Great Lakes, Gorillas, & More
Great Lakes, Gorillas, & More
11 Days / 10 Nights All Inclusive
$6,240 per person
Day 1 : Welcome to Kigali
Accommodation: Hotel Gorillas*
On arrival your guide will welcome you at Kigali International Airport. You will then be taken on a city tour for a chance to discover the Kigali, founded in 1907, but not named the capital until independence in 1962. We will then transfer the Rwandan countryside on our one and a half hour drive to Ruhengeri.
Day 2 : Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Accommodation: Hotel Gorillas*
We will start of early on our first day trekking. After a briefing from our specialized guide, we take to the trails. The location and distance of our hike will depend on which family of gorillas we will visit. But rest assured you are in for a magnificent hike. The family group usually comprises of 3 to 7 adults and 1 to 5 juveniles and infants. Adult male often weight over 400 lbs and females tend to weigh about half. Once we have located the family you will be able to spend one hour with the Gorillas. Today it is estimated that there remain only about 800 Mountain Gorillas. While visiting the family you will be required to wear a mask, in order to protect the health of the animals.
Day 3 : Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Accommodation: Hotel Gorillas*
We will start of early again for our second encounter with the rare Mountain Gorilla. In most cases we will visit a different family of gorillas. Again you be able to spend one hour with the Gorillas.
Day 4 : Goma City & Rumangabo
Accommodation: Bukima Camp
After passing the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo, we will take a short tour of Goma where we will enjoy lunch. We will then drive north to Rumangabo. Along the way we will pass several dormant volcanoes, but your attention will be drawn to Nyiragongo, a live and quite active volcano.
Day 5 : Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Accommodation: The Manor
After a hike we will spend our morning with a family of Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park. We will spend one hour with the family before making the magnificent hike back to the vehicle. From here we venture back to Goma.
Day 6 : Lake Kivu
Accommodation: Orchids Hotel
We will spend the morning crossing Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. The 55 mile journey by speed boat will take us South to the town of Bukavu. While on the lake we will enjoy magical views and encounter local fishermen. Upon arrival in Bukavu we will take a tour of the city and learn about its long history as one of the most important cities of the ancient Bushi Kingdom.
Day 7 : Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking
Accommodation: Orchids Hotel
After an enjoyable hike our guides will help us Track the largest of all gorillas, the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, which can weigh up to 550 lbs. Living in groups of 5 to 30, there is typically one dominant Silverback. We return to Bukavu for the night.
Day 8 : Monkey Trekking
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel*
In the morning we will cross the border back into Rwanda and proceed to the Nyungwe Forest National Park, where we will spend the afternoon tracking some of the 13 different species of monkeys in the forest.
Day 9 : Chimpanzee Trekking
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel*
We will spend the morning tracking Chimpanzees and other monkeys in the forest. The afternoon you can choose to continue tracking Chimps or you may opt for the Canopy Walk, where you will get to see many of the 13 species of primates, 300 species of birds, 250 species of trees, and over 100 species of orchids that are often not seen from the forest floor.
Day 10 : Chimpanzee Trekking
Accommodation: Lemigo Hotel*
We will spend the morning with a pleasant hike through the forest again in search of the Chimpanzee and other primates living within this magnificent forest. After an picknick lunch we will drive to Kigali.
Day 11 : Departure
After a pleasant breakfast, depending up on the time of your flight, you will be taken into Kigali for a chance to pick up any last minute souvenirs. We will then transfer you to the airport in time for your flight.
*This is the standard accommodation for this tour. Depending on availability it may be possible for you to upgrade to comfort accommodations.
Included
Accommodations
3 nights Hotel Gorilla*
1 night Bukima Camp
1 night Labrise Hotel
2 nights Orchids Safari Club
2 nights Nyungwe Top View*
1 night Lemigo Hotel*
Transportation
Arrival Transfer from KGL
All Transfers during the Tour
Departure Transfer to KGL
Activities
Mountain Gorilla Treks (3 days)
Lowland Gorilla Trek (1 day)
Monkey Trek (1 day)
Chimpanzee Trek (2 days)
City Tours
Speed boat on Lake Kivu
Canopy Walk
Other
3 Meals each Day
Bottled Drinking Water
English Speaking Guide
Stay Connected Program
National Park Fees
Gorilla Permits
Taxes
Not Included
International Flights
Visa Expenses
Travel Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Airport Tax
Drinks at Hotels
Laundry Services
Excursions not in the itinerary
Activities not listed above
50% deposit is due at the time of booking in order to secure Gorilla permits