Outline Itinerary:
This walking itinerary can be conducted in either direction that being between Kisoro and Buhoma or Buhoma and Kisoro with a night spent in Nkuringo on the standard two day itinerary. The itinerary below details the route when walked Kisoro to Buhoma.
In the shadow of the Virunga Volcanoes towering over Kisoro you will meet with your guide/s from Nkuringo Walking Safaris all of whom are local to the region and each will contribute with his own knowledge and skills to enhance the quality of your experience.
Your first night will be spent in Kisoro or on the shores of Lake Mutanda where your guide will conduct a pre-departure meeting before the evening meal. This will be a short and informative presentation of the itinerary you will follow on your journey with us. During the tour to Nkuringo and onto Buhoma your guide/s will enlighten you further regarding the ethnic groups of people and aspects of rural life you will be party to on this tour.
Traditional dugout canoes will be utilised on the Lake Mutanda section of this journey where life jackets are provided. The route otherwise follows village footpaths through outstanding scenery with often 360 degree views of land, lake, mountains and rain forest.
Day 1 - Kisoro (Lake Mutanda) - Nkuringo
After breakfast we depart for the southern shore of Lake Mutanda to be welcomed at Sheba's Campsite (90 minutes walking). Alternatively the first day can commence from Sheba's campsite having spent the previous night there should there be time upon your arrival in Kisoro the day before to complete the transfer to the site. It is possible to undertake this transfer from town by special hire taxi. Accommodation at Sheba's campsite is budget traveller level aimed at campers with their own equipment. There is a single double bed cabin currently available at the site and 3 furnished tents on a raised platform.
The journey by traditional dugout canoe and walk from Sheba's campsite to Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite takes about 8 hours. Traditional dugout canoes will be waiting for us to embark for the Mutanda section of the journey from the pontoon at Sheba's campsite to Rwajenge landing site. The travel time to the landing site on the northern shore of Lake Mutanda is 3 hours.
There are many islands in the lake given over primarily to banana cultivation but one island is under the administration of the National Forestry Authority where it still maintains it's primary forest cover and Vervet monkeys reside.
The lake and cultivated shoreline are home to many common birds including Hadada Ibis, Crested Cranes and Black headed herons. The land area is dotted with small homesteads where villagers are to be seen cultivating their fields and attending to livestock. Potato cultivation is prolific in the dark volcanic soils, where cabbages, green beans and peas are all also to be seen farmed on what appears to be impossibly steep gradients. The Kigezi and Kisoro districts of Uganda despite being heavily populated contribute substantially to the countries overall food production.
The journey to Nkuringo can be broken by spending a night at the wonderfully located Nkuringo Safari Lodge set in a glade of papyrus and eucalyptus forest on Lake Mutanda's northern shore. This traditional tented safari lodge offers accommodation in an unparalleled setting. You will have opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of a sunrise and sunset with the volcanoes of Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo standing like sentinels along the southern horizon. Self-camping is also possible at the lodge.
The canoe trip is broken at the lodge for a coffee break and photo opportunity.
Itinerary continued.......
