Luxury Gorilla Trekking

7 Day Luxury Gorilla Trekking

On this 7 days Luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda which is often called the land of the thousand hills. Everywhere you look you will see the beautiful green hills. In Rwanda you can enjoy culture, nature, primates and the beaches of Lake Kivu!

Most popular park of Rwanda’s luxury gorilla trekking destination is Volcanoes NP, where you can track the gorillas, the golden monkeys or do different hikes in this dramatic, volcanic landscape. Dian Fossey studied the endangered Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes NP and her grave can be found and visited in this park.

Rwanda has more to offer. You can visit Nyungwe National Park, one of the world’s most beautiful and oldest rainforest of Africa (home to the habituated chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, but also a birders’ paradise!), you can go for safari in Akagera National Park on the border with Tanzania, hike or bike the Congo Nile Trail, see the real Rwandese culture in the cultural villages and relax at Lake Kivu.
Rwanda’s painful past has haunted the country for many years. You can visit the genocide memorials to get insight in the history of the genocide in Rwanda, and it will probably make you appreciate how far this country has come.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT OUR SAFARIS:

SAFARI CUSTOMIZATION

This Trip can be customized just in case it doesn’t suit your interest! Don’t hesitate to contact us.

DATES

This trip being a private tour, departure can be organized for anytime throughout the year subject to the availability of accommodation and transport.

ACCOMMODATION

The bookings with the hotels mentioned in the program depend on availability. Reservations will only be made after your booking.

In case the mentioned hotels are not available during the requested period, we will do our best to book a hotel in the same class for you- of course after consulting you.

GORILLA AND CHIMP PERMITS

It is not possible to ‘reserve’ gorilla and chimpanzee permits. Therefore, we can only buy them after your bookings/down-payment and it all depends on availability.

TRANSPORT

We bring quality to your fore sight, with great customized safari vehicles (4×4) for easy wildlife viewing. All clients will have a dedicated window seat. Your professional driver/guide will be at your disposal for questions or translations.

Highlights

Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe forest
Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes N.P.
Visit the genocide memorial site

Persons	Rate Per Person


2	US$ 3390
4	US$ 2850

Accommodation:

You sleep in mid-range accommodation nicely located close to the national parks. The rooms are spacious with en-suite bathrooms. However do not expect luxury.

With 2, 4 or 6 people you will have 1, 2 or 3 double/twin rooms (shared).
With 3 or 5 people you will have 1 or 2 double/twin rooms + 1 single room.

The price for 3 and 5 people includes one single supplement. We retain the right to substitute the accommodations mentioned with suitable accommodations if there is no availability, and we retain the right to run aspects of the itinerary in a reverse direction if necessary.

Meals:
Most meals during the tour are inclusive. Please see the day-to-day program for the details. In case you have a dietary restriction or preference, please let us know and we will inform the accommodations accordingly.

Included

Transport in a 4WD Land cruiser (depending on the amount travellers)
All fuel for the tour;
English speaking driver/guide;
Accommodation as per program
Meals according to the program
Park entrance fees according to the program
All activities described in the itinerary;
1 chimpanzee permit per person;
1 gorilla permit per person.

Excluded

International air fares;
Entry visa Rwanda All drinks;
Meals that are not part of your accommodation;
All activities that are not mentioned in the program or activities that are mentioned in the program as optional activity;
A porter for during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack);
Personal (medical/travel) insurance;
Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc;
All expenses of a personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, souvenirs etc.).

Day 1: Airport pick up

Today, you will be picked from the Kigali airport by a representative of Hotel des Mille Collines
Depending on your arrival time you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. Prepare to use your haggling skills! All activities and purchases today are at your own cost. The hotel you will be staying in is the world famous Hotel des Mille Collines from the movie Hotel Rwanda. This is a semi-luxury hotel.

Journey Time: 15 minutes from the airport
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines
Meal Plan: No meals inclusive

Hotel des Mille Collines (luxury)
This hotel is known from the tragic film ‘Hotel Rwanda’ as the UN headquarters during the 1994 crisis in the country. Today it is a charming accommodation with the refurbished structure of the old building still visible. The swimming pool and the live music in the afternoon make it a wonderful place to just unwind before or after the flight.

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest

Today morning after your breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel at will transfer you to Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important and still little known bird watching destinations in Africa.

You will have en route lunch. In the evening, you will settle into your private cottage at Nyungwe forest lodge. This luxury lodge is one of the best in Rwanda. The spacious cottages with nice view will make you feel right at home.

Journey Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Meal plan: All meals

Nyungwe Forest Lodge (luxury)

Located in the Gisakura tea plantation, this high-end lodge is an oasis of tranquility within striking distance of the national park. From your villa you can enjoy the beautiful design, comfort and sublime views of the surrounding tea plantations. In the evening you can join in the tea tasting extravaganza and later enjoy an á-la-carte five course dinner. For relaxation, you can also laze in the heated infinity pool, exercise in the gym, or have a massage. This lodge is, without a doubt, one of the best accommodations in Rwanda.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking

After a very early morning breakfast, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the two groups is 80 individuals. This exciting up-close encounter you will not forget. After the chimp tracking you can relax at the hotel or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide.

Journey Time: 1 – 2 hours each way
Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Meal plan: All meals

Optional activity
In the afternoon you can go for East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats. En route you will have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy. Let us know if you would like to sign up for this activity

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu

In the morning you can enjoy the nice views from your lodge. After lunch you will travel to Kibuye on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. Time allowing, you can visit the Ndaba Falls or take a walk around Kibuye town. In the afternoon you can rent a boat and visit a few islands. All activities today are at your own cost. Your accommodation for the night is the semi-luxury Cormoran Lodge located on the shores of Lake Kivu.

Journey Time: 3 – 4 Hours

Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge

Meal plan: All meals

Cormoran Lodge (semi-luxury)

This beautiful lodge on the edge of Lake Kivu is made entirely of wood. The rooms are spacious and in the evening you can dine in the stylish restaurant with a drink of your choice next to a cosy fireplace. Kayaks and a ‘Jet Ski’ boat are available for hire, as well as access to the private beach on the lake where you can also take a refreshing dip in the clear blue water

Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes NP

Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to Musanze, close to the beautiful Volcano range Your lodge is located near the entrance of the national park with an amazing view overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes. From here you will start your Gorilla tracking tomorrow.

Journey Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Meal plan: All meals

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Mid-range)

Situated on the edge of the dense forest that makes up Parc National Des Volcans, this lodge offers an excellent resting place before and after your visit with the gorillas. From the large rooms, you can look out over the expansive lawns and tropical rainforest with the mighty Mount Sabinyo that rising up in the background like a Mt. Olympus of the Virunga range. In the evening, enjoy a camp fire and some entertainment from a local dance troop. You can upgrade to the luxury Virunga lodge which is one of the most beautiful lodges in the country. It has stunning beautiful views overlooking the Twin lakes and Volcanoes NP.

Day 6: Gorilla Tracking

Today after breakfast, you will drive into the park about 30 minutes to the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux (ORTPN). The head ranger of the ORTPN will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here your guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated Gorillas groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours.

Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.

Journey Time: 15 minutes by car, tracking time varies

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Meal plan: All meals

Day 7: Airport transfer

Today after a relaxed breakfast you shall be transferred by your guide back to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre, which opened in 2004. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda’s recent history in time to catch your flight back home. Your guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.

Note: This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 3 p.m. or later. If you need another night in Kigali, we will be happy to make a booking for you.

Journey Time: 2.5 hours
Accommodation: Not included
Meal plan: Breakfast