Gorillas Encounter

Your flight will land at Kigali Airport. After disembarking from the aircraft, you will be met by our Customer Service Manager who will lead you to clear customs and immigration formalities and proceed to the arrivals lounge. You will be assisted to your transfer vehicle. Transfer by road to your hotel.

After the breakfast, the guide will take you for the Kigali city tour. The tour will include the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, the trading center, the ministry area, the UN memorial (where the ten blue helmets were killed at the onset of the genocide), the post-genocide development and expansion of Kigali, the new and modern residential quarter and other sites. Drive north through some beautiful terraced hills which are characterized with huge landscape and sometimes as five peaks (Volcanoes) visible. Arriving in Musanze you will be transferred to your hotel which is on the foot of Mountain Sabyinyo at 2000 meters high above the sea level. Upon arrival, your day is at leisure.

Wake up for an early morning breakfast and at around 6:30AM, we head to the Kinigi park Head quarter. Today, your gorilla trek is sure to be the highlight of your tour. We will be at the Kinigi ranger station by 7am, where we are allocated guides and briefed before heading into the forest. We will track one of the eight habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda. Move in a company of experienced ranger guides through the forest while searching for mountain gorillas. Only eight people are able to track each habituated group. Time taken while searching for these great apes, ranges between 2 to 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla groups as their territory can range up to 40km. The park rangers and guides will clear the way and assist you through the forest. Once the gorilla group is located you will spend an hour with them as they feed, rest and play.
Habituation of a gorilla group takes a minimum of two years, with daily visits to allow the gorilla group to tolerate human presence. It is only when the gorillas are completely comfortable with human presence that tourists are allowed to share the daily hour of contact with them.
Sitting with the mountain gorilla is one of the most amazing wildlife experiences you will ever have. A dominant male silverback can weigh over 200 kilos and is the largest living primate. He will control our meeting as well as deciding when his group will eat, sleep and move on. His females care for their young with affection and playfulness but also with discipline. They are very curious, and are capable of making over 25 different vocalizations, including chuckling and purring. Communication also includes posturing, chest beating and if all else fails - the charge! The privilege of spending an hour with this family group is an experience that will never leave you. After your hour is up, you wind your way slowly out of the forest and back to the camp to swap stories about your amazing experience.
For the gorilla trek please bring walking boots, or waterproof trainers and socks. You need to wear long pants whilst walking in the bush due to stinging nettles. Layers are best, as conditions in the tropical rain forest can change from hot to wet and cold in an instant. Start with a long sleeved t-shirt and long pants thick socks and boots, add a fleece and rainproof jacket and you should be right for all conditions. Volcanoes National Park where the gorillas reside is a high altitude rainforest so come prepared for all conditions.
After the gorilla trekking, you will return to your lodge, refresh a bit and the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Breakfast at your lodge. Transfer back to Kigali with some stop over to admire the views and scenery which will give you a clear image of why it is nicknamed “Country of thousand Hills”, visit the local market and curio shops for souvenirs. Drop off at Kigali Airport for your onward flight.