Journeys: Wild Encounters in Rwanda
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From AUD $10258 Was AUD $12069
Small Group
Demanding
Rating
(3 reviews)
Journeys: Wild Encounters in Rwanda
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
8 days
Small Group
Moderate
Demanding
English
Experience Overview
Embark on an unforgettable expedition to track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, in the rainforest of Rwanda. Visit a research centre set up by Dr.
Includes
Activities
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Mountain Gorilla Conservation Sundowner Experience, Volcanoes National Park Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Akagera National Park - Conservation and Community, Parc National de l’ Akagera Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, Kigali
- Arrival & departure transfer
- All national park entrance fees
- Genocide memorial entrance
- Mountain gorilla trek with permits
- Golden monkey trek with permits
- Local village walk
- Safari drives in Akagera National Park
- Wildlife boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotel/lodges – 7 nts.
- 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Transport
- 4x4 safari vehicle, walking, hiking, boat.
Group Leader
- National Geographic Expedition Leader throughout, local guides, experienced gorilla trackers, park rangers.
Highlights
- Observe endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys
- Discuss gorilla conservation efforts with a researcher at the Karisoke Research Centre
- Spend time in Kigali’s bustling Nyamirambo neighbourhood
- Track the “big five” on safari in Akagera National Park
Trip Details
8 days
4x4 safari vehicle, walking, hiking, boat.
English
Kigali, Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda
Moderate
National Geographic Journey, Budget
Demanding
Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali
If you arrive early, take some time to explore the city, known for its pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Kigali also has some interesting and historic sites outside of the city. If you want more time to explore, we recommend booking a pre-night.
Exclusive inclusions: Accommodation - Hotel des Mille Collines
Day 2: Kigali/Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains can be found here. The volcanoes and highlands of the park are covered in lush rainforest and bamboo (a favourite snack of the gorillas). While the most famous resident is the mountain gorilla, there's plenty of other wildlife roaming around: buffaloes, bushbucks, golden monkeys, hyenas, numerous bird species, and some elephants call this place home.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which serves as a permanent memorial to those who fell victim to the genocide in 1994. The centre opened on the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, in April 2004, and was built on a site where more than 250,000 people are buried. Please note that content at the Memorial Centre shows the harsh reality of the genocide.Activity - Located in Nyamirambo, the largest and most vibrant township in Rwanda, the centre provides women and girls from a diverse range of backgrounds, the opportunity to support each other and succeed, through education and training programs. Enjoy lunch prepared by women employed at the centre, allowing us to try local foods and popular dishes. After lunch, take some time to browse the centre's shop, which features handmade, high-quality crafts and clothes, made by some of the women at the shop, as well as other women's cooperatives throughout Rwanda. Proceeds from the meal and shop help support the centre’s education and training programs, including a community library.Transport - Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.Accommodation - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Embark on a trek in Volcanoes National Park to view a species even more endangered than the mountain gorilla – the golden monkey. It is only in Rwanda where this interesting species has been successfully habituated. Look (and listen) for these lively and curious creatures that like to chatter – they are often only seen high up in the trees, but, with luck, hikers may have a close encounter. Golden monkeys mainly live in the lower parts of the bamboo forests; they are not as socially “tight” as gorillas and chimpanzees, and the number in the habituated troupe can vary on any given day between 20 and 80.Activity - Founded 50 years ago by Dian Fossey, the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda is considered the world’s best hope for the survival of endangered mountain gorillas. The Fossey Fund is also the world’s longest running and largest organization dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation. More recently, the organization moved to its permanent home near the gorgeous landscape of Volcanoes National Park and has now been named the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Karisoke Research Center. During the evening visit you’ll be invited to check out the immersive activities in the public exhibit while learning about the biodiversity of this region. Then, the group will meet one of the resident researchers at the center and enjoy a talk with the organization’s gorilla experts at the Virunga Overlook. They will share their experiences working with the organization and answer any questions you may have. There will be a selection of non alcoholic beverages, wine, and light snacks included. Thanks to the work Karisoke does, the mountain gorillas of this region are the only species of great ape to have increased in number in recent decades. Between 1967 and 1983, Dian Fossey received over 16 grants from National Geographic and was featured many times in the pages of National Geographic magazine.Accommodation - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park
Approximately 800 mountain gorillas exist globally in the wild today. They are found in Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. In DRC and Rwanda, gorillas live in similar ecosystems/areas. The gorilla species found in these three areas are called highland gorillas.
In Rwanda there are ten habituated gorilla families that are open to visits – the visit to a gorilla family is done once per day, with a maximum 8 trekkers per group and the duration of a visit is limited to one (1) hour with the gorilla family. The time spent with them is limited due to conservation considerations and to minimize impact on the day-to-day life of the gorilla family you are visiting. It is important to be well prepared for the trek — you never know if your total trek will be short or long. The total duration of a trek can vary and be anything between 4 and 9 hrs in length depending on the location of the gorillas, which are constantly moving. You will mainly walk where there are no paths apart from the occasional buffalo or elephant trail.
