Gorillas & Golden Monkeys

4 days—Rwanda - Experience Exceptional

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$4300 USD

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Safari summary

Experience one of the last great adventures - trekking for mountain gorillas. In Rwanda, hike to see these magnificent creatures in the wild, as well as the golden monkeys. It's an adventure like no other.

Rwanda is a lush country with magnificent mountain scenery, hills, rain forests, and terraced farmland. It is a country that can provide you with one of the world’s last great adventures - trekking for gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. This once war-ravaged land is now full of vitality and is reported to be one of the most progressive and safest countries on the African continent.

To ensure the well-being of the gorillas and their habitat, the Rwandan and Ugandan government strictly regulates the number of daily visitors, making a trek to see them an exclusive privilege that remains one of the world's most sought-after wildlife encounters. Once you locate a habituated family, you are granted a precious hour to observe their complex social dynamics from just a few feet away. Proceeds from the permits are dedicated to the national park and caring for the gorillas' protection and safety.

ACCESSIBILITY
Arrangements can be made for all those who wish to see the gorillas. Gorilla tracking is physically demanding, especially for those with physical challenges. Seeing the gorillas is still possible. We can pre-arrange for what is called a "sedan chair" that porters will carry you into the gorilla sighting. Carriers are available in Rwanda and Uganda, but the chairs tend to be more comfortable in Uganda.

GORILLA FAMILIES & PERMITS
Gorilla trekking permits are highly regulated with approximately 1,050 mountain gorillas left in the wild. Of that, there are approximately 40 habituated gorilla families in Uganda and Rwanda that can be visited. Permits require booking months in advance, especially for the high demand seasons (June-August, December-February).

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	None
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	January, February, June, July, August, September, December
	Countries	Rwanda
	Parks	Volcanoes

Fine details

Safari highlights

Hiking | trekking
Primate trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
Airport transfers
Internal flights
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Hot air balloons
International flights
Premium alcoholic beverages
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Day 01 - Kigali

Touch down in Kigali! Proceed through customs, immigration, and collect your luggage. You will be met by our local representative and escorted to your hotel for the evening. Get a good night’s sleep - your adventure begins in the morning!

Day 02 - Dian Fossey Center

Volcanoes

Your private guide will pick you up and take you on a short city tour before heading out to Volcanoes National Park. Travel through the lush green countryside, arriving in the early afternoon, where there is time to visit the Karisoke-Dian Fossey Research Center. Fossey’s original objective was to study the gorillas. She soon realized that she needed to study each individual and not just as a species. Thus began a 50-year legacy to study and protect them.

Day 03 - Gorilla Trek

Volcanoes

Up early, set out to your gorilla trek. There, a ranger will explain the trek along with gorilla etiquette and safety. You are joined by a guide and trackers/porters who lead you through the dense forest and up to higher altitudes. Typically, tracking can take from 1-4 hrs to find the gorillas, and you'll observe them for 1 hr.

Day 04 - Your Journey Onwards

Up early this morning and your second primate encounter will be with the endangered Golden Monkeys of Virunga. Spend one hour observing the habituated troops, as they feed and leap through the trees. Continue back to Kigali for your flight onward, whether to home or maybe Kenya or Tanzania for a game safari. Either way, take your incredible memories of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with you always.

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