervet monkeys – all of which can be seen during our safaris.

But Uganda and Rwanda have much more to offer in terms of this mountain gorilla trekking safaris unrivalled. Though Mahale National Park in the western flank of Tanzania has entertaining Chimpazee spotting, It will always be a great choice to combine Rwanda and Uganda or choose either.
A Rwanda safari will afford you a memorable city tour of the genocide memorial where hundreds of thousands victims of senseless tragedy rest in peace. Rwanda map became highlighted to the global eye during that time.

GORILLA PARKS / FAMILIES

The gorilla lives in four parks in Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. In Uganda they are seen in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi in Uganda has four habituated families with 32 permits available daily. The gorillas there live in thicker tropical forest and tracking is more challenging as the hillsides are steeper and it can take 3-10 hours.

Three of the families (Mubare, Habinyanja, and Rushegura) are accessed from Buhoma in the north, staying at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge or similar. You can also go for nature walks to see birds, monkeys and orchids. The fourth family, in Nkuringo in Southern Bwindi, is accessed from Kisoro, staying at Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge or similar. Access to this group is on a very steep trail. Mgahinga, in Uganda, is a great place to appreciate the unique Virunga volcanoes and has one habituated family, which is about 2-5 hours walk. Sometimes this group moves across the border and viewing is very erratic. You can track gorillas at Nkuringo in Southern Bwindi instead which is about 2 hours drive away. There are 8 permits available. In Mgahinga you can also climb a volcano or go for a nature walk, visit the endangered golden monkey or go birding. Parc National Des Volcans (PNV) in

Rwanda has seven habituated gorilla families (Group 13, Sabinyo, Amahoro, Umubano, Susa, Kwitonda and Hirwa. Most groups are half-day walks but Susa can take 7 hours. There are 36 permits available daily. Tracking in PNV and Mgahinga is usually easier than Bwindi as the afro-montane forest is lighter. You can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave and the graves of the gorillas which she studied, or see the endangered golden monkey. Djomba in the DRC also has a number of habituated gorilla families but Depth of Africa Safaris does not currently take clients there.

GORILLA TRACKING AND PERMITS

Only a limited number of permits are available in each gorilla park. It is therefore essential to book well in advance. Permits need to be paid for at the time of the initial safari booking so that they can be purchased immediately. Delay in payment can result in permits not being secured.

Those going gorilla tracking need to be properly equipped and should consult our gorilla tracking specialist on email for a packing list. To protect gorillas from disease, no children under 15 or people with illnesses may go tracking. Trackers must be fit and in good health as tracking in thick forest at heights up to 3,000m traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines can be tough, arduous and wet. Porters can be hired to carry equipment.

Part of the gorilla permit fee goes to communities living around the gorilla parks. Permits are non-refundable except for medical reasons and a medical certificate has to be provided.

Gorilla viewing can be denied at short notice because of national park or border closures, security changes or gorillas going out of range. In such circumstances refunds are at the discretion of the authority and are not within the company's control.

Obtaining a gorilla permit therefore is not a guarantee of seeing a gorilla. One hour is allowed with the gorillas, at a distance of at least 7 metres. Flash photography is not allowed, so fast film is useful (400-1600 ASA). Personal DVD recorders are allowed. Professional film makers require permission and need to purchase filming permits. At the National Parks you will meet your ranger who explains the rules for tracking gorillas and will take you up to the gorillas. Please follow the rules stated.

Flights to Uganda and Rwanda

Depth of Africa Safaris organises or sells international flights. We are travel agents for all flights around the world. For a cost-effective price please contact our Air Ticketing Dept at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call (+254) 729 421 088 and ask for Carolynn or one of the ticket sales representatives.

From Europe the easiest way to get to Entebbe (for Kampala in Uganda) directly from London is with British Airways www.britishairways.com. Kenya Airways www.kenya-airways.com and British Airways have daily connections between London and Nairobi, from where you can connect to Entebbe or Kigali with Kenya Airways. Brussels Airlines www.brusselsairlines.com fly to Entebbe, Kigali or Nairobi from Brussels. Ethiopian Airlines www.ethopianairlines.com fly from London to Entebbe and Kigali via Addis Ababa. KLM www.klm.com fly to Entebbe or Nairobi from Amsterdam. From the US, Emirates www.emirates.com fly from New York to Entebbe and Nairobi via Dubai. Alternatively clients can fly from New York, Washington DC or Atlanta to Johannesburg with South African Airways www.flysaa.com and then take a connecting flight. Rwandair www.rwandair.com has regular connections between Kigali and Entebbe, Kigali and Nairobi and Kigali and Kilimanjaro (Near Arusha in Tanzania).

Time

Uganda is 3 hours ahead of GMT. Rwanda is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

Visas

A valid passport is mandatory. Multiple-entry visas are difficult to obtain. Single entry visas are available without difficulty.

Rwandan visas are NOT required by nationals of USA, Germany, South Africa, Great Britain, Sweden, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Kenya, DRC, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi. Please note that it is no longer possible to acquire Rwandan visas on arrival at the airport, so other nationals should either submit their application demands to Rwandan Embassies/Diplomatic Missions abroad, or request for an online Entry Facility Form, which allows them to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport.

Please visit http://www.migration.gov.rw/services.php#visa for details.
Clients who need a visa will be required to present a copy of the accepted Entry Facility Form at the airport in order to obtain their Visas. A single entry visa to Rwanda costs US$ 60. In the UK the Rwandan Embassy is located 120 - 122 Seymour Place, London W1H 1NR. Telephone: +44 020 722 49 832. In the USA the Rwandan Embassy is located at 1724 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DE 200091. Telephone: +1 202 232 2882.

