Gorillas of Volcanoes National Park
4 Days from US$4,735 per person
Overview
Trek into volcanoes national park in Rwanda, visiting some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world. The park has 10 habituated gorilla families and tracking into the Afro-Montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave, search for the endangered golden monkey and go on a pgymy guided forest walk.
Talk to a Safaris Specialist today.
What's Included
Transport from Kigali to PNV and a driver/guide for the above itinerary
Services of Park rangers and trackers on Treks
Accommodation on a shared basis
All meals as per itinerary
Activities as per itinerary
All National Park fees
1 gorilla trekking permit (An additional gorilla permit is subject to availability at time of booking at additional cost.)
Highlights
Volcanoes N.P. | Gorilla Trek | Hiking | Diane Fossy Grave Visit | Pygmy Forest Walk
Volcanoes National Park
Rising up from the heart of the Kenyan landscape, the snow-capped Mount Kenya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is Africa’s second highest mountain reaching an impressive 5199 metres in height, which is an awe-inspiring sight. Visitors can explore its surrounding forests, trout-filled streams and game reserve; or for the more adventurous, summit the peak. While Mount Kilimanjaro is an easier climb, Mount Kenya is more of a challenge as it has a higher technical difficulty, however, Point Lenana can be easily reached by a fit hiker. Visitors can look forward to a variety of wonderful activities such as: cave exploration, mountain climbing, camping, and game viewing. Commonly spotted wildlife include: elephant, mongoose, duiker, bushbuck, eland and over 130 bird species.
Gorilla Trek
Located in the Great Rift Valley surrounded by yellow acacia woodlands and bushy shrublands, the Lake Nakuru National Park was created to protect the Lake and its large flocks of Lesser Flamingo, which are drawn to the algae that flourish in the saline waters of this soda lake. The national park is inhabited by over 50 mammal species including hippo, black and white rhino, Rothschild giraffe, buffalo and eland. Known as a bird watcher’s paradise, the park is home to over 450 bird species. Visitors can look forward to hiking through the scenic landscape, picnicking next to this magnificent lake, and spotting an array of wildlife on a game drive. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the beautiful Makalia Waterfall.
Hiking
The Masai Mara together with Tanzania’s Serengeti form Africa’s most famous wildlife park, the Masai Mara National Reserve. The image of acacia trees dotting endless grass plains epitomises Africa for many, then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The undeniable highlight of the Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration traversing the vast plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. It is known as the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, elephants, giraffes, gazelles and eland can also be spotted in the reserve. Aside from horse riding safaris and traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Mara plains has become almost essential.
Diane Fossy Grave Visit
Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for safaris travelling through the northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The park extends into two game controlled areas and the wildlife are allowed to move freely throughout. After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania and in the dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. This is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Tarangire is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, and its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the south.
Pygmy Forest Walk
Located in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife; which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Surrounded by Tanzania’s highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Visitors can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. It is famed as one of Tanzania’s best tourist attractions offering visitors an array of wonderful activities including excellent bird watching, trekking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking and visiting a local Maasai village. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on an excursion to the magnificent Olduvai Gorge.
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Camps & Lodges
Virunga Lodge | Serena Hotel Kigali
Virunga Lodge
Rising up from the heart of the Kenyan landscape, the snow-capped Mount Kenya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is Africa’s second highest mountain reaching an impressive 5199 metres in height, which is an awe-inspiring sight. Visitors can explore its surrounding forests, trout-filled streams and game reserve; or for the more adventurous, summit the peak. While Mount Kilimanjaro is an easier climb, Mount Kenya is more of a challenge as it has a higher technical difficulty, however, Point Lenana can be easily reached by a fit hiker. Visitors can look forward to a variety of wonderful activities such as: cave exploration, mountain climbing, camping, and game viewing. Commonly spotted wildlife include: elephant, mongoose, duiker, bushbuck, eland and over 130 bird species.
Serena Hotel Kigali
Located in the Great Rift Valley surrounded by yellow acacia woodlands and bushy shrublands, the Lake Nakuru National Park was created to protect the Lake and its large flocks of Lesser Flamingo, which are drawn to the algae that flourish in the saline waters of this soda lake. The national park is inhabited by over 50 mammal species including hippo, black and white rhino, Rothschild giraffe, buffalo and eland. Known as a bird watcher’s paradise, the park is home to over 450 bird species. Visitors can look forward to hiking through the scenic landscape, picnicking next to this magnificent lake, and spotting an array of wildlife on a game drive. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the beautiful Makalia Waterfall.
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Day 1 | Kigali / Volcanoes National Park
Arrive into Kigali today. After clearing customs you will be met and driven to Kigali where you will be taken to lunch by your guide and will be given a briefing. Afterwards depart by road to for Volcanoes National Park. The 3 hour journey north travels through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes. Sometimes as many as five volcanic peaks are visible. On arrival, check in to the Virunga Lodge, a spectacular eco-lodge, set on a stunning hillside with breathtaking views of the Virunga volcanoes and Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. Accommodations are in eight bamdas that terrace the hillside.
Aside from gorilla tracking you can climb the Visoke or Karisimbi volcanoes, track the golden monkey, visit the remains of the Karisoke Centre which Dian Fossey set up, or go for gentle strolls around the picturesque villages near the lakes.
Virunga Lodge
View Gallery
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 | Volacanoes National Park – Gorilla Trek
Be prepared for an exciting adventure this morning as you go gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy.
Virunga Lodge
View Gallery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 | Volcanoes National Park (Optional Trek)
You have several options today. You can go gorilla tracking again (must be arranged in advance), or search for the golden monkeys. Other options are a drive to Gisenyi to visit Ross Carr’s orphanage and Lake Kivu, or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes. You can also visit Dian Fossey’s grave, visit the local school and community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. Pygmy guided forest walks can also be arranged in advance. Mid afternoon drive back to Kigali and your accommodations for the evening.
Serena Hotel Kigali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 | Volcanoes National Park / Kigali – Depart
After breakfast, time permitting, you will have a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and the genocide memorial. You will then be taken to the airport for your departing flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note: One gorilla permit is included in the cost. An additional permit may be requested – subject to availability at the time of booking at an additional cost.
INCLUSIONS
Airport transfers as described in itinerary
Scheduled flights: Maasai Mara – Nairobi / Nairobi – Kilimanjaro
All accommodations and meals as peritinerary
All National Park and Wildlife Reserve entry fees
Services of private professional safari guides in Kenya and Tanzania
Travel in modified 4WD Land Cruiser with unlimited mileage
Bottled water on game drives
Membership in Flying Doctors Service
EXCLUSIONS
International airfare and flights
Alcoholic beverages, sodas and bottled water at meals
Gratuities for guides and camp or lodge staff
Laundry services (can be done for a fee)
All items of a personal nature
Travel insurance
Visas and visa fees
Airport Departure Taxes (usally included in ticket price)