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Itinerary > Rwanda > Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Holidays

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IT02 - Gorillas & Kigali: 3 nights

Rwanda is a sultry land of inland lakes, rain forests and rolling hills.It is well-knownfor its opportunities to trek Mountain Gorillas, which are found in theVolcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans). This park lies on theborder of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).Mountain Gorillas of which there are estimated to be650 extant indivuals of which about 350 arein Rwanda -making the Ginsenyi area home to the highest concentration of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Itinerary: 3 nights

DAY 1: Fly to Kigali, the lively Rwanda capital. At the airport our English-speaking agents will meet and assist you with formalities. Transfer to theKigali Serena Hotel (B&B).

TheKigali Serena Hotel *****
The hotel is situated in the stylish Rue de Revolution in Central Kigali, the commercial hub of Rwanda. A modern monument to world-class service, standards and attention to detail, this spectacular hotel acts as a gateway the growing number of tourists visiting Rwanda and is where the world's elite stay in sumptuous style. Guest rooms are luxuriously appointed, with a 300 square metre Presidential Suite, six luxury suites, 60 deluxe rooms, 19 superior rooms, 18 studio suites and specially designed and equipped accommodation for disabled guests. The hotel also boasts a fully equipped fitness centre, a business centre, a variety of shops and a swimming pool. Its exclusive restaurants and bars cater for a variety of sophisticated tastes- from the fashionable to the quietly elegant.

DAY 2: Early transfer by private car to the Volcanoes National Park (about 90 minutes drive from Kigali). The Volcanoes Park is currently the best place anywhere in Africa to go gorilla tracking, while also supporting a number of other localised mammal, bird and plant species. This 13 000 hectare national park protects the Rwanda sector of the Virunga Mountains, a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes which straddle the border with Uganda and the DRC. Between 2,500 and 3,500m, where an average annual rainfall of 2,000mm is typical, the bamboo forest is interspersed with alpine grassland and marsh; a landscape dominated by otherworldly giant lobelia and senecio plants. Wear thick trousers, long-sleevedshirts to protect one from vicious nettles. Pack warm clothes, raincoat and hiking boots. Approximately 300 mountain gorillasexist in the Volcanoes Park. Tourists are permitted to spend no longer than one hour with the gorillas, and it is forbidden to eat or smoke in their presence. Lunch, dinner and overnight at the Mountain Gorilla Nest lodge.

Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge: Volcanoes National Park: ***
At the base of the Virunga Mountains the lodge Mountain Gorillas Nest is situated about 2 kms west of the Kinigi Park Headquarters. Set in a lovely rural setting and ideally situated near to the park headquarters in easy reach for the early mornings Gorilla trek registration process. There is no electricity in Kinigi, but the lodge has its own generator.
Each room overlooks green lawns which are placed in a semi-circle of 20 double rooms & 2 suites. The rooms all look outwards into the Eucalyptus forest, pyrethrum farms and shambas (farms) beyond. The Lodge is well constructed, but utilitarian: with grass thatched roofs in traditional Rwandese style - not the "rustic luxury safari" style of East and Southern Africa.

DAY 3: Another opportunity, perhaps, for a second visit to the Gorillas (optional, so not included in tour price). In Rwanda there areseven habituated gorilla groups that can be viewed by tourists. Each group can be visited by a maximum of 8 people per day. Alternativelyvisit the famous Dian Fossey's tomb and the Karisoke Gorillas research centre (extra payment of USD 50) or just visit the village, markets and local communities. Lunch is served at the lodge before your return drive to Kigali. Overnight stay at theKigali Serena Hotel (B&B and lunch).

DAY 4: If time allows, visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial. Transfer to the airport and flight out.

Prices include

International flight (ex Johannesburg with Rwandair Express), all accommodation and meals as indicated, all excursions with car and English speaking driver/guide, guides in the reserves, one gorilla permit and entrance fees to the Museum and Nyungwe Forest (Chimpanzee permit), mineral water while trekking in the forest, porterage, airport-hotel return transfers.

Not included

Extra tracking permits, extra park entry fees, meals not indicated, drinks, tips and personal expenses, travel insurance, airport taxes and visa fees.

Below is an approximate price per person sharing (October 2008):

ex Johannesburg: USD 2619 EUR 2016

ex Kigali: USD 2064 EUR 1589

For an accurate online quote go to links below:

International based travel agents, tour operators and residents click here for an accurate online quote.
South African based agents, operators and residents, please click here for online quoting in Rand.