Rwanda Safaris

Rwanda Safari
A new addition to the East African safari circuit is the tiny country of Rwanda. Despite a troubled past, it’s now opening its borders to international travellers wanting specifically to go on a gorilla track. We are often asked when is the best time to travel to Rwanda on safari, see the wildlife in the national parks, what the climate there is like and when it rains. With our expertise we know that we can answer all your questions and help you book your dream safari to Rwanda.

Rwanda is a beautiful country. It was on the bamboo-covered slopes of Rwanda’s Virunga Volcanoes that the late Dian Fossey studied the behaviour of the endangered mountain gorilla for 20 years, followed by the filmmakers who shot 'Gorillas in the Mist' on the same location. Join us for a Rwanda safari, and discover a country that is today embracing a bright new future, and offers one of the most memorable wildlife encounters on earth

Virunga Volcanoes Safari
Parc des Volcans (French for The Volcanoes National Park) protects the Rwandan sector of the Virunga Volcanoes, home to 300 mountain gorillas of which only around 600 survive worldwide.

The Volcanoes National Park is named after a string of magnificent free-standing volcanoes that range from 2500-4500 metres in height and are one of the most stirring and memorable sights in East Africa. It was here that Dian Fossey studied the gorillas for 20 years and it is largely thanks to her work that poaching was curtailed while there were still some gorillas to save.

There are four groups of habituated gorillas in the park and depending on where the groups are, between 16 and 32 gorilla permits are issued each day. Your first sighting of a gorilla in the wild is an exhilarating and extraordinary experience. It’s worth remembering that Rwanda’s gorillas need tourists to survive – your permit money is channelled back into the protection of the Volcanoes National Park.
To sit with a gorilla for an hour on a Virunga Volcanoes Safari is an undisputable highlight of any trip to East Africa and your contribution to their future survival will enrich your travel experience.
Itinerary
Days 1 - 2 En Route to Kigali/Parc National des Volcans (PNV)
Fly to Kigali, Rwanda, arriving on the morning of day 2. Upon arrival, you will met and privately transferred to the city for lunch and a briefing on your safari.
You’ll then depart for Parc National des Volcans, journeying northwest through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape. You’ll gradually climb to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes, perhaps viewing as many as five peaks.
You will be staying at Virunga Lodge, a very comfortable and lovely eco-lodge that is situated atop a hill, offering stunning panoramic views of the Virunga volcanoes and two photogenic lakes (Ruhondo and Bulera). The lodge has eight bandas. Virunga Lodge (L, D).

Day 3 Parc National des Volcans
Located along the borders of Congo and Uganda, Parc National des Volcans (PNV) offers some of the most striking scenery in Africa, punctuated by seven rainforest-covered volcanoes – the Virungas – that are home to almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Currently (subject to change), there are seven habituated groups that may be visited – Amahoro group (17 members; 1 silverback), Group 13 (21 members; 1 silverback), Sabinyo group (9 members; 1 huge silverback named Guhonda), Susa group (38 members; 4 silverbacks); Umubano (9 members; 1 silverback); Kwitonda group (16 members; 1 silverback); and Hirwa group (9 members, 1 silverback).
Today you’ll go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy.
Virunga Lodge (B, L, D).
Day 4 Parc National des Volcans or Lake Kivu/Gisenyi
Today, you may choose from five excursions. First, you may go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (upon payment of supplement and subject to permit availability at the time of booking).
Your second option (included) is to track the Golden Monkeys, one of the most endangered primates in Africa. These little known, attractive monkeys, which reside only among the Virunga Volcanoes, are very active and playful, chattering away, climbing the vegetation and jumping from branch to branch. You’ll also observe them feeding on bamboo leaves and shoots. It is usually only a short walk to reach them.
Your third option (included) is to trek to Dian Fossey’s grave and to the remains of Karisoke research center, which are situated in a beautiful meadow between Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes. Ms. Fossey set up the center in the early sixties and began the well-documented habituation of the gorillas there. She became well known internationally through the film “Gorillas in the Mist”. You’ll also see the graves of some of the research gorillas that have died over the last 30 years, including the famous Digit, who was killed by poachers. The walk takes 6-8 hours.
Your fourth option (included) is to visit the resort town of Gisenyi which lies on the shore of lovely Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu offers some of the best inland beaches on the African continent, and they are frequented by wealthy Rwandans, expats and tourists. You may also visit Ros Carr’s orphanage.
Your last option (included) is to visit the local school and community projects and to walk to scenic Lake Bulera. Virunga Lodge (B, L, D).
Day 5 EN ROUTE TO BWINDI VIA LAKE BUNYONI
Today you’ll cross the Ugandan border and proceed to lovely Lake Bunyoni, where you’ll relax briefly over lunch. Continue on to Bwindi through a region known as the Switzerland of Africa, the road winding through many hills and valleys, affording you distant views of the volcanoes. Upon your arrival at Bwindi, time permitting, you may go for a guided forest walk during which you may observe birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively, go for a short stroll around the lodge.
Bwindi Lodge overlooks the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and birds. This stunning eco-lodge has eight bandas and a terrace that juts out into the forest, allowing guests to sit and be mesmerized by its exotic sounds, watching primates and birds in the canopy. The bush walk to the river is similarly magical. This area is a favorite haunt for the gorillas and they often come back to sleep on the grounds of the lodge! Bwindi Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 6 BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Established in 1991 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site three years later, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers one of the most diverse ecosystems in Africa. The park is home to approximately 120 mammal species, including around 340 mountain gorillas, 30 elephants and 11 species of primates, including colobus monkeys and chimpanzees. In addition, Bwindi has around 360 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 320 species of trees.
The mountain gorillas in Bwindi have been habituated since 1993 and there are currently (subject to change) four different groups that can be visited -- Mubare group (16 gorillas; 1 silverback ), Habinyanja group (23 gorillas; 2 silverbacks), Rushegura group (9 gorillas; 1 silverback) and Nkuringo group (20 gorillas; 2 silverbacks; southern Bwindi).
Today you will go gorilla tracking (subject to availability of permit upon booking). You’ll walk up steep, densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. A truly inspiring moment! You’ll spend one full hour with the gorillas before returning to the lodge. Please note that tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Bwindi Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 7 BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Today you have several options. First, you may go gorilla tracking again (upon purchase of additional permit upon initial booking). Second, you may enjoy one or two of the many nature hikes offered in this area. Within the rainforest, you may observe monkeys, birds and/or waterfalls. Third, you may enjoy a village community tour during which you can visit schools, a banana and wine brewer, traditional healer, church and even see a pigmy community! A final option is to go on one hike and also take the community tour. Bwindi Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 8 BWINDI/KIGALI
This morning you’ll be transferred to Kigali, Rwanda via Kabale and Katuna. (If you are lucky, you might be able to stop by Lake Bunyoni a second time.)
Time permitting, you will visit the Kigali Memorial Centre, a topnotch museum/memorial for the Rwandan genocide. The experience is highly educational and quite moving. You’ll also visit the handicraft and local markets and perhaps a pottery project. (Note: If you are not able to visit all of these places this afternoon, then you will see them the next day before your return flight on day 9.) Kigali Serena Hotel (B, L, D)
Days 9 - 10 Kigali/Homeward Bound
Morning sightseeing in Kigali on day 9 (if some of the sites on day 8 were not visited). After lunch you will be privately transferred to the airport for your international flight. You will return home on day 10. (B, L)