Itinerant hike to discover the Tanzanian wilderness from the lowland coastal Savannah and mangrove forests, and finishing on the magical beaches of the Indian Ocean crossing the Masai steppes of Simanjo and Kitwai, Tarangire animal migration reserves.
Bivouacs in the middle of nowhere to meet local people and well-deserved comfort accommodation. Biking on tracks frequented by wildlife and visiting the Tarangire animal park by 4×4.
Days: 10 days
Destinations: Rwanda, Uganda.
Price:
Welcome to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. You’ll receive an airport transfer and be taken to your hotel. The time difference with Europe is usually just one hour. Nestled among hills, Kigali stands out for its cleanliness and order. In recent years, the city has evolved into a modern metropolis, renowned for its green boulevards, friendly people, and thriving economy. It’s also a significant cultural hub with museums, markets, and various events
Leaving the city bustle behind, we head southeast, partly on unpaved roads. Today’s destination is Lake Kivu, where we can enjoy a lakeside sunset and savor grilled fish. Lake Kivu is one of the great lakes in Central Africa, situated on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among the world’s deepest lakes, it’s known for its breathtaking scenery. The lake plays a vital role for surrounding communities, serving both as a fishing ground and a source of drinking water. The region also features volcanic activity, adding to the lake’s uniqueness.
Today’s route takes us along the eastern flank of Lake Kivu. We’ll venture off-road for a stretch on the infamous Congo-Nile trail, while our support vehicle follows a different route. This mountainous area occasionally presents challenging road conditions. Passing by the numerous volcanoes of Volcanoes National Park, we often encounter spectacular views.
Navigating a winding path between two lakes, we reach the border with Uganda. Driving into Uganda’s highlands involves traversing some challenging terrain. Be prepared for a beautiful but demanding day. Majestic mountain ranges shrouded in mist come into view, alternating with tea plantations—a stunning part of Uganda. Ruhija is a small village housing the Bwindi research center. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park boasts immense biodiversity, with particular emphasis on its mountain gorillas.
Today, you have the option to embark on a gorilla visit. The necessary permits have been organized by us before the journey, as only eight individuals per day are allowed to visit each of the three tracked gorilla families. You can spend a maximum of one hour with a family, and each gorilla family sleeps in a different location every night. Early in the morning, trackers are dispatched to locate the family. You, along with a group of eight visitors led by a guide and some rangers, will then be guided through the dense jungle to the gorillas using GPS coordinates. The duration of the trek depends on the gorillas’ current location, but the fascinating hour spent with the gorillas is undoubtedly worth the trek.
Unpaved roads lead us across mountain ranges to the hilly landscape along Lake Edward, marking the beginning of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha Park, is famous for its tree-climbing lions. A long unpaved road traverses the park, and as we drive along it, we are sure to encounter wild animals. We spend the night at the Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel is an impressive waterway, a natural link between Lake Edward and Lake George, providing a stunning backdrop for wildlife observations. During a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, we have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and elephants.
Today, you have the optional opportunity to embark on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park to explore the richness of this conservation area in terms of nature and wildlife. Lions, rhinos, elephants, and numerous bird species can be found here. Successful anti-poaching measures have led to the reintroduction of various animal species, making it an impressive success in wildlife conservation. Alternatively, you can opt for a half-day motorcycle excursion in the surroundings. In the evening, we will do a boat ride in equator lakes known as lake George and lake Edward which they share water and also form kazinga channel.
In the morning, we continue on our motorcycles to the north, passing the equator. On the west side of the road lies the Rwenzori Mountains with Mount Baker reaching a height of4843 meters. On the east side is Kibale Forest National Park, particularly known for its high diversity of primates, including one of the largest populations of chimpanzees in Africa. We stay overnight in the Fort Portal area.
We cross the inland in a southern direction, approaching the tri-border area of Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Here, we turn west and continue our route on varied roads, both paved and unpaved, towards Kabale. The day’s stage of our motorcycle tour concludes at the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi, where we enjoy the stunning backdrop of green hills and small islands. Lake Bunyonyi, also known as the “Place of Many Little Birds,” is one of the deepest lakes in Africa
We start the morning at a leisurely pace, giving you the option to sleep in or take a canoe ride in a hollowed-out tree trunk or a village strolls. Afterward, we set our motorcycles in motion again and ride towards the border with Rwanda. Upon crossing the border, we quickly leave the highway and immerse ourselves in the tea plantation region. This adventurous route takes us to Kigali and so, the final riding day is upon us. We return to Kigali. Depending on the available time, we can either take the main road to Kigali or choose the route via unpaved roads. Finally, we reach our starting hotel again. In the afternoon, there’s the opportunity to visit the Genocide Memorial and the Hotel des Milles Collines (known from the movie “Hotel Rwanda”).
Depending on your flight schedule, there may be an opportunity to spend a few hours in the capital before being timely transported to the international airport.
Local circumstances could require adjustment of the route on site.
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