4 Day Best of Gorilla Trek in Rwanda Staying at Bisate Lodge

Gorilla Trek in Rwanda is one of the most exciting adventure experiences in this remarkable country. As time becomes ever more precious, and escape becomes about more than just the destination. We invite you to book our 4 Day Best of Gorilla Trek in Rwanda Staying at Bisate Lodge and get the pure luxury treat. With a pre–safari night at the Retreat Heaven Boutique Hotel.   You can combine your gorilla trek in Rwanda with wildlife tranquillity in the bush at Magashi Camp found inside Akagera National Park.BOOK NOW

Day 1:            The Retreat by Heaven, Kigali

Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretch across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit.

Day Itinerary

• TBA: Arrival flight time into Kigali to be advised
• TBA: VIP meet & greet through immigration procedures.
• TBA: COVID test is done at the Airport on payment of US$ 60.00 per person.
• TBA: Pick up from Kigali International Airport for a 25 minutes transfer to Retreat Heaven Boutique.
• TBA: Arrival for Check-in.
• TBA: Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Overnight: The Retreat by Heaven

Town & Country and The New York Times call The Retreat in Rwanda one of the top new hotels in the world in 2019.  The American owners of Heaven Restaurant created The Retreat, a 12-room luxury boutique hotel located on a tree-lined street steps from Kigali City Center and 20 minutes from the airport.  8 new luxury pool villas are under construction and will be open by December 2020. The Retreat is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity, organic toiletries, locally-crafted furniture from a Tanzanian sustainable teak farm, outdoor showers, private terraces, a yoga and meditation room, spa, large heated saltwater swimming pool with jacuzzi and diving rocks, and an open-air fitness center.  Fusion Restaurant and its Swahili-inspired bar, located at The Retreat, offer delicious farm-to-table international cuisine, while Heaven Restaurant (reached through the Retreat’s “Stairway to Heaven”) offers an innovative modern African menu. The Retreat is the perfect choice to host guests for 1 night or several days as it offers innovative, curated cultural experiences and exciting activities in and around Kigali. From public health to hospitality, co-owners Alissa & Josh Ruxin created Heaven Restaurant in 2008 to provide jobs and vocational training in hospitality, to date, Heaven and The Retreat have trained over 1000 Rwandans in hospitality skills.

Basis

Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 2:            Kigali, Volcanoes Bisate Lodge

Day Itinerary

• 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0900: Waiting for COVID results at the hotel.
• 1000: Expected time of receiving COVID results and transfer to Genocide Memorial Centre.
• 1015: Make a visit to the Genocide site.
• 1135: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
• 1300: Lunch at Bisate Lodge.
• 1500: The afternoon is spent on relaxation.
• 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at Bisate Lodge.

Activities

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum

Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The centre is extremely moving, challenging, educational and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide.

The memorial hosts a tour that is transparent and educational but very sombre and humbling when guests realise that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.

Day Itinerary

• 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0900: Waiting for COVID results at the hotel.
• 1000: Expected time of receiving them and transfer to Volcanoes.
• 1030: Visit the Genocide memorial centre.
• 1130: Transfer to Volcanoes. Travel time 2.5hrs.
• 1330: Arrival at Bisate Lodge.
• 1350: Lunch for the day and spend the rest of the afternoon on relaxation.
• 1500: The rest of the afternoon is for relaxation around the lodge.
• 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at Bisate Lodge.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3:            Bisate Lodge, Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face to face encounter with these intriguing creatures. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main draw card, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the Crater Lake on Mount Bisoke.

Day Itinerary

• 0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing.
• 0800: Start the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
• 1200: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
• 1230: Transfer back to the Lodge.
• 1300: Lunch at the Lodge.
• 1500: Cultural Village Visit.
• 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at Bisate Lodge.

Overnight: Bisate Lodge

Bisate Lodge is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone and has dramatic views of the peaks of the volcanoes, Bisoke and Karisimbi, rearing up through the Afro-alpine forests of nearby Volcanoes National Park. Six luxurious en-suite Forest Villas maximise comfort and views, while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of rural Rwanda. Each guest contributes to Bisate’s biodiversity conservation and local community projects – making a far-reaching impact on an iconic Critically Endangered species: the mountain gorilla.

Aside from tracking one of the several habituated gorilla groups, activities include visiting nearby natural attractions, hiking to Dian Fossey’s burial site, and observing the Park’s group of endangered endemic golden monkeys. Walks on Bisate’s property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme.

INSIDER’S TIP: Bisate is within easy driving distance of Volcanoes National Park Headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily.

Activities

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some taking the better part of the day.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Offering an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans.  Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime as you homestay with the community and become part of their family

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4:            Bisate Lodge, Volcanoes National Park

Day Itinerary

• 0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for the golden monkey trekking briefing.
• 0800: Start Golden monkey trek.
• 1130: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
• 1200: An early lunch at the Lodge.
• 1300: Transfer back to Kigali.
• 1630: Estimated arrival at Kigali International Airport for check-in.
• TBA: Flight time to be advised.

Activities

RDB Golden Monkey Tracking

Located in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, RDB Golden Monkey Tracking offers visitors a unique experience of catching a glimpse of the endangered Golden Monkey. These striking primates with their bright orange fur contrasting the green rainforests of the Virunga Mountains is a photographers dream. The Golden Monkey can be found in very few places outside of Volcanoes National Park, and their vibrant colours, energetic demeanour, and sizeable troupes of up to 30 individuals are indeed a sight to behold.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Included

• Airport Transfers
  • All activities as highlighted in the itinerary
  • Accommodation at Bisate includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, minibar, non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic house beverages with meals.
  • Accommodation at Retreat Heaven Boutique with meals
  • 1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, trek – US$ 1500.-)
  • 1 Golden Monkey Permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, trek – US$ 100.-)
  • Exclusive use of a private safari land cruiser  4×4 with WI-FI in receptive areas
  •Services of a professional, experienced English-speaking driver guide.
  •Village/ Cultural Visit in Volcanoes.
  •Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour.
  •All government assistance.

Excluded

• International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,
• All extra activities, visits, entrances, and extra meals/drinks not  mentioned in the itinerary
• Entry visa fees,
• Premium Drinks throughout the trip,
• Tips and gratuities,
• Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.