CH 42 - Rwanda Gorilla Trek (an extension from Kenya/Tanzania).-3 days.
Day One: Nairobi / Kigali / Ruhengeri - The Gorilla’s Nest
Fly from Nairobi to Kigali where you are met by your guide. Explore Kigali visiting the Genocide Museum and stopping for lunch. The comfortable two-hour drive to Ruhengeri is through the stunning mountains and valleys of lush bush and farm land.
Both Gorilla’s Nest and Kinigi guest house are strategically located near the park entrance. Gorilla’s Nest consists of 37 comfortable bungalows with en suite facilities. The lodge is situated on a hillside overlooking a school and farmland. It offers a pleasant restaurant, bar and lounge area and curio shop with a central lawn. The entire property is surrounded by trees with magnificent views of the Virunga Mountains on three sides – an idyllic location to start your gorilla trek. At dinner guests should request
a special packed lunch to be ready at the following morning’s breakfast. The lunch and bottled water will be carried on the next day’s activity. Porters are also available to carry backpacks and camera gear. (L, D).
Dinner and over night at either Mountain Gorilla Nest (Highend accommodation) or Kinigi guest house for the medium class accommodation.
Day Two: Volcanoes National Park;
After breakfast it’s just a short 10 minute drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi. Registration is a simple process and it is here where the park staff will determine which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff will discuss your fitness level and will advise you of the trekking times and conditions to reach the various groups, based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 32 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 will advise the group of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s 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. Once at the starting point all trekkers are offered a porter to carry their
backpack and any other gear.
Trekking to the nearest group, Sabinyo, can take up to 2 hours but can also take a little more or less 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.
After the trek stop for lunch at The Gorilla’s Nest or Kinigi guest house or ask your guide to recommend a local restaurant. After lunch, head back to Kigali and over night in the Intercontinental Hotel for the High end accommodation or Okapi Hotel for the low budget. This might be a good opportunity to launder some clothes or visit a local market.
(B/B).
Day Three: Kigali / Nairobi
Enjoy an early breakfast before being transferred to the airport for your early morning flight back to Nairobi to connect to your international flight.
Important:
Gorilla tracking is dependant on the permits availability at the time of your booking. Gorilla permits in all park are on a very high demand and we advise that you book them as early as possible.
