GORILLA TREKKING RWANDA & VOLCANOES

On arrival into Kigali Airport in Rwanda, after clearing immigration and customs you will be met by one of our local representatives who will assist with your transfer to your Kigali Hotel for an overnight stay. For the remainder of the day, enjoy this fascinating city at your leisure.

Kigali is a great place to begin or end any Rwanda journey as it's conveniently located in the geographic center of the country. The city is clean and safe, with extremely welcoming people. Travellers will enjoy exploring the great cultural activities - including several award-winning museums, burgeoning music scene, and some of East Africa's most memorable dining experiences.

After breakfast on Day 2 you will be collected from the hotel by your driver/guide for a morning city tour with a visit to the Genocide Museum - later depart on a scenic drive Northwest through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda's landscape (driving time approx. 2.5 hours). Arrive at Ruhengeri (Musanze), the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town itself, located only 25km from the Uganda border, is a small and friendly city and has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. The most famous destination in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park has become synonymous with mountain gorilla tracking safaris and no visit to the country would be complete without visiting these majestic primates.

Day 3 - Early departure at 06h30, drive to Volcanoes National Park HQ's for registration where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discuss your fitness level and advise you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 80 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group. Once you have been assigned into groups, each group's Lead Guide briefs you of the trekking procedures as well as the ''do's and don'ts'' while in the presence of the gorillas. After the briefing, you will return to your respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the start point. Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear - cost US$10 per person/per day. We advise that you utilise this service. Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers located them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. At the end of your trek you will be transferred back to the lodge for lunch; thereafter, the afternoon can be spent at your leisure, or you may choose to visit the twin lakes of Bulera and Runhondo or visit the local markets!

Leaving from the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, drive South past coffee, tea and banana plantations on a breathtaking scenic drive to Kigali (driving time approx. 2 hours). Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly - land of a thousand hills!