Rwanda: Gorillas and Community

Unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas on this luxury Rwanda safari 

While you may be intrigued by the notion of a classic safari in Kenya or Tanzania, we can tell you right now that you can’t go to Africa without spending time in Volcanoes National Park and trekking for mountain gorillas. Although their populations are steadily increasing thanks to conservation efforts, there are still only around 1,000 of these magnificent primates left in the wild, and watching them in their natural habitat is an exhilarating Rwanda safari experience.

This itinerary can be added before or after your safari, and includes one day with the gorillas and one day with the golden monkeys, with the option of spending the second day with gorillas instead. The luxury accommodations are Rwanda’s first community-owned lodge.

Rwanda: Gorillas and Community: 5 days/4 nights

Rwanda: Gorillas and Community trip highlights

This five-day, fly-in Rwanda safari extension begins with an overnight stay at Kigali Serena in Rwanda's capital city.
The next day, you’ll be met by your private driver guide and taken on a city tour. This includes a visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial to get a better understanding of the country's turbulent history and the positive achievements that have been attained over the past 25 years.
Enjoy lunch in the city before a three-hour winding drive through the countryside to Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, in the foothills of the spectacular Virunga Mountains. This lodge is the first in Rwanda to be owned by the local community, and supports gorilla conservation and community projects
Early the following morning, you’ll set off to trek the mountain gorilla, hiking through the forest for anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours, depending on the location of the specific gorilla family you’re tracking. Once sighted, you’ll have the opportunity to spend an hour observing these fascinating primates, watching them interacting, playing, and feeding while under the watchful eye of the silverback. 
The following morning, you’ll have the opportunity to do a second gorilla trek with a different family group, or to look for golden monkeys. As with the gorillas, you’re permitted to spend one hour with a group that has been habituated to human presence. Spend the afternoon soaking in the views from your cottage or head into the village to visit the thriving community that owns the lodge.
Return to Kigali.

Price

$8,050 - $10,150 per person sharing in 2024. Includes one gorilla permit and one golden monkey trekking permit.

Note: the minimum age for trekking is 15 years.

Rwanda: Gorillas and Community on a map

Easy extensions

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda combines seamlessly with a luxury Tanzania safari (flights available from Kigali directly to the Serengeti) or Kenya. With a bit more flying, Zambia, South Africa, and Botswana are within a day's reach.

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