Overview
“Surely, we do not want to live in a world without the great apes, our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom?”
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Scheduled Itinerary
Tour Dates
Tour Price
Fitness: Demanding
Tour Leader
Highlights
Highlights
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Join 2 gorilla treks, and hear stories from your Tour Leader who worked with Dian at Karisoke
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Marvel at the Great Migration and Big Five from a hot air balloon in the Maasai Mara
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Go in search of chimpanzee families living in the forests of Nyungwe National Park
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Enjoy optional visits to the Karen Blixen Museum, The Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Specialist Tour Leader
Peter Veit
Peter is a conservationist and Director of the Land and Resource Rights initiative with the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington.
For more than 35 years, Peter has worked on environment and development issues, in 70+ countries. Early in his career, Peter studied animal behavior and wildlife conservation at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This work inspired him to study wildlife in Africa. In 1978, Peter met Dian Fossey whilst she was visiting family in the US, after which he was invited to study the behavior of mountain gorillas at the Karisoke Research Center in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Peter lived in the park and worked with the mountain gorillas for more than 2 years from 1979 to 1981, serving as the director of the Karisoke Center whilst Dian moved back to the US to teach at Cornell University in New York.
Peter has worked for WRI for more than 30 years, specialising in the links between natural resource management, human rights and democratic governance.
Itinerary
DAY 1:
Kigali
Meet your Travulous guide in Kigali, at either the airport or your hotel. Time permitting, consider an optional visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial which is a moving testimony to Rwanda’s past.
After a briefing by your guide, depart on a scenic drive through Rwanda's beautiful terraced hillsides to Musanze, the base for gorilla tracking. After checking in at your accommodation and lunch, spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying your accommodation’s facilities.
In the evening it’s time to join Travulous’ exclusive dinner event to learn more about conservation in Rwanda, from past to present. Listen to after-dinner talks by Peter Veit, who lived and worked with Dian Fossey at the original Karisoke Research Center, in addition to a presentation by a mountain gorilla conservation organisation.
Meals: Lunch and dinner included, breakfast at own arrangement.
Overnight: Virunga Lodge (or similar)
Kigali pre-tour accommodation options: Enquire for details
DAY 2:
Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, we transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by park staff, before meeting the rangers who will guide you to your assigned gorilla family. With 12 fully habituated gorilla families living in the Volcanoes National Park, only 96 gorilla permits are issued to tourists per day. Advance booking is essential.
Gorilla tracking does not present a serious physical challenge to a reasonably fit adult, regardless of age, although the altitude and terrain can sometimes be demanding. Gorilla tracking can take from 2 to 6 hours, with the guides stopping frequently for people to rest.
After the trek, return to your accommodation for lunch and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure, or take an optional tour of the new Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Virunga Lodge (or similar)
DAY 3:
Lake Kivu
After breakfast you can either enjoy a second gorilla trek, go in search of the golden monkeys, or hike to Dian Fossey's original Karisoke Research Camp, located between two volcanoes, Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Bisoke.
Today the cabins lie in ruins, but by listening to the stories of Peter Veit, you will gain a good understanding for what it must have been like for Dian all those years ago, when setting up camp to study and protect the endangered mountain gorillas.
After lunch, we depart for Lake Kivu. Part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the lake is surrounded by mountains and has deep emerald green waters. It is Rwanda’s largest lake and the sixth largest in Africa.
En route we stop for a tour of Imbabazi, the location of Rosamond Carr’s cultural center, and former flower plantation. Upon arrival at your accommodation, spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Lake Kivu Serena (or similar)
DAY 4:
Nyungwe National Park
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart mid morning for a relaxed drive towards Nyungwe National Park, the first site in Rwanda to be featured on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Known to be one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, the park is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful.
Nyungwe consists of Afromontane forests, bamboo-covered slopes, grasslands and wetlands, and feeds 2 of the world’s largest rivers, the Congo and the Nile. A spring on the slopes of Mt Bigugu is said to be the most remote source of the Nile, the world’s longest river.
With plenty of rainfall, Nyungwe is also the major catchment area in Rwanda, and supplies water to 70% of the country.
Spend the evening at leisure enjoying the accommodation’s facilities.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Nyungwe House (or similar)
DAY 5:
Nyungwe National Park
After an early morning breakfast, we embark on a hike in search of chimpanzees. There are a great selection of of optional hiking opportunities, with 15 further trails available.
As Nyungwe National Park is home to approximately 75 mammal species, be sure to keep a lookout for the cerval cat, mongoose, congo clawless otter and the elusive leopard.
