Eyeing Gorillas Through the Mist
Private Touring
- Flexible Dates
- 24-Hour Local Assistance
- Flexible Itinerary
- Upgrade Accommodation
- Local Guide Service
- Modern Airconditioned Vehicle
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Kigali, you are met and transferred to the Virunga Conservation area (approximately 2.5 hours’ drive). If time permits, visit the markets, villages and local communities (at an extra cost) or an optional visit to the little known by compellingly beautiful twin lakes Bulera and Ruhondo (payable directly).
Overnight at your lodge as per selected option (meal: D)
Meal Plan: Only Dinner
Morning transfer to the Volcanoes National Park offices. Briefing by the park's guides on how to behave in the forest and in the presence of mountain gorillas. You then transfer over mildly bumpy roads to the trailhead to start the trek. From the trail head, there is a 10-21 minute walk through fields (cultivated land) to the edge of the forest. Here you enter the park for a gorilla trek, which will take you until around midday, depending on where you find them. Once the gorillas are located, all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. It is important to take plenty of water. Good cameras and plenty of fast-speed film or memory cards are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential, including zip-lock bags for cameras and film. After the trek, lunch will be at your hotel. After lunch, you will return to Kigali for dinner (excludes drinks) and overnight.
Overnight at your hotel in Kigali as per selected option (meal: B/L/D).
Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you are transferred to Kigali Airport to connect for your onward flight. End of our services (meal: B).
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Inclusions
Landside meet and greet services
Transfers as specified
Transport for the safari sector in 4x4 vehicles on an exclusive basis, with a maximum of 6 passengers per vehicle
Services of experienced English-speaking driver-guides
Services of an English-speaking mountain guide provided by the park on treks
Game drives and activities as specified in the itinerary
All accommodation and meals as specified
All park fees and government taxes with gorilla viewing permits are shown separately.
Exclusions
International and regional flights (except where specified)
Airport taxes except on the tickets we issue
Passport and visa fees
Zanzibar Infrastructure Tax (where applicable)
Hot air balloon safaris
Driver-guide gratuities
Dining rooms tips and porterage
Personal travel, baggage, and medical insurance
Drinks, Laundry, Telephone bills and any items of a personal nature (except where specified)
Notes
Hotel Used or Similar
Virunga Conservation Area - Wilderness Sabyinyo (Standard Cottage)
Kigali - Kigali Serena Hotel – Standard Room
Arrival Information
Earliest check-in at the arrival hotel is 14h00. Travellers arriving on early morning flights are urged to book a pre-night at the arrival hotel (at an additional cost) to avoid delays in accessing the hotel rooms on arrival.
Departure Information
This safari returns to Kigali with an overnight in the hotel.
Travellers departing from Kigali Airport on an international flight can book a flight departing at any time on the last day.
Travellers with a long layover before their departure flight should consider booking a day room (at an additional cost) to refresh and repack before their international journey.
IMPORTANT Luggage Information
Travellers should only bring soft-sided bags on safari. Luggage space in safari vehicles is limited. These bags should measure no more than the following: Height 66 centimetres, Length 42 centimetres, Width 28 centimetres. Soft-sided bags with wheels are permitted.
Please note that once you confirm the itinerary, the Gorilla Permits are payable, non-refundable and non-changeable. Correct passport details, including passport numbers, are required to issue permits.
Important note on transportation
In past years, this programme operated in shorter vehicles that were not suitable for 6 travellers, and we offered an option to have six travellers in two vehicles. We now operate with larger vehicles when the need for six travellers, so we no longer show the option of “Each of 6 travellers in 2 vehicles”
Additional remarks
We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes or park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control, and any increase levied will be passed to you for existing and new bookings.
Flight times mentioned for internal flights are based on published schedules but are subject to change depending on the airline’s load factors and airstrips visited.
Prices for park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control, and any increase levied will be passed to you for existing and new bookings.
