Private 5-Day Luxury Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari in Mgahinga Gorilla Park
A luxury Safari for those seeking an African Outdoor Adventure-Gorillas-Volcanoes-Ancient Culture Combine
This 5-Luxury Day Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari is a one-of-a-kind Outdoor Adventure in Uganda’s incredibly Stunningly Scenic Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Five Days of active Adventures for the Outdoor Enthusiasts in the Gorilla Highlands of Uganda with the added comfort of the exclusive Mount Gahinga Lodge just steps from the park.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park is off the beaten Tourist Paths. It is Gorilla, Golden Monkey Trekking, Volcano Climbing, Hiking with the First People of the Rainforest of Southwest Uganda, the indigenous Batwa People.
This 5-Day Luxury Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari begins either in Kigali, Rwanda or you have the Fly-In Option from Entebbe, Uganda.
Safari Highlights: 
- Discover Africa’s Smallest Gorilla Park – Mgahinga Gorilla Park
- Off the Beaten Tourist Path – away from the Crowds.
- Gorilla Trekking – the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family with now Five Silverbacks
- Golden Monkey Trekking – Four to Five Hour Trek
- The Batwa Trail with the first people of the Forest – seeing how they lived in harmony with the Forest.
- Climb one of 3 Volcanoes – from three to nine hours.
- Stay at the exclusive Mount Gorilla Lodge in a luxury or Deluxe Cottage
- 3-Hour plus Drive from Kigali
- Toyota Land-Cruiser
Your 5-Day Luxury Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari
Day 1 – Journey to Mgahinga Park:
Your 5-Day Luxury Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari begins as we pick you up at your Hotel in Kigali Rwanda at 6\;30 am and take the 3-hour plus very scenic drive to Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
You will need an East African Visa that is obtainable from the first East African Country that you Visit (Kenya-Rwanda – Uganda are participants in the East African Visa Program). You will also like in Rwanda need a Yellow Fever Certificate. Change your watches to one hour forward since Uganda is on East African Time.
Mgahinga Gorilla is in the Highlands of Uganda. Daytime temperatures do not exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures drop down to near 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Afternoon Activity: Some want to take in the new surrounding and relax at Mount Gahinga Lodge with a complimentary massage that they offer during your stay. Enjoy a cup of coffee, or try a Uganda Waragi with a Krest Bitter Lemon while reading a book about the local area, Uganda or Rwanda from our Gorilla Reads suggested list.
Mount Gahinga Lodge, unlike many other lodges, offers some excellent included activities that you can enjoy, such as the Caldera Ridge Hike, which takes you to a nearby small volcano where garden are both inside and on the outside of the cone. A most scenic hike of about 2 to 3-hours. Without much of a walk, there is the Batwa Village that Mount Gahinga Lodge has been constructing for a group of about 130 Batwa People who were evicted from their beloved forest in 1991-92 without compensation. This is a beautiful village designed by an architect from Canada with indigenous people experience. There is the Batwa Vocational Project and more.
Meal Plan: Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge – exclusive – yet affordable
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Mount Gahinga Lodge – In the Shadows of the Volcanoes
Mount Gahinga Lodge is a luxury lodge that is located just outside of Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
The lodge is simply fabulous from the natural setting that it is in, the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes to the closeness to the Park. From the exquisite private cottages with bath and a fireplace to take the chill off during the cool nights in the Gorilla Highlands.
The meals served by competent, service orientated staff are a delight and something to look forward to after a day of trekking, hiking, climbing in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
The Lodge offers its guests, luxury cottages and there is one deluxe cottage that you can choose from.
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Day 2- Gorilla Trekking with the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family:
An early Breakfast – the right equipment and clothing for your Trek. Further Trekking Information that will make this day a Success is found here. We suggest a day pack, packed lunch from the lodge, two liters of water, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, hat, boots, thick socks, and tough gardening gloves. All this is not for a fashion statement but your protection against nettles, thorns, brush, this is a 3 to 4-5 hour trek for most, a one-of-a-kind experience.
We furnish you with the porter and walking sticks, bottled water for the Trek.
The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family has 5 Silverbacks, which is unusual in itself, but the added plus is that they get along with one another.
Please Note: a packed lunch is provided by the lodge and we supply you with bottled water.
Suggestion: Be sure to pack a sweater; the temperature here at night is 10-degree Celsius or 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Meal Plan: Breakfast -Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Day 3 – Golden Monkey Habituation Experience or Golden Monkey Trekking:
Breakfast and we drive to Mgahinga Gorilla Park Headquarters for the orientation for either Golden Monkey Trekking, which is one hour with the Golden Monkeys or the Golden Monkey Habituation Experience, which is 4 hours in the presence of the endangered Golden Monkeys along with Researchers, Trackers, and Rangers. The choice is yours, but you need to let us know which you prefer.
