Day 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival with your morning flight, after completion of customs and immigration formalities you will be met at the airport by LIFETIME AFRICA EXPEDITIONS representative, briefing on your trip and introduction to your Safari driver guide.
Embark on a City Tour of Kigali including the Genocide Memorial site a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent’s lives in 1994. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience.
Lunch at Hotel Des Milles Collines.
Thereafter depart on a scenic drive west wards to Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes National Park. The town itself, located only 25km from Uganda boarder, is relatively a small city of about 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The Town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here. Later, you will be transferred to your lodge for overnight.
Day 2: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK– GORILLA TREKKING
Early breakfast at your lodge
Early morning transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs
0700 hrs;
Registration where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 80 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group.
Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point.
Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear; Cost, US$10 per person/per day. We advise that you utilize this service.
Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. Have lunch at the lodge;
If time/weather permit, in the afternoon take up an optional visit to the twin lakes: Bulera and Ruhondo or visit the local community activities at an extra cost. Later, you will be taken to your lodge for overnight.
Day 3: DEPARTURE
Have breakfast at the Lodge;
After Lunch, enjoy the Scenic drive from the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes and drive south some banana plantations on a scenic drive to Kigali. Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly - land of a thousand fertile green hills.
Upon arrival in Kigali you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.