Gorillas in the Mist (3 days)

Our 3 day trip brings you the Gorillas in the Mist, the Mountain Gorillas of the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. This is where Dian Fossey (16/12/1932 - 26/12/1985) studied her gorillas. The movie Gorilla's in the mist (1988) with Sigourney Weaver was also filmed here.

The Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Mountains, covering Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. There are many flights going to Kigali, and the transfer from Kigali to the Volcanoes National Park is only 2 hours. So for people who only want to see the gorillas (after a trip to for example Tanzania) this is ideal.

Highlights

Highlights

  • Meet the gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park
Photos

Photos

Videos

Videos

Kazinga Tours - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Seeing the mountain gorillas is a very intense and unique experience. Take a look at our Video to get a glimpse of how it is to see them in the wild….

Kazinga Tours - Uganda Highlights

Kazinga Tours - Bwindi from the Sky

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the highlights of Uganda. This jungle is home of the Mountain Gorillas! And it is also beautiful seen from the sky. With our drone we have been able to fly above the mist, which gave a nice view of the forest and the ‘sharp line’ with the surrounding rural land. Come and see this beautiful videos for yourself!

This video is made by www.theworldfromthesky.com

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel.

And for more other drone videos, please check www.theworldfromthesky.com

Route

Route

Day 1
Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
Day 2
Volcanoes National Park
Day 3
Volcanoes National Park - Kigali Airport
Map Gorillas in the Mist (3 days)
Day to day

Day to day program

Day 1

Kigali - Volcanoes National Park

Arrival at Kigali Airport. Your guide will be there waiting for you. Transfer to your hotel near the Volcanoes National Park.

Note: If your flight arrives after 14:00 hrs, it is not possible to drive to Volcanoes National Park on the same day and we have to arrange a hotel in Kigali prior to your trip.

Day 2

Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla tracking!!! Early morning departure with your ranger to search for one of the world’s most interesting and endangered animals, the Mountain Gorilla! You will spend one hour with one of our closest relatives. An experience you will never forget.

Nature walk through the beautiful environment in the afternoon (optional).

Day 3

Volcanoes National Park - Kigali Airport

Optional activities for today: make a nature walk in the national park, visit the golden monkeys, climb one of the volcanoes, or visit Diane Fossey’s grave.

Afterwards transfer to Kigali Airport for your outbound flight. City tour with possible visit of the Genocide Memorial if time allows (optional activity).

Accommodations

Accommodations

Medium Budget
High Budget
Day 1
Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
Medium Budget: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (FB)
High Budget: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (FB)
Day 2
Volcanoes National Park
Medium Budget: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (FB)
High Budget: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (FB)
Day 3
Volcanoes National Park - Kigali Airport
Medium Budget: Flight (End of service)
High Budget: Flight (End of service)

Legend: BB = Bed and Breakfast / HB = Half Board / FB = Full Board

Prices

Prices 2024

Price on request, please send an email to mail@kazingatours.com

 

Includes

  • Airport transfers
  • Accommodations with meals mentioned
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Private 4x4 custom built safari van with knowledgeable driver/guide and fuel
  • Entrance fees to the included National Parks
  • Activities mentioned as included 

Excludes

  • Flights      
  • Visa
  • All optional activities
  • Insurances    
  • Meals not mentioned and beverages
  • Tips and personal expenses such as laundry and communication
Travel info
Health Rwanda

A certificate proving that you have received a yellow fever vaccination is obligatory. Furthermore all required inoculations must be recorded by your health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate. You must carry this document with you throughout the tour. All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs. We also advise that you bring a mosquito repellent with you. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for up to date requirements, inoculations and personal recommendations!

Normally you need the following vaccinations (but please always consult a doctor):

  • Yellow Fever (you must have this can even be checked on arrival, especially when flying within East Africa)
  • DTP
  • Hepatitis

For Malaria you need to take tablets,  Malarone or Lariam. Malarone is mostly used (please always consult a doctor).

Hygiene is not at the same standard as in your home country, so we advise you to bring a disinfectant cream with you. Always drink bottled water instead of tap water.

On arrival

On arrival on the airport our guide will be there waiting for you. During safari we use custom made safari vehicles, custom made for an optimal view of the wildlife. Safari vehicles (and small aircrafts) provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might be difficult to be taken on board.

Visa Rwanda

The Rwandan authorities made their Visa one of the easiest to get.

