Description
A great safari for those on limited time. Track the gorillas twice in a safari that lasts just 4 days!Two opportunities to track the mountain gorillas of Rwanda from the cosy Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, set in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Overview
This safari is perfect for anyone who is limited on their time in Rwanda, or as a combined safari with another East African destination. Settle in or even take some time to visit the moving Genocide Memorial Museum. Next it's off to Volcanoes National Park where you will have the exhilarating opportunity of two days tracking some of the world's few remaining mountain gorilla.
What makes this trip extraordinary
- Tracking the world-famous mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park twice.
- Visiting the Burera and Ruhonda lakes or the local markets near Volcanoes National Park.
- Scenic drive from Kigali into the breathtaking Virunga mountains.
- Learning more about Rwanda's history with a visit to the thought-provoking Genocide Memorial.
This safari is tailor-made and can be changed to meet your specific requirements including your preferred number of days, dates of travel, standard of lodges and budget. It has been designed for those with limited time in Rwanda, however it can easily be extended or preceded with some beach time or a wildlife safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Please note that the cost of this safari includes two gorilla permits.
We currently offer short 4-day or 5-day gorilla tracking safaris in three destinations: Rwanda, Uganda and the Republic of Congo.
Itinerary
Arrive Kigali - Kigali Serena
Upon arrival you will be met by your private guide and driven to Kigali Serena. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and start thinking about the adventures that lay before you. If you have time you may wish to explore the markets or visit the Genocide Museum.
Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel (D)
Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
This morning, you have the chance to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. It contains a permanent and extremely moving exhibition of the Rwandan genocide. After lunch, you travel north to Ruhengeri and the Volcanoes National Park. A 'true island in the sky', the Volcanoes National Park is home to some of the world's few remaining Mountain Gorilla, which were first studied here in 1959 by George Schaller, and through the 1960s by Dian Fossey and her colleagues. You will arrive at Five Volcanoes where you will be introduced to the property before being shown to your room.
Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (B, L, D)
First Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park
Today will be spent tracking the world-famous mountain gorillas. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to either one of ten habituated family groups. An early breakfast and you're off to the park headquarters at Kinigi to register and be allocated your gorilla family for today. Once this is done, you set out by vehicle to the start of your gorilla safari.
The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany you on your gorilla tracking, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts.p
Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (B, L, D)
Final Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park
Your final day of gorilla tracking! An early start to make your way to the park headquarters where you are assigned a ranger and a gorilla group. Tracking the gorillas can take anything from 4-8 hours in lush green, steep, muddy, terrain! It is, however, the experience of a lifetime... coming across these amiable primates in their natural surroundings is quite awe-inspiring as you watch them go about their daily lives, playing, grooming and eating! Return to the lodge later in the afternoon to relax, have a hot shower or massage and reflect on the day’s activities.
Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (B, L, D)
Volcanoes National Park - Depart Kigali
After breakfast this morning your guide will drive you back to Kigali, stopping en route for photo opportunities. Depending on time you will be taken to a local restaurant where you can have a final meal or alternatively you will be driven straight to the airport for your departure flight.
Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (B, L)
Accommodation
- Kigali Serena Hotel
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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