Gorillas of Rwanda - Festival Extension 2009

Friday 29th May 2009

Fly from Arusha to Nairobi. On arrival in Nairobi transfer to the Serena Hotel for one night.

Saturday 30th May 2009

Fly from Nairobi to Kigali. It is then a three-hour transfer to the Parc National des Volcans and Virunga Lodge, where you will stay on a full board basis.

Tucked into the mountains just outside of the park in Rwanda, between numerous volcanoes, rests Volcanoes Safaris' Virunga Lodge, an all-natural, environment friendly luxury resort. Aside from gorilla tracking, you could climb the Visoke or Karisimbi volcanoes, track the golden monkey, visit Dian Fossey's grave at Karisoke or go for gentle strolls around the picturesque villages near the lakes.

There are six completed cabins, some with one king-sized bed and others with two queen-sized beds. Each features rough, beautiful wooden furniture: cosy chairs, tables and two dressers. A short walk away from the banda's, the main lodge and dining room feature everything one might need to stay occupied during a leisurely day. Benches, tables and chairs made from stone and wood line the porch surrounding the lodge, providing a fantastic view of at least four volcanoes rising from the misty Rwandan countryside. Have lunch taking in the view while the sun shines, warming the mountains during the afternoon.

Being eco-friendly, the lodge makes use of solar power, allowing for constant electricity. Additionally, the lodge has an excellent collection of books, including time-consuming history books and lighter reading such as an extensive photo guide to luxury hotels all over the world. Browsing through the guest books is also an amusing pastime: the lodge is a favourite stopping point for certain international photographers. The Volcanoes' staff is happy to teach newcomers the traditional African game igisoro, or boao, as it is called in Uganda. All of these things can be done while sitting by the lovely fireplace, a large stone campfire-like construction that vents through an enormous metal funnel in the ceiling. In spite of the room's size and its grand, high ceilings, it is extremely cosy. A member of the staff will be, ready to serve you from the wellstocked bar or stoke the fire if it is needed and even bring hot chocolate into your room when you retire.

Parc National des Volcans, in the heart of Central Africa, is an untamed, timeless place where ancient volcanoes covered in rich, green rainforest tower over 4,000 metres high - their steep slopes home to the rare Mountain Gorilla. The park itself is 120 square kilometres and is part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area, which contains around 380 gorillas in total.

Here, for some twenty years, Dian Fossey carried out pioneering studies of gorilla behaviour, and it is largely thanks to her that the gorilla poaching here was greatly reduced. The film 'Gorillas in the Mist' released three years after her untimely death, meant a worldwide audience were now aware of the importance of her work in this area, and the subsequent growth of tourism has helped raise local awareness too. For the visitor today trekking through the rainforest in search of these wonderful creatures is exhilarating; it is alive with the calls of colourful birds and chattering of the rare Golden Monkey, with, every so often, tantalising glimpses of the magnificent peaks through the canopy. Apart from the gorillas, the park is home to some 76 mammal species and activities (apart from gorilla tracking for those with permits), include: nature walks, climbing the Visoke Volcano, trekking to the Karisoke Research Centre, visiting local communities or observing habituated Golden Monkeys.

Sunday 31st May 2009

Trek Gorillas.

Monday 1st June 2009

Trek Gorillas (optional and pay for extra permit) or visit Dian Fossey Grave, trek Golden Monkeys or climb volcano.

Tuesday 2nd June 2009

Transfer back to Kigali and fly home via Nairobi.