Journey Smiles Expeditions

18/01/2024

09/11/2021

18/10/2020

Gorillas and Lake Chahafi Safari

Journey Smiles Expeditions is your specialist safari operator in east Africa specializing in gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, wildebeest migration in Serengeti in Tanzania, and Masai Mara in Kenya.
Gorilla trekking is one of the best safari vacations in Uganda and Rwanda as many travelers are attracted by the amazing encounters with the mountain gorillas that are roaming in the jungles of East Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are the two areas where you can trek the gorillas in their natural habitat and clients can stay at the Lake chahaffi which is very quiet and offers superb views of the Virunga volcanoes.

Lake Chahafi

Lake Chahafi is a volcanic lake located at the Uganda- Rwanda border at the base of Virunga volcanoes, it’s home to the rich biodiversity of birds and aquatic life, boat cruises can be done on the lake in search of the numerous bird species and beautiful sunrises.

Where to trek gorillas from while staying in Lake Chahafi

The best gorilla trekking area for clients staying at Lake Chahafi is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is 40 minutes drive from the lake resort to the starting point for gorilla trekking in Ntebeko.

How to Get to Lake Chahafi

The easiest way to get to Lake Chahafi is by flying into Rwandan capital Kigali and then you take the 4 hours’ drive via Musanze town before crossing the border at Cyanika and then drive for 30 minutes to the Lodge

Where to stay in Lake Chahafi

There are not many places to stay at the lakeside making the Lake Chahafi resort a top area to visit as there is less tourism traffic at the resort and clients can enjoy a relaxing and undisturbed experience.

Best time to travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The national park is accessible all year round but if possible clients can avoid the rainy seasons from March-May and September-November and the peak of the gorilla trekking season is from January to February when there are fewer tourists compared to June, July, and August when its summer holidays in Europe and it’s the peak season in Uganda.

Suggested itinerary

Here is a brief travel plan for clients wanting to enjoy the gorilla trekking and relax at Lake Chahaffi.

4 Days Gorillas and Lake Chahafi safari

Day 1-Arrival in Kigali and overnight
Upon arrival, you will be received by a representative from Hitch-A –Hike Adventurers safari and transfer to the lodge for relaxation
Lodge option– Iris Guest house Kigali

Day 2-Drive to Lake Chahafi via Musanze
After a short city tour clients will drive North West towards volcanoes national park and take a lunch break in musanze before crossing at the border in Cyanika and arriving at the lodge for relaxation
Lodge option– Lake Chahafi resort

Day 3-Gorilla trekking Experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is a magical day where you will encounter the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and the Nyakagezi group is one of the iconic gorilla families in Uganda with 4 silverback gorillas, the gorilla trekking takes between 2-6 hours depending on how long you will take to find the gorillas, the trekking starts at 8 am in the morning.
After trekking you will relax at the lodge looking at the stunning views of the volcanoes.

Day 4-Lazily morning and transfer to Kigali
After a lazily morning depending on your flight schedule you will be transferred back to Kigali for your outbound flight or overnight

End of services

What’s included?

Gorilla permit
Accommodation
English speaking Guide
Extra lunches
4×4 safari vehicle
Fuel
Drinking water

What’s excluded?

international flights
Visa fees
pre and post accommodation but can be booked upon request
travel insurance
tipping

Contact us and lets help you plan an awesome Adventure and vacation.💪

Www.journeysmilesexpeditions.com
[email protected]

12/08/2020

Happy world Elephants day.. 🐘🐘🐘

10/04/2020

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.

As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-g*therers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.

Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery.

Send us an email for itineraries that include this beautful destination and visit our website for more.

Www.journeysmilesexpeditions.com
[email protected]

08/04/2020

The Birders Paradise.

Semuliki National Park, is located in Bwamba County, a remote part of the Bundibugyo District, in the Western Region of Uganda. It was made a national park in October 1993 and is one of Uganda's newest national parks. 219 km² of East Africa's only lowland tropical rainforest is found in the park

Semuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the Semliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori. The park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forests; one of the few to survive the last ice age, 12-18,000 years ago.

The Semliki Valley contains numerous features associated with central rather than eastern Africa. Thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms; the Semliki River (which forms the international boundary) is a miniature version of the Congo River, the forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri. As a result, this park provides a taste of Central Africa without having to leave Uganda.

While Semuliki’s species have been accumulating for over 25,000 years, the park contains evidence of even older processes. Hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.

Contact us for birding, cultural and Walking safaris, let's take you to this paradise.

Www.journeysmilesexpeditions.com
[email protected]

15/03/2020

Did know that, "If you kill an elephant other family members will keep your scent and even pass it over to other generations. If you meet a member of that elephant family after many years, it will know you and revenge. Elephants have a super memory,”

Contact us for ur
In groups, family, friends or single we g*t you at Journey Smiles Expeditions.

Www.journeysmilesexpeditions.com
[email protected]

12/03/2020

Nationalpark Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo National Park is located in Kiruhura District in the Western Region of Uganda. The park is about 30 kilometers, by road, east of Mbarara, the largest city in the sub-region. This location is approximately 240 kilometres by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.

The park was originally gazetted in 1933 as a controlled hunting area and upgraded to a game reserve in 1963. The Banyankole Bahima residents continued to graze their cattle in the reserve until it was upgraded to national park status in 1983.

Contact us for more details, Packages to explore this beautiful national park.

Www.journeysmilesexpeditions.com
[email protected]

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12/03/2020

Kampala City Tour

Kampala city has about 9 famous hills including Namirembe, Rubare, Mengo, Makerere, Nakasero, Old Kampala among others

Can you tell from which hill these photos were taken from? Hint -the outstanding features or portraits in the photos😳🤔