2012 Price: $5,406* per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: $645
2012 Dates: Mar 20, Apr 3, May 22, Jun 12, Jul 24, Aug 21, Sep 18, Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 11
Seeing some of the last remaining 700 mountain gorillas in the world is a fantastic experience, and this safari takes you to three gorilla parks and offers an opportunity to track gorillas four times. PNV in Rwanda has five habituated gorilla families, and you can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave or visit the endangered golden monkey. Bwindi in Uganda has four habituated families, and tracking is more challenging as the hillsides in thicker tropical forest are steeper. You can also go for nature walks to see birds, monkeys and orchids.
Day 1 : Tuesday
Met on arrival at airport and transfer to Kigali. Briefing on your safari. After lunch, depart for PNV at 2pm. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge. (FB)
Day 2 : Wednesday
Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). 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. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge. (FB)
Day 3 : Thursday
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 Ross Carr's orphanage and 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. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge. (FB)
Day 4 : Friday
In the morning either relax or walk near the Lodge, visit the golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. After lunch transfer to Uganda [Clocks go forward one hour]. Time permitting go for a walk near Mount Gahinga. O/N: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge. (FB)
Day 5 : Saturday
Either go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb a volcano, or go for a nature walk, or visit the golden monkeys in Mgahinga. O/N: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge. (FB)
Day 6 : Sunday
Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes and lakes. Time permitting go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively go for a short stroll around the Lodge. O/N: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge. (FB)
Day 7 : Monday
Either go gorilla tracking (on payment of supplement at the time of booking), walking up steep densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. An inspiring moment! Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Alternatively go for a leisurely nature or community walk. O/N: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge. (FB)
Day 8 : Tuesday
Leave for Kigali in Rwanda via Kabale and Katuna, [Clocks go back one hour]. Time permitting, go for 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. Transfer to the airport. (HB)
Included:
- Transport and a driver/guide for the itinerary agreed
- Accommodation on a shared basis
- Meals stated (in Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board)
- Boat trips, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit, where appropriate
- At Volcanoes gorilla lodges (Bwindi, Mount Gahinga and Virunga), the tariffs are on an all-inclusive basis, in addition to accommodation and meals, include unlimited consumption of all alcoholic and soft drinks
- Laundry services
- Any activities clients wish to do around the lodges
- A complimentary massage
Not Included:
- Airfares to Uganda/Rwanda
- Entry visas and airport taxes
- At non-Volcanoes lodges all personal expenditure such as laundry and drinks are excluded
All gorilla permits need to be purchased at the time of booking or a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of the safari paid, whichever is higher. Gorilla viewing is subject to availability of permits, which are limited; any additional gorilla permits required should be purchased when booking. Gorilla permit prices are subject to change without warning.
From the safari price paid by clients Volcanoes contributes $100 per client to the Volcanoes Partnership Trust, a separate non-profit organization which undertakes community and conservation activities.
*Price subject to change based on exchange rate at time of booking.