Touching the gorillas is not allowed (although in some cases they may touch you). Making loud noises or sudden movements is also not allowed. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.
Please note that porters are available at approx. $10USD per person. The porters are all hired from local villages and not only can carry your day pack, but assist you with a welcome hand over difficult spots. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. It also provides employment and supports the local community.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit a small farming village where the locals have put a stop to poaching and put their focus on sheep farming. Meet the local people and get a first hand look at rural life in this area.Activity - Depart early and transfer to the national park to meet the park ranger/guide for orientation. Embark on the trek, which can vary in length and difficulty, depending on the location of the gorilla family that's being visited. Spend an hour observing these beautiful and endangered creatures. Trek back and return to the hotel with the remainder of the afternoon to yourself. Accommodation - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park/Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park offers a remarkable conservation story and is home to the Big Five, zebras, giraffes, elephants and hundreds of bird species. Running directly along the boarder with Tanzania, the park covers 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) and offers a variety of landscapes including highlands, savannah plains, swamps, wetlands and lakes.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.Activity - Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the African Parks headquarters here. Gain insights into issues of modern wildlife conservation, the day-to-day process of managing a protected zone, and the importance of community support to protect the park. Visit the anti-poaching room to learn about monitoring and methods of protection, including the use of a canine unit. Then head to the Akagera Village and learn about an outreach project that helps educate the local community about conservation and sustainability.Accommodation - Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Day 6: Akagera National Park
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - This morning, wake early and head out into the park for sunrise and try and spot the early risers. Look out for lion, elephants, buffalo, hyenas and others who graze freely in the park. Giraffe are a popular site as well as others in the growing park such as; warthog, waterbuck, zebras, roan antelope, eland, topis, and impala.Activity - Enjoy safari by boat on Lake Ihema. The cruise will give you a chance to spot more wildlife, such as elephants and buffalos who tend to gather at the banks to have a drink of water. Search out Nile crocodiles and observe birds; there are over 500 species around the lake and its surrounding wetlands. Keep an eye out for shoebill and papyrus Ganolex as well as endemic species such as; herons, ibis, jacanas, plovers, malachite Kingfisher and Hawks.Accommodation - Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Day 7: Akagera National Park to Kigali
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - This morning, wake early and head out into the park for sunrise and try and spot the early risers. Look out for lion, elephants, buffalo, hyenas and others who graze freely in the park. Giraffe are a popular site as well as others in the growing park such as; warthog, waterbuck, zebras, roan antelope, eland, topis, and impala.Transport - Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.Accommodation - Hotel des Mille Collines
Day 8: Kigali
Meals included: Breakfast
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
From
AUD $12069
Duration: 8 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Demanding
Embark on an unforgettable expedition to track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, in the rainforest of Rwanda. Visit a research centre set up by Dr.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 21 Jun 2026
Customer Reviews
07/31/2024
This was a trip of a lifetime. The attention to detail was outstanding. Our guides were excellent and very knowledgeable and the lodges were first class.
07/30/2023
What an amazing experience! I could not have asked for a better driver (Calvin) and CEO (Johannes)! Johannes was well organized, punctual, and on point with communication. The sites, the safaris (worth every early morning start), would not have been the same without Johannes' passion, knowledge, and diplomacy. The cheetah conservation talk was a definite highlight along with the walk in Soweto. The accommodations were great and felt like many efforts were made to make sure I had access to gluten-free food. My one suggestion (and maybe I missed this as I came late to the Welcome meeting) would be to have more optional group dinners in Cape town.
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
07/31/2024
This was a trip of a lifetime. The attention to detail was outstanding. Our guides were excellent and very knowledgeable and the lodges were first class.
07/30/2023
What an amazing experience! I could not have asked for a better driver (Calvin) and CEO (Johannes)! Johannes was well organized, punctual, and on point with communication. The sites, the safaris (worth every early morning start), would not have been the same without Johannes' passion, knowledge, and diplomacy. The cheetah conservation talk was a definite highlight along with the walk in Soweto. The accommodations were great and felt like many efforts were made to make sure I had access to gluten-free food. My one suggestion (and maybe I missed this as I came late to the Welcome meeting) would be to have more optional group dinners in Cape town.
06/12/2024
The trip was fabulous and our guide, Jaym, not notch. The experience was enhanced not only by the beautiful lodgings, delicious cuisine, expert drivers and trackers, but also by the expertise and passion of Jaym. He was knowledgeable, friendly and very personable, sharing stories and his love of nature with us.
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