You may also spot migratory birdlife including the ross’ turaco, grey-cheeked hornbill, red-breasted sparrow hawk and regal sunbird. With around 300 recorded species, of which a tenth are endemic to the Albertine Rift region, Nyungwe undoubtedly ranks as a birder’s paradise. Butterflies are also common, with at least 120 species.
After lunch, spend the remainder of the day at leisure enjoying your accommodation’s facilities.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Nyungwe House (or similar)
DAY 6:
Kigali
After breakfast, we embark on a guided walk along the 16 meter high and 70 meter long canopy walkway. Suspended above a ravine in the lush montane rainforest, the canopy walkway provides an exhilarating perspective of the ancient treetops and wildlife.
Alternatively, visit Nyungwe’s black and white colobus monkeys, who can be found in very large family groups, making the park one of the best places spot these playful monkeys in the wild.
After an early quick lunch, it’s time to head back to Kigali and freshen up before dinner with local historian, scholar and genocide survivor, Rose-Marie Mukarutabana, to learn more about the pre-colonial history, culture and customs of Rwanda, dating back to the 14th century.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Mille Collines (or similar)
DAY 7:
Maasai Mara
After an early breakfast, we depart for Kigali airport and fly via Nairobi to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s best-known wildlife sanctuary. On arrival, enjoy a late afternoon game drive enroute to your accommodation.
Located in the southwest of Kenya and covering an area of approximately 1,510 square km, the Maasai Mara is undoubtedly a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise, offering dazzling views across the rolling grasslands. Home to abundant wildlife, the national reserve is a kaleidoscope of colour and life, offering the best game and bird-viewing opportunities in the country. The Mara’s annual wildebeest migration, one of the natural wonders of the world, sees over 1.5 million animals arriving in July and departing in November.
Upon arrival, spend the remainder of the day at leisure enjoying your accommodation’s facilities. In the evening, it’s time to enjoy sundowners followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Little Governors' Camp (or similar)
DAY 8:
Maasai Mara
Today you can enjoy an optional once in a lifetime adventure, flying across the plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in a hot air balloon.
During the early hours of the morning, we depart for the launch-site. Your pilot takes you through the important safety briefing, after which you climb into the basket and prepare to lift into the dawn.
The flight lasts an hour, and each journey is unique as it’s dictated by the direction of the wind. After your basket returns to the plains of the Maasai Mara, you are served breakfast with a glass of bubbly in the middle of the Mara’s open rolling grasslands.
After the flight, enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive. Return to your accommodation for dinner and spend the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Little Governors' Camp (or similar)
DAY 9:
Maasai Mara
After breakfast, we depart on your final morning and afternoon game drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In the month of August, there is a good possibility of seeing spectacular river crossings with crocodiles catching wildebeest. On occasion, there have been herds of wildebeest crossing the Mara River right in front of Little Governors’ Camp. Wildebeest and zebra cover the plains, moving around following the pasture.
Keep an eye open for elephant with young calves. There have been wonderful sightings of elephant crossing the Mara River and they also frequently visit Little Governor's’ Camp, feeding on and knocking over the Teclea Nobilis trees.
After the game drives spend the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Little Governors' Camp (or similar)
DAY 10:
Nairobi
After breakfast, we fly to Nairobi, the capital and the largest city of Kenya. The name comes from the Maasai phrase ‘Enkare Nairobi’, which translates to ‘cool water’, a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city.
Upon arrival, we transfer to your accommodation for lunch. After the meal, you can choose to relax at your hotel or take part in any of the optional activities on offer, including a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum, Kazuri Beads, The Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, best known for its orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre.
Return to your accommodation and spend the evening at leisure enjoying your accommodation’s facilities.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Hemingways (or similar)
DAY 11:
Departure
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before departing for Nairobi International Airport and your onward travel arrangements.
For those with afternoon or evening departures, enjoy the day as you wish. Speak to our guide or hotel about the great selection of optional activities on offer.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement.
Nairobi post-tour accommodation options: Enquire for details
Extension tours: Enquire for details
Dates & Prices
TOUR DATES 2024:
Peter Veit as tour leader:
03 - 13 August
19 - 29 October
Enquire for itinerary extension tours, and pre and post tour accommodation and transfer options in Kigali
TOUR PRICE 2024:
$17,215 per person sharing*
Enquire for Single Room Supplement
*For Tour Operator and Agent pricing, please sign into our Agent Portal to access this information
TOUR DATES & PRICE 2025:
Enquire for details
PRICING NOTE:
East Africa offers a wide range of places to stay, from high-end deluxe accommodations, to less expensive quality properties. Please contact us if you would like to explore changing the accommodation options, to suit your budget.
