We will be offereing this safari monthly during 2012, 

An 8 day safari which starts and finishes in Kigali. This safari can also be done on a private basis.
Seeing some of the last remaining 700 mountain gorillas in the world is a fantastic experience and this safari takes you to three gorilla parks - PNV in Rwanda and Mgahinga and Bwindi in Uganda. It offers an opportunity to track gorillas four times, twice in PNV, once in Mgahinga/Nkuringo and once in Bwindi. PNV in Rwanda has five habituated gorilla families and tracking most groups in the afro-montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey's grave or visit the endangered golden monkey.

Mgahinga, in Uganda, is a great place to appreciate the unique Virunga volcanoes and it has one habituated family. Sometimes this group moves across the border and you can track gorillas at Nkuringo in Southern Bwindi instead. You can also climb a volcano or go for a nature walk, visit the endangered golden monkey or go birding. Bwindi in Uganda has four habituated families and the gorillas there live in thicker tropical forest and tracking is more challenging as the hillsides are steeper. You can also go for nature walks to see birds, monkeys and orchids.

Day 1 Tuesday Met on arrival at airport and transfer to Kigali. Briefing on your safari. After lunch, depart for PNV at 2pm. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda's landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).

Day 2 WEDNESDAY Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families, however, are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).

Day 3 THURSDAY  Either go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ros Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian Fossey's grave, or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).

Day 4 FRIDAY In the morning either relax or walk near the Lodge, visit the golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. After lunch transfer to Uganda [Clocks go forward one hour]. Time permitting go for a walk near Mount Gahinga. O/N: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge (FB).

Day 5 SATURDAY Either go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb a volcano, or go for a nature walk, or visit the golden monkeys in Mgahinga. O/N: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge (FB).

Day 6 SUNDAY Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes and lakes. Time permitting go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively go for a short stroll around the Lodge. O/N: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (FB).

Day 7 MONDAY Either go gorilla tracking (on payment of supplement at the time of booking), walking up steep densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. An inspiring moment! Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day. Alternatively go for a leisurely nature or community walk. O/N: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (FB).

Day 8 TUESDAY Leave for Kigali in Rwanda via Kabale and Katuna, [Clocks go back one hour]. Time permitting, go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops and the genocide memorial. Transfer to the airport (HB).

NOTES:

This safari can be arranged as a private departure, the cost will increase depending on the size of your party, please call for a quote.

Safari Highlights:
GORILLA TRACKING in PNV, Bwindi and Nkuringo (four opportunities).
DIAN FOSSEY’S grave in PNV/Ros Carr’s orphanage
GOLDEN MONKEYS in Mgahinga/PNV
CLIMB the Muhavura or Gahinga Volcanoes/nature walk.
NATUREWALK in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

For 2011 we are expecting an increase on the cost of safaris between 10% – 15 %,  gorilla permits and other park activity prices are also expected to rise, we are waiting for the local Wildlife Authorities to publish their new price list before being able to communicate those rates.