4 Days Bwind by Air – Uganda

Arrive by at Kigali International Airport; after completion of customs and immigration formalities you will be met at the airport by our representative, briefing on your trip and introduction to your Safari driver guide. Thereafter, be transferred to your Kigali Hotel.

Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel (bed & breakfast)

Have breakfast at your hotel,

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.

The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare. Enjoy Lunch at Hotel Des Milles Collines.

Depart on scenic drive North West wards through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda’s landscape. Arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. 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.

Accommodation:

Gorilla Mountain View Lodge (Full Board) or

 Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Full Board) or

Bisate Lodge (Full Board)

Early breakfast at your lodge

0630 hrs; 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 = 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 90 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.

After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide for a transfer to your Lodge for lunch. Afternoon optional visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village at $ 35 per person.

Accommodation:

Gorilla Mountain View Lodge (Full Board) or

 Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Full Board) or

Bisate Lodge (Full Board)

Have breakfast at your lodge;

Optional - Today you may choose to go for another Gorilla Trekking to observe the famous Rwandan mountain gorillas (subject to gorilla permits being available) Or the Endangered Golden Monkey Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park.

Check out and depart from foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, driving South past coffee, tea and banana plantations on a breathtaking scenic drive back to Kigali. On arrival in Kigali you will be transferred to Kigali International airport for your onwards departure flight.