eSsands Safaris
Rise For African Adventure
Rwanda Gorilla Safaris!

Searching for the gorillas is an unforgettable experience, and this is one tour that will provide you lasting memories of these indomitable creatures.

This is a six-day safari from Entebbe, visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) or Rwanda. On this itinerary, time permits for either one or two treks will be issued. If trekking only once, the other day will be used for a forest walk or cultural/village visit. Searching for the gorillas is an unforgettable experience, and the beauty of the jungle and mountain scenery are amazing. Included is an excursion to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria where orphaned chimpanzees have been relocated. Viewing of these chimpanzees is excellent, offering good photographic opportunities. By visiting Ngamba Island, you are directly assisting the funding of this worthy project.

ESSRS 01 - 4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safaris
Day 1 : Arrival and transfer to Kinigi (Volcanoes NP)
 Meet and greet at the Kigali International Airport by your driver-guide. After your arrival with the morning flight, your driver-guide will propose you a visit of Kigali city which includes the Genocide Memorial centre at Gisozi.
Transfer to Kinigi at the foothills of the Volcanoes. Diner (D) is included in the package. Hotel accommodation at your choice: Kinigi Guest House or Mountain Gorilla Nest.
Flights: There are daily flights to Kigali out of Nairobi with Kenya Airways and Rwandair Express. Participants will arrive in the morning with the first flight to Kigali.
Accommodation : Kinigi Guest House (*), Mountain Gorilla Nest (***)
Parks & places : Genocide Memorial Centre - Gisozi & others

Day 2 : Gorilla Tracking
After breakfast, you will depart for the Headquarters of the Park where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the greatest animal experience ever!
We will drive you to the slopes of one of the Virunga volcanoes for your trekking. After the trekking, if time allows lunch at Ruhengeri and an excursion to explore the beautiful lakes in the region (Lake Bulera & Ruhondo). Overnight at Kinigi. Your guide will make the necessary arrangements for the next day. (B-L-D)
Accommodation : Kinigi Guest House (*), Mountain Gorilla Nest (***)
Activities : Gorilla Trekking
Parks & places : Volcanoes National Park

Day 3 : Gorilla Tracking or another activity - transfert to Kigali
After breakfast, you will report to the headquarters for your second trek to a different gorilla group. Alternatively you can have different activity: Visit of the golden monkeys, Hiking to the top of the Bisoke (3.711m) where a crater lake can be seen or a visit to the former Karisoke Research Centre on the slopes of the Bisoke Volcano where Dian Fossey is buried near Digit, her favourite gorilla. After the trekking, lunch and departure to Kigali. On your way to Kigali several stops will be made to admire the scenery. Rwanda is the country of the thousand hills! Overnight in Kigali at your hotel. (B-L-D)
Accommodation : Hotel Chez Lando (**), Milles Collines (****)
Activities : Gorilla Trekking
Parks & places : Volcanoes National Park

Day 4 : Kigali Visit and Departure
Pick up at your hotel, depending on you departure time and if you missed the opportunity the first day, you will have Kigali city trip including the visit of the Genocide Memorial centre at Gizozi. Transfer to the Airport for your departure. (B)
Genocide Memorials: In Rwanda you will find all over the country Memorials to remember the genocide of 1994. The most important Genocide Memorials are those of Kigali (Gisozi) and Murambi (Gikongoro) where the history of the genocide is explained. A visit to the genocide memorial is for most visitors an emotional event.
Flights to Arusha: This scheduled safari will allow you to take the flight to Kilimanjaro with Rwandaisexpress at 11h00.
Parks & places : Genocide Memorial Centre - Gisozi & others

Gorillas twice and Golden Monkeys

Trek twice the gorillas and visit the golden monkeys! The little-known golden monkey (cercopithecus mitis kandt) is listed as "endangered". The newly habituated troops of more than 40 individuals are found in the Virunga Conservation Area and they are the only ones in Africa!
Min. 2 participants. For gorillas the min. age is 15 years.
You can choose from 2 hotel categories. see the hotels proposed in the day by day program, itinerary)
Only the Park Authorities will assign you a gorilla group. Communicate your wishes to our driver-guide he will make some arrangements for you! The Sussa group leaves at the Karisimbi volcano and is more challenging with much longer hiking times!
Flash photography is not permitted when tracking the gorillas.
What is included?
Tour Includes: Airport transfers, accommodation, all meals, plenty of mineral water, the services of a driver-guide, all park and entry fees, all activities as per programme: visit of Kigali including the Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi, 1 gorilla trekking and the visit of the golden monkeys. Excludes: Airline ticket, beverages, tips, visas and personal expenses.

What to bring with you?
Money for your personal expenses (average of $ 50), outfit with adapted colours for wildlife observation, good walking shoes, raingear, a few long-sleeve shirts, slippers, sweater for cool evenings, sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sun cream, video/photo camera, a 200 mm or longer lens is very useful, reserve batteries, films and a torch.

WARNING: Gorilla permits are in high demand and need to be booked and paid in advance! Book your gorilla safari accordingly and avoid disappointment!

