Rwanda is famous for its gorilla trekking opportunities in the Virunga Mountains. This is where Dian Fossey researched and habituated mountain gorillas in the 1960s. Although gorilla trekking safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the country has a lot more to offer.
In fact, if gorilla trekking is beyond your budget, Rwanda is still worth visiting as an up-and-coming destination offering primate walks, volcano hikes and bird watching in Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park, plus boat trips on Lake Kivu in the Rift Valley and classic safaris in search of the Big Five in low-key Akagera National Park.
A luxury gorilla safari in Rwanda offers superb experience in Volcanoes National Park. This gorilla safari will involve sleeping in high end lodges as well as taking domestic flights to the national parks. The once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience is the main reason for visiting Rwanda, but the friendly locals, interesting villages, good hiking, and stunning scenery make it a uniquely diverse experience. Upon arrival at Kigali international airport, you will be welcomed by our tour guide who will take you through your safari and transfer you to Kigali Serena hotel for dinner and overnight.
You will be transferred for your helicopter flight which will land you on Bisate pad. This is automatically your booked lodge from where you trek gorillas from. Bisate Lodge in Volcanoes National Park was a pioneer in bringing the luxury safari lodge in Rwanda.
The area has dramatic views of the peaks of the volcanoes Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno rearing up through the Afro-alpine forests of nearby Volcanoes National Park. The six sumptuous en-suite rooms maximize comfort, warmth and views while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of surrounding rural Rwanda.
Bisate is within easy driving distance of park Headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily. Its vision of reforestation and rehabilitation means that each guest is invited to participate in the biodiversity conservation efforts, as well as engage and meet the local community – in addition to learning about and making a far-reaching positive impact on an iconic critically endangered species, the mountain gorilla.
You will check in Bisate ready for lunch and relax there for that time, dinner and overnight. Early morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for briefing. You will check in with your $1500 gorilla permit as well as other documents required for the trek.
Gorilla trekking may take 2 to 7 hours depending on the availability of the gorillas due to their movements in their natural environment. Enjoy an hour with the endangered gorillas, learn their human like characters, take pictures and enjoy this memorable encounter.
You will spend an hour with the gorilla family, learn about their behaviors, take pictures and enjoy this memorable experience. After the trekking, if time allows, enjoy lunch at Ruhengeri and an excursion to explore the beautiful lakes in the region (Lake Burera & Ruhondo). Overnight at Bisate.
Seeing mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and most people walk away in awe of these magnificent gentle giants living their life in this stunning rain forest setting. Spending an hour with them is an absolute privilege.
From mountain gorillas, you have the opportunity to see golden monkeys in the same park. This will still be held after an early morning breakfast. Go for briefing at the park headquarters where you will be taught the do and don’ts while on the trek. Golden monkeys are exceptional creatures which every traveler should not miss out on his/her Rwanda safari. Its only in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks that travelers can see golden monkeys in their natural habitats.
Wind up your visit to volcanoes with a cultural tour. Rwanda is blessed with a rich culture and visitors can engage and participate in some of these cultural activities by paying a visit to the communities around the park. You get to learn the culture, foods, music and drama of the Rwandese people.
You can visit Gorilla Guardians Village/IbyI’wacu cultural village and learn how to prepare local meals, how traditional marriage in Rwanda and local beer, learn the traditional medicine and end with the cultural entertainment.
You will really finally add on refresher days at lake Kivu where you will spend days relaxing memorizing on the gorilla encounters you had before. Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s Great Lakes and a wonderful destination to go and relax after a gorilla trekking safari. You can enjoy superb conditions for canoeing and boating on the lake, while taking in the mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountains.
Unlike other lakes with animals, there is no danger from hippos, crocodiles or even Bilharzia – you can lounge on sandy beaches and take a dip in the lake and enjoy a refreshing swim in Lake Kivu. For most it is simply a place to relax and chill out, while other take nature walks, go birding in a boat or on land, explore some of the islands, the nearby hot springs and more.
There is a variety of hotels to enjoy from budget to exclusive up-market lodges and hotels. The choice is yours according to what your pocketbook will allow you to spend.
The drives along Lake Kivu are longish, on unmade roads, but they offer the opportunity to see rural life as it has been for centuries, virtually unchanged.
It is a very scenic route and you see people at work, cultivating bananas, cassava, sorghum, beans, rice, potatoes, and even coffee in their steep and tiny fields.
For this luxury safari, reside Serena Kivu as you relax and enjoy its environment. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and an on-site bar. Free Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and each room comes equipped with a satellite TV, a kettle and private bathroom. Certain units include a seating area to relax in after a busy day.
Guests can enjoy a meal at the hotel’s restaurant and enjoy a drink at the bar. There is a 24-hour front desk and airport transfers can be arranged upon request at a charge.
The Serena hotels are typically quite large and this property is no different, offering 60 rooms and 6 suites. The rooms are simply furnished and have a variety of facilities to make a truly comfortable stay, such as 24-hour room service, satellite TV, a private safe, hairdryers, Wi-Fi and a telephone.
The hotel, as other Serena’s, has lots of facilities to use including a swimming pool, a health centre and gym, a restaurant and indoor and beach side bars. On the lake, guests can do fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing and jet skiing. On the shores, as well as relaxing in the grounds of the hotel, they can do cycling, walking and trekking.
