HAKUNA MATATA TOURS

Visit Gorilla and discover Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and DRC congo with Hakuna matata Tours

Best of East Africa Safari Including Mountain and Low land Gorillas
RWANDA FLAG
Rwanda flag

BABY GORILLAS
Baby Gorilla gorilla pictures

Baby gorillas photos

CROWN BIRD

CROWN BIRD ( umusambi)

GOLDEN MONKEY
Golden monkey pictures photos

SILVER BACK

Mountain Gorillas


Silver back Gorilla


Silver back gorilla rwanda



Giant silver back Gorilla picture

INTORE DANCERS

Rwanda - Traditional - Dance- Intore - Dancers

Intore damcers
TRACK LOWLAND AND MOUNTAIN GORILLA, AND DISCOVER RWANDA, BURUNDI, CONGO DRC, AND UGANDA IN 25 DAYS

HIGHLIGHT OF THE TOUR.

In this tour You will Visit the 4 countries of the great lakes region of Africa, 5 Lakes ( lake Tanganyika, Kivu, Victoria, Albert and Bunyonyi), 3 might water falls ( Akagera falls, Murchson, Bujagali and the source of Nile river), Several type of Primates and Bird (
Mountain  and  Eastern Lowland Gorilla, Chimpanzees, Blue monkeys and others), 3 museums( Kigali genocide memorial museum, Butare Rwandan historical museum, and Burundi museum) . You will climb the active Nyiragongo Volcano (To admire a lake of hot red lava).you will also enjoy the African wildlife in Murchson and you will get the opportunity of meeting Local people.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive at Kigali airport

you will be welcomed by our Driver and local guide - transfer to the Hotel- Briefing- Dinner and Overnight in Kigali at Gorilla Hotel or Hotel Irisi.

Kigali city was founded in 1907 as small colonial outpost by Dr. Richard Kandt, the first German colonial resident of Rwanda. The city has made tremendous progress since 1994 genocide. Considered one of the safest and friendliest of African capitals, Kigali city is blessed with a moderate high altitude climate. It is  inhabited by approximately 1 million people, mainly a Hutu majority of Bantu origin and a Nilotic Tutsi minority, after years of terrible problems, have once again begun to appreciate the benefits of peace.

The Rwandan capital provides both a comfortable and welcoming introduction to the Land of thousand hills and an ideal insight of Modern Rwanda.


Day 2: Kigali city tour

Discovering Kigali and its surrounding, Visit of the Kigali genocide memorial museum, here you will know what happened in Rwanda in 1994,- Transfer in Gisenyi in the afternoon. We will spend the night at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel or Mosantu.

 

The Exhibition in the Kigali genocide Memorial centre tells the history of Rwanda leading up to genocide in 1994 and catalogues the details of the genocide using photographs, video, written accounts and artifacts. It includes personal testimonies and a moving memorial to the children of the Rwandan genocide. The exhibition also has a section called “wasted lives”, which reflects on the holocaust and genocides in Armenia, South-West Africa, Bosnia and Cambodia. The Kigali Memorial centre has gained a word-wide reputation for the powerful exhibition; take your time to absorb its message.

 

Day 3: After Break fast Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park via Kibuye Road- the road is fairly in good condition, very twisty but with lovely views of tea plantations, and the Lake Kivu at some times. It passes a small patch of indigenous forest to the east exactly 10km from Gisenyi- Arriving late in the afternoon- Overnight at Gisakura Guest House.

The Lake Kivu is a large deposit of fresh water that marks the western border with DR Congo and one of the Great Lakes of Africa. The lake is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. Beneath the lake lie vast reserves of approximately 55 billion cubic of dissolved methane gas which have not been exploited. Lake Kivu is a tourist center, safe to swim, There are nice beaches, gorgeous landscape and the sunset are regular stunning.

 

Day 4: Colombus Monkey Trekking- Early morning After Breakfast, we start the trekking in Nyungwe forest to fund Angolan Colobus monkeys- Back at Uwinka park station- and transfer to Butare - overnight At Credo or Ibisi Hotel.

