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Golden Monkey Safari
This privately guided safari using a private 4WD vehicle is a grand tour of the gems of Rwanda: chimpanzee tracking, hiking to observe the majestic mountain gorillas of the Volcanoes National Park, plus a big-game safari in Akagera National Park, and visits to the bustling capital city of Kigali and glistening Lake Kivu.
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Depart London Heathrow on your scheduled overnight flight with British Airways to Nairobi, and connect on to Kigali Airport, near Rwanda's capital. |
On arrival at Kigali, you meet your private guide and 4WD and decide what you want to do. Visit bustling local markets, get an overview with a city tour, relax by the hotel's pool, or head to the Kigali Memorial Centre, a moving and highly informative monument to the country's genocide. You stay the night at … |
| Novotel Kigali Umubano (bed & breakfast) |
| In a botanical garden on top of one of the many hills in the city, the Novotel is about 5 km from the city centre, with its own pool and tennis court. Use your1 night here to explore the environs or to relax in its attractive surroundings. |
Stop in Butare, to look at the national museum, en-route to Nyungwe Forest National Park – probably the largest tract of montane forest in central Africa. This feels like a rainforest and is home to 13 different primate species. Forest walks are the attraction here; they last from one to seven hours, depending on your energy. Spend 3 nights at… |
| ORTPN Resthouse (full board & activities) |
| This very simple lodge is an ideal base for the park, and often frequented by inquisitive vervet monkeys. Opt for strenuous treks to see chimpanzees, or more relaxed guided walks in search of some tropical birdlife, from regal sunbirds to strange weavers, and a variety of primates (grey-cheeked mangabeys, colobus and l'Hoest's monkeys are all common). |
After breakfast, leave Nyungwe and drive northwest to the town of Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu where you spend 1 night. The lakeshores are covered by pine and eucalyptus trees, which lend an alpine air to the region. With panoramic vistas of the lake, your accommodation for the night is…. |
| Bethanie Guesthouse (bed & breakfast) |
| If time allows, take a boat trip out to nearby Napoleon's Island (so-called as it is shaped like his hat), which is host to a colony of fruit bats! |
Leave Kibuye, either via Kigali or along the scenic road to reach Volcanoes National Park. Made famous by Dian Fossey, this park is home to six active and three extinct volcanoes. Tracking through its forests can be challenging: the air is a little thin, due to the altitude, the tracks can be steep in parts, and the foliage is usually thick. Spend 4 nights at… |
| Mountain Gorillas Nest (full board & activities) |
| The lodge is close to the start of the gorilla treks and has en-suite rooms and hot showers. The facilities are fairly good and there is even a nine-hole golf course alongside the lovely garden! The restaurant is notable for its large, pre-trek breakfasts. |
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After breakfast, spend your first morning tracking the endangered golden monkeys. These beautiful primates live in bamboo thickets on lower mountain slopes, below the forest line. They can be elusive, but the search is good practice to acclimatise you to the altitude before you start on higher treks to find gorillas. |
| Mountain Gorillas Nest (full board & activities) |
| In the afternoon, you can choose to explore the area with your private guide and vehicle, perhaps visiting nearby lakes and villages; go for a walk on your own in the farmland around the hotel; or just relax and enjoy the scenery. |
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Another early start as you head to the park's headquarters for a briefing on the mountain gorillas. An experienced park ranger leads you up into the forest to view a troop of these playful primates, led by a huge male silverback. You have an unforgettable hour to observe them from close quarters – one of Africa's most amazing wildlife experiences. |
| Mountain Gorillas Nest (full board & activities) |
| Because of the close contact between gorillas and visitors (often as little as 7m), and the risk of passing on infections which are fatal for them, travellers who are ill will not be allowed on gorilla-tracking trips. Again, you decide with your guide what to do during the afternoon. |
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On your final day beside Volcanoes National Park, you can choose what you do. Nature walks last from 2 hours to a full day, and can include a visit to stunning crater lakes, Dian Fossey's tomb and the gorilla cemetery. Alternatively, (for a supplement - booked in advance) head out for another morning tracking gorillas or golden monkeys. |
| Mountain Gorillas Nest (full board & activities) |
Continue your safari, driving east to Akagera National Park which borders Tanzania and encompasses areas of low-lying grasslands, woodlands and swamps. It is named after the Akagera River, home to an enormous concentration of hippo and crocodiles. Due to its diverse landscapes, the bird-watching here is particularly good. Stay for 2 nights within the park at… |
| Akagera Game Lodge (full board & activities) |
| Base yourself here with panoramic views over Lake Ihema. It is possible to organise boat rides or arrange for a national park guide to accompany you in your private 4WD vehicle during game drives through this interesting national park. |
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After your last morning on safari, drive west through Rwanda's lovely hills and rural towns for roughly 2 hours to Kigali Airport. On arrival, your private guide leaves you to continue your journey home: flying to Nairobi in time to catch your British Airways flight back to London. |
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After a memorable safari you arrive at London Heathrow early in the morning in time to make any necessary onward connections home. |
| From |
To |
Cost |
| 1-Jan-2008 |
18-Jul-2008 |
£3,361 |
| 19-Jul-2008 |
18-Aug-2008 |
£3,660 |
| 19-Aug-2008 |
14-Dec-2008 |
£3,361 |
Notes:
• The prices shown are based on two people travelling together and sharing double or twin rooms.
• Because this is based on a private vehicle and guide, the costs for this trip would reduce if more than two people are travelling. Conversely, they would increase substantially if only one person is travelling alone.
• Ask us if you'd like to include an extra morning's gorilla-trekking (on Day 10); it's easily added when you book your trip.
• To upgrade from Gorilla's Nest to another lodge in the Volcanoes National Park, apply the following supplements:
To Virunga Lodge (all year) £284
To Sabinyo Silverback (Apr–May) £170
To Sabinyo Silverback (Jan-Mar; Jun-15 Jul; Nov-Dec) £310
To Sabinyo Silverback (16 Jul-Oct) £358
All supplements are per person sharing per night. |
This itinerary includes:• Economy flights, as above, plus UK airport departure taxes. • A private guide and 4WD vehicle for the duration of your safari. • Permits and park fees for one morning to track and walk in Nyungwe Forest; plus one morning to track gorillas and one morning to track golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. • A comprehensive pack of information covering the places that you'll be visiting. • Current park fees for Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park • A complementary copy of the Bradt Travel Guide to RwandaThis itinerary excludes:• Rwandan domestic departure taxes. • Drinks / laundry • Tips and gratuities, which are optional. • All drinks, including tea and coffee
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