Volcanoes National Park
The forested slopes of the Volcanoes National Park are spectacular and full of drama and this was the very first national park…
Discover the best of Rwanda; from gorillas in Volcanoes National Park to tracking lions in Akagera and witnessing chimps in the Nyungwe Forest. As one of the first tour operators to lead gorilla trekking safaris you couldn’t be in more expert hands.
Rwanda is still, without a doubt, the best place in the world to go mountain gorilla trekking and release your inner Attenborough. Walking in the Virunga Mountains in the shadow of giant prehistoric plants as the mists clear to reveal a family of gorillas is incomparable.
Rwanda’s stylish lodges are bursting with charm and the riot of colour around every corner from kanga clothing, banana plantations and the fertile hills soon exhaust your camera batteries. Rwanda is spectacular to behold, a winding succession of steeply terraced slopes, the silvery silhouette of eucalyptus trees standing out against the brilliant green of the tea plantations.
A charm offensive. The people here are some of the warmest and most welcoming you could hope to meet. Incredible lodges with views to die for. A forward-thinking country – plastic bags are banned, public transport runs on bio-fuel and there’s a national day of cleaning every month – of which its people are rightly proud.
For those with more time Akagera Park, bordering Tanzania in the east, offers a big game viewing experience in which you get the wildlife to yourself, or head south to look for elusive chimps (as well as Rwanda’s best birding and chameleons) in the dark and exotic Nyungwe Forest. If you want to relax then head to Lake Kivu, where the only trekking to be done is back to your room from the beach when you realise you’ve forgotten your holiday read.
In Rwanda gorilla trekking takes place in the Volcanoes national park, where Dian Fossey famously carried out her research. There are only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild, half of these can be found in central Africa’s Virunga Mountains.
There are ten habituated gorilla families, (Sabinyo, Amahoro, Umubano, Susa, Kwitonda, Karisimbi, Agashya, Bwenge, Ugyenda andHirwa). Most groups are half-day walks but Susa can take all day. Tracking here is usually easier than at Bwindi as the afro-montane forest is lighter. There are eight permits available daily for each group and each permit costs $1,500 per permit, per person. Every group is different, some with large numbers in the group, others smaller and given the habitat and terrain, it is unlikely you will see the groups in their entirety all at once!
Tracking gorillas in Rwanda compared to Uganda:
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“David, my fellow gorilla trekker, has just summed up how you feel, the first time you see a mountain gorilla. High in the bamboo rainforests of northern Rwanda, six overexcited, muddy tourists are squeezed together, trying to stay calm and upright in a tiny forest clearing that has attracted an entire family of apes.”
What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is located at the base of the Virunga Mountains, just 20 minutes from where gorilla treks begin. Surrounded by eucalyptus forest, it is spread across fertile grounds, rich with volcanic soil.
Looking out towards the volcanic peaks of Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura, this stylish lodge is encircled by indigenous forests.
Completely refurbished, One&Only Nyungwe House is one of the most stylish and comfortable places to stay in Rwanda.
Bisate is located on the southern edge of Volcanoes National Park. It perches on a reforested hillside, surrounded by lush vegetation, perfectly located for gorilla trekking within the park.
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