Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

Day 1 - Arrival in Kigali Your driver/guide will pick you up from Kigali Airport and bring you to your hotel.  Depending on your time of arrival 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 expenses. Your accommodation for the next two days will be at a comfortable hotel located in a quiet and modern district on the edge of Kigali.  Journey Time: 15 minutes from airport  Accommodation: Golf Hills Residence  Meal Plan: No meals inclusive today

Nyungwe Forest

Day 3 - To Nyungwe Forest Today, you will drive to the famous Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. Nyungwe is abundant with flora and fauna. Besides the colonies of chimpanzees, you may encounter Angola colobus monkeys, mangabeys and blue monkeys.The park contains 13 different primate species (25% of Africa's total), and many plant, mammal, amphibian and reptile species.  Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for bird lovers. There are about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic. Making this one of the most important - yet still little known - bird-watching destinations in Africa.  The next two nights you'll be sleeping in a very nice lodge located on top of a small hill near Nyungwe Forest and overlooking Lake Kivu.  Journey time: 6 hours  Accommodation: Top View Hotel  Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner inclusive

Day 5 - Forest Canopy Walk and Waterfall Hike Visit East Africa’s only canopy walk! This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. During approximately 1,5 hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful vegetation and animal habitat. Along the way you'll have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy.  In the afternoon, a waterfall hike is in your program. This trail begins from Gisakura Guesthouse next to the ORTPN offices (a 15 minute drive Hotel) and takes between 3 and 6 hours round trip, depending upon how frequently you stop to sightsee and whether you choose to drive a little further or walk from the guesthouse. The first part of the trail is basically following the road to the vehicle park and before delving into the forest. You will have to cross various streams before making a steep descent to the base of the small, refreshing waterfall. Monkeys are frequently seen along the way and the steep slopes provide excellent views into the canopy.  Journey time: 45 minutes each way  Accommodation: Top View Hotel  Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive  

Day 7 - Gisenyi You continue to drive along the scenic Lake Kivu coast, winding through valleys and small villages. Your destibation today is the northern town of Gisenyi, just next to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  In the afternoon you can visit the local market and see the day-to-day life of the people. You may have a local lunch at Auberge de Gisenyi or Bistro Restaurant. Another possibility is to make a boat tour on Lake Kivu.  Tonight's accommodation is spacious and quite authentic. You'll stay in the traditional rooms with African decoration!  Journey time: 1½ - 2 hours  Accommodation: Palm Garden Resort  Meal plan: Breakfast is inclusive  

Day 9 - Gorilla Tracking You'll have an early start on this special day. It is a 30 minute drive from the lodge to Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux (ORTPN) inside the park. The head ranger of the ORTPN will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. The gorillas you will track belong to one of seven habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Matoke Tours purchases the permits in advance. However, we are unable to reserve a specific gorilla group as it is for the head-ranger to decide this in the morning of the gorilla tracking. Your driver/guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. The track will be an exciting hike along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous Gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots.  The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as 30 minutes to as much as 8 hours! 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 truly 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’. For most people this encounter is the absolute highlight of the tour! Journey time: 30 minutes by car, tracking time varies Accommodation: Gorilla View Lodge  Meal plan: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner inclusive