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 Rwanda Gorilla Tracking

Africa > Rwanda

A chance to look into the eyes of our closest relatives in the heart of Africa.

 

With very restricted and controlled access these tours should be booked well in advance and with high permit fees, this is an expensive add on to an East African safari, but as one guest put it: “It is worth it!” This trip takes you into the forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park (Parc Nacional des Volcans) is the refuge of the last mountain gorillas and only a few habituated families are allowed to be visited. You take the opportunity to hike and spend a magical hour with these amazing animals for 2 days. A unique and rare experience! Volcanoes National Park and gorillas!

Pricing starts at:

$3,000

Pricing Estimate
BASED ON 2 PEOPLE

$3,000

per person gorilla permit @ $1,500 each x 2 treks

Pricing Estimate
BASED ON 2 PEOPLE

$3,500

per person

All of our adventures are private, customizable and individually tailored just for you! Please fill out the REQUEST QUOTE  form to connect with one of our Adventure Architects to plan your next journey!

Sample Itinerary. All of our journeys are individually custom tailored.

1

Day 1: KIGALI

Upon arrival into Kigali airport you are met and transferred to your well-appointed hotel in Kigali.

Overnight Kigali Serena Hotel (Dinner)

2

Day 2: KIGALI / RUHENGERI

You head to the Genocide Museum for a historical tour of Rwanda’s past and a look into how other societies have coped with similar situations. (This is a well done exhibition) From here you head towards Ruhengeri passing coffee, tea, and banana plantations. You get stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes and arrive at your lodge in time for a late lunch (or lunch is taken en route at a restaurant). You take the afternoon at leisure and enjoy a nice dinner. Your lodge offers splendid views of the Volcanoes!

Overnight Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

3

Day 3: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

You awake early and have some breakfast before heading off to the Volcanoes National Park gate by 700hrs. You are allotted a gorilla group to go track based on your level of fitness, generally categorized by easy hiking, moderate hiking, and difficult hiking. Each gorilla family spends its days in different regions and trackers know where they are, and so groups can spend various amount of times hiking to see the habituated families. Each group consists of 8 members to see one gorilla family. You are given a comprehensive briefing by the park ranger about how to behave and gorilla interactions. You set out on your hike and get to spend one magical hour with the last remaining mountain gorillas in the misty slopes of the Virungas. After your gorilla tracking experience you hike back out of the area and drive back to your lodge for lunch and dinner.

Overnight Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4

Day 4: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK / KIGALI

Today you awake for another great day to see the gorillas. You have the option to see the same family or choose a different family for a more rounded experience. After your lunch at the lodge, you then head to Kigali for a night’s rest and dinner.

Overnight Kigali Serena Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

5

Day 5: DEPART

After a late breakfast you are transferred to Kigali airport for departures.

(Breakfast)

Accommodations

VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. 8 habituated groups open to tourists, allowing for a total of 64 permits per day. Tourists spend an hour with the gorillas. Volcanoes NP is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, which are covered in rainforest and bamboo. The area covers 130 square kms and gets into altitudes of between 2,400m – 4,507m.

 KIGALI SERENA HOTEL

is ideally located on of Kigali’s most charming boulevards. Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel has wide sundeck where you can take meals and has a pool. A very central location and all the amenities you would ever need, this hotel is a perfect base for Rwanda journeys.

SABYINYO SILVERBACK LODGE

is just minutes away from Volcanoes National Park from where clients trek on foot to see the magnificent mountain gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences. The lodge is situated in the foothills of the mighty Virungas. 8 guest cottages and main lodge have been beautifully constructed and offer a perfect base for tracking expeditions. The buildings are stone and terracotta roofs, this lodge offers uncanny service and great food.

  • Professional guides and fully equipped 4 x 4 safari vehicles (w/ water & drinks)
  • All relevant Park fees & rescue fees
  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • All accommodation and meals as described in the itinerary
  • Transfers and plane flights as described in the itinerary
  • All soft drinks, beers, house wines & spirits at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
  • International flights
  • Entry visas
  • Gratuities (suggested; $15 per person per day for guides & rangers / $15 per person per day for staff at property)
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Alterations to this itinerary (i.e. if different accommodations and services are provided then the price will most likely vary up or down)
  • Laundry (unless stated by hotel)
  • Beverages in hotels (except those in your personal safari vehicle or unless stated)
  • Hospital bills and international evacuation in the event of an emergency

Pricing starts at:

$3,000

Pricing Estimate
BASED ON 2 PEOPLE

$3,000

per person gorilla permit @ $1,500 each x 2 treks

Pricing Estimate
BASED ON 2 PEOPLE

$3,500

per person

All of our adventures are private, customizable and individually tailored just for you! Please fill out the REQUEST QUOTE  form to connect with one of our Adventure Architects to plan your next journey!

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