Gorillas Galore

Included: Airport Transfers | Dinner | Accommodation (Twin Share): Karibu Guesthouse

Excluded: Lunch which you can buy at your hotel with cash 

You will be greeted at the airport by an Adventure Out Loud representative and transferred to your accommodation in Entebbe. Simply exit the arrivals hall and look for the sign with your name on it. In the afternoon, relax by the pool, take a walk down town, visit the botanical gardens or ask reception about a spa treatment (we highly recommend their massages).

NOTES:

• Dinner is included and served at your hotel. 
• It is safe to walk around Entebbe during the day but make sure you are back at your accommodation by dusk, otherwise catch a cab.

Included: Airport Transfers | Flight: Entebbe - Kisoro | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | Accommodation (Twin Share): Mutanda Lake Resort

Excluded: Optional activities

Today you will be transferred to Entebbe airport by Karibu Guesthouse (please discuss a time with reception, we recommend 5:30am) for your flight to Kisoro Airport. On arrival at Kisoro, you will be greeted at the airport by Mutanda Lake Resort and transferred to your accommodation. Simply exit the arrivals area and look for the sign with your name on it.

Once you arrive at Lake Mutanda, you'll have free time to explore the region, and activities can be arranged with reception, or relax by the pool. 

Flight Details (see documents for itinerary): 

• Aerolink: EBB - Kisoro: 07:00 - 08:35

Notes:

• Checked luggage is capped at 15kg and should be in soft shell bags. Bags should not exceed 60cm in height, 45cm long, and 33cm wide (see below). 
• Hand luggage is capped at 5kg and bags should not exceed 30cm in height, 53cm long, and 23cm wide (see below).
• For an additional fee, it is possible to leave baggage at your hotel and have it dropped to the airport before your flight to Nairobi. 
• For more flight information, visit https://www.aerolinkuganda.com.

Included: Guided Gorilla Trek | Trekking Permit (US$700pp) | Transport to/from National Park | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation (Twin Share): Mutanda Lake Resort

Excluded: Tips | Porter Fees & Tips

Summary of the day:

• 6:00: Transfer to gorilla trek
• 8:00 - 14:00: Gorilla trek (Rushaga)
• 14:00 - 15:00: Transfer to Lake Mutanda & free time
• Dinner at Lake Mutanda (vegetarian)

Mountain gorillas live in forests at elevations of 2,000 - 4,000m. They have thicker fur than other great apes which helps them to survive in a habitat where temperatures often drop below freezing. There are approximately 1,000 of these fascinating creatures left in the world and Bwindi National Park in Uganda is home to about 400 of them. Today is your chance to trek with one of the most unique animals on the planet.

The trek is dependent on how far away the gorillas are and can vary from 1 - 6 hours. Trek groups are capped at 8 people/gorilla family and for people who are less mobile, we will do our best to send you to one of the closer and easier to reach families. The trek is often through thick forest and it is advisable to wear hiking boots, a long sleeve shirt and hiking pants. You will also need rain gear and a full packing list is provided when you register. 

Notes:

• Discuss departure time with reception the night before. 
• Tipping
  • We recommend you tip US$20pp in small USD notes.
    • Give the tip to the head ranger at the end of your trek or put it in the tipping boxes at the head quarters.
    • If you give the tip to the head ranger, do it in sight of the other rangers & trackers who helped you to avoid everyone asking you for a tip. Alternatively, you can tip each person individually.  
• Porters
  • We recommend you hire a porter for US$20/day. You should also you tip your porter US$5 - $10. 
• What to wear
  • Water-proof hiking boots
  • Hiking pants
  • Shirt
• What to bring
  • Tips & porter hire money (USD$50pp in small notes)
  • 2L of water
  • Lunch box (provided by your hotel at breakfast)
  • Snacks
  • Waterproof jacket & pants
  • Waterproof bag cover or waterproof bags (if available)
  • Camera or phone
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Insect repellent
  • Medications (if required)
  • Sanitary items (if required)
• Do not bring hiking poles, your porter will provide you with a free wooden pole. Hiking poles are usually not strong enough and are very likely to break. 

Included: Guided Trek | Golden Monkey Permit (US$100pp) | Transport | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | Accommodation (Twin Share): Mutanda Lake Resort

Excluded: Tips

Summary of the day:

• 6:00: Transfer to Golden Monkey trek
• 8:00 - 14:00: Golden Monkey trek
• 14:00 - 15:00: Transfer to Lake Mutanda & free time
• Dinner at Lake Mutanda

Today is your chance to trek with golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are easily recognisable primates with a golden-orange patch on their upper flanks and back. They are found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, including four national parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Notes:

• Discuss departure time with reception the night before. 
• Tipping
  • We recommend you tip US$20pp in small USD notes.
    • Give the tip to the head ranger at the end of your trek or put it in the tipping boxes at the head quarters.
    • If you give the tip to the head ranger, do it in sight of the other rangers & trackers who helped you to avoid everyone asking you for a tip. Alternatively, you can tip each person individually.  
• Porters
  • Porters are available if you require and can be hired for US$20/day. If you hire a porter, you should also you tip your porter US$5 - $10. 
  • Porters are not essential for golden monkeys as the trek is much easier than the gorilla trek. 
• What to wear
  • Water-proof hiking boots
  • Hiking pants
  • Shirt
• What to bring
  • Tips & porter hire money (USD$50pp in small notes)
  • 2L of water
  • Lunch box (provided by your hotel at breakfast)
  • Snacks
  • Waterproof jacket & pants
  • Waterproof bag cover or waterproof bags (if available)
  • Camera or phone
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Insect repellent
  • Medications (if required)
  • Sanitary items (if required)

Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | Accommodation (Twin Share): Mutanda Lake Resort

Excluded: Optional activities (recommendations below that you can select) | Tips

Today is your chance to make your own adventure. Mutanda Lake Resort offer some amazing options which you can see on their website. Alternatively, spend the day enjoying this incredible lake and a few cocktails by the pool.

