Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides, experienced gorilla trackers, park rangers.

Transport

4x4 safari vehicle, walking, hiking, boat.

Others

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Mountain Gorilla Conservation Sundowner Experience, Volcanoes National Park Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Akagera National Park - Conservation and Community, Parc National de l’ Akagera Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, Local Lunch, Kigali. Arrival and Departure transfer. All national park entrance fees. Genocide memorial entrance. Mountain gorilla trek with permits. Golden monkey trek with permits. Local village walk. Safari drives in Akagera National Park. Wildlife boat cruise on Lake Ihema. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Hotel/lodges (7 nts).

Meals

7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventures’ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours. The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour. There are some tours and departures that are only ‘Travel-Ready’ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour. Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date.

Not included:

Flights

Flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Others

No optional activities

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Kigali
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Kigali

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
If you arrive early, take some time to explore the city, known for its pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Kigali also has some interesting and historic sites outside of the city. If you want more time to explore, we recommend booking a pre-night.

Accommodation:
- Hotel des Mille Collines (or similar).

Additional Notes: Please remember that this is a developing area and as such, accommodations/service may not be of similar standard to which you are used to in your home country. There also can be differences in service levels between different countries in East Africa. As well, interruptions in electricity and water can be common and internet/wifi is often only available in large cities. We appreciate your patience and understanding as well as your sense of adventure.

A/C is not available in the accommodations used on this trip. In general it is not a concern as it does cool down at night and depending on location fans or screened windows are available.

4x4 safari vehicles are used to better navigate rough roads but important to note that vehicles do not have A/C.
Day 2 Day 2: Kigali/Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Kigali/Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and pay your respects to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, learning about this somber chapter of the country’s past. Later, embark on a community walk in the vibrant Nyamirambo neighbourhood and enjoy a local lunch at the G Adventures–supported Nyamirambo Women’s Centre. Travel to northern Rwanda in the afternoon and settle into our lodge, located at the edge of Volcanoes National Park and offering stunning views of the soaring peaks.
Volcanoes National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains can be found here. The volcanoes and highlands of the park are covered in lush rainforest and bamboo (a favourite snack of the gorillas). While the most famous resident is the mountain gorilla, there’s plenty of other wildlife roaming around: buffaloes, bushbucks, golden monkeys, hyenas, numerous bird species, and some elephants call this place home.

Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- 4x4: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park 03:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Kigali Genocide Memorial Visit
- Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, Local Lunch

Additional Notes: Altitude note: Volcanoes NP - approx 2,000 m (6,550 ft)
Day 3 Day 3: Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Set out on a trek in lush, jungle-covered hills with a park ranger to track a unique and endangered species—the golden monkey. Observe these playful, curious creatures in their natural habitat; then visit the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Karisoke Research Center, founded by National Geographic Grantee Dian Fossey. Visit the public exhibit and enjoy immersive activities, like a 360-degree theatre and replica of Dian Fossey’s original cabin before meeting with some of the organization’s gorilla experts. Hear their experiences and stories working for the largest gorilla conservation organization in the world, and have the chance to ask them questions.

Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Golden Monkey Trek
- Mountain Gorilla Conservation Sundowner Experience

Additional Notes: Proper hiking attire must be worn – you will be trekking in a rainforest with lots of vegetation, undergrowth, nettles and normally a rather muddy terrain.

Only 1 hour is spent with the Golden Monkeys to ensure their protection and conservation.

Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the golden monkeys. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.

The order of activities over Days 3 and 4 can change depending on permit scheduling.
Day 4 Day 4: Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Embark on an unforgettable trek through the jungle alongside a park ranger to search for mountain gorillas. When we come across a group of gorillas, witness their fascinating social dynamics up close. Note that these treks can vary in length and difficulty depending on the location of the gorillas. Return to our lodge for lunch, followed by a visit to a local village to catch a glimpse of daily rural life.
Approximately 800 mountain gorillas exist globally in the wild today. They are found in Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. In DRC and Rwanda, gorillas live in similar ecosystems/areas. The gorilla species found in these three areas are called highland gorillas.

