Gorilla and Golden Monkey Tracking Safari

You will be met by our representative from Kigali International Airport who will then drive to cross the border into Uganda to Mutanda lake. Depending on the time you have an option of a boat cruise or just relaxing at the lodge overlooking the beautiful scenery of the volcanic mountains. Lake Mutanda is a volcanic formation lake with one of the best serene views in Uganda. It is hidden in the mountainous landscape of southwestern Uganda, in Kisoro District close to Rwanda and Congo Boarders. It has been referred to as one of the most scenic lakes in Africa by the visitors we have taken there. Its fresh clear water gives life to many species of plants, birds and other animal with about 15 tinny islands and beautiful scenery of rigged and rugged highlands endowed with green vegetation, plantations, and terraces of crops along the slopes. This breathtaking scenery is set against a stunning backdrop of sometimes cloudy peaks of the Virunga Volcanic Mountain ranges that can be visible from the hotel. Virunga Mountain Ranges or the volcanic mountains are made up of 8 volcanoes of which 4 are visible. The combination of the lake and the mountains in the background would arguably be the best relaxing destination especially after trekking the mountain gorillas.

Today is the big day; prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s or Mgahinga’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. You will wake up very early in the morning and carry packed breakfast and packed lunch, drive to the starting point of the gorilla tracking depending on the available permits will take about 1-2 hours. Tracking is a captivation and unforgettable experience which more than repays the efforts needed to reach Bwindi or Mgahinga and to trek through the forest. Gorilla tracking can be challenging and needs one to be reasonable fit before undertaking to venture into the activity. Gorilla tracking starts at 8:00am and lasts from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the Gorillas where left the previous day. This means you shall have to carry you packed Lunch and enough driving water. Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one whole hour with them and then later return to the starting point for pick up. Then drive to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight. Journey time: 3-9 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more) Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort (Mid-range) Meal plan: Full Board basis (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will drive to Mgahinga national park for the golden monkey tracking or an option of volcanoes hike which all start at the same time. Golden monkeys are endemic to the Albertine Rift, and trekking them is only in Mgahinga or the volcanoes. This trekking Safari provides a rare chance to track these unique monkeys which are striking gold colour, high in the dense bamboo forests on the Gahinga trail. Or you may choose to Hike the volcanic mountains which would give you chance to be in the three countries at the same time. Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation. Lake Bunyonyi which means a place of very many birds. This lake is the Africa’s second deepest Lake with about 900M. This is situated in the south-western part of Uganda and has about 29 islands amongst these include the Punishment Island. This is a beautiful place with beautiful sceneries accompanied by good historical attachments. While on this lake you will do an optional boat cruise around the lake and visit all the 29 Islands and enjoy the cool breath of the lake or swim. Arrive late in the evening for dinner and overnight at your hotel. Journey Time: 3-4 Hours Accommodation: Bird nest (luxury) Meal plan: Full Board basis

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Kigali. If time allows, you would get chance to visit the genocide memorial and then drive to the International Airport in time for flight.