Rwanda: Mountain Gorillas and the Bisoke Volcano

Rwanda is called the country of a thousand hills, and the road bears the name out: tea plantations, volcanic slopes, lakes and tropical forest follow one another across a comparatively small territory. The route begins in Kigali and runs through the cultural centres of the country to the Nyungwe forest.

In Nyungwe the team sets out on a chimpanzee trek and walks the suspension trail above the canopy. Watching primates depends on their movements, so the duration, the height gained and the outcome are determined by nature rather than by a timetable.

Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga massif lie in the north-west. The mountain gorilla trek and the ascent of Bisoke are two different days and two different tasks. The route to the gorillas is chosen by the rangers according to where a particular family is; Bisoke calls for physical preparation of its own and leads to the crater lake on the summit at 3700 m.

Permits are limited and are issued against passport details.

Day 1. Arrival in Kigali.

Welcome to Kigali, a city where past and present are woven together in the rhythm of daily life. Our representative meets you at the airport on arrival. You travel to a hotel set among green hills, with a striking view over the city. After a rest you can walk the craft markets, where local music plays and the stalls are covered with bright fabric and jewellery. If you want to feel the spirit of the city, go to the Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s difficult history and to see how the country is rebuilding itself. Sunset in Kigali fills the sky with warm colour, and dinner with the guide and the other participants at a comfortable restaurant introduces you to the flavours of the local kitchen, from spiced stews to fresh tropical fruit. Night at the hotel.

Day 2. Kigali to Nyungwe National Park.

Today the route runs to Nyungwe National Park in the south-west of the country. The road passes through green hills where tea plantations stretch out like huge emerald carpets. The first stop is the royal palace at Nyanza, which carries you back to the time of the monarchy with its accounts of the lives of the rulers and their legacy. You then travel to Butare, where lunch is accompanied by traditional music, followed by a visit to the National Museum. Here you find ancient objects that hold the spirit of the past, and remarkable displays telling the story of Rwandan culture. By the time you reach Nyungwe the sun is beginning to set, creating a striking atmosphere in the jungle. Dinner at the lodge comes with the sounds of the forest. Night at the lodge.

Day 3. Chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe.

Early in the morning the group heads into the heart of the tropical forest, where chimpanzees live among dense greenery and humid air. A local ranger leads the group along winding trails, explaining the signs of their presence. You will hear their calls echoing like a summons from the jungle and will watch the canopy closely for a sight of these elusive inhabitants of the forest. After lunch the walk continues, now in the company of colobus, the monkeys with long black and white fur. The forest is remarkable not only for its animals but for the range of its plants: trees hung with lianas, rare orchids and brightly coloured butterflies moving around you like living jewels. Evening at the lodge brings calm, filled with the sounds of the night forest. Night at the lodge.

Day 4. Waterfalls and the canopy walkway.

The day begins with a light breakfast, after which the group sets out for the waterfalls hidden among dense vegetation. The path runs through green tunnels where the leaves tremble at the touch of the wind, and on reaching the falls you are struck by their force and their clarity. After lunch comes one of the most memorable experiences of the Rwanda tour: the walk on the canopy walkway. You find yourself at the height of a bird’s flight, and looking around you can see endless jungle disappearing over the horizon. Sunlight plays on the leaves and birdsong makes an agreeable accompaniment. Night at the lodge.

Day 5. Lake Kivu.

Today leads to Lake Kivu, one of the natural wonders of East Africa. The mountains around the lake seem to hold its mirror surface carefully in place. After checking into the lodge you enjoy lunch on a terrace looking out over the water. A boat trip then takes you to small islands that are home to rare birds and bats. The silence of the lake is broken only by the light splash of water and the calls of birds. In the evening a real African sunset fills the sky with fiery colour, reflected in the water, and the main thing is to have your camera ready. Dinner. Night at the lodge.

Day 6. To Volcanoes National Park.

The day begins with the transfer to Volcanoes National Park. The landscape changes: green hills give way to volcanoes rising above the horizon. On arrival the group stays at a lodge with a view of these great mountains. In the evening you visit a nearby village, where local people introduce you to their culture. Dance, drums and basket-weaving workshops let you come into contact with life in Rwanda and learn how ordinary people live. Night at the lodge.

Day 7. Mountain gorilla trek.

This day is the central event of the journey. You set out to meet the gorillas that live in the wild jungle. The route to where they are can be long and runs on damp forest trails; its length and the height gained depend on where the particular family is, but every minute on the trail is justified when you come face to face with these great animals. Gorillas are remarkable creatures who look at us with something like human wisdom, and their behaviour, simple and unhurried, is striking in how natural it is. This moment is a window into a wild world that seems distant and is at the same time very close. Night at the lodge.

Day 8. Golden monkeys and Rwandan culture.

