The Volcanoes National Park Primate Safari

Trip code: MS511

A 4 day/4 night tour tracking the formidable gorillas of Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda

This safari takes guests to the Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga volcanoes and offers an opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas twice.

With only 700 mountain gorillas understood to be remaining, viewing them first hand is a memorable and fantastic experience. Volcanoes National Park is home to 4 habituated gorilla families living in the afro-montane forests on the southern slopes of the Virunga volcanoes.

Package Includes

• All transfers between airports, National Parks and accommodation
• 3 nights Full Board at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge or the Gorilla Nest Hotel in Volcanoes National Park
• 1 Gorilla Tracking Permit for Volcanoes National Park

Please Note: Additional Gorilla permits are charged separately and are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Highlights

• Opportunity to go gorilla tracking twice in Volcanoes National Park.
• Viewing some of the 700 remaining mountain gorillas in their different habitats.
• Volcanoes National Park has 4 habituated gorilla families living on the southern slopes of the Virunga volcanoes
• Additional activities in Volcanoes National Park include birding, tracking the endangered golden monkey, climbing the Visoke volcano or visiting Dian Fossey's famous Karisoke Centre.

Cost:  Please contact us for 2010 and 2011 prices and availability which will:

Include:Transport and driver/guide, accommodation on a shared basis and meals as stated. One gorilla tracking permit, subject to availability of permits, which are limited. (Any additional permits must be purchased at time of booking due to availability).

Exclude: Airfares to and from Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes, all personal expenses such as gratuities, laundry and drinks. For single rooms, supplements will need to be paid.

Tips and Notes:

• On the trail guests often feel tired on the way up and must drink plenty of water; exhaustion will vanish once the gorillas have been spotted!
• Gorilla's are difficult to photograph due to their sunken eyes, gloomy habitat and jet black skins; unless an experienced phtographer, a few quick shots should suffice - then enjoy the moments for what they are.
• Any infectious illnesses could kill off an entire family of gorilla's therefore guests are requested not to approach gorilla's if they have colds, flu which could be passed on
• No tourist has ever been maimed by a habituated gorilla but there is always a danger. Only very experienced guides are used and should be listened to at all times.
• The safari starts and finishes in Kigali, Rwanda.
• ALL FARES AND TAXES ARE SUBJECT TO INCREASE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE AND AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AIRLINES AND GOVERNMENT. ALL FARES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY IN THE CORRECT BOOKING CLASSES AT THE TIME OF MAKING THE RESERVATION

Featured Properties

• Virunga Lodge
• Gorilla Nest Hotel

Best Access

• From Europe - the easiest way is to fly with SN Brussels and Kenya Airways (via Nairobi). Clients can also fly to Kigali via Entebbe with British Airways and Rwandair.
• From the USA - there are flights to Kigali via London or Brussels. Alternatively clients can fly with from New York or Atlanta to Jo'burg with South African Airways, and then take a connecting flight.
• Clients can also fly into a number of regional hubs including Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Kilimanjaro or Johannesburg, connecting to Kigali airport using regional airlines.