Starts | Aug 1st 2024 |
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Ends | Aug 8th 2024 |
Leader | Steve Gettle & Nicole Sudduth |
Price | $10,995 |
Deposit | $1,000 |
Participants | 6 (Registration Just Opened!) |
“Gorilla Trek” – Few words conjure up thoughts of a unique adventure in a far way land like those two words. Each year, a privileged few get to enter the Impenetrable forest of Uganda and Rwanda and spend time with these gentle giants. In fact, it is a privilege experienced by only 1 in 1.6 million people. Having lead this trip a couple of times, we are pleased to present what we feel is the ultimate gorilla experience including 2 gorilla treks in Rwanda, 2 Gorilla treks in Uganda and a Golden Monkey trek. This trip is limited to just 6 clients.
We know this is a once in a lifetime trip for most people and we’re doing it right!
You will fly in and out of Kigali, Rwanda. Since we will be in both Uganda and Rwanda you will need to get an East Africa Travel Visa prior to our trip.
Throughout the trip, we will be staying at wonderful boutique lodges set into the forest habitats or atop mountain sides with gorgeous views. We hand-picked each of these lodges for their excellent service, comfort and uniqueness, which add to the experience so much more than staying at a huge chain hotel. You will experience luxury and comfort combined with personal attention and delicious food which, when going so far away from home, makes travel smoother and more enjoyable.
In addition to this, you will travel in style in comfortable vans and guided by our true “Silver Back” guides whose knowledge of the places and their personal connections in each location make for an even more rich experience. They know the locations and the people and the knowledge they share provides a wonderful rounding out of the experience.
During our trip, we will have two types of treks:
Gorilla treks will be limited to just our group. Park rules only allow 1 group of 8 people to visit each Gorilla family each day. We will have trackers that go out and locate the Gorillas very early in the morning well before dawn. We will then arrive at Park headquarters where we meet our trek guide. Our guide will lead us through the jungle and be in constant communication with the trackers until we find the Gorilla family.
Golden Monkey trek may be combined with a few other visitors coming to the park. Total group size is still small but not as restricted as with the Mountain Gorillas.
All treks will consist of trackers who locate our subjects, a guide who leads us through the jungle and interprets for us as well as armed rangers to keep us safe from elephants and other wildlife. Most treks will also have the option of porters to carry your gear for you.
Physical fitness – A trek to see the Mountain Gorillas can be easy or tough depending on where the Gorillas are. Additionally, we may be at an elevation of 4,000-8,000ft while we do these treks. It could be an easy 1-2 hour hike or a hard 6-8 hour trek through dense vegetation and steep slopes while we search. A trek of 1-3 hours seems to be the average, but it is up hill so it’s ok to take it slow (but not too slow :)!). As a benchmark, we require that you are able to walk 1 mile in 20 minutes. Maintain or build up your physical fitness before embarking on this trip as the slowest walker sets the pace for the group. Walking sticks may be available at park headquarters and you can hire a porter to help carry your backpack/gear for $15 for the day.
Once a trek begins, the group will continue on to the gorillas. Anyone unable to complete a trek will be left behind with his or her porter until our return from the trek. The show will go on even if you cannot, so please don’t expect the group to be compromised if your fitness level precludes your completing a trek. We promise we will come back for you!
Wednesday, July 31, 2024:
Departure from home
Thursday, August 1:
Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda. Private transfer to our hotel for an overnight.
Friday, August 2:
In the morning after breakfast, we will transfer to Volcanoes NP in Rwanda with spectacular views of the Virunga Mountain ranges. After settling in, enjoy some fun bird photography around the lodge at your leisure.
Saturday, August 3:
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda and cultural walk
We will be up early as we report to the park headquarters for briefing by the senior park ranger guide. We will then set out for our first Gorilla trek to track these gentle giants. We will likely walk through thick vegetation and possibly traverse slippery slopes but it will be worth it! After an hour with the gorillas, we will return to the hotel for relaxation and in the afternoon have the option to take a community walk to Ibyu’wachu cultural village.
Sunday, August 4:
Today we will have our second Gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanos National Park.
Monday, August 5:
Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda and transfer to Bwindi National Park
In the morning, we will gather at the park headquarters for briefing before going on our golden monkey trek. We will enjoy them as they play in the forest and search for food. Following our trek, we will transfer to Uganda’s Bwindi National Park, arriving at our wonderful lodge by evening.
Tuesday, August 6:
Today, we will be up early to go to the park headquarters for our briefing. From there we will enjoy our 3rd Gorilla trek – this time in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable forest where you very well may walk along trails made by forest elephants! In the afternoon, we will transfer to our final lodge in a different part of the Impenetrable Forest.
Wednesday, August74:
This morning, we will enjoy our fourth Gorilla trek as we spend time with yet another family of gentle forest giants. In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit the Batwa community.
Thursday, August 8:
After breakfast we will return to Kigali, Rwanda for departure flights. We will check in at the airport for flights home (or, in the case of those going on our Kenya tour, flights to Nairobi).
Deposit of $1,000 with registration
Payment #2 of $5,000 due February 1, 2024
Final Payment of $4,995 due May 1, 2024
* Pricing based on double occupancy
*** Single supplement (if available) add $800
Included
– All lodging while in Rwanda and Uganda
– All meals while at the lodges
– All ground transportation
– 3 Gorilla trek permits
– 1 Golden Monkey trek permit
– All park entrance fees
– Air travel to and from Kigali, Rwanda
– Gratuities
– Travel Insurance
– Any alcoholic beverages