The bio-diverse Virunga of South West Uganda

Experience this spectacular area of equatorial Africa on foot and by local boats in a way that no other visitors to the area do. Get off the beaten track and interact with the local Abakiga and Banyruanda people. Be guided by the indigenous forest people (Batwa) learning their forest wisdom, following their paths and visiting their ancestoral sites. Experience massively different habitats from high volcanic peaks, through cloud and equatorial forest, through rich smallholder farmlands, across island splattered crater lakes, through forested gorges to the Albertine Rift savanna. Experience at close quarters incredible varied wildlife including primates( Monkey, chimps, gorilla), Big game (elephant, hippo buffalo etc.), stunning birdlife, reptiles and insects.

• Visiting 3 National Parks - Mgahinga, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth and the stunning and varied habitats and wildlife. • An exploration and trek through 3 varied forests with indigenous Batwa forest guides (Echuya, Mgahinga and Bwindi and Kyambura Gorge).
• Explore Batwa culture, walk Batwa trails and visit Batwa cultural sites as part of our collaboration with indigenous forest people.
• Travel by boat across stunning lakes Bunyonyi and Mutanda including travelling by local dugout canoe as part of our journey.
• Spend 4 nights camping with local households exploring the culture and lives of the Abakiga people.
• Stay in private huts on the edges of Mgahinga and Bwindi Forests with opportunities to see varied wildlife and birds.
• Have the opportunity to ascend two of the stunning high Virunga – Mount Sabinyo (3634m) and Mount Gahinga (3474m) and experience the vegetational zones from bamboo, through virgin forest, into the giant heather and lichen forest and to the otherworldly high alpine zone.
• Take a private wildlife launch down the Kazinga channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park viewing big game and birds at close proximity.
• Track and view chimpanzee along the forested Kyambura Gorge where birdlife abounds and hippos populate the river.
• Take a boat on Lake Victoria to view rare Shoebill Stork and other lake birdlife.
• Potential to include the unique experience of Mountain Gorilla tracking as an optional extra to the journey.

This is an amazing and diverse journey.

We will travel across volcanic crater lakes by local dugout canoe, along village trails, through equatorial forest teaming with life to the soaring Virunga Volcanoes with their other-worldly Africa Alpine vegetation culminating at the habitat of the Mountain Gorilla.

This journey has been developed based on founder, Gavin Anderson's, longstanding and intimate knowledge of Uganda and the Virunga area. Having lived in Uganda for 9 years, Gavin has been involved in development activities for over 25 years. He was also Chairman of the Mountain Club of Uganda, pioneering journeys in the Virunga and other mountain and rural areas of Uganda.