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’s monkey and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angolan colombus 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 5:Butare museum

After break-fast. Visit of The Butare Historical museum of Rwanda. The muse um is one of the well set-ups if not the finest ethnographic museum of East Africa. It’s a good source of information on the cultural history of Rwanda and the region- After Lunch we will drive to Bujumbura in Burundi. Stay Night at Novotel.

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 artefacts 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.

At the museum of Butare you will have a spectacular performance of the national ballet with the Intore-dancers.  The performance is regarded by many as one of the highlights of their tour in Rwanda

 

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 6: Kagera falls

In the morning after Breakfast- Drive toward the south to visit “la chute de la Kagera” or “Kagera Falls”- Back to Gitega in The afternoon – visit the Burundi National museum- transfer at the Hotel in Bujumbura- Dinner and overnight at Novotel/

Day 7: Back to Bujumbura-
Discovering Bujumbura and its surroundings.
Morning after Break fast -visit the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore, a hero of the independence of Burundi, climb to the “Belvedere” on the top of the hill, a dominating point of the town offering a unique view onto Lake Tanganyika, after Lunch-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. Late in the Afternoon enjoy a cold drink at Saga beach and be entertained by Les tambourinaires de Burundi (Burundi Drummers). Night at Novotel

Day 8: Transfer to Bukavu congo

Morning after Breakfast- Cross the Border at Gatumba to Bukavu in Congo DRC and drive through the grass plains where the Banyamulenge herders graze the longhorn cattle. A steep track escalades the Nyangezi escarpment with fantastic views on the Rusizi River. Via several colorful villages we drive toward Bukavu, the administrative centre of south-Kivu province and reach the southern shores of Lake Kivu.

 

Day 9: Low land Gorilla trekking

Morning after Break fast- Trekking for 2 to 3 hours in mountainous jungle area of Kahuzi Biega national park, to find the Lowland Gorilla family- Back in Bukavu stay night at Orchid Hotel

The species here are eastern lowland gorilla and not Mountain Gorillas found in Virunga national park. Unlike the lowland gorillas found in Gabon and Congo Brazzaville, the Kahuzi Biega Gorillas are large about the size of mountain Gorilla, so you definitely won’t be disappointed.

“ You can see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda or Virunga, or smaller western gorillas of Gabon, but the majestic eastern lowland silverback gorillas are only available here in the word. “Bradt Congo

 

Day 10:Boat ride to Goma

Morning after breakfast- Transfer to the busy port of Bukavu to have a boat ride on Lake Kivu to Goma. En route to the North, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the calm and pristine waters and the ragged shore of Africa’s highest lake, an extraordinarily beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep green terraced hills, lush plantain fields and remaining relics of misty rainforest to offer sweeping views over hundreds of small islands. We will spend the night at Hotel Ihusi, Karibu or Bird Hotel.

Day 11: Mountain Gorilla Tracking


Trekking in the forest on the edge of the Virunga mountain chain to find one of the last mountain gorilla families in the world—back in the afternoon- Night at Ihusi Hotel or Karibu.

 

Day 12: Nyiragongo volcano trek- After an early breakfast, departure to Kibati village where the trek starts.The trek up to and down from Nyiragongo is strenuous and takes about 4-5 hours in often hot conditions, but the path is relatively easy and not excessively steep; there are a lot of rare birds and small mammals along the trail- Overnight in tent on the side of the crater which allows for better viewing of the lake of hot lava inside the crater at night. The crater is 1.2km in diameter, and 700m deep.

Lakes of hot lava are one of the most spectacular forms of volcanic activity, but they are very difficult to see because there’s only a few of them in the world at any given time. So, if you want to see a really impressive lava lake, you have only one option left: Nyiragongo. The volcano is located in the east of Congo DRC, at around 19kms from Goma. It’s the most active volcano in the world. In 1997 and 2002, flows of very liquid lava broke out from cracks in the slopes. They covered 17km to Goma in just a few minutes, killed dozens of people in refugee camps, and left hundreds of thousands homeless. The eruptions temporarily drained the lava lake in the summit crater; volcanic gases suffocated heather forest on the upper slopes. Now the forest is recovering, and the wildlife is coming back.

