Primate Encounters – Gorillas & Chimpanzee

( 5 Star )

Visit: Kigali-Ruhengeri-Nyungwe National Park-Kigali

Itinerary
Inclusion / Exclusion
Dates Pricing

Arrive Kigali Airport. After completion of customs and immigration formalities you will be met at the airport by our representative, briefing on your trip and introduction to your safari driver-guide. Thereafter transfer to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Kigali as per selected option on bed and breakfast basis (excludes drinks).

Morning tour of Kigali City and visit to the Genocide Museum. Lunch in a local restaurant. Depart on a scenic drive west wards to Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town itself, located only 25km from the Uganda border, is relatively small with about 350,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The town has magnificent views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French speaking), many people speak English here. Overnight at your lodge as per selected option on full board basis (excludes drinks**).

Early breakfast at your lodge. 0630 hrs; Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs. 0700 hrs; Registration where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. There is a total of ninety-six gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group. Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “dos and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point. Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. Have lunch at the lodge; Afternoon time/weather permitting, visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Overnight at your lodge as per selected option on full board basis (excludes drinks**).

After breakfast, travel by road to Nyungwe National Park; a rainforest reserve at an altitude range of between 1600-2950 metres above sea level with temperatures varying between 0°C and 30° C; average day temperature is 15°C. Nyungwe receives rainfall ranging from 1800-2500 mm per year. Rainy season is September to May, Dry season June to August with some dry weeks in December and January. The main features and attractions in Nyungwe Forest include the largest montane rain forest remaining in Africa, Mt. Bigugu (2925M), Kamiranzovu Marsh (13 km²). Nyungwe Forest has 260 species of trees, shrubs and over 100 species of orchids and giant lobelias. For those interested in botany, the flora in Nyungwe is an added bonus. You have lunch in Kibuye and then continue to Nyungwe Forest. Overnight at your lodge as per selected option on full board basis (excludes drinks**).

Early breakfast at your lodge and then hike into Nyungwe Forest, the natural habitats for a huge population of Chimps. Chimpanzees are great apes that are closely related to humans. Nyungwe Forest hosts these intelligent primates who are an endangered species. The forest harbours more than 275 endemic and migratory bird species recorded Including the Ruwenzori turaco, Ross’s turaco, Grey –cheeked hornbill, Red-throated alethe, Red-breasted sparrow hawk, White-headed wood-hoopoe, Kungwe apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Blue-headed and Regal sunbirds. After the trek, have lunch at the lodge. Afternoon at leisure or re-enter the forest to visit Colobus Monkeys, do the canopy walk, visit the Kamiranzovu waterfall or other activities (optional, at extra cost). Overnight at your lodge as per selected option on full board basis (excludes drinks**).

Have breakfast at your lodge. Drive back to Kigali in time for your departure flight (reporting time to the airport is 2 to 3 hours prior to departure time). The drive takes an estimated 5 hours. End of our services.

Inclusion

Airport transfers and assistance.
Transportation in 4x4 vehicle.
English speaking driver guide.
Mountain guide and trackers provided by the park.
All accommodation and meals as per itinerary.
All park fees and government taxes.
-Gorilla trekking permit.
-Chimpanzee trekking permit.
One bottle of mineral water per person per day while gorilla trekking.

Exclusion

International flights.
Visas.
Airport tax (pay direct).
Driver guide or local escort gratuities.
Diane Fossey’s grave fees.
Drinks, dining rooms tips, porterage, personal travel and baggage insurance.
Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature.
Audio guide at Genocide Memorial – payable directly.

Note

Hotel Used
Option-A
Kigali - Kigali Serena
Ruhengeri - Bisate Lodge
Nyungwe National Park - One & Only Nyungwe House

Option-B
Kigali - Kigali Serena
Ruhengeri - Wilderness Sabyinyo
Nyungwe National Park - One & Only Nyungwe House

** Accommodation at Bisate Lodge, Wilderness Sabyinyo, Virunga Lodge and The Bishop’s House are on full board basis including all meals, bottled water, juice, local beer, house wine by the glass and non-premium spirits.

Optional Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Additional Chimpanzee Trek AUD 351.00 Starts 0500 hrs
Bird Walk AUD 104.00 Starts 0600 & 1500 hrs
Colobus / Mangabey Monkey AUD 104.00 Starts 0800 - or every hr till 1500 hrs.
Nature Walk 0-5km AUD 104.00 Starts 0900 & 1100 hrs
Nature Walk 5 -10km AUD 104.00 Starts 0900 & 1100 hrs
Waterfalls Visit AUD 104.00 Start 0900 & 1300hrs / Takes approx. 3hrs.
Canopy Walk AUD 104.00 Start 0800, 1000, 1300, 1500 hrs
GISAKURA TEA ESTATE Free Visit all days except Mondays.Gratuities to Factory Guide.

A non-refundable deposit of AUD 2667.00 [Jan to May and Nov + Dec] or AUD 3667.00 [Jun to Oct] per person is required at the time of booking to secure Gorilla permits and Chimpanzee permit. Travellers’ names as appearing on their passports along with nationality and passport numbers must be provided at the time of booking to allow purchase of gorilla permits. Permits cannot be transferred or refunded.

Additional Remarks
We may have to reroute the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
Prices for park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.

Passenger Information
Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris.

All the passengers must have Identification Card/Passport with them for internal flights.

Baggage on internal flights is strictly limited to 15 kgs per person (including hand luggage). Any excess baggage will be charged by the airline at check-in.

Travel in Rwanda is in short wheelbase 4x4 vehicles seating 6 passengers and the driver. This includes a passenger next to the driver and a passenger in the middle rear seat. If travellers prefer to have more space, we suggest you consider the option of two vehicles when there are 6 travellers in a booking.

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 Airport at 12h30 hrs. Travellers departing on a domestic or international flight should book a flight departing later than 15h30 hrs.
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.