Gorillas in Africa's Midst
Group Tour
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Overview
Central Africa has long held a fascination for the intrepid and the curious. Here, amongst the impenetrable landscapes of Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’, history and mountains lie shrouded in the mists of time. These jungles echo to the calls of great apes and karyenda drummers in a land forged by the violent upheavals of colonial war, civil strife and volcanic explosion.
This remarkable trip takes us across some of the most beautiful and emotive landscapes on the African ...
Central Africa has long held a fascination for the intrepid and the curious. Here, amongst the impenetrable landscapes of Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’, history and mountains lie shrouded in the mists of time. These jungles echo to the calls of great apes and karyenda drummers in a land forged by the violent upheavals of colonial war, civil strife and volcanic explosion.
This remarkable trip takes us across some of the most beautiful and emotive landscapes on the African continent, travelling through Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern Congo as we go in search of the largest gorillas on earth, bubbling lava lakes and a people whose lives and traditions have withstood imperialism and some of the bloodiest conflicts of the last century.
Beginning in Kigali, we travel south into Burundi before heading west into the Virunga Mountains and on to the expansive waters of Lake Kivu. Along the way we’ll have a chance to visit the lowland gorillas of DR Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park, climb to the summit of one of the most active volcanoes in the world and meet a cast of fascinating and inspiring characters who will provide a truly unique insight into this incredible part of the continent.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we’ll use minibuses, dugout canoes, motorboats and 4WD vehicles.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip.
On this trip we will be in a mixture of some characterful hotels as well one or two more basic ones. We’ll also spend one night in some very remote huts in a spectacular setting! Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Book With Confidence
We understand that flexibility is now a key factor when booking a holiday, and we believe our Covid Promise and Covid Viable Test provide that.
We believe these terms and conditions for making a booking are amongst the most generous in the travel industry right now, and we hope they will give you the confidence, when you feel ready, to go ahead and book your next adventure.
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
DAY 1: TOUR STARTS IN KIGALI (RWANDA)
DAY 1: TOUR STARTS IN KIGALI (RWANDA)
The tour starts this morning in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. Located in the geographical centre of the country, this lively city began life as a German colonial outpost at the turn of the last century. Today it is the country’s political, economic and cultural centre, and sprawls across the hills and valleys that lie at the foot of Mount Kigali. After freshening up at our hotel we’ll head out to visit the multi-cultural neighbourhood of Nyamirambo. Our tour of this lively district will be hosted by the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre during which we’ll have the chance to meet some of the people who make up this fascinating community. We’ll enjoy a home lunch as well as a walking tour of the neighbourhood, including a visit to the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre itself. This organisation was set up to support women’s health and employment, as well as providing skills and training to women through various educational programmes. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a guided tour of this city to discover some of its colonial beginnings, as well as visiting a memorial for the peacekeepers who lost their lives and the infamous Hotel Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda). Tonight we’ll enjoy our first group meal and take the chance to discuss the exciting trip ahead!
DAY 2: KIGALI - KIRUNDO (BURUNDI)
DAY 2: KIGALI - KIRUNDO (BURUNDI)
This morning we’ll pay a visit to the Kigali Memorial Centre at Gisozi, the country’s most important reminder of the genocide, built on the site where up to 250,000 victims were believed to have been buried in mass graves. Around mid-morning we’ll leave the Rwandan capital for the border with Burundi. After completing formalities we’ll continue south to Kirundo in time for dinner.
DAY 3: KIRUNDO - GITEGA
DAY 3: KIRUNDO - GITEGA
The Kirundo region provides us with some of Burundi’s most captivating landscapes, including the stunning natural beauty of Lake Rwihinda National Reserve. Previously known as ‘Bird Lake’, this protected preserve is a haven for birdlife of every kind including weavers and sunbirds, barbets and warblers and we’ll take a sunrise boat ride across the lake this morning in traditional dugout canoes. Departing the reserve after our visit we’ll continue south to Gitega. Burundi’s second largest city, Gitega is the country’s primary religious and educational centre. Located on Burundi’s central plateau, the city provides us with an opportunity to explore the German colonial heritage in its historical centre, before moving on to the small National Museum to see the artefacts on display. We’ll then have the chance to visit the royal hill of Gishora, to enjoy an extraordinary drumming performance and learn a little more about the country’s famous karyenda drummers. The karyenda drums have long been a sacred part of life in Burundi and are considered an integral part of many of the country’s most important ceremonies including births, deaths and mwami (coronations).
