Great Ape Expedition - Uganda And Rwanda With Zoos SA

Day 1 / Saturday 17 September 2011
Melbourne
Depart Melbourne with Emirates at 10.25pm, flying via Dubai and arriving into Nairobi on 18 September.

Day 2 / Sunday 18 September 2011
Kigali
Arrive into Nairobi at 2.45pm.  Connect onto your next flight from Nairobi to Kigali
On arrival in Kigali, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. A trip briefing will be held in the evening at the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Please note this is an arrival day, so you may arrive at any time.
Overnight: Laico Kigali Umubano
Meals included: 1 dinner

Day 3 / Monday 19 September 2011
Ruhengeri
(Driving time: approx 2 hours)
This morning we are taken on a city tour of Kigali, including the Genocide Memorial which was opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. Whilst the genocide occurred as a result of a complex series of factors, it can only be seen as an absolute tragedy to Rwanda and its people. Time spent at the museum is sure to be emotionally moving, but it is an important way to understand the sheer courage and resilience of the people of this beautiful, tiny nation.

After lunch we depart Kigali driving through the verdant rolling hills of Rwanda, heading north-west to Ruhengeri. The drive from Kigali to Ruhengeri takes just on two hours. We spend the next nights in Ruhengeri, an excellent base from which we head in to the nearby mountains for our trek. Our hotel offers basic but comfortable and attractive rooms, with ensuite bathrooms, hot and cold water and a friendly atmosphere and has wonderful views of the volcanoes and the beautiful hills beyond.
Overnight: Gorilla’s Nest
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 4 / Tuesday 20 September 2011
Gorilla Trek ( Rwanda ) -  Kisoro
This morning a short drive takes us to the park headquarters, where you are briefed on your gorilla trek by the guides of the Parc des Volcans. This 13,000 hectare national park protects the Rwanda sector of the Virunga Mountains, a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes that straddle the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bamboo forest is interspersed with alpine moor, grassland and marsh. In this park, there are seven different gorilla families habituated for tourism and the park authorities will assign you to a gorilla trekking group.

Gorilla trekking is highly controlled with only 56 gorilla trekking permits available each day. Once a trekking group encounters one of the gorilla families, only one hour is granted to be in the presence of the majestic gorillas before all trekkers must, always very reluctantly, leave the gorilla family. This time limit ensures that visitors do not disturb the gorillas and minimises risk of disease transmission ( as a gorilla can catch human viruses, which humans sometimes carry unknowingly.)  The trek can be strenuous and may reach altitudes of 3000 metres above sea level. The walk will be slippery and steep at times and the paths are never defined, but the end result is one you will cherish forever. To be with these amazing mammals is a truly emotional experience. To gaze into the liquid-brown of a gorillas eyes is to be invited into the depths of their souls and you will not be unchanged by the experience.

