Safari deep into the heart of Africa to come face to face with some of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. Their sheer size and humanlike interactions will leave you spellbound.

Rwanda, also known as “the land of a thousand hills” has dense rainforests, bougainvillea and frangipani flowers dotting the endless green hills. Here deep in the rainforest, you’ll glimpse your first mountain gorilla. Start your journey in Kigali where you’ll visit the popular marketplaces where the vendors are as vibrant as the local produce, then continue on to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center built on the site where an estimated 250,000 victims were buried. Continue on to the lush Park des Volcanoes, home to the last surviving mountain gorilla populations. Trek among dormant volcanoes with your expert guide in search of these immense and beautiful creatures. The mountain gorillas of Rwanda share 98 percent of our DNA and you’ll get within feet of them. It is a spellbinding experience you will never forget. In the evenings you’ll relax in charming accommodations set amid spectacular natural scenery.

Enjoy a personalized vacation that best suits your needs, developed by one of our experienced destination experts. Relax during your trip with our 24/7 support and expert local guidance.

DAY 1: KIGALI

Enjoy your private transfer between the airport and hotel.

Accommodation: Kigali Serena

The Serena Hotel is considered the best hotel in Kigali. Meeting and surpassing the already high standards set by the luxurious Serena Hotel chain is no easy feat. The Serena Kigali manages this with its 104 rooms and suites, each individually immaculate, clean, and refined in decor. Dining is a treat, where one will never get sick of the extensive menus, created to please all guests. Staff is always available, friendly, and hospitable, offering incomparable service and care. Activities include the swimming pool, shopping, and fully equipped gym. On some nights, the hotel even has live music playing at the poolside.

DAY 2: KIGALI – PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS

Prepare your senses for an explosion of culture and emotion during today’s excursion through Kigali.  Begin by visiting some of the popular market places to view and purchase some of the local products.  Next, you’ll travel to a location stained with heart aching cultural history, The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.  This tragic memorial was constructed in April 2004 to honour those whom lost their lives during the Rwandan Genocide.  The centre was built on the site where an estimated 250 000 victims were buried.  This location serves as a place where individuals can grieve the loss of their loved ones and to provide educational information regarding the genocide.  Rwandans believe that although the gruesomeness and painful emotions associated with this tragedy may be construed as negative, it is extremely important that the younger generations of Rwandans fully understand the reasons and effects of such an event on a nation.  The Centre features three permanent exhibits which depict the events of 1994, as well as a children’s memorial which exhibits the history of genocidal violence towards children from all over the world.

A private vehicle with English speaking driver will provide a transfer today from Kigali to Parc National des Volcans. The approximate travel time is 3 hours.

Accommodation: Mountain View Lodge

The Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is an ecolodge that is perfectly situated for gorilla tracking in Rwanda. The 30 individual cottages have been built on 4 acres of land on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi, one of the volcanic mountains that makes up a part of the Virunga Massif. The stone and thatch cottages each have en suite facilities, a small lounge with a fire place, and a private veranda. The cottages are sizable and are positioned to provide each cottage with space for privacy. There is a separate restaurant and bar area where meals are served using local produce. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge provides good value for money with the luxury of great views and easy access to Parc National des Volcans.

DAY 3: PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS

The Parc National des Volcans is located in the Virunga Mountains, a magnificent chain of dormant volcanoes in the North of the country. This area is home to the world’s last surviving mountain Gorilla populations, currently a mere 700 individuals. After breakfast you will depart the lodge and drive for approximately 1 hour to the Park Headquarters where you will meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will provide an informative session on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. After the session the hike into the forest begins.

A full day trek with your guide through the park is a reasonably strenuous activity which can last the morning or all day as you seek out the gorilla families. The guide will take you to where the gorillas were seen the night before and begin to track them from that point.  The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes not in excess of 7,500 feet.  The terrain is rough and at times quite muddy. Once the gorillas are located all the aches and fatigue of the trek are forgotten, as the experience is often described as finding a hidden natural treasure in the mist. Viewing time is limited to one hour, and only 8 maximum are allowed per group. Visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at any time in the forest, so waterproof clothing is recommended for you, your cameras and film. Please note that plastic (e.g. carrier / shopping) bags are illegal in Rwanda. Kids under age 15, or people sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, are not allowed to visit the gorillas.
PERMITS MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT TIME OF CONFIRMATION AND ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Enjoy a full day with your private vehicle and English speaking guide exploring Parc National des Volcans and all it has to offer.

Accommodation: Mountain View Lodge

DAY 4: PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS – KIGALI

Golden monkeys are a local subtype of the blue monkey which are endemic to the Albertine rift and live in the montane forests of the Volcanoes National Park area of Rwanda. There is currently 2 groups of habituate golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, also popularly known as Parc de National Volcans. Each of the habituated golden monkey groups has between 80-100 members in each troop. The golden monkeys are a very playful and inquisitive primates which are habituated to human presence and will usually act up the presence of human visitors leaping from tree to tree as they feed on the bamboo shoots in the forest. Only open for visitors since June 2003, enjoy a rare treat watching these unique primates play and perform in the forest.

Like with gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekkers are required to assemble at PNV park headquarters at 07:00am for pre-tracking briefing. The park guides will lead into the forest for the search of the golden monkeys. The golden monkeys are mostly found at the foot of Mt Sabyinyo. Golden monkey tracking is generally less arduous and less challenging that the gorilla trek.

A private vehicle with English speaking driver will provide a transfer today from Parc National des Volcans to Kigali.  The approximate travel time is 3 hours.

Accommodation: Kigali Serena

DAY 5: KIGALI

Enjoy your private transfer between the airport and hotel.