DAY 4: GITEGA - BUTARE (RWANDA) - NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
DAY 4: GITEGA - BUTARE (RWANDA) - NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
Departing Gitega early we’ll cross the border back in to Rwanda, and head to Butare to visit the National Museum, regarded as one of the finest ethnographic museums in all of East Africa. After lunch we’ll continue to the primary montane rainforest of Nyungwe National Park in the south-west of the country. Set amongst the high ridges of the Albertine Rift, part of the series of ranges that run from western Uganda through to the Lendu Plateau of the eastern Congo, the Nyungwe Forest covers nearly a thousand square kilometres and is one of the largest mountainous rainforests left in Africa. After checking in to our hotel we’ll have some time at leisure to enjoy our surroundings.
DAY 5: NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK - BUKAVU (DR CONGO)
DAY 5: NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK - BUKAVU (DR CONGO)
Early this morning we will head out for a trek in Nyungwe Forest in the hope of spotting some chimpanzees. On this trek you may be treated to the sight of chimps jumping in the tree canopies above your head, whilst enjoying the hooting and screams of them communicating with each other. Sightings cannot be guaranteed due to the fast paced nature of the chimps, but the sounds of nature around you will provide a memorable experience and will be considered a highlight of the tour. We will then return to the hotel for breakfast and drive west to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo at Bukavu. On arrival John Kahekwa will meet us to assist with border formalities before continuing to our hotel. After lunch we’ll visit a number of projects supported by John’s Pole Pole Foundation (POPOF), an Earthshot finalist, in and around Bukavu. We'll spend some time at a local school, visit a tree planting project and learn about the spirulina growing project which helps to provide invaluable nutrition supplements to the local communities.
DAY 6: GORILLA TRACKING IN KAHUZI-BIEGA NATIONAL PARK (GROUP A) / VISIT LWIRO (GROUP B)
DAY 6: GORILLA TRACKING IN KAHUZI-BIEGA NATIONAL PARK (GROUP A) / VISIT LWIRO (GROUP B)
One of the last refuges of the rare Eastern Lowland Gorilla, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated some 50 kilometres west of Bukavu. Dominated by two extinct volcanoes, the primary forests of Kahuzi-Biega are believed to hold fewer than 300 of these magnificent animals. This morning we head to the Tshivanga area of the park, to track a family of Grauer’s gorillas, a lowland species endemic to the eastern Congo and the largest of the world’s four gorilla species. Travelling in groups of between 5 and 30 members the dominant males can weigh in at over 500 pounds (nearly 230 kg), but the continued unrest in the DR Congo, coupled with illegal mining and hunting has decimated their numbers to the point of extinction. Observing wild gorillas up close is something that even the most jaded of travellers tend to rank among their all-time favourite travel experiences and will undoubtedly linger in the memory long after the sun-tan has faded! Please refer to the Supplementary Information section below for more information. While group A go gorilla tracking group B will take a drive out to the Lwiro area of the park to enjoy a nature walk. Later we’ll pay a visit to the Centre Intégral d’Education de Lwiro, an establishment aimed at educating locals and visitors alike on the natural and anthropological history of the area, before continuing on to the Centre de Réhabilitation des Primates de Lwiro, which cares for rescued primates and orphaned gorillas.
DAY 7: VISIT LWIRO (GROUP A) / GORILLA TRACKING (GROUP B) - TOUR OF BUKAVU
DAY 7: VISIT LWIRO (GROUP A) / GORILLA TRACKING (GROUP B) - TOUR OF BUKAVU
Returning to Kahuzi-Biega this morning, group B will go gorilla tracking while group A take a drive out to the Lwiro area of the park for a nature walk. Later that afternoon we’ll head out together to explore some of the colonial past of this scenic town. The lake front is particularly pretty with some old colonial mansions along the shoreline.
DAY 8: BUKAVU - IDJWI ISLAND
DAY 8: BUKAVU - IDJWI ISLAND
This morning we’ll depart Bukavu and embark upon our boat ride to the largest island on Lake Kivu, Idjwi Island. Here we visit Amani Global Works, one of the health and education projects the organisation have set up to try and improve the lives of the Bambuti communities that call Idjwi home. We’ll also try and visit a plantation on the island (time permitting). Tonight we will stay at a basic but comfortable guest house on the island.
