HIGHLIGHT

If you are really wanting to experience what the great lakes region of Africa have to offer, it is recommended to embark on this tour.  This is the ultimate tour that allows you to visit 4 different countries of Africa.  You will see 4 different lakes, (lake Tanganyika, Lake Kivu, Lake Victoria, Lake  Edward and Bunyonyi,) Two different waterfalls, and 3 different museums Including the Kigali genocide memorial center where you will get to know what happened in Rwanda during the Genocide of 1994 a year in Which 1 million people was killed within 100 days.

You will also get to experience what Africa is all about with nature and species.  Some types of Birds and and Primates like the famous Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Angolan acrobatic Colobus monkeys and much more.

You will also Experience culture of the people  and be entertained by Intore dancers and Burundi Drummers, You will also enjoy a game drive in Queen Elizabeth  home of a variety of animals like Elephants, Buffaloes, mongoose among others. Every day is filled with entertainment and adventure.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Bujumbura airport- Night at Novotel.

At your arrival you will be welcomed by our Driver and local guide - transfer to the Hotel- Briefing- After Lunch we visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, a hero of the independence of Burundi. We then climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of Bujumbura, offering a unique view over Lake Tanganyika- Proceed to Lake Tanganyika to enjoy a boat ride. Overnight in Bujumbura at Auberge

Day 2: Kagera Waterfalls and Burundi National Museum- Night at Novotel in Bujumbura (3hours Drive)

After an early breakfast– Drive ten kilometers south to visit “la pierre de Stanley et Livingstone” the commemorating stone of the place where the famous explorers Stanley and Livingstone rested during their attempt to find the source of the Nile;  After we drive toward the south to visit “Chutes de la Kagera” or the spectacular “Kagera Falls”. In the afternoon we travel to Gitega to visit the Burundi National Museum before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Bujumbura at L’Etoile du centre.

Day 3: Early morning transfer to Nyungwe Forest- Night at Gisakura Lodge. (6Hours Drive)

After Break drive to Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda- We will pass through magnificent views of the beautiful hilly countryside which gives Rwanda its name as “a country of a thousand hills”- Arrive at Lunch time- After lunch we start the trekking in the forest to find the Blue monkeys, Angolan Colobus monkeys among others- Overnight at Gisakura Lodge.

Nyungwe Forest national park is a preserved part of rain forest which houses 13 species in all, including humankind’s closest living relative the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L’hoest monkeys and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angolan Colobus which may be over 300 individuals. These are the largest troops of this species known in the world! Nyungwe forest counts 25% of the African Primates!

There are L’hoest monkeys and blue monkeys present and often observed around Uwinka, requiring less strenuous hiking.

Day 4: Chimpanzees Tracking in Nyungwe Forest- Transfer to Butare - Night at Ibis Hotel (5hours Drive)

Early Morning we will track Chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest- The Nyungwe forest is spectacular and offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense with numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Your guided walk in search of the chimps and other primates May last 2 Hours- back from the Forest at Lunch time. After lunch Transfer to Butare- Visit the Historical Museum of Rwanda- Overnight at Ibis Hotel in Butare.

The National Museum in Butare was donated in 1989 by the Belgium government and gave back a part of the ethnographic collection acquired during the colonial period. The design and concept of the museum was realized in co-operation with the Royal Museum for Central Africa of Tervuren , Belgium . The modern building has different sections and displays a wide collection of monochrome pictures, traditional artifacts and objects, tools and different craft products. Ethnographic objects are grouped together according to theme giving excellent information on the daily life. Traditional ceramics and basketry are still manufactured and belong to the finest handicrafts of the region. The National Museum remained surprisingly untouched during the civil war in 1994.

Day 5: Transfer to Gisenyi via Kigali- Visit Kigali Genocide memorial site- and be entertained by Intore Dancers- Night at Paradise Malahide Hotel (5Hour Drive)

 After Break fast- Drive to Gisenyi at the shore of the Lake Kivu- we will have a stopover in Kigali the Capital city of Rwanda for to  visit the Kigali Genocide memorial museum, to understand what happened in Rwanda in 1994 a year in which 1 million people died within 100 days. Then proceed to Gisenyi in the Afternoon- Night at Paradise Malahide Lodge.

Day 6: Spend a Day in Gisenyi- Visit the Lake Kivu, Nearby Orhanage -  and be intertained by Intore Dancers- Cross the border to Goma in Congo DRC

After Break fast we will enjoy a short ride in wooden Boat on the Lake Kivu- we will also visit the hot spring in Rubona-  Visit an Orhanage supported by Our Company- Then Cross the border to congo in the afternoon. Night at Nyira Hotel or simillar hotel

After lunch you will have a spectacular performance of the Intore Traditional dancers. The performance is regarded by many as one of the highlights of their tour in Rwanda. Stay a night at Kinigi guest House.

