Gorilla Primate Experience in Rwanda with Superb Africa Safaris
ABOUT GORILLA TRACKING IN RWANDA
Years after the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has become a worthwhile and peaceful ecotourism destination despite what some people still believe: the country has been rebuilt and is a bustle of activity, the people are cheerful and friendly, and the roads are in good repair and safe.
The rare and endangered mountain gorillas live on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes (Rwanda, Congo and Uganda).
There are currently 7 "habituated" gorilla families
(used to seeing humans, and therefore less shy than those who live in more
remote areas). The number of individuals in each of them varies from 10 to over
35! The trip to visit the gorillas start early in the morning (after a full breakfast!) at the offices of the tourist authority (ORTPN), at the entrance of the park, to sort out formalities.
As the tracking starts off at over 2000m, suitable clothing is necessary: thick trousers, sturdy walking shoes, waterproof jacket etc (wearing garden gloves can also prove useful when grabbing hold of twigs and branches).
The visitors are organised in small groups (of maximum 08 people) and are first briefed about gorilla etiquette by the guide who will lead them to one of the families of gorillas (Amahoro, 13, Sabinyo, Sousa, and Umubano). It is essential to stick to the guide's advice and to follow his instructions, for the safety of all concerned, be they human or gorilla!
The visitors (and the guides) then leave by 4X4 and go to the starting
point of the trek: as the ortpn trackers follow the movements of the different
gorilla groups, they know where they have stopped for the night, and start
their distant watch again early in the morning: they can radio their latest
whereabouts to the guides who can then lead the walk without waste of time or
energy!One last briefing before the real start, the guides hand out bamboo walking stick (they will prove very handy on the muddy hilly paths), and we are off.
Across pyrethrum fields, then up into the bamboo forest: gradual climbing walk (the pace is set by the slowest person in the group) which takes one and a half hours on average (except in the case of the Sousa group, which is the largest - more than 35 individuals - also but the furthest away, and will usually take at least three hours to reach: only for the really fit ones).
The guide is in constant radio contact with the trackers which helps him find the precise spot where the gorillas are on that particular day.
Once in the area close to where the gorillas are, the visitors leave their bags, bottles of water and other belongings behind and slowly follow their guide, in near silence, armed only with their cameras, to face their cousins, at last!
The visitors will spend an hour watching the gorillas who are usually busy eating bamboo shoots or resting at this time, and then each will go his own way again.
The visitors go back down to where the 4X4 is waiting for them and the gorillas venture deeper into the forest, always on the look out for juicier and more delicious bamboos.
03 days/02 nights gorilla tracking package
Description
Rwanda might seem a strange choice for a holiday, its name associated with half-remembered news reports of troubles in the heart of Africa. Think of going and friends may look puzzled. “Why Rwanda?” they'll ask. The obvious reason is the mountain gorillas, some of the closest relatives to humans. Sitting within a small family group is one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences, and a gorilla safari is a 'must' for serious wildlife enthusiasts.
Day 01
Arrival Kigali airport, short city tour and transfer to the north.
Accommodation at Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge.
Day 02
Gorilla tracking in the morning, then drive back to Kigali. Accommodation at Novotel.
Day 03
Airport transfer for your departure flight after visit of Kigali and Genocide Memorial
End of services
Above Package includes:
02 days of transport
01 night at Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge
01 night Novotel
Visits and transfers
All meals
Please note that gorilla permits have to be booked and paid for well in advance as the number available each day is very limited.
=============================================
04 days/03 nights gorilla tracking package
Description
This gorilla safari offers you the unique opportunity to meet the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Go on gorilla tracking and spend some unforgettable moments with them. An unforgettable meeting with the mountain gorillas in Africa. Start your safari in Parc National des Volcans (PNV).
The safari ends in the vibrant capital city of Rwanda where you will visit the Genocide Memorial.
Day 01
Arrival at Kigali airport, short city tour and transfer to the north, to the Parc National des Volcans, accommodation Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge.
Day 02
Gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans, visit of the area, accommodation Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge.
Day 03
Gorilla tracking (different area of the park, different family of gorillas of course), lunch then drive back to Kigali, accommodation Novotel Umubano Kigali.
Day 04
Visit of Kigali and Genocide Memorial, then airport transfer for your departure flight.
End of services
Above Package includes:
04 days of transport in 4x4 Land cruiser with personal guide/driver, airport transfer and visits.
02 nights Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge.
01 night double room Novotel
All meals included
Please note that gorilla permits have to be booked and paid for well in advance as the number available each day is very limited.
=====================================
04 days/03 nights gorilla tracking package
Description
Parc National des Volcans was made famous
by Dian Fossey’s work and the film Gorillas
in the Mist. More than half of the world’s mountain gorillas live here
– about 350 of them – and at present it’s probably the best place in Africa to see them.