DAY 9: IDJWI ISLAND - GOMA
DAY 9: IDJWI ISLAND - GOMA
This morning we’ll say goodbye to the scenic Idjwi island and once again take to the waters of Lake Kivu, heading north to the strategically located city of Goma, whose recent history is steeped in the aftermath of the tragic events that surrounded the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, when hundreds of thousands of Hutu refugees fled across the border to escape the civil war that followed. In addition, when Nyiragongo erupted in 2002, the lava flow famously swept down Goma’s main road providing the world with one of the region’s most enduring images. This afternoon we have a chance to explore something of the city, including the remains of the lava flow itself, before dinner and an early night in preparation for the big climb tomorrow!
DAY 10: GOMA - VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK: ASCEND MT NYIRAGONGO (3,470 METERS)
DAY 10: GOMA - VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK: ASCEND MT NYIRAGONGO (3,470 METERS)
After a relaxing breakfast we’ll drive to the edge of Virunga National Park in preparation for our ascent of Mt Nyiragongo. This active volcano lies among the peaks of the Virunga Mountains, towering giants that occupy the western edge of the East African Rift. Standing some 3,470 metres in height, Nyiragongo is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful and active volcanoes, in the centre of which sits the largest lava lake on the planet. Today we hike to the summit of the two mile high peak, an approximate five-hour trek through varied terrain to spend this evening on the steep slopes of the volcano. We’ll stay in small wooden huts that sit just below the crater rim, allowing us the chance to marvel at the glow of the lava lake by night.
DAY 11: VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK - GOMA - GISENYI (RWANDA)
DAY 11: VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK - GOMA - GISENYI (RWANDA)
After an opportunity to take in the early morning views over the surrounding area, we’ll descend the mountain and drive the short distance to the Rwandan border. Once over the border we will head for Gisenyi on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu where we’ll relax for the rest of the day.
DAY 12: GISENYI - KIGALI
DAY 12: GISENYI - KIGALI
This morning we’ll transfer by boat to visit one of the rich coffee plantations that line the lake shore. Along the way we will have the opportunity to learn about the coffee producing process - from ‘crop to cup’ - as well as pay a visit to the Nkora washing station, the largest in the country. From here we’ll transfer back to Kigali and head out for a farewell dinner.
DAY 13: TOUR ENDS IN KIGALI
DAY 13: TOUR ENDS IN KIGALI
The tour ends this morning. Those on the suggested group flights will transfer to the airport in time for their early morning departure.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Hotel Chez Lando, Kigali
The Chez Lando is based in the grounds of beautiful gardens approximately half way between the airport and the city. There are 82 en suite rooms in the main building and also a number of bungalows throughout the grounds. Each of the hotel rooms has a patio/balcony, and there are 2 restaurants, a bar and Wi-Fi access.
Rama Hotel, Kirundo
The Rama Hotel opened in 2009 and is opposite Kirundo’s new market. The hotel has thirty five rooms each with its own bathroom, hot water, a balcony and television. The bar and restaurant is known for its good food, especially the mink mukeke. There is wifi in the hotel and the team are very welcoming, making it a good option for your time in Kirundo.
Tropitel Hotel, Gitega
The modern 3 star Tropitel Hotel has 24 spacious rooms and suites. All rooms have a mini bar, room service and are en suite. There is a swimming pool, restaurant, gym and a bar, with Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, making it a comfortable stay overall.
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Forest
As the name would suggest, the lodge sits on a hillside looking down across the densely forested hillsides of the Nyungwe Forest National Park and is the ideal option for visitors looking to trek to see the park’s renowned population of chimpanzees. The twelve spacious bedrooms are found in their own individual cottages which run down the hillside from the main lodge in blocks of six. Inside they are very comfortable with en-suite bathrooms, bright coloured decorations and indoor sitting areas. In addition to this they also all have their own outdoor verandas which are a great spot to sit and contemplate the view out across the Nyungwe Forest. The main part of the lodge sits proudly on the hill top and is a large circular building with an open terrace to relax on. There is a very good restaurant here and guests are often found congregating around the bar discussing the day’s adventures. The staff are very charming and impart traditional Rwandan hospitality on all those who stay here. Of course, chimpanzee trekking is the main activity on offer here, but trips to see other primates such as colobus monkeys can also be arranged, as well as guided birding walks through the forest.