The “Intore”, once the elite of the traditional Rwanda army, were not only trained as military but also in high jump and dance. They were known for their remarkable technique allowing them to jump over 2m40. The Intore became worldwide famous as dancers in 1958 when the World Expo was held in Brussels. Today Intore dancers are part of the rich Rwanda folklore. The warriors dance is a jewel of the choreographic heritage of Rwanda. Dressed with a mane made of sisal fibre, Tied up on ankles, little bells jingle on each step, giving the warriors dance a thrilling rhythm. Throughout the Intore ballet, physical confrontation turns into artistic rivalry and then at “the end” comes out into a vigorous hug of the warriors. This is the most artistic gesture of friendship mutual aid and protection

 Day 7: Gorilla trekking- Trekking in the forest on the edge of the Virunga mountain chain, to find one of the last mountain gorilla families in the world. Night in Goma

Early in the morning, before proceeding to the park head quarters where visitors assemble at 07.00 for a briefing on how to” behave” while in the company of a gorilla group. You will meet your guide here and proceed to the starting point of the trek to our allocated group of gorillas. The length of the trek varies depending on where the gorillas are as well as what the weather conditions are. Meeting these gentle giants Gorillas in their natural habitat is a world unique experience everyone should have the privilege to experience.

It is important to bring good hiking boots, long trousers and gloves for protection against stinging nettles, some snacks & sweets as well as sufficient amount of water as the rain forest gets hot and humid during the day. You spend one hour with the gorillas which is a truly amazing experience “before trekking back to the base and return to your lodge / hotel.

Day 8: Nyiragongo Volcano climbing.

After breakfast at 7.00am, Back down from the Volcano- arrive in Kibati village at around 10 or 11.00am- Meet your Driver and transfer to Goma. after lunch enjoy a short city tour of Goma. Night at Nyira Hotel.

Day 9: Drive to the lake Bunyonyi – Overnight at Bunyoni Overland.

 After Breakfast- Proceed to lake Bunyonyi in Uganda for a cultural walk on Lake Bunyonyi southwestern shores to view a number of villages in their setting. Here pygmies walk over the mountains from Rwanda to sell their produce at the market at hakekuba. Enjoy a canoes ride in the afternoon before returning for dinner and Overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Resort

Day 10: Morning after break fast- Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park- Night at Mweya student Hostel (4 hours Drive)

After Break fast we will have a Short walk in nearby Village in Bunyonyi before Transferring to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park- The road winds up into the forested hills and the views are breathtaking- and you have plenty time to admire them because the stretch is unsurfaced that you can only drive very slowly. It passes through deep-farmed valleys. The drive is reminiscent to what one would experience driving through central Europe- indeed this region of Uganda is often referred to as "Little Switzerland."- Mweya student hostel

The southern sector of Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions. The concentration of game, with large herds of Uganda cobs, Topis and buffalos, is found in the savannah highlands and at the Lake Edward flats, where the number of elephants is on the rise.

Late in the Afternoon enjoy the unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of Hippos, buffalos, elephants and many animals may be seen drinking at the water's edge. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species- Overnight at Margarita Hotel in Kasese.

Day 11: Queen Elizabeth- Night at Margarita Hotel in Kasese town.

After an early breakfast- Set off with packed lunch for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park to spot some tree-climbing lions, and some other wild animals like Topis, Elephants large herds of Uganda Kobs and buffaloes. After Early game drive- Transfer to Jinja driving through the scenic country side of Ankole - Take a stop over at the Equator for Photography and  presentation from the guide, we will also have a short stop in Mbarara for Lunch before Proceeding  to Jinja - Transfer at your Hotel for Overnight at Triangle Hotel.

Day 12: Nile River- Transfer to Entebbe (2 hour Drive)- Night at Entebbe GH

This day can be dedicated for white water rafting in Jinja. Alternative you will be visiting the source of the Nile River and Bujagali Falls- Shopping in Kampala. Transfer for Entebbe.

Day13: Boat Ride on lake Victoria to Ngamba Island to see orphanaged chimpazess.

This a home of orphanage chimps. It is located on Lake Victoria. Chimpanzee viewing goes at specific time in the day. You will experience the habituation of these close cousins . It requires a day’s excursion from Entebbe

Depending where you would like to start, will be picked from Kampala at your hotel and proceed to Entebbe. Will be driven to the pier near the Uganda Wildlife Education Center(UWEC). After briefing by your guides, you will be leaving for the island by motor boat on Lake Victoria at around 9.00am. The boat takes about 45 minutes or an hour depending the boat you take and ride to Ngamba Island, crossing the Equator en-route. On arrival at the island, home to orphanaged chimpanzees, you will be given a short introduction and briefing on the sanctuary. After which, it’s feeding time! It is interesting to watch the chimps interact with each other and with their keepers. In the relatively short amount of time you are there you will be able to see such different personalities amongst the group, with some whistling for food and others clapping. Obviously the best alternative would be to re-introduce these orphaned chimpanzees to the wild however this is not possible for a number of different reasons and the sanctuary is not bad for second best. 

You will return to the mainland where you will meet your safari guide who will drive you to Entebbe Wildlife Education Centre or boatnical gardens depending on your choice.   There are many of the country’s conservation zones such as savannah, wetlands and tropical forest. This a must point to see a shoebill as well as rhino. You will return to you hotel in kampala in the evening.

Day 14: Transfer at Entebbe Airport for Departure                                   

Take breakfast and then visit local markets or a Craft shop for souvenir shopping- Personal good bye- be transferred to the airport for your flight back

TARIFFS

3300$per person

 Available departure dates in 2010  

January 5th,/ February 3rd / March 26^th/ April 20^th/ May 10^th/ June 2^nd/ June 16^th/ July 22^nd/  July 6^th/  August 5^th/ August 25^th/ September 17^th/ October 5^th/ November 10th / November 30^th/  / December 22nd