Gorillas of Rwanda

Upon disembarking your flight at Kigali Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and assisted through immigration and custom formalities.  Once through, you’ll be escorted to the centrally located Kigali Serena Hotel.

After breakfast, your personal car, driver and guide will be waiting to show you the capital. At the Kigali Genocide Memorial, you’ll learn about the country’s turbulent history and the tragically violent events of 1994 that took the lives of more than 500,000 citizens – mainly ethnic Tutsis. Opened in 2004, the Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide and serves as a place of both remembrance and learning. Then experience firsthand the resilience of the Rwandan people as you explore the downtown district.

After lunch, depart the city, heading northwest through the beautifully terraced hills that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape. As we climb gradually toward the impressive Virunga Range, you’ll have breathtaking views of the volcano peaks rising high above the verdant countryside. Close to Volcanoes National Park, you’ll check in to your chosen hotel or lodge with time to refresh before dinner. Unwind in the tranquil ambience and picturesque setting of your spacious retreat.  Meals B+L+D
 

After an early breakfast, we’ll take you to the National Park Headquarters where you’ll register for today’s Gorilla Trek. An informative briefing with Park staff follows, during which you’ll learn the important Dos and Don’ts while in the presence of the Gorillas. Today there are about 10 Gorilla families that are habituated to human contact, and their movements along the forest mountain slopes will determine the duration of your trek (2 to 5 hours). Setting out in a small group of no more than 8 visitors, we’ve engaged a porter for each Alexander+Roberts guest to assist on you on the trek to catch-up with your designated Gorilla family. After locating your assigned group, you’ll have one amazing hour to watch quietly as these magnificent primates go about their daily routine (Park regulations limit Gorilla / Human contact to 60 minutes each day). Then retracing your steps down the volcano, you’ll be chauffeured back to your Lodge.  Return to your lodge for a well-deserved afternoon of rest and relaxation:  it’s the perfect way to reflect on a truly profound wildlife encounter.  Meals B+L+D

After breakfast and check out, your car and driver will take you back to Kigali. Enjoy the scenic journey as we take you to the airport for your departure flight.  Meals B