For either activity, you will have to let us know about your preference so that we can make the proper arrangements for you.
In either case, you will encounter a large Golden Monkey Group in the Bamboo Forest of the Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park.
You will need two liters of water, a packed lunch, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a day pack, a hat, a light rain jacket to put into your backpack.
Meal Plan: Breakfast -Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Day 4 – Volcano Climb
Breakfast and a packed lunch, 2 to 3 liters of water, your daypack, some snacks, a light rain jacket, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and you are set for a day climb of one of the three Volcanoes in the park.
Climb Mount Sabinyo (Sabyinyo) (3669 meters high):
The favorite of most of our Clients is Mount Sabinyo. This volcano is also called “Old Man’s Teeth,” pointing out that the crown of the volcano has eroded over time.
There are three peaks on this mountain with stunning views of Rwanda – Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda – the last height involves climbing up some ladders – the result is rewarding – you will be able to step into the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda – all without a visa and passport.
The climb takes about 8 – 10 hours in total and is about 14 kilometers in length. You will reflect on a most rewarding hike even though a steep climb.
The Mount Sabinyo climb requires a pre-dawn start – porters can be used to help you by carrying your day pack. This is a guided hike – you will need two to three liters of water, packed lunch, and maybe some snacks.
This is the most Popular Climb
Climb Mount Gahinga ( 3474 meters high):
As you approach the park, you will notice that there are piles of rocks all around the gardens – Gahinga means little stones, little stones.
This is a 6 – 7-hour hike – climb and once again quite rewarding with great views, you also pass through Bamboo Forest and different vegetation zones as you move toward the summit.
At one time, Mount Gahinga had a lovely crater lake, but over time, it has turned into a scenic swamp.
Two liters of water minimum will be needed, packed lunch and snacks.
You can use a porter to help you with your daypack. By doing so, you are supporting a Ugandan Family and probably pay rent or school fees.
Climb Mount Muhavura (4127meters high)
This volcano is also referred to as “the Guide.” Visible from far and wide, it provides some of the best views available in Uganda – from the top of the hikers can see the Virunga Volcano Chain, Lake Edward, and Queen Elizabeth Park. Even the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains are visible from here.
This hike takes about 8 to 10 hours but well worth it – a very early start is needed to complete this one day – as other volcano climbs, it is a challenging hike, and one needs to be in good shape.
Two liters of water will be needed – packed lunch and snacks.
Porters can be used to make your climb easier.
One of the Most rewarding Hikes-Climbs in Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast -Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Day 5- Batwa Trail with the First People of the Forest – return to Kigali
Breakfast and once again, we take a walk or drive to the Park Headquarters to meet the Batwa People who will take us into the beloved forest on the slopes of the volcanoes. This is a 5-hour hike with the Batwa Pygmies, and you will begin to see the forest through the eyes of the first people that lived here for thousands of years.
This day you will learn the Batwa way of hunting and gathering. The medicines and food they used to gather and how they would hunt. The idea that the Batwa lived in the forest thousands of years leaving a low ecological footprint until they were evicted in 1991 when the parks in Uganda were formed. The Batwa Trail keeps the ancient traditions alive and passes them on in Batwa Culture.
Lunch
Your 5-Day Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari ends as you return to Kigali for your flight out back home. Time permitting you can schedule a visit to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali. We can also arrange for incoming and outgoing lodging in Kigali.
Add a Day – Relax and Chill Out-Unwind on one of Africa’s most scenic and Photographed Lakes:
In 2019 the scenery of Mgahinga Gorilla Park’s Volcanoes as seen from Lake Mutanda became the “Third in the World Must Photograph 
Locations.” Many of our Clients spend a day or two at the Chameleon Hill Lodge. This is Africa’s funkiest Lodge with its bright colors and Fairy Tale Castle Theme.
Chameleon Hill Lodge is an upmarket Lodge with one of the best views anywhere. It is the perfect way to end your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda. The lodge is close to the border and just 2 1/2 hours from Kigali, Rwanda.
Lake Mutanda is a pristine Lake with emerald Isles framed by the brooding Volcanoes. One of our clients exclaimed that it was the most beautiful lake he had ever seen.
You can enjoy a Sundowner Boat ride here having Uganda’s drink of Choice, Uganda Waragi with a Krest Bitter Lemon Soda. You can try your hand paddling a dugout canoe. Birding Walk, island discovery boat rides can be done here among other things such as village walk and nature trails along Lake Mutanda.
This 5-Day Luxury Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari includes All activities and permits, lodging, full-board – it does not include drinks, tips, laundry at lodges. It consists of all transport with water in the vehicle and expert guide.
Please contact us if you are interested in this 5-Day Luxury Gorilla-Golden Monkey-Batwa Trail-Volcano Climbing Safari.
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