The highlights of this trip are the following:
– approach, in a small group, several families of mountain gorillas (2 treks) and golden monkeys in the most favourable environment for their observation and when conditions are optimal for photographing them
– alternate walks with less demanding activities revealing the region’s rich history and culture (visit of the Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, of the Kinigi community, etc.)
– enjoy comfortable accommodation in the heart of the Volcanoes National Park region
– decide your ideal departure and return dates, without worrying about the formation of a group because this trip is available individually, based on 2 people, or in a small group
– enjoy the opportunity to tailor the program to your wishes
A unique experience of the primates in Rwanda, like no other!
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali
Arrival at Kigali – Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport where you will meet our representative who will assist you with customs and immigration clearance.
Thereafter you will be taken to your driver/guide and transferred to the Serena Hotel for the night. Bed & Breakfast.
Day 2: Visit of Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Breakfast and city tour with a stop at the Genocide Memorial – a particularly interesting place of memory and evidence of how the country was reunified and rebuilt in 1994.
Lunch and departure by road to the Musanze District and the Virunga National Park.
This 3 hour trip to northern Rwanda goes through beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of the country’s landscape. The road rises gradually until reaching Ruhengeri, which is 1860 metres above sea level and forms the base of the impressive volcanoes of Volcanoes National Park (or Virunga).
Accommodation at the Mountain Gorillas View Lodge. Full board.
Day 3: First day of trekking to visit the mountain gorillas
Accommodation at the Mountain Gorillas View Lodge. Full board.
Day 4: Day of activities and visit of the Virunga region
This day allows you to rest after the first “mountain gorilla trek” while visiting some of the highlights of the region:
Discovery of the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo, two shimmering volcanic crater lakes located high in the Virungas and separated by a narrow stretch of earth – their deep blue waters ringed by steep hills and tall waterfalls in a most spectacular backdrop, the Virunga Volcanoes. Optionally walking with your guide in the hills bordering on the lakes to observe the broad variety of birds.
After lunch at your lodge, you can choose between:
- a guided tour of the Kinigi community to discover the Rwandan traditional arts and crafts, to try the banana or sorghum beers, and to admire the Batwa cultural dances
- a visit to the network of caves located under the region of Musanze
Accommodation at the Mountain Gorillas View Lodge. Full board.
Day 5: Second day of trekking to visit the mountain gorillas
This day follows the same organisation as day 3 and offers you the opportunity to discover another area of Volcanoes National Park and a second gorilla family.
(And you will realize how, just like us, families can vary and exhibit different behaviours!)
Accommodation at the Mountain Gorillas View Lodge. Full board.
Day 6: Morning of trekking to visit the golden monkeys and return to Kigali
After an early breakfast, you will go to the rangers’ and guides’ headquarters to join one of the few small groups who devote their morning to a hike to visit a family of golden monkeys. These families are usually found close to the entry points of the Park, which allows you to visit them without having to go for a long walk.
You will then return to Kigali by road.
Light lunch (free) en route.
Transfer to Kigali – Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport for your return flight.
Indicative price:
From £ 6,250 per person on the basis of 2 participants sharing one double/twin room.
Subject to availability at the time of booking.
The final budget will be communicated after establishing a personalised quotation that will depend on the exchange rates at the time.
Notice:
This itinerary includes a number of walks in the forests of Volcanoes National Park. As gorillas move freely in the Park that extends at an altitude of 2,000 to 4,500 metres (for the highest peaks) and the terrain can be wet and muddy, the hiking can sometimes last several hours. We recommend that participants in this trip have a good physical condition and that they use the services of local carriers ($ 15 per day) for easy carrying of their backpack or camera bag.
– 2 « mountain gorillas » treks accompanied by specialist rangers-guides (value USD 1,500 per trek per person)
– 1 « golden monkeys » trek accompanied by specialist rangers-guides (value USD 100 per trek per person)
– 1 morning dedicated to a tour of the city of Kigali
– 1 day of visit, at your choice, of the tomb of Diane Fossey and the cemetery of the gorillas, of Lake Kivu, of Lake Bulera and its village or of the Imbabazi orphanage
– The Park Fees and « Gorillas » and « Golden Monkeys » permits (subject to possible changes)
– The airport transfers
– The transfers between Kigali and your lodge in Ruhengeri and the transports to the activities mentioned in this programme in the region of the Volcanoes National Park in a privatised 4×4 driven by a specialised driver-guide
– 1 night in Kigali at the Serena Kigali Hotel (4****, or equivalent), in a double or twin room with bathroom en-suite. Bed and breakfast
– 4 nights in Ruhengeri at the Mountain Gorillas View Lodge (3***, or equivalent), in the heart of the region of the Volcanoes National Park, in a double or twin room with bathroom en-suite. Full board
– International flights to Rwanda and return
– Travel or Insurances (cancellation, repatriation, luggage, other risks and any additional insurance)
– Visas
– Meals not mentioned or mentioned as “free” in the itinerary (e.g. lunch of the last day)
– Any extras of personal nature, tips, laundry and drinks not mentioned in the program, etc.
– Any options, extra activities or private services.
Extension to Tanzania, the Indian Ocean or other reserves: please consult us.