In Rwanda there are ten habituated gorilla families that are open to visits – the visit to a gorilla family is done once per day, with a maximum 8 trekkers per group and the duration of a visit is limited to one (1) hour with the gorilla family. The time spent with them is limited due to conservation considerations and to minimize impact on the day-to-day life of the gorilla family you are visiting. It is important to be well prepared for the trek — you never know if your total trek will be short or long. The total duration of a trek can vary and be anything between 4 and 9 hrs in length depending on the location of the gorillas, which are constantly moving. You will mainly walk where there are no paths apart from the occasional buffalo or elephant trail.

Touching the gorillas is not allowed (although in some cases they may touch you). Making loud noises or sudden movements is also not allowed. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.

Please note that porters are available at approx. $10USD per person. The porters are all hired from local villages and not only can carry your day pack, but assist you with a welcome hand over difficult spots. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. It also provides employment and supports the local community.

Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Gorilla Trekking
- Iby’iwacu Village Visit

Additional Notes: Mountain gorillas share 98% of our DNA and are prone to catching human illnesses. Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the gorillas. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.

Proper hiking attire must be worn – you will be trekking in a rainforest with lots of vegetation, undergrowth, nettles and normally a rather muddy terrain. Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old.

Please note that depending on the size of our group and when permits are confirmed, we may be split into 2 trekking groups and you may be trekking with non-G travellers.
Day 5 Day 5: Volcanoes National Park/Akagera National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Volcanoes National Park/Akagera National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Head back to Kigali for lunch, then continue east to Akagera National Park. Armed conflict once devastated this part of Rwanda, and many years of neglect and misuse followed. Yet dedicated work by the local communities resulted in the return of wildlife to the park’s savannas, forested hills, and wetlands. Learn more about this fascinating conservation success story in a behind-the-scenes visit to the African Parks headquarters here. Later, check into our comfortable lodge overlooking stunning Lake Ihema.
Akagera National Park offers a remarkable conservation story and is home to the Big Five, zebras, giraffes, elephants and hundreds of bird species. Running directly along the boarder with Tanzania, the park covers 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) and offers a variety of landscapes including highlands, savannah plains, swamps, wetlands and lakes.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- 4x4 05:30 - 06:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Akagera National Park - Conservation and Community
Day 6 Day 6: Akagera National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Akagera National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Wake before sunrise for an early morning safari drive in search of the “big five.” Keep an eye out for lions, buffalo, hyenas, and antelopes grazing freely here. Return to the lodge for lunch and some free time to relax or take a dip in the pool. In the afternoon, glide along Lake Ihema by boat, watching for hippos and crocodiles. Spot more wildlife, such as elephants and buffalo, as they gather at the lakeshore to drink water. Keep an eye out for a variety of birds including herons, shoebill storks, fish eagles, and kingfishers.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Akagera NP Morning Safari Drive
- Wildlife Cruise on Lake Ihema
Day 7 Day 7: Akagera National Park To Kigali (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Akagera National Park To Kigali (1B)

Head out with a packed breakfast for our final safari drive in the early hours when animals are most active. Look for giraffes, gazelles, impalas, baboons, Butchel’s zebras, leopards, and lions. Later that morning, depart through the northern edge of the park and travel overland back to Kigali for our last evening.

Accommodation:
- Hotel des Mille Collines (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- 4x4 02:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Akagera NP Morning Safari Drive
Day 8 Day 8: Kigali (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Kigali (1B)

Depart at any time.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

8 days tour

Wild Encounters In Rwanda National Geographic Journeys

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Wild Encounters In Rwanda National Geographic Journeys

Day 1: Kigali

Day 2: Kigali/Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 3: Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 4: Volcanoes National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 5: Volcanoes National Park/Akagera National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 6: Akagera National Park (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 7: Akagera National Park To Kigali (1B)

Day 8: Kigali (1B)

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