Africa Safari Experts for travel to East Africa

Tel : +27 21 481 4900  ·  Fax : +27 21 426 5339 www.safari.go2africa.com   Longkloof Studios, 2nd Floor, Darters Road Cape Town, South Africa, 8000

Gorillas in the Virungas & Bwindi
An 8-day gorilla tracking safari to three incredible parks in Rwanda and Uganda. This safari takes you to three gorilla parks: Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and then to Bwindi National Park in Uganda. Seeing some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a fantastic experience. You will be have four opportunities to track these magnificent animals. PNV has four habituated gorilla families living in the afro-montane forests on the southern slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Mgahinga, on the northern slopes, is often thought to be the prettiest part of the mountain and has one habituated family, which now spends virtually all year in the park. In Bwindi the three habituated families live in the thicker tropical forests and tracking is more challenging. In addition to gorilla tracking, each park offers a number of other activities. In PNV full day activities include: climbing the Visoke volcano; visiting the Dian Fossey Karisoke Centre, forest and village walks, as well as visiting some of the local communities.
Duration :	8 days
Starts :	Kigali
Ends :	Kigali
Day of Departure :	Tuesdays
Transport :	Vehicle 4 x 4 Vehicles
Standard :	Midrange
Rates from :	USD  4825 p.p.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Parc National des Volcans You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to Kigali. After lunch you depart for Parc National des Volcans. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda's landscape and gradually climbs to the base of the Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. Meals : FB Accommodation : Volcanoes Virunga Lodge Day 1: Parc National des Volcans You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to Kigali. After lunch you depart for Parc National des Volcans. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda's landscape and gradually climbs to the base of the Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. Meals : FB   Day 2: Parc National des Volcans The second day of your safari offers the rare opportunity to go gorilla tracking (subject to gorilla permits being available). Tracking the gorillas through the forested 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. Meals : FB   Day 2: Parc National des Volcans The second day of your safari offers the rare opportunity to go gorilla tracking (subject to gorilla permits being available). Tracking the gorillas through the forested 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. Meals : FB Accommodation : Volcanoes Virunga Lodge Day 3: Parc National des Volcans - Gorilla Tracking There is a wide variety of activities for you to choose from today. You can go gorilla tracking in the Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), visit the endangered golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. Other options include driving to Gisenyi, visiting Ross Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu, climbing the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, visiting the local school and community projects, or walking to Lake Bulera. Meals : FB Accommodation : Volcanoes Virunga Lodge Day 3: Parc National des Volcans - Gorilla Tracking There is a wide variety of activities for you to choose from today. You can go gorilla tracking in the Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), visit the endangered golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. Other options include driving to Gisenyi, visiting Ross Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu, climbing the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, visiting the local school and community projects, or walking to Lake Bulera. Meals : FB   Day 4: Mgahinga National Park Relax or walk near the lodge in the morning, Mgahinga is a great place to appreciate the unique Virunga volcanoes. If you're feeling more energetic you can visit the endangered golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. Transfer to Uganda after lunch - clocks go forward one hour - before continuing to Volcanoes Virunga Lodge. Meals : FB Accommodation : Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge Day 5: Mgahinga National Park Today you have the opportunity to go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga on the northern side of the Virunga mountains (on payment of supplement at time of booking). If you prefer, you can climb the Muhavura or Gahinga volcano, go for a nature walk, or visit Lake Mutanda. Meals : FB Accommodation : Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge Day 6: Bwindi National Park Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes and lakes. Time permitting, go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively, look for monkeys and birds near the river below the lodge. Meals : FB Accommodation : Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Day 7: Bwindi National Park - Gorilla Tracking Either go gorilla tracking, walking up steep densely forested hills (on payment of supplement at time of booking). In this thick and humid forest you almost have to cut your way through the undergrowth, a challenge that is richly rewarded upon your first sight of the shy and graceful gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Other options include a leisurely walk on one of the different trails that meanders through the Impenetrable Forest. Meals : FB Accommodation : Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Day 8: Kigali On the final day of your tour you leave for Kigali in Rwanda via Kabale and Katuna, (clocks go back one hour). Time permitting, you can go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, a widow's project selling quilts, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and a genocide memorial. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Meals : HB

Rates & Terms

RATES PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS

Validity Period Per Person Sharing Single Room Supplement 8/12/2008 - 8/19/2008 USD  4825 U$ 581 9/16/2008 - 9/23/2008 USD  4825 U$ 581 10/14/2008 - 10/21/2008 USD  4825 U$ 581 11/11/2008 - 11/18/2008 USD  4825 U$ 581 12/16/2008 - 12/23/2008 USD  4825 U$ 581

Package Includes: Transport Driver/guide Accommodation on a shared basis Meals as stated Park fees Chimpanzee permits 1 Gorilla permit Unlimited consumption of all alcoholic beverages & soft drinks Laundry services Any activities around Volcanoes Virungas Lodge A complimentary massage Package Excludes: Airfares to Rwanda / Uganda Entry visas Airport taxes All personal expenditure such as tips & telephone calls Additional Gorilla permit: Parc des Volcans in Rwanda USD 500.00 per permit Mgahinga USD 375.00 per permit (USD 500.00 per permit from 1 July 2007) Bwindi USD 375.00 per permit (USD 500.00 per permit from 1 July 2007) Notes: One PNV gorilla permit is included in the cost but the other gorilla trackings require a supplement to be paid at time of booking. Additional gorilla trekking permits in Uganda (Mgahinga & Bwindi) increase to USD 500 per permit on 1 July 2007. Children under 15 are not permitted to go gorilla tracking. Scheduled departure on certain Tuesdays only. Departing Kigali 2007: 2 Jan, 6 Feb, 6 March, 10 April, 1 May, 5 June, 10 July, 7 Aug, 18 Sept, 16 Oct, 13 Nov, 18 Dec.