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G Adventures
OFFER ID 1576834
Upgraded Rwanda
If any trip is to be labeled ""once in a lifetime"", it's this one. Explore on foot as you track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the rainforest of Rwanda. Enhance your adventure with a visit to a research centre set up by Dr. Dian Fossey and get up close to these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Set out in search of the "big five"-lions, leopards, elephants, and Cape buffalo-while on safari in Akagera National Park, one of eastern Africa's hidden gems.
Highlights
Search for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the lush jungles of Rwanda, Learn about wildlife conservation efforts at the Karisoke Research Centre, Enjoy a walk through the Nyamirambo neighbourhood, Head on safari in Akagera National Park
Accommodation
Hotel/lodges (7 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides, experienced gorilla trackers, park rangers.
Group Size Notes
Max 6, avg 5.
Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, Kigali. Arrival transfer. All national park entrance fees. Genocide memorial entrance. Mountain gorilla trek with permits. Golden monkey trek with permits. Local village walk. Safari drives in Akagera National Park. Wildlife boat cruise on Lake Ihema. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
7 nights from $7,099 per person
G Adventures: Upgraded Rwanda
Day 1: Kigali
Arrive at any time.
If you arrive early, take some time to explore the city, known for its pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Kigali also has some interesting and historic sites outside of the city. If you want more time to explore, we recommend booking a pre-night.
Day 2: Kigali/Volcanoes National Park
Today the group will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn more about this somber chapter in Rwanda’s past. Then, go on a walk through the Nyamirambo neighbourhood and enjoy a local lunch at the G Adventures–supported Nyamirambo Women’s Centre. Travel to the lodge in northern Rwanda just on the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. While the most famous resident is the mountain gorilla, there’s plenty of other wildlife roaming around: buffaloes, bushbucks, golden monkeys, hyenas, numerous bird species, and some elephants call this place home.
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park
Trek through the lush jungle-covered hills with a park ranger as the group tries to track and catch a glimpse of the golden monkey. Afterwards, visit the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Karisoke Research Center and meet with some of the organization’s gorilla experts.
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park
Today search for Mountain Gorillas with a park ranger in the jungle. Please note that these treks can vary in length and difficulty depending on the location of the gorillas. Lunch will be had back at the lodge and a visit to a local village will follow.
Approximately 800 mountain gorillas exist globally in the wild today. They are found in Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. In DRC and Rwanda, gorillas live in similar ecosystems/areas. The gorilla species found in these three areas are called highland gorillas.In Rwanda there are ten habituated gorilla families that are open to visits – the visit to a gorilla family is done once per day, with a maximum 8 trekkers per group and the duration of a visit is limited to one (1) hour with the gorilla family. The time spent with them is limited due to conservation considerations and to minimize impact on the day-to-day life of the gorilla family you are visiting. It is important to be well prepared for the trek — you never know if your total trek will be short or long. The total duration of a trek can vary and be anything between 4 and 9 hrs in length depending on the location of the gorillas, which are constantly moving. You will mainly walk where there are no paths apart from the occasional buffalo or elephant trail.Touching the gorillas is not allowed (although in some cases they may touch you). Making loud noises or sudden movements is also not allowed. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.Please note that porters are available at approx. $10USD per person. The porters are all hired from local villages and not only can carry your day pack, but assist you with a welcome hand over difficult spots. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. It also provides employment and supports the local community.
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park/Akagera National Park
Travel back to Kigali in time for lunch and then continue east to Akagera National Park. Learn about the success story of this park’s incredible conservation on a visit to the African Parks headquarters there. In the evening the group will arrive at the lodge with views of Lake Ihema.
Akagera National Park offers a remarkable conservation story and is home to the Big Five, zebras, giraffes, elephants and hundreds of bird species. Running directly along the boarder with Tanzania, the park covers 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) and offers a variety of landscapes including highlands, savannah plains, swamps, wetlands and lakes.
Day 6: Akagera National Park
Embark on an early morning safari drive this morning keeping an eye out for wildlife in the area. Take advantage of some mid-morning free time to relax back at the lodge and have some lunch. Explore the waters of Lake Ihema in the afternoon and spot the animals that call this place home.
Day 7: Akagera National Park to Kigali
Eat a packed breakfast before the final safari drive early in the morning. The bonus is that animals are more active during this time of day. Afterwards the group will depart for Kigali traveling through the northern edge of the park on the way.
Day 8: Kigali
Depart at any time.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
(987) 654-3210
(800) 555-1212