12 DAYS COMBO SAFARI MYSTERIOUS CONGO UGANDA & RWANDA: (PJT 060)

Early breakfast, continue to the Nyungwe forest. Covering 970 km², the Highlands provide a unique habitat for thirteen species of primate, including chimpanzees, l'Hoest's, colobus monkeys and owl-faced monkey. Go for a forest walk to search for colobus monkeys, a large group of which can often be seen feeding on wild figs and jumping from branch to branch. The high-altitude jungle floor boasts some of the most beautiful orchids in the world. Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge (B/L/D)

Enjoy chimpanzee tracking under the canopy of majestic trees. Chimpanzees (pan troglodyte Schweinfurt) are considered great apes, just like gorillas. Spending much time on the ground they also stand on two legs and walk this way for short distances. They climb trees in pursuit of food and for nesting. Depending on the season, the steep slopes with thick vegetation can be wet. Chimps are far more mobile and elusive than gorillas. You may need 3 to 4 hours to approach this often-exuberant primate. After lunch drive through extensive tea plantations to Cyangugu, a small harbor on Lake Kivu and cross Rusizi River to Bukavu in the DR-Congo. Overnight at Coco Lodge Bukavu (B/L/D)

The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a World Heritage site. A vast area of primary tropical forest dominated by two spectacular extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi and Biega, the park has a diverse and abundant fauna. Some of the last groups of eastern lowland gorillas consisting of only some 7,000 individuals live here at between 2100 and 2400 m above the sea-level. They have black coats, and the males develop silver backs as they mature. With the help of a ranger and trackers, we approach this rare primate. The walk can take several hours but coming across the group in its habitat is an inspiring moment. Overnight at Lodge Coco Bukavu (B/L/D)

After breakfast, you will transfer to Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center (Centre de Rehabilitation des Primates de Lwiro, or CRPL) which was created in 2002 by two Congolese Institutions: Institute Congolese pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) and Centre de Recherché en Sciences Naturelles (CRSN). Poaching increased drastically during the Second Congolese War (1998-2004), and it was decided to create a safe place for orphaned primates to recover both physically and physiologically from their ordeals. Your visit to this center is important as you will have contributed to the conservation and saving of primate in Congo that are being harassed due to various man disasters. Overnight at Lodge Coco Bukavu (B/L/D)

The 2 busy ports of Bukavu and Goma are connected by a wild roller-coaster road that tumbles through lush plantain fields and relic patches of misty rainforest to offer sweeping views over hundreds of small islands. On the way to the north, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the calm and pristine waters and the ragged shore of Lake Kivu, Albertine Rift Valley's highest lake and an extraordinarily beautiful island sea enclosed by steep green terraced hills. A more leisurely option is to take a speed boat plying daily between Bukavu and Goma. Overnight at Lodge Malahinde Hotel (B/L/D)

After several relaxing hours spent enjoying the clear waters of Lake Kivu, we set out on a boat to discover the beauty of the little bay and neighboring islands before returning to Rwanda. The good tarmac road, which winds through the luxuriant vegetation of the banana and coffee plantations, takes us to Kinigi, at the entrance to the Volcanoes National Park. Overnight at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (B/L/D)

As the first light of dawn breaks through the curtain of mist clinging to the summits of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura, we make our way into the Volcanoes National Park. Tracking the Golden Monkey through the unique vegetation can take several hours of challenging walking in wet and muddy conditions. Later after the tracking will cross to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via the Kyanika border post Overnight at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (B/L/D)

Early morning you will start your gorilla trek. Bwindi, a World Heritage Park, is home to just over half of the worlds last surviving mountain gorilla population of 880 individuals. Today’s trek can take from one to six hours, sometimes more, at elevations more than 2,270 m (7,500 ft) and over rough terrain.   The forest is home to 120 species of mammals, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, and 163 species of trees, making it one of the richest ecosystems in Africa. On your return from gorilla trekking, you will walk in the community (Rushaga) where you will visit the neighboring Batwa community where you will interact with them and learn about their history and lifestyle. Overnight at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (B/L/D)

After 9 days action packed with treks and driving, today is the day of relaxation Lake Bunyonyi (Place of many little birds) is in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale and it is close to the border with Rwanda. The lake appeared from 2004 to 2009 on the USh 5,000/= note under the title "Lake Bunyonyi and terraces". Scientific literature generally quotes a maximum depth of 40 m (130 ft, but some tourist guides and locals insist that it is much deeper, about 900 m (3,000 ft), which would make it the second-deepest lake in Africa. Towns on its shores include Kyevu and Muko, while its 29 islands include Punishment Island and Bushara Island. - driving time 1½. Dinner & Overnight at Bird Nest Resort (B/L/D)

We shall leave Lake Bunyonyi early after our breakfast, drive back to Kigali which is Rwanda’s capital via the border post of Gatuna. In the capital we visit the Nyamirambo Women Center. Here we learn more about the local traditions and get exciting insights into the culture, history, and everyday life of this region. The crowning glory is a cooking class with Aminatha, in which we learn how to prepare a local meal and, if interested, can buy the necessary spices. Overnight: Onomo Hotel (B/-/D)

Relaxed morning and breakfast, before visiting the genocide memorial center in Gisozi, after that have lunch and later your driver guide will take you to Kigali airport in time, where we will say goodbye and wish you a safe journey home – Meals (B/L/-)