***WAITLIST ONLY***
Gorillas in the Mist: An Adventure in Rwanda
March 2-10, 2025
Join Dr. Ellen Percy Kraly, Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies Emerita and fellow Alumni in this once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the last remaining apes in Uganda. Affectionately called the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill just over 1,000 mountain gorillas still make their home in the primeval forests of central Africa. This trip enables you to intimately experience these animals and other primates in their natural habitat, while learning first-hand about the history and cultural heritage of this fascinating country.
Tour Highlights:
- Travel with Dr. Kraly to learn about her experience in the region.
- Visit a conservation success story in Akagera National Park.
- Come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the strides being made in wildlife conservation in Rwanda.
- Get immersed in the local culture, music and dance.
- Extend your safari adventure to Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National Park.
Activity Level (varies from moderate to hard depending on the location of the gorillas): chimpanzee and gorilla trekking is often strenuous and requires walking on muddy and uneven paths and requires climbing short but sometimes moderately challenging terrain depending on the location of the gorilla nest. It is important to know and understand your level of stamina, and be comfortable in your abilities for such an activity. While park rangers are available for assistance and support, guests are expected to be able to walk on their own with minimal assistance. Please consult with your doctor to evaluate your physical condition.
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Program Itinerary
[B- Breakfast L- Lunch D- Dinner]
March 2, 2025 U.S/ Kigali, Rwanda
Depart the U.S. for Entebbe (flights not included)
*This is a recommended departure date. Should you wish to arrive early, please contact Immersion Journeys. The cost for the early arrival hotel is $315 per night inclusive of breakfast and taxes.
March 3, 2025 Arrival Entebbe
Met on arrival and transferred to the hotel. For those arriving before 5:30pm, meet your fellow travels for an evening welcome cocktail reception.
Overnight: Kigali Serena (Cocktail Reception)
March 4, 2025 Tour of Kigali & Genocide Museum
Take a tour of this lush city built on hills. Kigali is the epicenter of the country with a vibrant young population of entrepreneurs, a thriving art, music and film industry. Tour the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The memorial is a center of education, and peacebuilding and honors the memory of more than one million Rwandans who were killed in 1994. The three permanent exhibitions and burial gardens form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished and provide a powerful educational tool for all.
Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel (Breakfast)
March 5, 2025 Kigali | Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park lies in eastern Rwanda, hugging the border with Tanzania. It's characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah. The varied terrain shelters wildlife including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. In the southern part of the park, vast Lake Ihema is home to hippos and crocodiles. Most wildlife was decimated during the genocide for food and poaching. Thanks to conservation efforts, the park is thriving again and it is not unusual to see a variety of large game on game drives.
Overnight: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
March 6, 2025 Akagera National Park
Spend a day with your wild life guide on safari. Depending on weather ocnsitions, a boat excursion on Lake Ihema will be organized giving guests an opportunity to get close to teeming bird colonies.
Overnight: Ruzizi Tented Lodge(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
March 7, 2025 Akagera | Volcanoes National Park
Continue to Volcanoes National Park is a 160-square-kilometer park in northwestern Rwanda. The journey to Volcanoes National Park is about 4 hours, filled with breathtaking views of the countryside and when you get there, check-in and have lunch. After lunch, you may simply relax at the lodge or go for a visit of the Gorilla Guardian’s Village that borders Volcanoes National Park. This site was set up as “Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to offer a new lease on life for ex-poachers. Your visit therefore, not only offers an insight into the culture of the people but also provides an opportunity of giving back to the community.
Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
March 8, 2025 Volcanoes National Park and Ellen DeGeneres Center
Early morning start for your gorilla trek. The rainforest is spectacular, heavily vegetated and dense landscape crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access for trekkers. This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas. The thrill of spending time with them and observing these gentle giants is a rare and moving adventure that will leave you with long lasting memories of a truly unique experience. The gorillas are shy and peaceful animals and it is an unforgettable experience to watch them as they interact with each other. Return to the lodge.
In the afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Center of the Dian Fosey Fund. The Ellen Campus is the new home of Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center and a hub for scientific research and discovery in the region. The Ellen Campus was also designed to support Rwanda’s booming ecotourism sector, which is managed by the Rwandan government. Tourism to see the gorillas plays a critical role in providing revenue for the park – allowing for more conservation efforts – and for nearby communities through employment and revenue sharing.
Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
March 9, 2025 Volcanoes National Park
Option to experience a 2nd gorilla trek (additional $1,500 for the permit).
Those who don't do the trek can enjoy a guided visit to see the elusive Golden monkeys.
Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
March 10, 2025 Return to Kigali/ Optional Extension
Drive back to Kigali where day rooms have been arranged to freshen up and relax before your flight home.
Later that evening, you will transfer to the Kigali airport for your onward flight home.
Or continue your safari adventure in Tanzania (see extension details)
Day Room: Kigali Serena Hotel.
Early signup discount before August 2, 2024: $10,999 per person (double occupancy). $1,400 single room supplement (extremely limited and on first come basis)
After August 2, 2024: $11,749 per person (double occupancy). $1,400 single room supplement.
Optional 2nd gorilla trek permit: $1,500
INCLUDES:
- Accommodations and meals as indicated.
- 1x soft drinks during lunches; 2 glasses house wine, beer, soft drink during dinners.
- Welcome cocktails in Kigali.
- Safaris in Akagera National Park with professional guides.
- Visit to DeGeneres/ Dian Fossey Center
- 1x gorilla trek and Golden monkey excursion.
- Tour of Kigali & Genocide Museum.
- Day rooms until 6:00pm in Kigali.
EXCLUDES:
Tips and gratuities to guides, rangers, hotel/ lodge luggage porters, hotel staff, boat crew during cruises, international airfare into/ out of Kigali (unless traveling on the Tanzania extension), visas and passport fees, vaccinations (unless medically waived, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Rwanda and when traveling between the East African zone countries), laundry, beverages other than those mentioned in the inclusions, telephone, fax and internet, Mandatory travel insurance* including air evacuation to your home country/ state/ city. *Guests should have enough coverage for additional in-country COVID testing and any necessary hospitalization/ treatment/ isolation/ transport.
3-night Plains of the Serengeti (Tanzania)
March 10-14, 2025
This extension is a wonderful complement to your primate experience in Rwanda. The Serengeti’s eco-system is teeming with wildlife across the savanna plains. During this time of the year, witness the annual wildebeest migration.
Cost:
$5,745 (per person, double occupancy)
$499 single supplement (extremely limited)
Above includes: Flight from Kigali to Serengeti, 3 nights at luxury lodge/ camp (full board basis) all domestic flights, airstrip and airport meet/ greet, accommodations and meal plan as mentioned above, all conservancy and park fees, safari game viewing with professional safari guide on a private basis.
Does not include: Tanzania visas, gratuities, extra services, extra meals, beverages, yellow fever vaccination (proof required for those traveling from Rwanda), international departure flights from Tanzania.
Other customized pre/post trip extensions are available. Please contact Immersion Journeys at info@immersionjourneys.com.
TOUR RESERVATION FORM - Gorillas in the Mist
To reserve a space, please complete and return this form. We will not process your deposit until you are assigned a place on the tour. Please contact 917-686-2620 (info@immersionjourneys.com) if you have any questions about the registration process.
