Day 1: ARRIVAL
Upon arrival (advisable to book a midday flight), you will undergo customs and immigration formalities, thereafter you will be met at the airport by FRICA EXPEDITIONS representative. Later, you will be given a detailed briefing on your upcoming safari.
Lunch at Hotel Des Milles Collines.
Thereafter depart on a scenic drive to the Eastern province, upon arrival at the park check in at your lodge for overnight.
DAY 2: AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK - GAME DRIVE
Early breakfast at your lodge,
Then depart to the park for a scenic full day game drive crossing from the South to the Northern part of the park. In the afternoon, you can choose to do a boat ride at Lake Ihema.
In the evening, you will be transferred to your lodge for the overnight.
DAY 3: AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK - GAME DRIVE - RUHENGERI
Early breakfast at your lodge;
Then depart to the park for a scenic morning Game Drive at Akagera National Park, while exiting the park.
Thereafter depart on a scenic drive Westwards 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 population. 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. On the way have a story-flavoured lunch at Hotel Des Milles Collines.
DAY 4: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - GORILLA TREKKING
Early breakfast at your lodge;
Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs
0700hrs; 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 terms 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;
Then, drive back to Kigali, upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for overnight.
Day 3: DEPARTURE
Have breakfast at the Lodge;
Thereafter, be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.