The Gorillas of Rwanda & Uganda
Overview
To give an insight into the types of luxury travel experiences we create, please view the sample itinerary below. It can either be treated as a standalone program, incorporated into a longer itinerary, or modified to match your particular interests and budget. Alternatively, you may wish for us to start with a blank canvas, to handcraft a personalised itinerary based on what you want and nothing more. Prices will fluctuate based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants and inclusions.
We pride ourselves in our ability to plan and execute every trip to perfection.
Contact us to request the itinerary in PDF format.
Itinerary
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Meet your Travulous guide at your hotel or upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. Set off for Mount Gahinga Lodge and cross the border into Uganda.
As Uganda’s smallest park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located at an altitude range of 2,227m to 4,127m. Home to one habituated gorilla group, the park was declared a game sanctuary in 1930 and gazetted as a national park in 1991.
After checking in at your accommodation, spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the property’s facilities, including the terrace which boasts stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Listen to after-dinner talks by your Tour Leader, who lived and worked with Dian Fossey at the original Karisoke Research Center.
Meals: Lunch and dinner included, breakfast at own arrangement.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After an early breakfast, we set off gorilla tracking accompanied by your Tour Leader. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is a fascinating and very rewarding experience.
Gorilla tracking does not present a serious physical challenge to a reasonably fit adult, regardless of age, although the altitude and terrain can sometimes be demanding. Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga National Park can take from 1 to 3 hours, with the guides stopping frequently for people to rest. Once the gorilla family has been found, your visit with these great apes lasts for one magical hour.
After the trek, return to your accommodation for a late lunch and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After breakfast, we visit the Gahinga Batwa Village to experience the culture and history of one of Africa’s oldest tribes.
Participate in a visit to their new village, community centre and the Batwa Heritage Trail. You will learn about their traditional life as hunter-gatherers in the forest and their use of medicinal plants. Enjoy seeing the Batwa Dance Group perform their traditional dance and visit the Batwa Vocational Center.
Return to your accommodation for lunch, after which we drive back across the border into Rwanda and towards Musanze, the base for gorilla tracking at Volcanoes National Park.
Check in to your accommodation in time for dinner. Spend the evening relaxing at your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After an early breakfast, we transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by park staff, before meeting the rangers who will guide you to your assigned gorilla family. With 12 fully habituated gorilla families living in the Volcanoes National Park, only 96 gorilla permits are issued to tourists per day. Advance booking is essential.
Gorilla tracking does not present a serious physical challenge to a reasonably fit adult, regardless of age, although the altitude and terrain can sometimes be demanding. Gorilla tracking can take from 2 to 6 hours, with the guides stopping frequently for people to rest.
After the trek, return to your accommodation for lunch and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure, or take an optional tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Today you can choose optional activities including participating in a second gorilla trek, going in search of golden monkeys who are endemic to the high-altitude forests of Volcanoes National Park, or visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
You may also be interested in hiking to Dian Fossey's original Karisoke Research Camp in Volcanoes National Park, located between two volcanoes, Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Bisoke. Dian's original camp set-up consisted of a tent, converted over time to small cabins. Today the cabins lie in ruins, but by listening to the stories of your Tour Leader, you will gain a good understanding for what it must have been like for Dian all those years ago, when setting up camp to study and protect the endangered mountain gorillas. You will also see Dian's grave, and that of her favourite gorilla Digit.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before departing for Kigali International Airport and your onward travel arrangements.
Time permitting, consider visiting optional Kigali highlights including Caplaki Craft Village for some last-minute souvenir shopping, Umusambi Village which is a beautiful nature reserve home to over 50 endangered Grey Crowned Cranes, or Kigali Genocide Memorial which is a moving testimony to this country’s past.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement.
Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (see below) to this program.
General Info
Highlights
GORILLA TRACKING
Enjoy up to 3 gorilla treks in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park
LEARN ABOUT DIAN FOSSEY
Tour the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Volcanoes National Park
MEET THE BATWA
Visit the Gahinga Batwa Village and learn about the Batwa’s culture and traditions
GOLDEN MONKEYS
Go in search of the Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park
Accommodation Options
Click on each photo to learn more about the featured property, or click here to discover additional accommodations.
Map
Extension Ideas
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Visit world famous safari highlights including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the Gorillas
BEHIND THE SCENES
Gain unique insights into Wildlife Conservation, Educational Experiences and History & Traditions
BEACH DESTINATIONS
Round-off your safari in East Africa with a great choice of world-class Indian Ocean beach destinations
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Visit a wildlife sanctuary and learn about the increadibe work they do to safeguard Africa’s wildlife
Rwanda Climate
Rwanda has a year-round tropical highland climate. Temperatures vary by location and altitude, with little variation throughout the year. Rain is commonplace in Rwanda. The driest months are June to mid-September and the wettest from mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December.
The dry season sees cloud cover and light rainfall. Roads and paths tend to be easier to navigate during this period.
Language & Currency
The official languages of Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili. Generally all Rwandans speak Kinyarwanda. French, English and Swahili is widely spoken in tourist areas, with varying degrees of fluency.
The local currency is the Rwandan franc, which divides into 100 centimes. US dollars are widely accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Very few places accept credit cards outside of the major hotels in Kigali.
Access to cash machines is available in most major towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
Visas
All foreign nationals require a visa for entry to Rwanda. Please check with your local Rwandan Embassy or our travel team for further information. Tourist visas can be obtained, on arrival, for all travellers at all ports of entry. Visitors from the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations and Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie are waived visa fees for visits up to 30 days.
For travellers of other nationalities, a visa fee is payable. The Rwandan government has introduced an online ‘e-visa’ application system for obtaining tourist visas in advance of travel. Travellers who choose to arrange their visa prior to arrival should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
Uganda Climate
Uganda is tropically warm all year round, with temperature fluctuations mainly determined by altitude and the presence of lakes. Rain showers are commonplace, with the dry seasons being December to March and June to August. In the south, April is the rainiest month, and the rains can stretch into May.
Although the dry months are more popular for gorilla trekking and birding, you might see more during the wetter months as this is the peak breeding season for wildlife.
Language & Currency
English and Kiswahili are the official languages of Uganda. There are over 40 languages spoken throughout Uganda, with Luganda being the most geographically spread language.
The local currency is the Ugandan shilling. US dollars are widely accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Larger hotels in tourist areas may accept credit cards; however, surcharges are commonplace. Access to cash machines is available in most towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
Visas
Most foreign nationals require a visa for entry to Uganda. Tourist visas can no longer be obtained, on arrival, at any port of entry.
The Ugandan government has introduced an online e-visa application system for obtaining tourist visas in advance of travel. Travellers should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
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