Today the group goes into the forest where the golden monkeys live. These bright primates, with golden markings in their coats, play and leap between the trees and will make anyone laugh and marvel at their agility. After lunch you can visit a cultural centre where Rwandan traditions are explained, or travel to a village to try making banana beer. Dinner in the evening turns into a celebration with music and dance that reveals the true character of the country.

Day 9. The ascent of Bisoke.

The last challenge to the spirit of adventure is the ascent of the Bisoke volcano. Its altitude of 3700 metres gives an unforgettable view of the crater lake hidden among the clouds. The place seems woven out of magic: quiet, imposing, and conducive to reflection. For those who prefer a gentler day, an excursion is arranged to the grave of Dian Fossey, who devoted her life to the protection of gorillas.

Day 10. Kigali and departure.

The last day is spent in Kigali. The streets of the city, its markets and its museums give a sense of how Rwanda brings its past and its present together. Before the flight there is time to buy souvenirs, to enjoy the final moments of the journey and to thank this remarkable country for its hospitality.

• A Mountain Guide team leader accompanying the group
• Meeting and send-off at the airport
• Accommodation in hotels and lodges, twin occupancy, for the number of nights set out in the itinerary
• Breakfasts at the hotels and lodges
• Assistance with arranging national park permits
• Transport with experienced drivers along the whole route

• International flights
• Visa
• Medical insurance and emergency evacuation
• Lunches and dinners
• Permits for visiting the national parks
• Tips
• Single occupancy
• Early check-in or late check-out at the hotel before or after the trip. We always try to agree additional benefits for our guests with our partners, and early check-in or late check-out is often allowed free of charge
• Any departure from the itinerary
• Any costs arising from change to the itinerary

The trip can be run privately for a single participant, a family, a group of friends, photographers or a corporate team. Dates, pace, accommodation category and any permitted additions are discussed before booking. Gorilla, chimpanzee and Bisoke permits are limited and are issued against a passport. Permits are confirmed first, and the final logistics and hotels after that. A private format does not override national park rules, visa requirements, ranger decisions or carrier restrictions. We confirm the final trip in writing once all the key services are secured.

Entry rules depend on your nationality, your country of residence and your transit airports. Before buying non-refundable tickets, check the current requirements of the consulates, immigration services and airlines yourself. The passport details on your tickets, visas and permits must match exactly.

• A passport valid for the whole trip and for the entry requirements in force
• International and domestic air tickets
• Medical insurance valid in every country on the route and covering the planned activities
• Emergency evacuation cover for remote areas, if this is not part of your main insurance policy
• A visa or other entry permit for Rwanda
• A copy of your passport page, for the primate and Bisoke permits
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate, where one is required because of your country of departure or transit
• Digital and paper copies of your passport, insurance, tickets, visas and emergency contacts

Documents for a child, consent from legal guardians and the requirements for under-18s are checked separately. Keep originals and copies separately.

Rwanda is open all year round. The drier periods usually fall between June and September and between December and February. March to May and October to November are wetter, and the forest paths become muddy and slippery, but the treks do not stop automatically. Rain is possible in Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park in any month. You need waterproof clothing, gaiters, gloves for the vegetation and boots with good grip. The park authority and the rangers decide whether a trek goes ahead.

Participants stay in hotels and lodges in twin rooms. Around Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park the property is chosen with the early starts and the permit logistics in mind. Breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are paid separately unless your confirmation says otherwise. A packed breakfast may be provided before the early treks.

The treks start early and run on wet, steep and sometimes overgrown paths. The rangers allocate participants to groups, set the route and can stop a trek if safety requires it. You must not approach gorillas or chimpanzees on your own, feed them, or use a flash. If you have symptoms of an infectious illness the park authority may refuse you, in order to protect the animals. There is no signal in the forest, or it is unreliable.

The final list is confirmed once the season, transport and accommodation are settled. Check everything in advance, and carry medication in its original packaging together with a prescription where one is needed.

Documents and baggage

• Passport, tickets, insurance and permits
• A soft suitcase or holdall that meets the limits for internal flights
• Day pack of 20-30 litres
• Dry bags for documents, electronics and spare clothing

Clothing and footwear

• Broken-in trekking shoes or light boots
• Light, covering, long-sleeved clothing
• Quick-drying trousers and T-shirts
• waterproof shell jacket or a reliable rain jacket
• Fleece top
• Sun hat
• High waterproof trekking boots
• Gaiters
• Sturdy gloves to protect your hands from the vegetation
• Trekking poles
• A small rucksack for water, waterproofs and a camera

Useful extras

• Sunglasses
• SPF 50 sun cream and lip balm with SPF
• Insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle
• Power bank and charging cables
• Personal first-aid kit and any medication you take regularly
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
• Earplugs
• Camera and spare memory cards, if you want them