 
Day 13: Back to Goma from Nyiragongo Volcano- Goma city tour- Visit of pygmies and the green Lake in Mugunga.

 

Day 14: Transfer to Bunagana- Drive 3 hours through primitive smallholdings and villages of ramshackle huts, thick jungle and weaved among the black mountains. Arriving at lunchtime in Bunagana the small city which marks the Border between Uganda and Congo-    Night at Hakuna Matata Lodge

 

Day 15: After break fast drive to Kabale Visit Lake Bunyonyi one of the deepest lake in Africa, take a canoe ride on this beautiful lake to visit the island that acted as a leper asylum in the 1950’s- Overnight at Bunyonyi overland camp.

Lake Bunyonyi ("Place of many little birds") lies in south western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. Located at 1,962m above sea level, it is about 25km long and 7km long. The depth of the lake is rumored to vary between 44m and 900m, which if true would make the lake the second deepest in Africa. It is one of the few lakes in the region that is free of bilharzias and safe for swimming. The lake is also known for its crayfish. High lights: relaxing, scenery, swimming, bird watching, canoeing & boat trips - camping at the shores of the lake or one of the islands.

Day 16: Transfer to Ishasha after lunch- 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." Overnight at Mweya or Jacana Lodge 

Day 17: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth Park

Spend the morning on game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park. After lunch we cross the Equator. The landscape becomes more tortuous as we reach the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks we can see in the distance. Leave the main road and on a bumpy track reach Kibale Forest in late afternoon- stay night at Ndali lodge or Rwenzori view Guest house. 

Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its families of habituated Chimpanzees. The park is home to an astonishing number of 12 species of primates, the highest density in the World! This afternoon if we still have time, a guided walk will be organized, we'll hopefully encounter families of chimps and Red Colobus monkeys, all superb photographic opportunities.

 

Day 18: This morning we will have a guided walk, this time through the Bigodi Swamps. Night at Ndali Lodge or Rwenzori view GH

The Kibale Association manages the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for Rural and Environmental Organization, formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. While on your guided walk around the swamps, You can distinguish many from the approximately 137 bird species found here, including the Snowy Headed Robin Cat, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Emerald Cuckoo and a variety of weavers, warblers, greenbuls and sunbirds. There is also an abundance of butterflies, and rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus.

 

Day 19: Kibale to murshison

Morning after an early break fast- Drive 7hours from Kibale to Murchison- We will pass through winding agricultural lands, where villagers and their children will show their friendly nature and wave out and you can glimpse the Ugandan way of rural life. We will spend the night at Para lodge.

 

Day 20: Murchison game drive- After breakfast set off for a game drive cross on the ferry up to Pakuba there you may get a chance to see some animals like lions, leopards, hyenas, foxes, giraffes, and many others. Come back to the hotel for lunch and then get ready for a launch drive along the Nile up to the button of the falls. Chances of sighting the shoe bill stork are many though not a guarantee, continue up to the bottom of the falls where you will see marine animals like the crocodiles, schools of hippos and many species of bird

 

Day 21: Depart from Murchison Falls by road to Jinja (8 hours drive) - Enroute have a Stopover for lunch at Kampala and then Proceed to Jinja town to visit the source of Nile, the major north-flowing river in Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. However, recent findings suggest that the Amazon River may be longer – arriving late in the afternoon and overnight at

 

Day 22: Jinja source of Nile River

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 and when time allows you can visit the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine and continue to Kampala- Stay night at Speke or Diplomate Hotel.

Day 23: Kampala city tour- Night at Speke or Diplomate Hotel


Day 24-25: Shopping- Personal good bye- Transfer to the airport for Departure flight

 

Feel the following reservation form for the prices. In addition to the above itinerary you ca request for tailor made packages. So why not tell us what you want for your trip.


Available departure dates in 2008

12 January, 12 march, 12 may, 1 June, 12 June, 1 July, 12 July, 12 August, 12 sept, 12 Oct, 12 November, 12 December,

NOTE: If you have a minimum of 2 persons,  we can organize it on another date according to your need.


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