Day 1: Airport pick
Today, you will be picked from the Kigali airport by a representative of Flame Tree Lodge. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather, and fabrics on offer. Prepare to use your haggling skills! All activities and purchases today are at your own cost.
- Journey time: 15 minutes from the airport
- Accommodation: Flame Tree Lodge
- Meal plan: No meals inclusive
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to Musanze, close to the beautiful Volcano range. Your lodge is located near the entrance of the national park with an amazing view overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes.
- Journey time: 4 hours
- Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Meal plan: All meals
Day 3: Gorilla Tracking
Today after breakfast, you will drive into the park about 30 minutes to the park office for briefing. The head ranger of the ORTPN will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here your driver / guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated gorillas groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours.
Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
- Journey time: 15 minutes by car, tracking time varies
- Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Meal plan: All meals
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking - transfer to airport
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for golden monkey tracking, which is a completely different experience but just as rewarding. These beautiful, lively creatures are on the endangered list, and are fascinating to watch as they leap through the vegetation.
Later, you will transfer back to Kigali airport. Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda's recent history.
Your driver / guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.
- Journey time: 2 hours
- Accommodation: Not included
- Meal plan: Breakfast
Note
This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 5 p.m. or later. If you need another night in Kigali, they will be happy to make a booking for you.
Accommodation for tonight is not inclusive in the program. If you want them to book one (or more) nights in Kigali, please let them know.
Transfers
Your transfers are provided by a vehicle from the lodge. This is a 4WD mini bus.
Dates
This is a private tour, departure can be organised for anytime throughout the year subject to the availability of accommodation and transport.
Gorilla and chimp permits
It is not possible to ‘reserve’ gorilla and chimpanzee permits. Therefore they can only buy them after your booking and down-payment and it all depends on availability.
Transport
The standard offering for mid-range tours is a 4WD safari van with a pop-up roof for easy safari viewing. All clients will have a dedicated window seat. Your professional driver / guide will be at your disposal for questions or translations.
Important
Please note the gorilla tracking in this itinerary can be done in Bwindi and or Mgahinga National Parks. Gorilla tracking is dependant on the permits availability at the time of your booking. Gorilla permits in all parks are on a very high demand and they advise that you book them as early as possible.