RTT-SUM008 - Virunga Highlands Expedition

You will be up early to be on the trail by 8:00 am at the visitor centre at Ntebeko (2360 m), a five-minute walk from the lodge.

The first kilometre and a half climbing Mountain Sabinyo is near-flat but swampy, even in the dry season. Immediately after the mashes, you will enter the bamboo forest zone through a track that looks like a tunnel. Here, you are likely to see buffalo and forest elephant tracks. You will walk in the bamboo forest for about an hour with virtually no altitude gain until you enter the equatorial rainforest.

From the rainforest to the summit of Mount Sabinyo, 3-4 hours higher, it only gets steeper but not muddy.

Rainforest Zone Twenty minutes into the rainforest, you will have your first rest at a small hut. After that, the trail continues ascending through the magnificent rainforest. Look out for rare and colourful birds around this region, like sunbirds and the Rwenzori turaco.

Heather Zone The rainforest will give way to the heather zone, an out-of-this-world scenery reminiscent of fairy tales. Heather trees are covered in old man's beards (usnea), and deep moss blankets their complex root systems. You will spend half the time climbing twisty stairways, which are practical for the trail's steepness in the dry but treacherously slippery when wet.

Afro-alpine Zone From the heather zone, the Mount Sabinyo trail follows a spectacular climb through steep ridges to the first peak, 3380 m. Then, you enter the afro-alpine zone, the realm of giant groundsels (Senecio), giant lobelias, and everlasting flowers.

First Peak, 3380 m At the first peak, you will be at the frontier of the three countries, and the view down the mountain is abyssal, clouds permitting. You will have your second and last rest at the first peak, leave your walking stick and put on your jacket. The rest of the route is exposed to strong winds and involves climbing horizontally steep ladders to the summit.

Second Peak (3540m) From the first peak, you descend for about 10 minutes, then climb along the ridge to the second peak (3540m) for about half an hour.

Third Peak (summit 3,645 m) You follow the sharp ridge from the second peak, literally climbing verticle ladders to the highest point. The last section is the steepest on the entire Sabinyo climb, almost entirely on stairways. Adventurous and safe, no doubt, but less romantic.

After your moment at the summit, standing in three countries surrounded by giant groundsels and lobelias, you will begin your descent.

Accommodation & Meals: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Full Board

Take it easy on the fourth day with optional activities at the lodge.

Take the Batwa cultural trail, which introduces you to the forest people's ancient cultures and customs. Visit the community project run by Volcanoes Safaris, and connect with conservation and sustainable work invested in the project.

Explore the lodge's backyard forest on foot

Stay in and enjoy the changing views of the volcanos.

Accommodation & Meals: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Full Board

You will be up by 7:00 am to make it to the Ntebeko briefing point by 7:30 am. Ntebeko visitor centre, which is also the Mgahinga National Park's headquarters, is a 10-minute walk from Gahinga Lodge.

The golden monkey trek starts at 8:00 am, after briefing with the lead tracker guide. You are escorted into the park by two armed rangers for your security. You will trek up the slopes in a two-hour window to the bamboo forest zone, where golden monkeys hang out. When you meet them, you will spend about an hour watching their antics and social behaviours.

Golden monkeys are cheeky and playful and will jump up the trees or curiously come close to you than expected. Enjoy the moment, but follow instructions from your lead guide.

Accommodation & Meals: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Full Board

Be on the trail early to take advantage of the morning softness. Your driver can drive you to Kisoro to cut off the 11-kilometre walking trail between Mgahinga and Kisoro, or you can take on the challenge with a walking guide.

Otherwise, you will join your walking safari guide in Kisoro Town for a community walk, canoeing excursion on Lake Mutanda, and nature hike through communities & cultivated garden trails.

It is an immersive off-the-beaten-track walking adventure connecting you with the local people and environments. It takes you to some of the most incredible scenes of rugged southwestern Uganda.

The walking safari and boat ride will take about 3-5 hours to the northern shores of Lake Mutanda. Here, your driver will pick you up for lunch before continuing to your night's stay at Nkuringo.

Accommodation & Meals: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Full Board

Your butler's gentle wake-up call will get you up with the promise of an unforgettable adventure ahead. By 7:00 am, you must have your packed lunch and your rainforest's in your backpack - trekking gear, a full water bottle, a sturdy walking stick. You will have a briefing at 7:30 sharp, filled with anticipation, setting the stage for your mission.

Just after 8:00 am, your expert guide and rangers usher you into the rainforest's vibrant green embrace t o begin your most anticipated gorilla trek. Their goal: to find a habituated gorilla family. Two vigilant, armed rangers guard your steps, while a skilled guide clears a path through the dense foliage, the rhythmic swish of his machete your soundtrack.

The thrill of gorilla trekking intensifies with every rustle in the leaves. And then, a hush descends - you've found them! A precious hour unfolds as you observe the gorillas in their natural habitat, their interactions a timeless spectacle. The trek's duration remains the forest's secret, but one thing's for sure: you will emerge from the jungle forever changed by this extraordinary encounter.

Accommodation & Meals: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Full Board

You have two options to cover the 500-kilometre distance from Kisoro to Entebbe, i.e, take a 1-hour flight or drive across the country on surfaced road.

In Entebbe, you can use our facilities at Papyrus guest house to freshen up for your international flight back home. Accommodation for this day is not included, though. But we can book you a room at your discretion.

Optional accommodation: Entebbe Safari Hotels