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Home > Destinations > Africa > Kenya > Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Dian Fossey is legendary in her pioneering research of the Mountain gorilla. Walk in her footsteps in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda on this extension available from any East African Wildland Adventure. Escorted by our team of expert guides and native trackers, bushwhack through the thick vegetation and up steep slopes in search of a family of wild mountain gorillas. We plan two days of gorilla tracking so you have the best chances of finding one of several gorilla groups with an opportunity for observation, up-close and personal.
DAY 1 : ARRIVE KIGALI, VIRUNGA MOUNTAINS Touch down at the Kigali Airport where a local representative meets you. Enjoy a scenic drive for approximately two hours on a paved road to Kinigi. Stunning vistas greet you as the road winds its way over hills and through valleys. Rwanda is known as The Land of a Thousand Hills for a reason! Arrive at your lodge nestled in the forest at the base of Sabinyo Mountain. Gorilla Nest Lodge opened in February 2003, offering 20 comfortable rooms with en suite bathrooms, hot and cold water, and a friendly atmosphere. The dining and bar area is open sided with a fire on cool evenings. All rooms and dining areas have views of the volcanoes or overlook the beautiful valley below and the hills beyond. A generator provides electricity 24 hours a day. Overnight at Gorilla Nest Lodge or similar [D]
DAY 2 : VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK GORILLA TREKKING The Virunga Mountains in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo are home to the worlds population of mountain gorillas. Some of the gorilla families have been habituated to human presence, and it is possible to visit them in their natural habitat within the forest.
Take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will host an orientation at the park headquarters to become familiar with gorilla tracking ethics. It is very important that under no circumstances are the gorillas to be touched by humans. This is to protect the animals from communicable diseases to which they are very susceptible. Spend two days in the Volcanoes National Park on full day treks to view two different families of mountain gorillas. The search, with experienced trackers leading the way, can take up to eight hours although the gorillas are usually found after two to four hours. Some hiking areas lie at altitudes above 7,500 feet over rough and muddy terrain. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trek worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice, so water proof clothing is a good idea; also zip lock bags for cameras and film. Return to the lodge for the evening meal and relaxation. Overnight at Gorilla Nest Lodge or similar [BLD]
DAY 3 : GORILLA TREKKING AND RETURN TO KIGALI Today you will once again visit the Virunga mountains in search of Mountain Gorillas. This afternoon return by land approximately 2 hours to Kigali where you will overnight at the Umubano Novotel. [BLD]
DAY 4 : INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE Transfer to the international airport in Kigali for your return flights. [B]
| - Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - | Days: 4 | Grade: II-III, Mountainous hiking (click for grades definition) | 2008 Price: From $2550 per person. Land cost based on Group Size | Group Size | 2 | 3+ | Land cost | $1750 | $1550 | Gorilla Permits | $1000 | $1000 |
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| Single Supplement: $250 (click for info) | *Minimum age to track gorillas is 15. | | | 2009 Price: From $1695 per person. Land cost based on Group Size | Group Size | 2 | 3 | 4+ | Land cost | $1995 | $1795 | $1595 | Luxury Upgrade | $1600 | $1600 | $1600 | Gorilla permits | $1000 | $1000 | $1000 |
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| Single Supplement: $495 (click for info) | *Minimum age to track gorillas is 15 yrs. Luxury itinerary includes the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and the Kigali Serena. Single supplement for luxury itinerary is $795. | | | | | 2008 Departure Dates | 2009 Departure Dates | | | (Please call for availability) | (Please call for availability) |
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| | | Included: 3 nights lodging; land transportation within Rwanda; airport transfers on scheduled arrival/departure dates; meals; national park entrance fees; guide and tracker services; Wildland Adventures pre-departure consultation and services; ground operator support within Africa; and taxes. | | | Not Included: International air fare; airport departure taxes; gorilla permits (listed separately);meals not specified in the itinerary; beverages; personal equipment; extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service); gratuities; or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control. We recommend and offer trip insurance. | | |