Even without the gorillas, this park would
be fascinating. Its altitude ranges from about 2,500m to the peak of Karisimbi
at 4500m, resulting in extensive bamboo forests, and some of the last remaining
Afromontane forest habitat on the planet. Quite apart from the mountain
gorillas, it harbours a spectacular array of rare and endangered animals and
plants. There are a variety of other primates including endemic golden monkeys,
forest elephants, buffalo, giant forest hogs (Africa’s largest swine).
Day 01
Arrival at Kigali airport, short city tour and transfer to the north, to the Parc National des Volcans, accommodation at Virunga ecolodge (small, exclusive and in magnificent settings overlooking the two twin volcanic lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo)
Day 02
Gorilla tracking in PNV, visit of the area, accommodation Virunga ecoLodge.
Day 03
Gorilla tracking (different area of the park, different family of gorillas of course), lunch at the lodge then drive back to Kigali, accommodation Serena Kigali
Day 04
Visit of Kigali and Genocide Memorial, then airport transfer for your departure flight.
End of services
Above Package includes:
03 days of transport in 4x4 Landcruiser with personal guide/driver, airport transfer and visits.
02 nights Virunga Lodge in double banda.
01 night double room Kigali Serena.
All meals included.
Please note that gorilla permits have to be booked and paid for well in advance as the number available each day is very limited
=====================================
05 days/04 nights gorilla tracking package
Description
A grand primate Adventurer safari covering Rwanda’s most beautiful national park.
Also a visit to the new and insightful Kigali Genocide
Museum, which gives details of Rwanda’s tragic
history.
Day 01
Arrival Kigali airport, short city tour and transfer to Novotel.
Day 02
Drive to the north of the country, to the Parc National des Volcans and transfer to Mountain Gorilla Nest.
Day 03
Gorilla tracking and visit of the area.
Accommodation at Mountain Gorilla Nest.
Day 04
Gorilla tracking, lunch then drive back to Novotel Kigali.
Day 05
Visit of Kigali and Genocide Memorial, then transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
End of services
Above Package includes:
03 days of transport in 4x4
Transfers and visits
02 nights double Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge.
02 nights double Novotel Kigali
All meals
Please note that gorilla permits have to be booked and paid for well in advance as the number available each day is very limited.
============================================
05 days/04 nights gorilla tracking package
Description
Come and explore this unknown African destination and track the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s most stunning national park!
It will definitely be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play and rest. A unique and unforgettable experience! The green landscape, with the backdrop of the Virunga Volcanoes, is breathtaking!
Day 01
Arrival Kigali airport, short city tour and transfer to Serena Kigali.
Day 02
Drive to the north of the country, to the Parc National des Volcans and transfer to Virunga ecoLodge.
Day 03
Gorilla tracking and visit of the area in the afternoon. Accommodation in Virunga Lodge.
Day 04
Gorilla tracking, lunch at the lodge then drive back to Kigali Serena
Day 05
Visit of Kigali and Genocide Memorial, then transfer to airport for your departure flight.
End of services
Above Package includes:
03 days of transport in 4x4
Transfers and visits
02 nights double Virunga ecolodge
02 nights double Serena Kigali
All meals
Please note that gorilla permits have to be booked and paid for well in advance as the number available each day is very limited.
============================================
07 days/06 nights gorilla tracking package
Description
This will be a 7 day programme covering not only the gorillas in PNV but also the primary tropical forest of Nyungwe and Lake Kivu.
Experience all the highlights in just one trip! From the capital city of Kigali to the King’s Palace, the Bisesero Memorial, wilderness in PNV, the African jungle in Bulera and Ruhondo.
Day 01
Arrival Kigali airport, city tour, then drive to Butate, visit of Nyanza (old King's palace) Accommodation Hotel Ibis Butare.
Day 02
Nyungwe forest trekking, visit of the area to find colobus, chimps... montane vegetation: orchids, giant lobelias, as well as numerous bird species, like the blue turaco, accommodation Peace guesthouse at Cyangugu on Lake Kivu.
Day 03
Drive to Kibuye (very scenic route) visit of Bisesero Memorial, accommodation at Moriah Hills resort in Kibuye, again on the lake (with small beach etc.)
Day 04
Drive to Ruhengeri, PNV, via Kigali and Byumba tea plantations, accommodation at Mountain Gorilla Nest.
Day 05
Gorilla tracking in the morning.
Afternoon visit to lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, accommodation at Mountain Gorilla Nest.
Day 06
Morning visit to golden monkeys or Diane Fossey center Karisoke in PNV, drive back to Kigali after lunch. Accommodation at Novotel Umubano.
Day 07
Airport transfer for your onward departure flight.
End of services
Package includes:
07 days of transport in 4x4 Landcruiser with personal guide/drive
Airport transfers and visits
Accommodation full board in double/twin room
Please note that gorilla permits have to be booked and paid for well in advance as the number available each day is very limited.
