This will be a thrilling expedition that will enable you to do all the 3 virunga mountains, visit the Batwa trail, and the guided nature along the DR Congo/Uganda border. It’s rewarding and very productive.
Day 1: Entebbe to Kisoro
Pick up from Entebbe/Kampala to Kisoro with a stopover at the Uganda Equator and Ihamba cultural center in Mbarara for Lunch. Proceed to the Kigezi Highlands passing through the Bamboo forest and on arrival, you check in at Kisoro Tourist Tourist Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Mount Muhavura Hike:
Mount Muhavura “The guide” is seen regionally within the Virunga massif. The typically cone shaped mountain provides some of the best views in the country. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grass and small shrubs. Once on the top, hikers are rewarded with great views of other virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth national park and the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains and you will be both in Rwanda and Uganda. The hike takes approximately 8-9 hours round trip covering distance of 12km.
You are advised to camp at Muhavura base camp the night before. The camp site has no facilities, so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear. You may as well come from your hotel from the nearby Kisoro town. Dinner and overnight in Travelers’ Hotel Kisoro. Meal Plan-Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 3: Mount Sabinyo hike:
Mount Sabinyo offers three (3) challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up to a narrow ridge along the eastern side of the mountain to peak 1. If you are to continue to peak 2, the climb involves walking on a ridge with breath taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda. Finally, the hike up to peak 3 is steep. You should expect to set your hand dirty en-route to peak 3. Once on top, you will be at a point in Rwanda, DR Congo and Uganda at the same time, one of the 5 points in the world, where the three countries meet up on top of mountain. The entire journey takes about 8 hours round trip with 72 ladders network to cover the 14km stretch! Enroute, you might see golden monkeys, forest buffalos and the blue monkeys. You might be exceptionally lucky to come across wild gorilla family.
Mount. Sabinyo gorge is exceptional ecosystem for plorethera of birdlife species and you will be welcomed by the rare Rwenzori Turaco. En-route, the observatory platform just above the visitor information centre offers a scenic view of the rest of the Kisoro landscape beyond to the western rift valley Blue Mountains of the South Virunga Park of the DR Congo. Dinner and overnight in Travelers’ Hotel Kisoro. Meal Plan-Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: gorilla tracking:
Your guide will lead you to the visitor information centre for briefing and guide you out in the forest to track the mountain gorilla in the forest. It’s worthwhile to sight the gorillas as the play, eat and groom each other. You might take short time to long to reach the gorillas depending on where they are. It is a thrilling moment as you encounter these man’s closest relatives! After picnic lunch, we return to the hotel for Dinner and overnight at Travelers’ Hotel Kisoro. Meal Plan-Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Mount Gahinga Hike:
Mount Gahinga is the smallest on your way. On your way to the peak, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people call such pile a “Gahinga”. Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average “Gahinga” but sitting next to mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike which takes about 6 hours round trip goes through bamboo forest. You will find a swampy crater on the crest. You might hear the calls of golden monkeys. Dinner and overnight at Travelers’ Hotel Kisoro. Meal Plan-Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: The Batwa Trail and the Garama cave:
This Batwa trail hike is a popular activity to acquaint ourselves with the culture and way of life of the Batwa (Pygmy) community, as the indigenous forest communities that until recently were living in the forest. This trail leads you to the cave where you will be welcomed by the Batwa regalia and cultural performances. It’s unique and the proceeds from this cultural tourism support the Batwa community livelihoods. Lunch en-route, Dinner and overnight at Kisoro tourist hotel. Meal Plan-Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Guided nature walk:
This nature walk is a prime walk and birders will find it productive. You will take border excursion between DR Congo and Uganda border, which offers you opportunity to be in the two countries at the same time. You will encounter numerous birdlife and see plentiful of primates and other forest antelopes such as the black-fronted duiker. Lunch en-route, Dinner and overnight at Kisoro tourist hotel. Meal Plan-Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Kampala
After Breakfast, drive back to Kampala with lunch en-route. Meal plan- Breakfast & Lunch
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