Ugandan visas are required by citizens of the European Union, the USA and Japan; other nationals should check. Entry visas can be obtained at Ugandan missions overseas or at Entebbe airport or land borders. A single entry visa to Uganda costs US$ 50, and is valid for three months. In the UK the Ugandan Embassy is located at Uganda House, 58/59 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DX. Telephone: +44 (0)20 7839 5783. In the USA the Uganda Embassy is located at 5811 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20011. Telephone: +1 202 726 7100.

Typical Itineraries

Important Note:
It will be upon you to choose the type of accommodation you require during the entire safari to help us give an appropriate quote. Depending on your budget, you can choose stay in budget guest house, Mid-range or semi-luxury hotel or a Luxury hotel.

3 Days, 2 Nights Gorilla Safari in Rwanda (One permit per person)

Day 1: Arrival & City Tour - Ruhengeri
The way to spend this day depends on the time of your arrival. You detailed and specific itinerary will be prepared on that basis. This typical itinerary assumes an early or mid morning arrival.

You are received by our resident concierge and assisted. Spend a good part of the day touring key city attractions which include a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and the genocide memorial.

Following the tour, drive north to Ruhengeri through the beautiful terraced hillsides that show much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes. If your time does not allow for city tour, you are driven direct to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge or Kinigi guest house (FB).

Day 2 : Gorilla Tracking
Early morning you enter the gorilla sanctuary of Parc National des Volcans, the rain tropical forest covering the hills surrounding Virunga Volcanoes. The trekking and tracking is a demanding but rewarding experience. Spend entire days in search for the 'gentle giants'. You will have received adequate briefing to help you interact with these primates in the most fulfilling and enjoyable way. You will leave every morning with picnic lunches and enough water. Hot dinner and overnights at your choice accommodation

Day 3: Return to Kigali
After your fun with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, you will return to Kigali for your flight back home.

3 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda
The parks known to be homes to primates are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National park for Mountain Gorillas, Kibale NP, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semliki National Park, Murchison NP and the Uganda Wildlife Education Center for other primates especially the Chimpanzees. This itinerary is for Bwindi.

Day 1: Kampala - Bwindi
Leave Kampala by road via Fort Portal-Mubende road, continue to the home of the mountain Gorillas (Bwindi) to reach the park in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Resort, Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Community Bandas

Day 2: Bwindi Forest
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 requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Resort, Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Community Bandas.

Day 3: Kampala
Return to Kampala after breakfast. End of tour

7 Days Combined Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Safari - Parc National des Volcans, Mgahinga & Bwindi

Important Note: Starting & Ending in Kigali

Day 1: Arrival & City Tour - Ruhengeri
The way to spend this day depends on the time of your arrival. You detailed and specific itinerary will be prepared on that basis. This typical itinerary assumes an early or mid morning arrival.

You are received by our resident concierge and assisted. Spend a good part of the day touring key city attractions which include a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and the genocide memorial.

Following the tour, drive north to Ruhengeri through the beautiful terraced hillsides that show much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes. If your time does not allow for city tour, you are driven direct to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge or Kinigi guest house (FB).

Day 2 : Gorilla Tracking
Early morning you enter the gorilla sanctuary of Parc National des Volcans, the rain tropical forest covering the hills surrounding Virunga Volcanoes. The trekking and tracking is a demanding but rewarding experience. Spend entire days in search for the 'gentle giants'. You will have received adequate briefing to help you interact with these primates in the most fulfilling and enjoyable way. You will leave every morning with picnic lunches and enough water. Hot dinner and overnights at your choice accommodation

Day 3: Transfer to Uganda, Mgahinga NP
After breakfast in the morning, visit the endangered golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. After lunch, transfer to Uganda preferably to Volcanoes Gahinga Lodge. Mgahinga NP is on the northern side of the Virunga mountains. Very great sight seeing, nature trails and walks before retiring to Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Gorrila Tracking in Mgahinga NP
Spend the day in tracking gorillas in this park. Dinner and overnight at Volcanoes Gahinga Lodge.

Day 5: Bwindi
Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes and lakes.

Time permitting, go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively, look for monkeys and birds near the river below the lodge.

Accommodation and meals at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge - An eco-lodge overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Day 6: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi
Today we embark on our 3rd Gorilla tracking day in our safari through thick and humid forest where we almost have to cut our way through the undergrowth, a challenge that is richly rewarded upon your first sight of the shy and graceful gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day.
Accommodation and meals at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge - An eco-lodge overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Day 7: Return To Kigali
If catching your return flight from Kigali, we shall drive via Kabale and Katuna. End of tour

4 days Rwanda tours – Gorillas and Chimps

Day 1: Arrival Transfer to Ruhengeri.

Meet our safari guide at the airport who will transfer you to Ruhengeri in northwestern Rwanda for gorilla trekking the next day. Dinner and overnight at Virungas Volcanoes Lodged, Gorilla Nest Lodge or Kinigi Guest House.

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking and Transfer to Nyungwe National park.
After an early morning breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing from the game rangers. Begin trekking the mountain gorillas at 08.30 am local time and encountering the mountain gorillas may take you between 2 to 8 hours depending on their movement in the jungle. After tracking proceed to Nyungwe National park for dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guest House (FB).

Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking safari.
Take an early morning breakfast, and proceed to Nyungwe Forest at 6:00am to track chimpanzees and the colobus monkeys plus viewing other inhabitants of the forest like birds and butterflies, then return back to the lodge for late breakfast. There after, take a forest guided walk for more fun in the forest, have lunch and a relaxed evening at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guest House (FB).

Day 4: Departure
Transfer back to Kigali with a visit to the cultural museum in Butare enroute. Then to Kigali airport for your return flight to your home country. End of the safari.