  • All Visitors Going to Rwanda can get Visa on arrival at the Immigration desk at $30

Some nationalities (like Americans and Germans) do not require a visa, please check this in advance.

It is your own responsibility to inform yourself about the visa procedures (as the information given above can change at any time) and to arrange your visa(s) correctly and timely, but if anything is unclear of course we will be glad to assist you.


Note:  This information is subject to change! Always consult the Rwandan embassy in your country if you are not sure.

Money

In most of the cities it is possible to withdraw money from an ATM. Travelers Cheques are not widely accepted and it is very difficult or impossible to pay by credit card outside the cities. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference. We advise to bring some Dollars for daily expenses and tips.

Dollar bills should not be older than 10 years.

Currency Rwanda

The unit of currency is the Rwandan Franc. Please check the latest exchange rates before you go to your destination. This will be a guideline. Please note you will get a better exchange rate in the bigger cities.

AMREF Flying Doctors


We advise you to apply for a Flying Doctors membership. The membership provides a quick and reliable air evacuation and medical care if needed.

AMREF Flying Doctors offers 2 covers (Annual and Short Term). You can choose between the Maisha Silver (Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar), Maisha Gold (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) or Maisha Platinum (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Ethiopia).

Please check out the AMREF Flying Doctors website for more information and to become a member.

Language in Rwanda

The official languages of Rwanda are French and English, the local language is Kinyarwanda.

Climate Rwanda

Rwanda is a tropical country, with higher temperatures at lower altitudes (Akagera).

Areas around Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park are generally cooler.

When to visit Rwanda

Rwanda can be visited at any time throughout the year. But please keep in mind that mountain hikes, gorilla tracking and other forest walks are more challenging during the rainy seasons (March - May and October - November).

For birders the rainy season is considered to be the best time to visit Rwanda.

Rainy season means it rains more often, but not every day and not the whole day.

What to wear Rwanda

Daytime temperatures are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing. Evenings are cooler, especially at high altitudes (areas around Volcanoes National Park and the Virungas), so carry a couple of sweaters too.

Those who intend to do mountain hiking will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly. Solid walking shoes and sturdy clothing are ideal for forest walks.

When you are doing gorilla tracking some gardeners gloves are handy because of the thick vegetation and thorns.

Do not forget to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a waterproof jacket. During safaris we advise to avoid black and dark blue clothes (because they can attract tsetse flies).

If you are planning on doing a community walk or visit the local people, we advise you to wear appropriate clothing. For example women putting on long skirts and a top that covers the shoulders. We also advise you not to wear purple clothes. Rwanda has “adopted” purple as the official color of mourning after the Genocide of 1994.

What to bring

A valid passport is mandatory (passport must be valid for at least 3 months after re-entry) and visa requirements for all countries you are planning to visit should be checked before you travel.

To make the most of your visit to the game reserves and national parks, we advise you to carry binoculars and field guides.

Photographers will need a zoom lens for wildlife (70-300 or more). Please make sure to carry enough memory cards with you. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.

A torch (flashlight) can proof to be very useful

Electricity Rwanda

We advise you to take an international adapter with you for your electric equipment. The system used in Rwanda is the Western European system. In most lodges it is possible to charge your batteries.

Driving Rwanda

Driving in Rwanda is on the right-hand side.

Visitors without experience of African roads are advised to travel with a 4x4 vehicle driven by a knowledgeable driver/guide, rather than self-drive.

All our guides are well trained in "Defensive Driving".

Stopover Points

Please mind that washrooms along the road are sometimes not to European standards, for example squatting toilets, no flushing toilets or no toilet paper available. Like the locals say: T.I.A. This Is Africa.

Facilities and accommodations

Bathroom facilities and accommodations can be more basic when traveling on a medium to low budget. In the eco lodges mind that the water reserves are limited and in most cases there are no sockets in the room, but you can always charge your devices at the reception.

Tipping

Tipping will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% in hotels and restaurants. Guides, drivers and carriers should always be tipped. Indication: for carriers USD 1-3 and for your driver/guide USD 5-15 per day, depending on the group size, number of days and your satisfaction.

Further information Rwanda

The Bradt Travel Guide is the most detailed guidebook for Rwanda. The Lonely Planet produces another guidebook (Lonely Planet East Africa). For wildlife, the best guidebook is ‘Watching Wildlife East Africa’ from the Lonely Planet. For birding, the best guidebook is ‘birds of East Africa’. It is advisable to get the most updated copy.