As Dian Fossey once said, 'in the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat, are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rain forest – the Virungas'. This ssimpply means that the story of Virunga mountain gorillas is not complete without that of Dian Fossey. She lived amongst the gorillas and died trying to protect them. In fact, the few mountain gorillas that we have today, survived because of Dian Fossey’s efforts. This safari traces down Dian Fossey's footsteps in recognition of her efforts; More about Rwanda.
This tour takes you to Volcanoes National Park – well known as the venue for Dian Fossey's pioneering studies of the mountain gorillas. Your private guide, with his/her 4WD vehicle, meets you on arrival at Kigali Airport, either off an international flight, or after a safari elsewhere in Africa. Leaving the lively capital, you drive north-west through lush hills and bustling market towns for approximately 2.5 hours, to the stunning Volcanoes National Park – well known as the venue for Dian Fossey's pioneering studies of the mountain gorillas.
Your private guide, with his/her 4WD vehicle, meets you on arrival at Kigali Airport, either off an international flight, or after a safari elsewhere in Africa. Leaving the lively capital, you drive north-west through lush hills and bustling market towns to the Volcanoes Mountains for overnight 250km, 3.0hrs. Volcanoes National Park is well known as the venue for Dian Fossey's pioneering studies of the mountain gorillas. Of the 880 gorillas thought to be left in the wild, an estimated 300 reside in Volcans National Park in the Virunga Mountains, a stunning stretch of green oozing with dramatic scenery and lush, verdant vegetation. Visitors will need to purchase a permit to gain entrance into the park, and although this sometimes can be quite expensive, it proves well worth it once you’re witnessing giant gorillas living in their natural terrain. All meals and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. A Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (BLD)
Morning, enjoy your Rwanda Gorilla Trek in Nyungwe Forest National Park. 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. Our experienced trackers, who have spent their entire lives in or close to this forest, soon bring us up close with one of the Gorilla families. Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical one-hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth! A Walking Stick is provided at the start-point – to help steady your trekking. Please note that; because of the very close range you will come to the gorillas (often as little as 7m), there is a risk of passing on infections from humans to gorllas which are fatal for them. Therefore, travelers who are ill will not be allowed on gorilla-tracking trips. Please you are free of any air-borne infections before embarking on this expedition. Porters are also available – to help carry your water bottle/hand luggage and/or even hold hand in slippery/steep sections. A US$10 per person tip payable at the end will be appreciated. Afternoon at leisure. All meals and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. A Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (BLD)
Morning, you can do a further gorilla trek in which case you visit a different gorilla family; or, do the Golden Monkeys Trek - trekking the only other member of the primate species residing in the volcanoes forest. You may also choose to do the Dian Fossey Tomb Hike + Visit of her former research station. After the trek, drive back to the lodge – for freshening up and lunch, followed by check-out – ready for your drive back to Kigali. Before exiting Musanze Town, make a brief stop-over visit of the Dian Fossey Museum & Foundation, in Musanze town.(No Entrance fee, but donations are welcome). Then, bid farewell to the Volcanoes Mountains region, and drive back to Kigali - with onward transfer to the Kigali International Airport.
· Per Person / Adult Sharing: US$ 2,850
· Single Room Supplement: US$ 725
· Discounted Group Rates: Available on Request
· Per Person / Adult Sharing: US$ 2,450
· Single Room Supplement: US$ 695
· Discounted Group Rates: Available on Request
· Per Person / Adult Sharing: US$ 2,250
· Single Room Supplement: US$ 640
· Discounted Group Rates: Available on Request
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENTS: Generally, group tours are priced based on a standard room charge that’s divided between two people sharing a twin or double room. If a solo traveller chooses to have their own room, they are not sharing the cost with a second traveller. The single supplement is therefore an additional charge to make up the full cost of the room. Most hotels in East and Southern Africa will charge you an extra fee for staying in a room alone! Sic! This is why, against our wish, we charge you the 'Single Room Supplement' for travelling / staying solo on your trip.
HOLIDAY / EASTER / CHRISTMAS: In addition, most hotels in East and Southern Africa charge Easter and Christmas Supplement from if your booking falls on between December 24th and Jaunuary 2nd of every year. Most Safari Lodges charge the supplement for the following dates 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 01 January every year. The best way to avoid the supplements is to avoid travelling on dates within the mentioned dates (if possible) not only to avoid the high rates but also to avoid the huge crowds of people withnessed in the festive season travel.
These items form the basic components of your tour / safari cost and MAY NOT be excluded / removed from the tour pacakge all-together. However, if you still like the tour without some of of the basic components, kindly request for customization of the tour. The tour cost includes;
· Free pick-up / drop-off from your Hotel / Kigali / Airport
· All transportation in a custom-built safari vehicle with window seat guarantee
· 3 meals a day / Full-Board accommodation whilst on Safari Hotels, lodges or Camps
· All parks and game reserve entry gate fees including vehicle & driver fees
· One day Gorilla Tracking Permit from Rwanda Wildlife Authority
· Services of an English - speaking and professional safari driver/guide
· Unlimited Supply of Complimentary Bottled Drinking Water on safari
· Lunch on the first and last days of safari with free bottled water
· Guaranteed Departures with a minimum of just 2 travellers!
· ALL Government taxes and levies
These items are excluded from your tour cost / package. You are therefore expected to make own arrangement for some such as your International Flight Tickets, Travel Insurance and so on. Others are available as 'add-ons' to your tour and we shall be glad to include any extras you like at a reasonable cost. The tour cost excludes;
· International Air Fares to and from Africa
· Accommodation in Kigali before or after the tour
· Travel Insurance Cover, Personal or Baggage (Highly Recommended)
· Cost of Tourist or Business Visa and any other associated expenses
· Optional excursions not mentioned in the inclusions and/or quoted separately
· Expenses of personal nature such as phone calls, internet, laundry etc
· All soft and hard drinks (alcoholic drinks, wines and spirits)
· Tips and gratuities to driver guides/lodge/hotel staff
· Festive days supplements such as those on Easter and Xmas dates
· All other extras not mentioned in the 'included'
When you book a tour with us, we want always want you to fee special. That is why we go the extra mile not only to make you smile but to ensure that your are taking home only the fondest of memories from our trips. Below are some of the special treatments you are unlikely to find with other tour operators;
· Special 'Welcome Package' for you upon arrival
· Free supply of UNLIMITED bottled mineral water whilst on safari
· Complimentary 'AfriChoice!® Authentic African Safari Sun Hat
· Free Membership to AMREF's Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation Programme*
· Signed & Sealed 'Participation Certificate' (adventure quests only*)
· Special 'Farewell Dinner' at the end of your trip (Time Permitting*)
Your international airfare to and from Africa is NOT INCLUDED in the safari programme cost, UNLESS it is clearly stated otherwise. You are responsible for making your own flight / air fare arrangement to and from Africa. While booking your flights, kindly pay attention to the safari program start / end dates and venue to avoid missing departures of incurring extra costs on connection flights in Africa. Please feel free to Contact Us should you require any assistance with your flights to and from Africa.
At AfriChoice, flexibility is our specialization and so we can customize above or any tour according to your taste, budget and schedule. Any element can be changed including the activities, length, hotels and destinations can be adjusted as you like subject to availability of the affected services. Our experienced safari consultants will be glad to assist you. To get more information on how you can customize this tour, please DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us .
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