The period of time trekking is extremely variable and unpredictable - you can trek anywhere from 40 minutes to between two and five hours to reach the gorilla family that you are looking for. The trackers have already set out and located the gorilla family by the time you start the trek, so the actual time spent walking can be predicted before you start your trek, and radio back their position. More often than not, the gorilla group is met within a couple of hours after setting out. A good level of fitness and mobility is required for those taking on this trek. As lunch can only be taken upon return to the lodge it is recommended that you bring a few snacks to keep you going throughout the morning and you will need to carry drinking water. At the end of the trek the comforts of camp beckons and here we'll have the chance to reflect on this incredible day. As these primates are wild animals and live in a natural habitat their sightings can not be guaranteed. This afternoon we then transfer onto Kisoro for the night.
Overnight: Gorilla’s Nest
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 5 / Wednesday 21 September 2011
Kisoro
Today is a free day. However you can take an optional trek (optional) up to the grave of Dian Fossey and the remains of the old Karisoke Research Station. It is strongly advised that this option is pre-booked and confirmed at time of purchase of the main tour, to ensure availability. Those planning to do this trek ought to read the book or see the film 'Gorillas In The Mist' - the Dian Fossey story. Please note that you will need to travel on some very rough roads before beginning your trek which can take over two hours each way. Over the course of the morning you follow in Dian Fossey's footsteps as you trek to her grave and the many graves belonging to poached gorillas, including that of her favourite, Digit. A specialist park guide guides you around the area surrounding Karisoke. Although very little of the station remains, the setting is incredible and you will have time to reflect on the challenging life led by Dian Fossey in the midst of these isolated mountains.
Overnight: Overnight Traveller’s Rest
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 6 / Thursday 22 September 2011
Kisoro - Bwindi
Leaving Kisoro we continue to Buhoma Homestead, our base for two nights. Situated inside the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the small homestead features large twin share rooms, en suite facilities and a veranda that looks into the forested home of the mountain gorillas. The lodge combines excellent local hospitality with seclusion in this enchanting wilderness area. Depending on time of arrival, there may be the chance to explore nearby local craft shops or other activities.
Overnight: Buhoma Homestead
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 7 / Friday 23 September 2011
Gorilla trek ( Uganda )
This morning we take a short stroll from our lodge to the park headquarters, where we are briefed on the gorilla trek by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. The 330 square kilometre Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has been declared a World Heritage area, because of its incredible biodiversity. This small pocket of primeval forest across the ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley protects about half of the world's remaining 700 mountain gorillas and is also home to chimpanzees and several monkey species. Gorilla trekking is highly controlled with only 24 gorilla trekking permits available each day. As per our previous gorilla trek in Rwanda, only one hour can be spent with a gorilla family. The trek can be strenuous with steep cliffs, and we may reach altitudes of almost 2000 metres. The walk will also be slippery and the paths are rarely defined, but the end result is yet another unforgettable experience. Again the period of time trekking is extremely variable and a very good level of fitness is highly recommended. We will take a picnic lunch and drinking water with us. As these primates are wild animals and live in a natural habitat their sightings can not be guaranteed.
Overnight: Buhoma Homestead
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 8-9 / Saturday-Sunday 24-25 September 2011
Bwindi - Ishasha
( Driving time 4 hours ) After breakfast we leave the park and drive north to Ishasha Wilderness camp in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Game drives here are sure to excite with over 100 species of wildlife recorded within the park's boundaries. Whilst rhino, giraffe, zebra and impala will not be encountered, the other main species are all present along with some rarer species such as Ugandan kob, the rare sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog and topi.  The lions of Isasha are well known for their tree-climbing abilities, and if we are lucky we may find some resting in the trees. Over six hundred different species of birds have been identified in the park, including the very peculiar shoebill (or whale-headed) stork, which stands over one metre in height!
Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 10 / Monday 26 September 2011
Mwahe cruise - Kibale
( Driving time 3 hours ) After breakfast today we enjoy a Mweya launch trip on the Kazinga Channel. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a sensational reserve with an amazing array of habitats. The park's two lakes, Lake George and Lake Edward, are connected by the Kazinga Channel, which lies in the shadow of a high peninsula. This channel is said to contain the highest concentration of hippopotamus of any area in the world. After lunch we continue our drive onto Kibale Forest National Park.
Overnight: Kibale Primate Lodge
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 11 / Tuesday 27 September 2011
Kanyanchu - Kibale
Today we are afforded a rare opportunity to join the Kibale National Park rangers with the long-term habituation of a chimpanzee community. One large habituated community of chimpanzees already exist in the park for visitors to go in search of chimpanzees, as they crash and bound their way through the treetops and along the forest floor. However on this tour you will be taken behind the scenes, and a step back in the process, to join rangers as they begin to interact with non-habituated chimpanzees in order to get them more familiar with humans and ready them for trekking. Spending the entire day with the rangers you will attempt to locate and follow the chimpanzee group, getting as close as possible to the group. As you spend time with the rangers you will learn all about chimpanzees and their lifestyle, so this is sure to be yet another memorable experience with another of our closest relatives. As these primates are wild animals and live in a natural habitat their sightings can not be guaranteed.
Overnight: Kibale Primate Lodge
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 12 / Wednesday 28 September 2011
Kibale - Entebbe
Driving time: ( approx 6 hours)
This morning we continue on to Entebbe. Situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, this former capital of Uganda is located near the present day capital, Kampala.
Overnight: Boma
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 13 / Thursday 29 September 2011
Ngamba Island
Half the group will travel to Ngamba Island for the night whilst the other half will remain in Entebbe and have this opportunity tomorrow when the others return. It will be a free day in Entebbe for this group today or you can arrange an optional trip to Kampala (own expense). Ngamba Island provides an excellent secondary forest habitat for the chimpanzees in this wildlife sanctuary. Upon arrival you can take an optional opportunity( own expense)  to do The Forest Walk experience offering you an opportunity to join a group of juvenile chimpanzees on a one hour walk through their forest habitat in the  early morning. A maximum of four visitors are allowed in the forest for each walk, always accompanied by trained CSWCT staff for your safety and interpretation. You will be in the company of several chimpanzees ranging in age from 5 years to 8 years of age and you will have direct contact as we orient them to life in the forest and possible future release program back to the wild. If this activity is not available on the day, then an alternative optional activity (own expense) is offered which involves helping introduce the youngest chimpanzees to some of the older chimpanzees, in a large forested area, again with direct contact with the chimpanzees.
Overnight: Ngamba Island / Boma
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 14 / Friday 30 September 2011
Entebbe
The group that visited Ngamba Island on Day 12 will return today for their free day in Entebbe or an optional trip to Kampala at your own expense. The second group will head to Ngamba Island today day 13 returning tomorrow.
Overnight: Ngamba Island / Boma
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 15 / Saturday 1 October 2011
Entebbe
You will be transferred as a group to Entebbe international airport for your flight home - Tour ends
Depart Entebbe with Emirates at 4.20pm, flying via Dubai and arriving into Melbourne at 6.35am on 3 October.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 16 / Sunday 2 October 2011
Today is a travelling day

Day 17/ Monday 3 October 2011
Arrive into Melbourne at 6.35am