The 5 Days Virunga Primate Safaris is an extraordinary adventure that takes you to Virunga Mountains the home to an astonishing variety of the primate species in Virunga National Park. This safari takes you to the lush forests and rugged landscape where you will have the privilege of encountering majestic mountain gorillas, elusive chimpanzees and among many others. With the expert guides leading you through the experience you will move through the intrigued safari destinations.
Tour Highlights.
Day 1: Arrival and exploration of Rumangabo.
Day 2: 1st Gorilla trekking and exploring Bukima.
Day 3: 2nd gorilla trekking and visiting senkwekwe gorilla orphanage.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking.
Day 5: Departure.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival and exploration of Rumangabo.
On the 1st day of the safari, your safari guide will pick from your hotel and he will welcome you and belief you about the 5 days Virunga primate safaris. After the briefing you will embark on your journey and cross Grande Barriere border and around 10:30 am with the stunning views along the way, and upon your arrival you will check in with the Virunga tourism office that is within the Grandee Barriere border post building that is opposite passport control.
You will after receive your permits that you present at the start of both chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, and then you will proceed to Mikeno lodge at the park headquarters in Rumangabo, you will check in and then be served with lunch. After lunch, you will explore Rumangabo’s experience that offers a unique blend of adventure, culture and nature. Rumangabo provides a glimpse into traditional Congolese life, with opportunities to engange with the local communities, learn about their customs, and participate in the village activities. The experience also includes exploring the surrounding wilderness, with the guided hikes and birdwatching excursions the offers a chance to spot rare and exotic species. After the experience you will be transferred back to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 2: 1st Gorilla trekking and exploring Bukima.
On the 2nd day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy your breakfast, after breakfast you will meet your safari guide and transfer to Bukima ranger post, the starting point of your first Congo gorilla trekking experience. And once you arrive at Bukima your safari guides and safari rangers will belief you about the rules and regulations to follow during gorilla trekking and later you will explore the forests and allocated the gorilla group to trek.
Gorilla trekking is a wonderful expedition that takes from 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on the location of the gorillas, and once you find the gorillas you will given one hour to be in the location of the gorillas, and that’s when you watch the gorillas doing their daily activities, taking their pictures and recording the moments. After the experience you will trek back to the starting point to get the gorilla trekking certificates, and later be transferred to your lodge for lunch. And later in the afternoon you will explore Bukima. This is a thrilling adventure that allows you to take part in birdwatching, as well as visiting the Virunga bamboo project and among others. After the experience you will transfer back to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 3: 2nd gorilla trekking and visiting Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage.
On the 3rd day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and take delicious breakfast, after breakfast meet your safari guide and get ready for the second gorilla trekking. Like previously procedure in the first gorilla trekking that’s what will be followed. You will be transferred to the Bukima ranger post and receive the briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during gorillas trekking. After you will explore the forest and be allocated of the gorilla family to trek. Gorilla trekking takes a period of about 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. And once the gorillas are located you will be given a period of one hour to be in the presence of gorillas.
That’s the period when you will watch the gorillas feeding, breastfeeding, watching the gorillas playing and among others, taking their pictures and recording their movies while using the less or no flash cameras. And after the experience you will be transferred to your starting point and later go back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch you will visit Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage, this educational experience that allows you to interact with and learn about the rescued mountain gorillas. The orphanage provides a safe haven for gorillas that have been orphanage provides a safe haven for gorillas that have been orphaned or injured, and offers a unique opportunity to observe these incredible creatures up close. After the experience you will be transferred back to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking.
On the 4th day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast, after breakfast you will head out for a chimpanzee trekking. You will be transferred to Mahura forest which surrounds Rumangabo. You will be given the rules and regulations to follow during the chimpanzee trekking, after the briefing you will join other people and go to the forest to look for the chimpanzees, chimpanzee trekking takes a period of 30 minutes to 4 hours and once you find the chimpanzees you will be given a period of one hour to be in the presence of chimpanzees watching them feeding, watching them making the nest for next nights, watching the chimpanzees playing and among many others.
After the experience you will return back to your lodge for lunch. After lunch you will rest or optional you can choose to take part in exploring the park area with the park rangers/ guides and or any other activity in the park. And after the experience you will transfer back to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 5: Departure.
On the last day of the 5 days safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy your breakfast, after breakfast you will check out from lodge and meet your safari guide and then transfer either back to Uganda or to Rwanda. And along the way, you will be impressed with the fascinating views and lunch enroute along the way and once you arrive, you will be dropped to your convenient place that will make your safari come to the end.
End of 5 Days Virunga Primate Safaris
5 Days Virunga Primate Safaris inclusions.
Gorilla trekking permits.
Chimpanzee trekking permits.
Full board accommodation.
Transport.
Full time English speaking safari guide.
Bottled drinking water.
Convoy.
5 Days Virunga Primate Safaris exclusions.
Beverages.
Porter fees.
Souvenirs and Tips.
Flights.
Personal expenses like laundry, telephone.
