Luxury Gorilla Trekking

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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