Upon arrive at Kigali International Airport and you will be warmly welcomed by an Echoes from Africa representative outside the customs and immigration hall and lead to the VIP lounge as our representative handles all the immigration procedure and collects your luggage. A transfer will take you to your city accommodation Kigali Serena Hotel where you will be assisted to check-in. Dinner and an overnight stay with breakfast.
Room Category: Deluxe Room – Inclusive of Dinner & Breakfast only
- 08h00: Breakfast at the hotel, check out and settle any extras, you have an option to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center ($30 per person for audio visual guide equipment)
- 10h00: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- 12h30: Arrive and check in followed by lunch
- Afternoon: Relaxation OR visit Ellen DeGeneres Campus for a self-guided tour ($20 pp)
- 19h00: Dinner and overnight stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Room category: Deluxe room – inclusive of meals and 1 soft drink
06h30: Early breakfast precedes the day, before heading to the park headquarters for the gorilla trek briefing at 07h00. You will then transfer you to the starting point of your guided walk, ready to begin this amazing adventure at 08h00.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is often described as “life changing” and with good reason. With only an estimated 880 Gorillas left in the world, to see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat are a truly unique moment. Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours+ depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. The journey back can take just as long, but you are often carried along by the euphoria you feel after seeing the gorillas,
The largest gorilla group ever studied is in Rwanda and was led by Cantsbee. He was the oldest known mountain gorilla in the world. A gorilla family is led by a Silverback and include several younger males, adult and juvenile females, and infants. In addition to providing protection to group members, Silverbacks maintain order and decide all activities within their troop. They schedule feeding trips, resting time, and travel. They also father the majority of young in the group.
For gorilla trekking, you will be in rainforest, so it’s more likely to rain. Warm clothing is required as well as walking/hiking boots, a hat and lightweight parka/raincoat. Garden gloves, to avoid stinging nettles, and gaiters, are recommended.
After a most memorable experience encountering these creatures, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
Dinner and overnight stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Room category: Deluxe room – inclusive of meals and 1 soft drink
Trekking to see the Golden Monkeys is an absolute highlight of Volcanoes National Park. The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti) is a local subspecies of the widespread Sykes Monkey, also known as the ‘Blue Monkey’ and is endemic to the high-altitude forests. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive and often spend their time leaping from bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor. There are two habituated groups of Golden Monkey, one group comprises around 80 – 100 members, with its home at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo.
- 06h30: Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Kinigi Park headquarters
- 07h00 – 08h00: Golden Monkey trekking briefing, allocation of park guides
- 08h00: Transfer to start point for your adventure
- 11h00: Return to the hotel for lunch
- Check out and settle any extras
- Optional visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Later return to Kigali
Arrival and proceed to the Kigali International Airport for your outbound flig
INCLUDED
- Meet and greet on arrival & departure
- Private Airport and inter-hotel transfers from day 1 to the last day
- Accommodation at hotels/lodges & meals mentioned in the program
- Exclusive use of a safari land cruiser 4×4 with a pop-up roof and complementary WIFI
- Services of a professional, experienced Echoes from Africa English speaking driver guide
- Snacks and beverages in the vehicle during the tour
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Golden monkey trek
- All activities, visits and extra meals as stated
- Emergency Medical Evacuation Services by Akagera Aviation helicopters
EXCLUDED
- International and domestic airline tickets
- Entry visa fees – $ 50
- Self-guided tour at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus – US$20 pp
- Gorilla Guardians Village – US$ 40
- Optional use of Audio-visual guide equipment at Genocide Memorial visit – US$30
- Any extras
- Tips and gratuities,
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance.