This safari can also be done on a private basis. (One PNV gorilla permit is included in the cost but the other gorilla tracking requires a supplement to be paid at time of booking.)
This safari is gifted and make clients discover the best of Rwanda. It starts with the wildlife and birds in Akagera in the east with its beautiful wetland savannah. The highlight of the safari is, of course, tracking the mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in the Virunga volcanoes in the northwest. This safari offers an opportunity to track gorillas twice. PNV in Rwanda has five habituated gorilla families and tracking most groups in the afro-montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey's grave and the endangered golden monkey. You continue to Nyungwe, in southern Rwanda, a massive afro-montane forest, the largest in Central Africa. The forest has 13 primate species including chimpanzee and large groups of colobus monkeys. Other attractions are 300 bird species and a variety of orchids and butterflies.
Itinerary
Day 1. Meet our driver guide on arrival at the airport and transfer to Kigali. Briefing on your safari. After lunch, depart for Akagera national park. Game drive before sunset. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Lodge of your choice F/B).
Day 2. Game drives in the park or a canoe ride on Lake Ihema to see the large number of hippo, the huge Nile crocodile and birds. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Lodge of your choice: (FB).
Day 3. Early start for Kinigi. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda's landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. Lunch en route and over night stay at the Hotel/Lodge of your choice (FB).
Day 4. Goes gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest 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. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Lodge of your choice (FB).
Day 5. Either go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian Fossey's grave, or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Lodge of your choice in Kivu (FB).
Day 6. Early start for Nyungwe via Gisenyi and Kibuye. Drive past green hills of tea and the vast hills of Rwanda or navigate on lake kivu to Kibuye. The boat navigation offers a view of the hill side settlements, wonderful vegetation and bays extending in the main land. Arrive Kibuye via the reknown Napoleon Island and bat Island.Overnight stay at the Hotel/Lodge of your choice in Kibuye. (FB).
Day 7. After breakfast, drive to Nyungwe forest, arrive for lunch at your hotel. Driving through the hills and via lake kivu in the west offers an opportunity to experience nature and geography of Rwanda. Overnight at the hotel/lodge of your choice at Nyungwe F/B.
Day 8. Go on an escorted walk in search of the large groups of colobus monkeys and birds including the Rwenzori turaco. Or go chimp tracking. Picnic lunch. Return late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel/lodge of your choice (FB)
Day 9. Leave for Kigali. Time permitting, go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops and a genocide memorial. Transfer to the airport (HB).
Price: Affordable and on request
Accommodation:
High class lodge: Virunga Lodge, Sabinyo Silver back, Gorilla nest, Serena Kivu, Akagera Lodge, Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge.
Middle class lodge: Hotel la Palm, EER Church, Muhabura oldest hotel in the region, Bethanie, Gisakura.
Budget Accommodation: Kinigi guest house, Malahide.
Price includes:
Ground transport, chosen accommodation, and all the activities mentioned above with an English/French speaking driver/guide and 1 gorilla trekking permit per person.
Note:
Gorilla permits are obtained from park offices of Rwanda in Kigali at a cost of 750 US dollars each. This includes entry fees to the park, guide fee and community levy and government taxes. Due to competition on gorilla visit, the above mentioned amount of money for gorilla permit has to be transferred through the bank as soon as you confirm your trip to secure the place and to avoid inconveniences during the gorilla visit.
Any and all tours can be combined or modified to fit your particular needs. Please tell us your specific requirements in your inquiry.
Prices are subject to change based upon accommodation availability, your tour alterations and other parameters until time of full and final confirmation.
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