Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Overview

by Cindi LaRaia

The Rwandans are truly amazing people for their willingness to forgive and forget. The scenery in the shadow of the volcanoes was extraordinary as we started our Gorilla trek! The women have started a successful co-operative since the Genocide in 1994, they are strong resilient and the children run and play as your vehicle bounces by. Some faces show the pain, they are a sad recovering people, us being there helps them in so many ways! This is the best option after a safari in Kenya and Tanzania for the fastest way to see the Gorillas, you can spend 2 nts here and have 1 gorilla trek.

A tiny, landlocked republic in Equatorial Africa, Rwanda lies south of Uganda west of Tanzania and the watershed between Africa's two largest river systems: the Nile and the Congo. Often called the "land of a thousand hills", Rwanda is a mountainous country with a moist, temperate year-round climate.

Rwanda has a number of unique delights to offer travellers. Parc National des Volcans in the Virunga volcanoes is home to the Mountain Gorillas to which Dian Fossey dedicated her life. Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest montane forests in Central Africa, is renowned for its large troops of colobus monkeys and rich variety of orchids. Akagera National Park is a savannah park with elephants, hippo and crocodile. Lake Kivu is a beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep terraced hillsides. There are a large variety of birds. Rwanda has a rich culture with its second city, Butare, having one of the finest cultural museums in Africa.

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa. French, English and Kinyarwanda are the most widely spoken languages and the population of about 10 million people is largely Christian with some Muslim and Animist communities.

-- Cindi LaRaia

Featured Destinations

Off the beaten track and for the True Adventure Enthusiast: Rwanda, a country of exotic beauty and fascinating bio-diversity, with verdant jungles and misty mountains. It is situated in the heart of Africa ~ between the eco-systems of the Congo Basin and the Great Rift Valley of eastern Africa, with large mountains, volcanoes, rivers and forests. Best known for its primates, particularly the Mountain Gorilla, Rwanda has much more to offer. Spectacular flora & fauna with over 100 rare orchids, 300 species of birds, 13 species of primates and the most breathtaking scenery on earth! The main European language is French, but English is widely spoken, particularly at hotels and lodges. Rwanda's cultural diversity, museums and intellectual pulse will have you wanting to come back for more!

We've BEEN there, so we know and have the means to customize your once - in - a - lifetime expedition!

In the majestic hills of southeast Rwanda is Nyungwe National Park, the largest montane forest in east or central Africa. A unique center of avian delight and floral diversity with a myriad of birds, trees, flowering plants & colorful orchids, Nyungwe is best known for it's primates ~ 13 species in all. An extensive network of well maintained walking trails through the forest give way to rushing waterfalls and swinging chimpanzees.

Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcano National Park is a dramatic setting of lush, verdant mountain forest and home to six Virunga Volcanoes as well as the world famous mountain gorilla. Arguable the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience in the world is gorilla tracking. The exhilarating climb through the rainforest immerses you in the intimacy of the gorilla's natural habitat of shady bamboo forest. Alive with the calls of colorful birds and chattering monkeys, you will be rendered completely speechless upon the impact of encountering a fully-grown silverback mountain gorilla. Up to three times the size of the average man, the silverback is remarkably peaceful and tolerant of human visitors.

On the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park is dominated by the scenic labyrinth of swamps and lakes meandering through acacia woodlands and interspersed with grassy savannah landscapes. Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge to drink from the lakes, while giraffe and zebra haunt the open plains, impala, tsessebe, eland, bushbuck, oribi all graze in secrecy ever aware of the prowling leopard, lion or hyena. Pods of hippo grunt and sputter while the crocodile lie in wait or soak up the sun with jaws agape. Lining the shores are some of the most dense concentrations of water birds. Rwanda is a world-class safari destination.

Safari Packages

Rwanda & Uganda
	4 Day Gorilla Tracking, Rwanda Destinations: Parc National des Volcans Duration: 4 days Accommodation: Safari lodge   (scheduled departures are available)
	8 Day Gorilla Safari - Rwanda & Uganda 12 Day Classic Gorilla Safari - Rwanda & Uganda Destinations: Parc National des Volcans, Bwindi Duration: 8 or 12 days Accommodation: Safari lodge   (scheduled departures are available)
	Uganda - 9 night / 10 day itinerary Experience: Chimps, Gorillas, safari & Batwa Pygmy tribal people Destinations: Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Duration: 10 days Accommodation: Mid-range priced accommodation
	4 Day Gorilla in Bwindi - Uganda Destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, famous for gorilla trekking and now a World Heritage Site Duration: 4 days Accommodation: Safari lodge   (scheduled departures are available) 6-Day Uganda Safari Experience: Gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing Destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, famous for gorilla trekking and now a World Heritage Site Duration: 6 days Accommodation: Safari lodge   8-Day Uganda Safari Experience: Gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, game drives Destinations: Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo National Park Duration: 8 days Accommodation: Safari lodge   10-Day Uganda Safari Experience: Gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, game drives Destinations: Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo National Park Duration: 10 days Accommodation: Safari lodge   13-Day Uganda Safari Experience: Gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, game drives Destinations: Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo National Park Duration: 13 days Accommodation: Safari lodge   Mid-Range Uganda Safari Experience: Gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, game drives, optional Batwa Cultural Experience Destinations: Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo National Park Duration: 10 days Accommodation: Safari lodge   Scheduled Charter Uganda Safari Experience: Gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, game drives Destinations: Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo National Park Duration: 10 days Accommodation: Safari lodge

*** Custom Tailor Made Safaris are our specialty, if you do not see a Safari that makes you happy, let us know and we can design the perfect fit for you!***