Orchids' Safari Club, Bukavu
Set amidst manicured lawns overlooking the waters of Lake Kivu, the Orchids' Safari Club is by far Bukavu’s most luxurious hotel offering a wonderful base for an overnight stop in the city and indeed for an extended stay to visit the nearby Kahuzi-Biega National Park. With Standard Rooms, Suites and Apartments on offer, there is plenty of accommodation for guests of all tastes and budgets. All of the bedrooms are well-appointed with en-suite bathroom, TV, safe, private terrace, lounge area and all of the amenities one could wish for. The suites are very spacious and the apartments come with their own small kitchen areas so are ideal for guests on longer stays. There is a lovely restaurant at the property with the menu inspired by locally sourced ingredients. The bar boasts an excellent wine menu and the charming staff are on hand to serve drinks throughout the day and sundowners on the deck overlooking Lake Kivu are a great way to round off the day. Doubtless, Orchids may lack the more “polished” feel of some other African lodges, but it is clean, comfortable and very well run, especially by Congolese standards. Orchids is a popular retreat with local expats and NGO workers for a weekend away but also an excellent base for trips to the Kahuzi-Biega National Park for gorilla trekking.
Hotel Linda, Goma
Located on the shores of Lake Kivu this modern hotel has en suite rooms, many of which offer commanding views of the lake. There is also a restaurant and a bar, and the team are extremely welcoming, resulting in a comfortable stay.
Paradise Malahide, Lake Kivu
Set on the banks of Lake Kivu lies the rustic yet friendly Paradise Malahide guest house. Formerly the owner’s family home, Paradise Malahide offers guests a taste of community life whilst also an idyllic setting to relax in. The six bungalows and four apartment rooms are built using local materials and are designed to blend in to the natural surroundings. The rooms are simple and the en suites functional, with mosquito nets around the beds and bamboo furniture. With local fishermen out on the lake and traditional dancing in the communal area in the evenings, guests are sure to find plenty of opportunities to interact with the local community.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
The Pole Pole Foundation
On this tour we visit the Pole Pole Foundation, a Congolese-led community conservation organisation set up by esteemed philanthropist and conservationist, John Kahekwa, in 1992 to help protect the rare and endangered Eastern Lowland Gorillas of Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Meaning 'slowly, slowly' in Swahili, the Pole Pole Foundation, an Earthshot finalist in the Protect and Restore category, has developed invaluable projects to help improve the prospects of the communities that border the national park, which in turn helps protect the gorillas. These include conservation education programmes, tree planting, anti-poaching patrols, training for former poachers and establishing alternative food supplies of fishponds and pig breeding to help prevent the illegal poaching of bush meat. Surviving through the wars that ravaged the country, as a relative state of peach returns the foundation has expanded its work, running three schools, a wider range of livelihood programmes and a reforestation scheme that has grown and planted over 4 million trees.
Wild Frontiers started working with John and the Pole Pole Foundation in 2017 to help rejuvenate tourism in the region. It soon became clear that while visitors from around the world travelled to the Congo to see the gorillas, only a small number of people from the local villages had the opportunity to see the animals they were learning to protect. With these communities vital to the survival of the gorillas, the Wild Frontiers Foundation has now provided the funds for more than 200 local people to trek into Kahuzi-Biega National Park to visit the gorillas as a part of the Pole Pole's conservation training programmes. This support continues with a donation made to the Pole Pole Foundation on behalf of every Wild Frontiers client that visits the Congo.
'We had the opportunity to visit the lone gorilla, which was victim of poaching and lost a hand. We have seen him face to face in his natural habitat. Now we are going to explain to our women friends and tell our husbands and children to stop poaching in the park because as the gorillas are our neighbours it is our responsibility to protect and conserve them and their habitat.’ – the promise of one local lady, who had in the past been arrested for illegally gathering wood and vegetation in the national park.