INCLUDES:
Accommodation based on double occupancy | Meals as per itinerary | House beverages in national park properties | Daily vehicle transfers, as specified, on a shared basis | English speaking driver-guide(s) | Exclusive access to Specialist Tour Leader-Conservationist | Activities, as specified: Dinner and presentation with a leading gorilla conservation organisation; Tour of Imbabazi Center for Hope; Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walkway in Nyungwe National Park; Dinner with a local historian and genocide survivor | Scheduled wildlife activities in Maasai Mara | Flights as follows: Day 7 - Kigali to Nairobi International; Day 7 - Nairobi Wilson to Maasai Mara; Day 10 - Maasai Mara to Nairobi Wilson | Entrance / admission / conservation / camping fees, as specified | Transfer between Nairobi International Airport and Nairobi Wilson Airport, on a group basis | Departure transfers based on 2 people sharing | Emergency evacuation cover
EXCLUDES:
All flights: international, domestic or regional, unless otherwise specified | Airport or departure taxes | Personal travel and health insurance | Any visas or travel permits required | Single room supplements | Late check out at properties | All drinks, unless otherwise specified | Premium and import brands | Meals not mentioned in the itinerary | Private vehicle transfers | Tips, donations, and gratuities | Expenditure of a personal nature | Audio tour of Kigali Genocide Memorial $15pp | Activity permits at Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla permit $1500pp; Golden Monkeys $100pp; Hike to original Karisoke Research Camp and Dian Fossey grave $75pp; Visit to Ellen Degeneres Campus | Waterfall hike in Nyungwe National Park $50pp | Balloon Safari at Maasai Mara National Reserve, $407pp | Activities in Nairobi: Visit to Karen Blixen Museum; Kazuri Beads; AFEW Giraffe Centre; Sheldrick Wildlife Trust orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre | Porterage | Any other optional excursions and activities | Pre- and post-tour hotel bookings (enquire for details) | Itinerary extension tours (enquire for details) | Arrival transfers | Any Covid testing requirements required
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General Information
Climate
Rwanda has a year-round tropical highland climate. Temperatures vary by location and altitude, with little variation throughout the year. Rain is commonplace in Rwanda. The driest months are June to mid-September and the wettest from mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December.
The dry season sees cloud cover and light rainfall. Roads and paths tend to be easier to navigate during this period.
Language & Currency
The official languages of Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili. Nearly all Rwandans speak Kinyarwanda. French, English and Swahili are widely spoken and understood.
The local currency is the Rwandan franc, which divides into 100 centimes. US dollars are widely accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Very few places accept credit cards outside of the major hotels in Kigali.
Access to cash machines is available in most major towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
Visas
All foreign nationals require a visa for entry to Rwanda. Tourist visas can be obtained, on arrival, for travellers from the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations and Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie at all ports of entry.
For travellers of other nationalities, the Rwandan government has introduced an online e-visa application system for obtaining tourist visas in advance of travel. Travellers needing visas before arrival should carry a printed copy to present to immigration officials.
For any questions on Rwanda, contact our travel team, who will happily assist you with any information you may require.
Climate
Kenya is generally warm all year round, with temperature fluctuations mainly determined by altitude. One of the most popular times to visit Kenya is from July to September, which coincides with the Great Migration. A good time to see baby animals and migratory bird species is typically from December to February.
The approximate seasons are January to March, short dry season; April to June, long wet season; July to October, long dry season and November to December, short wet season. During rainy seasons there are fewer tourists, and the landscape is strikingly green and lush.
Language & Currency
Kiswahili and English are the official languages of Kenya. Kiswahili is spoken by most Kenyans, with English fluency varying outside of major towns and cities. There are over 65 languages spoken throughout Kenya, which mainly belong to the various Bantu and Nilotic tribal populations.
The local currency is the Kenyan shilling, which divides into 100 cents. US dollars are often accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Hotels in tourist areas generally accept credit cards; however, surcharges are commonplace. Remote lodges often accept cash only. When making payments in US dollars, many businesses only accept notes that are dated 2013, or newer. Access to cash machines is available in most major towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
Visas
Most foreign nationals will require a visa for entry to Kenya. Please check with your local Kenyan Embassy or our travel team for further information. Tourist visas can no longer be obtained, on arrival, at any port of entry.
The Kenyan government has introduced an online ‘e-visa’ application system for issuing all visa types in advance of travel. Travellers should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
For any questions on Kenya, contact our travel team, who will happily assist you with any information you may require.