ESSRS 02 - 4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
 Day 1 : Arrival and transfer to Kinigi (Volcanoes NP)
Meet and greet at the Kigali International Airport by your driver-guide. After your arrival with the morning flight, your driver-guide will propose you a visit of Kigali city which includes the Genocide Memorial centre at Gisozi.
Transfer to Kinigi at the foothills of the Volcanoes. Diner (D) is included in the package. Hotel accommodation at your choice: Kinigi Guest House or Mountain Gorilla Nest.
Flights: There are daily flights to Kigali out of Nairobi with Kenya Airways and Rwandair Express. Participants will arrive in the morning with the first flight to Kigali.
Accommodation : Kinigi Guest House (*), Mountain Gorilla Nest (***)
Parks & places : Genocide Memorial Centre - Gisozi & others

Day 2 : Gorilla Tracking
After breakfast, you will depart for the Headquarters of the Park where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the greatest animal experience ever!
We will drive you to the slopes of one of the Virunga volcanoes for your trekking. After the trekking, if time allows lunch at Ruhengeri and an excursion to explore the beautiful lakes in the region (Lake Bulera & Ruhondo). Overnight at Kinigi. Your guide will make the necessary arrangements for the next day. (B-L-D)
Accommodation : Kinigi Guest House (*), Mountain Gorilla Nest (***)
Activities : Gorilla Trekking
Parks & places : Volcanoes National Park

Day 3 : Gorilla Tracking or another activity - transfert to Kigali
After breakfast, you will report to the headquarters for your second trek to a different gorilla group. Alternatively you can have different activity: Visit of the golden monkeys, Hiking to the top of the Bisoke (3.711m) where a crater lake can be seen or a visit to the former Karisoke Research Centre on the slopes of the Bisoke Volcano where Dian Fossey is buried near Digit, her favourite gorilla. After the trekking, lunch and departure to Kigali. On your way to Kigali several stops will be made to admire the scenery. Rwanda is the country of the thousand hills! Overnight in Kigali at your hotel. (B-L-D)
Accommodation : Hotel Chez Lando (**), Milles Collines (****)
Activities : Gorilla Trekking
Parks & places : Volcanoes National Park

Day 4 : Kigali Visit and Departure
Pick up at your hotel, depending on you departure time and if you missed the opportunity the first day, you will have Kigali city trip including the visit of the Genocide Memorial centre at Gizozi. Transfer to the Airport for your departure. (B)
Genocide Memorials: In Rwanda you will find all over the country Memorials to remember the genocide of 1994. The most important Genocide Memorials are those of Kigali (Gisozi) and Murambi (Gikongoro) where the history of the genocide is explained. A visit to the genocide memorial is for most visitors an emotional event.
Flights to Arusha: This scheduled safari will allow you to take the flight to Kilimanjaro with Rwandaisexpress at 11h00.
Parks & places : Genocide Memorial Centre - Gisozi & others

ESSRS 03 - 5 Days Gorilla Trekking, Guided Nature Walks & Hikes.

Day 1 : Arrival and transfer to Kinigi (Volcanoes NP)
Meet and greet at the Kigali International Airport by your driver-guide. Depending on your arrival time, your driver-guide may propose you a visit of Kigali city which includes the Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi.
Transfer to Kinigi at the foothills of the Volcanoes. Diner (D) is included in the package. Hotel accommodation at your choice.
Flights: There are daily flights to Kigali out of Nairobi with Kenya Airways and Rwandair Express. This makes it easy to combine your short gorilla safari with another East-African safari.
Accommodation : Kinigi Guest House (*), Mountain Gorilla Nest (***), Virunga Lodge (****)
Parks & places : Volcanoes National Park

Day 2 : Gorilla Tracking
After breakfast, you will depart for the Headquarters of the Park where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the greatest animal experience ever!
We will drive you to the slopes of one of the Virunga volcanoes for your trekking. After the trekking, if time allows lunch at Ruhengeri and an excursion to explore the beautiful lakes in the region (Lake Bulera & Ruhondo). Overnight at Kinigi. Your guide will make the necessary arrangements for the next day. (B-L-D)
Accommodation : Kinigi Guest House (*), Mountain Gorilla Nest (***), Virunga Lodge (****)
Activities : Gorilla Trekking
Parks & places : Volcanoes National Park

Day 3 : Second Gorilla trekking
After breakfast, you will report to the headquarters for your second trek to a different gorilla group. If you love to hike and enjoy a great sense of achievement, we advise you to take one of the groups with a longer hiking distance. (B-L-D)
The Susa group with more than 30 members is the most challenging gorilla group to be visited in Rwanda. The gorilla group is located at the Karisimbi volcano about one hour drive from the park headquarters. The trekking usually last for the whole day. Good physical condition is recommended!
Accommodation : Kinigi Guest House (*), Mountain Gorilla Nest (***), Virunga Lodge (****)
Activities : Gorilla Trekking
Parks & places : Volcanoes National Park

Day 4 : Visit of the Golden Monkeys - transfer to Kigali
After breakfast, a 3rd report to the headquarters for a visit to the golden monkeys. A visit to the golden monkeys (cercopithecus mitis kandti) is very different experience from gorilla-viewing, the monkeys react and interact differntly; they will keep on playing hide-and-seek much to the delight of the visitors. On your way to Kigali several stops will be made to admire the scenery. Rwanda is the country of the thousand hills! Overnight in Kigali at your hotel. (B-L-D)
The golden monkeys live only in the Virunga Conseravtion Area. They have been well habituated and there are 2 troups.The Kabatwa troop is located not so far from the Park headquarters and the Musanga troop lives near the Karisimbi and has a much longer walking distance.Another experience with excellent photo opportunities!
Accommodation : Hotel Chez Lando (**), Intercontinental (*****), Milles Collines (****)
Activities : Guided Nature Walks & Hikes.
Parks & places : Volcanoes National Park

Day 5 : Kigali Visit and Departure
Pick up at your hotel, depending on your departure time and if you missed the opportunity on the first day, you will have Kigali city trip including the visit of the Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi. Transfer to the Airport for your departure. (B)
Genocide Memorials: In Rwanda you will find all over the country Memorials to remember the genocide of 1994. The most important Genocide Memorials are those of Kigali (Gisozi) and Murambi (Gikongoro) where the history of the genocide is explained. A visit to the genocide memorial is for most visitors an emotional event.