Supplementary Information
Tracking Gorillas
As group sizes for gorilla tracking are limited to 8, we may split into 2 groups. If this is the case, Group A will visit the gorillas on DAY 5 and Group B will visit on DAY 6. Each group will get one opportunity to track gorillas. Please note that while wildlife encounters can never by guaranteed, the gorillas' locations are closely monitored and as such sightings are almost certain.
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| WB 701 | London Gatwick (LGW) 19:10 | Kigali Airport (KGL) 06:50 |
| WB 700 | Kigali Airport (KGL) 08:00 | London Gatwick (LGW) 17:10 |
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a multiple entry visa for Rwanda, and single entry visas for Burundi and DR Congo. Please note we intend on obtaining the DR Congo visa on the land border, and the cost of this is included in the tour price.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the clients.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Or alternatively you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries.
Below is just a small sample of what you could do. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your individual requirements.
Volcanoes National Park
If you fancy seeing mountain gorillas (in addition to the lowland gorillas seen on the tour), then Rwanda is a great place to do this.
Akagera National Park
If you’re looking for a more conventional safari experience, then although this may not be the Serengeti, it nevertheless is a wonderful place to spot some of East Africa’s famous game.
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Warning
The FCDO sometimes advises against certain parts of this itinerary.
Wild Frontiers has many years’ experience of running trips which contravene FCDO advice but these decisions that are never taken lightly and are always taken in conjunction with our local partners after extensive consultation. As part of the booking process, you will need to sign a disclaimer to confirm you have read the advice, that you are still happy to travel and that you will obtain travel insurance which is not invalidated by the FCDO advice.
For more information, please see the Insurance section or contact us. Non-UK clients should be sure to check the travel advice of their own governments as well as the small print of their insurance policies. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Key Information
CLIMATE
Being situated on the equator, the temperatures are fairly constant in this area with an average of approximately 25-30C during the day and 15-20C at night. Rain can occur at any time, though when it comes it is usually in short outbursts in the afternoon.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be able to cope with this tour. However please bear in mind that Burundi and DR Congo in particular are very unpredictable countries and that some of the scenes you may encounter along the way will make this a challenging trip even for the most experienced traveller.
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be limited.
The trek to see the gorillas can be moderately challenging (given the fact that gorillas tend to move about!) so please bear this in mind and refer to the specific section on the trek later in this dossier.
Contingency Itinerary
Please note that it may be necessary to spend more or less time in one or another of the three countries depending on the security situation nearer the time of departure. We will advise all clients of any necessary revisions before guaranteeing any departure. Please see the current ‘Contingency Itinerary’ below.
Days 1 - 3: The same as above.
Day 4 - 5: Additional days in Burundi. We transfer to Bujumbura, with a stop in Ijenda for a tea plantation visit en route before spending time exploring Bujumbura. The next day we visit Rusizi National Reserve, where the Rusizi River flows into Lake Tanganyika. Here we have good opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles and various birds
Day 6: Travel back to Rwanda. Visit the National Museum in Butare then continue to Nyungwe National Park
Day 7: Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park then cross the border to DRC where we visit the Pole Pole foundation.
Day 8 - 9: Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Gorilla trek and visit to rehabilitation centre.
Day 10: Cross into Rwanda and onto Kibuye by boat. Visit coffee plantation.
Day 11: Travel to Musanze, the gateway town to Volcanoes National Park. Day experience in a rural Rwandan household of the Azizi Life community
Day 12: Climb of Mt. Bisoke (3,711m; 4-6h) or Mt. Muhabura (4,127m; 5-7h). Transfer to Kigal for farewell dinner
Day 13: Tour Ends In Kigali.
Climbing Information
The climb of Mount Nyiragongo is described as one of the main highlights of the tour by previous clients who have reached the summit, but please note this is a very challenging climb. The weather can turn with little or no warning. In places the terrain is very steep and slippery making this quite a difficult climb at times. Coming down the volcano is particularly steep so you should bring trekking poles with you.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except the guesthouse in Nyungwe National Park and the huts on Mt Nyiragongo (or Mount Karisimbi).
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A £200 (or equivalent) deposit is required to confirm your booking. In addition, due to the particular nature of this trip, an interim deposit of £600 (or equivalent) per person will be required within 30 days of booking a guaranteed departure, or subsequently within 30 days of receiving confirmation from us that the trip has been guaranteed.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 8170 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.