Notes:

• It's a good idea to plan an activity that is less strenuous for today if you are doing the gorillas, golden monkeys & Mt Sabyinyo. 
• We recommend hiring a kayak from reception at Mutanda Lake Resort and spend the day swimming, reading and relaxing. 

Included: Guided Trek | National Park Permit (US$80pp) | Transport | Other inclusions from make your own adventure itinerary item 

Excluded: Tips, porter hire

Mount Sabyinyo is an extinct volcano found within the Virunga ranges and is unique as the only place on earth where you can stand in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the same time. In the local language, Sabinyo means “Old man’s tooth”, and the name aptly describes Sabyinyo's jagged summit which looks like worn out teeth (see mountain on the far right in the picture). Sabyinyo's slopes are home to elephants, buffalo, antelope, golden monkeys and gorillas, and it is possible you will see some during your trek. 

At 3,645m above sea level, Sabyinyo is a challenging hike that takes about 8 hours and starts early in the morning. The hike involves summiting three peaks and it is at peak three that you will find the border between the three countries. In-between the peaks are extensive ladders which where improvised to allow hikers to navigate through difficult areas of the mountain. 

Notes:

• This is a very challenging trek with a risk of altitude sickness. You must be very fit to complete this trek. 
• Discuss departure time with reception the night before. 
• Tipping
  • We recommend you tip US$20pp in small USD notes.
    • Give the tip to the head ranger at the end of your trek or put it in the tipping boxes at the head quarters.
    • If you give the tip to the head ranger, do it in sight of the other rangers & trackers who helped you to avoid everyone asking you for a tip. Alternatively, you can tip each person individually.  
• Porters
  • Porters are available if you require and can be hired for US$20/day. If you hire a porter, you should also you tip your porter US$5 - $10. 
  • Porters are not essential but are recommended if you are carrying a heavy bag.  
• What to wear
  • Water-proof hiking boots
  • Hiking pants
  • Shirt (long sleeve is best)
• What to bring
  • Tips & porter hire money (USD$50pp in small notes)
  • 3L of water
  • Lunch box (provided by your hotel at breakfast)
  • Snacks
  • Waterproof jacket & pants
  • Gloves
  • Warm jumper or jacket for the summit
  • Waterproof bag cover or waterproof bags (if available)
  • Camera or phone
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Insect repellent
  • Medications (if required)
  • Sanitary items (if required)

Included: Guided Trek | Gorilla Permit (US$700pp) | Transport | Other inclusions in make your own adventure itinerary item

Excluded: Tips

Didn't get enough time with the gorillas yesterday? Add an additional trek to experience this once-life-time-adventure AGAIN! 

NOTE:

• Gorilla permits often sell-out up to 1 year in advance so please let us know asap if you want an extra permit.

Included: Transport | Breakfast | Accommodation (Twin Share): Heaven Boutique Resort

Excluded: Genocide Memorial Visit & Entry Fees | Lunch (recommend a cafe during your drive or Meze Fresh (incredible Mexican) in Kigali) and dinner (recommend Heaven Boutique Hotel restaurant or at Heaven's Fusion Restaurant). You can buy lunch & dinner with cash or card.  

Summary of the day:

• 8:00 - 9:00: Check- out and start to drive to Kigali
• 13:00: Lunch and check-in to your lodge 
• 14:00 - 16:00: Visit Rwandan Genocide Memorial 
• 6pm: Dinner at the lodge 

This morning you should check-out and head off early for your drive to Kigali. The drive will take approximately 4 - 6 hours and will include an international border crossing where you will have to exit Uganda and enter Rwanda. We recommend you leave Lake Mutanda at 8 or 9am.

Arriving in Kigali, you'll check into your hotel and go for lunch before having the afternoon to explore Kigali or visit the Rwandan Genocide Memorial (optional). 

About the Rwandan Genocide:

Between 7 April and 15 July 1994, one million Tutsi’s lost their lives in one of the worst genocides in history. Visiting the Rwandan Genocide Memorial is your chance to learn from this tragedy and to pay your respects to those who lost their lives. The visit is an extremely confronting experience and as such it is a free optional activity.

This is a very educational experience that tells the story of an international disaster that could, and should, have been prevented. Rwanda is also an incredible story of survival and hope. The country has come a long way since 1994. It is now a thriving economic hub with a stable government. It is also a very safe country to visit. In fact, The World Economic Forum ranked Rwanda as the 9th safest country in the world in 2017.  

Notes:

• It is safe to walk around Kigali during the day. Apply common sense, keep your valuables hidden and be back at your accommodation by dusk, otherwise catch a cab.
• Kigali day activity recommendations (if time & all can be arranged with your hotel):
  • Take a walk around downtown Kigali
  • Visit Hotel des Mille Collines (made famous by the 2004 blockbuster, "Hotel Rwanda")
  • Explore the Inema Arts Centre, Kimironko Market and/or Caplaki Craft Village

Included: Airport Transfers | Breakfast 

Enjoy a relaxing morning/day before boarding your plane back home with memories to last a life-time 

If you need more adventure?

Add our favourite off-the-beaten-track adventure to see Jane Goodall's chimpanzee research centre, trek Kilimanjaro, go on a wild safari or talk to our team of African experts about personalising an itinerary just for you.