Gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV)
3 nights/4 days
Scheduled Departure Safari 
This four-day, set departure provides an ideal extension to a safari plan in Kenya or Tanzania. Trekking into the misty bamboo forests to sit with some of the last remaining 700 Mountain gorillas in the world, is one of the most awesome wildlife viewing experiences to be had.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Kigali & transfer to Virunga Lodge
Day 2 Gorilla tracking
Day 3 Gorilla tracking (with additional permit)
Day 4 To Kigali
Gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) - Price
2012 Departures: $3,170 per person sharing
Single supplement: $ 355
Prices include all transportation, driver/guide services, park fees, chimp permits and one gorilla permit, accommodation on a shared basis and most meals. Your alcoholic and soft drinks, laundry service, lodge activities and a complimentary massage are all included. Your safari price also includes a $100 contribution to a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation and community projects in Rwanda.
Prices exclude airfare to Rwanda, travel insurance, visa fees and airport taxes, gratuities and additional gorilla permits ($500).
Gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) - Departure Dates
This safari begins and ends in Kigali.
2012
January 7 & 28, February 4 & 25, March 3 & 24, April 7 & 21, May 5 & 19, June 2 & 16, July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25, September 8 & 22, October 6 & 20, November 3 & 17, December 1 & 15
2013
January 5 & 26, February 2 & 23, March 2 & 23, April 6 & 27, May 4 & 25, June 1 & 29, July 6 & 27, August 3 & 24, September 7 & 21, October 5 & 26, November 2 & 30, December 7 & 28
Gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) - Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 
You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to Kigali. You will receive a safari briefing and have lunch before departing for PNV. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible.
Your home for the next three nights is the Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, set on a hillside with panoramic views of the Virunga volcanoes and the shimmering lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. There are eight spacious bandas, each with a large patio where you can sit and admire the view. Tonight’s dinner conversation will be filled with the anticipation of tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 2 
Today you will go gorilla tracking (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). After an early breakfast you will be transferred to the park headquarters where you will meet your gorilla trackers and guides. You will be assigned to visit one of the gorilla families in the area and your guides will review all the necessary information with you before you set out. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky, you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy.
Day 3 
You can choose to go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (additional permit must be arranged at time of booking). There are seven different gorilla families and you will visit a different one today. Or you can choose visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ross Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian Fossey's grave, or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake Bulera.
Day 4 
This morning you will bid farewell to the Virunga Lodge staff and depart for Kigali. If time permits, you can go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, pottery project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and the genocide memorial. You will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your onward journey.
Contact Duffle & Compass to begin planning your Africa adventure.
