Gorilla Trekking: Mountains to Lowlands
Destination
Rwanda & Republic of Congo
Travel Period
January – December
Duration
12 days | 11 nights
Rwanda is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills” and its capital city is no exception; Kigali is a region of rolling hills, valleys, ridges, and steep slopes. It enjoys a temperate tropical highland climate, a bit cooler than typical due to its high elevation of 1,540 m (5,140 ft). Average daily temperatures range between 15 and 27C (59 and 81F) and don’t fluctuate much throughout the year. Farmland comprises over 60% of the land within the city’s boundaries, mostly in outer areas surrounding the urban center and, like the rest of the country, most of the agriculture is small subsistence farming.
As in all of Rwanda, the last Saturday of each month in Kigali is a morning of mandatory community service called umuganda. One person per household between the ages of 18 and 65 is expected to carry out community tasks such as cleaning streets or building homes for vulnerable people. Most normal services close down during umuganda, and public transportation is limited. Rwandese take great pride in this national service and in the ritual of coming together to support one another, and their commitment shows.
Local people are in general very friendly and often willing to share the country’s history of genocide with visitors. The Kigali Genocide Museum is well done and worth a visit for those looking to understand the events leading up to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
There is also a flourishing local art scene with many new galleries opening up.
Set along a tree-lined boulevard in central Kigali, just a short walk from the CBD, the hotel offers a secure and tranquil setting in the heart of the city. Drawing on Rwandan heritage, art, and culture, the property blends regional design with contemporary comfort across 148 rooms and suites. Amenities include multiple dining venues, a pool, a spa, and a fitness center, creating a relaxed and refined retreat for business and leisure travelers.
The hotel is renowned for going above and beyond and has a unique sense of place with restaurants, a health spa, and a tropically landscaped swimming pool.
Standard Room
The Standard Room measures 269–323 ft² (25–30 m²) and accommodates up to two guests. The room includes either a queen-size, two twin, or a king-size bed, and a workspace. The restroom features a soaking tub and a separate shower. The room offers views of the city or gardens. Amenities include air conditioning, wifi, a TV, a minibar, a coffee and tea station, a safe, a wardrobe, and a hairdryer.
Just a three hour drive from Kigali, Volcanoes National Park encompasses 160 km2 (60mi2) in a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, with evergreen and bamboo forests. The national park includes five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, with Karisimbi being the highest at 4,507 m (14,785 ft). The lush slopes of these volcanoes provide a dramatic natural setting for one of the most thrilling and memorable wildlife experiences: seeing the mountain gorilla in its natural habitat. Roughly half of the world’s wild population of mountain gorillas reside on the Rwandan slopes of the Virungas massif.
This is also the setting for the film Gorillas in the Mist, an autobiography about Diane Fossey, who set up the Karisoke Research Center and dedicated her life to these wonderful animals.
Nestled in a small village outside the town of Kinigi, the Amakoro Songa Lodge is a genuine blend of conservation and tourism. The lodge features eight luxurious cottages and is the closest property to the Park Headquarters, the starting off point for gorilla trekking.
Amakoro Songa Lodge gets its name from the black volcanic rocks that characterize this mountainous part of Rwanda, home to the mountain gorillas. The lodge is set on a seven-acre plot with beautifully manicured lawns, surrounded by the Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabinyo mountain volcanoes. The outdoor fireplace is not to be missed and it allows guests to enjoy an evening drink while watching the traditional Intore Dance Troupe.
Cottage
All the cottages at Amakoro Songa Lodge are intentionally furnished with rustic elegance, fusing local and modern pieces that create a good warmth and comfort. The spacious rooms, each equipped with a fireplace, allow guests to opt for a post-trekking massage.
The primary activity at the lodge is, without a doubt, gorilla trekking. Amakoro Songa Lodge is the closest lodge to the Park Headquarters, where the adventure begins, making it very convenient given the very early start required for trekking. After the unforgettable experience meeting humans’ closest relatives, a reinvigorating foot massage awaits. Other activities include golden monkey trekking, guided community walks, cycling, mountain climbing, birding, cave adventures, and bush dining, as well as spa treatments.
There is also the opportunity to visit a neighboring village and take part in traditional activities like tree planting, community cleaning, and traditional dancing. The lodge organizes community walks that include home visits and a story moment with the oldest resident who shares stories dating back to pre- and post-colonial times. The community walks always end with a picnic and a private moment to enjoy nature.
Dian Fossey Museum | Karisoke Research Center
Explore the captivating Karisoke Exhibit, divided into seven engaging sections highlighting the rich history and conservation efforts surrounding mountain gorillas. Discover the life history and behavior of these majestic creatures, delve into the legacy of Dian Fossey, and learn about the challenges facing gorilla conservation. Panels and posters provide detailed information and visuals, offering an immersive experience for visitors eager to learn more about gorillas. Step into the Dian Fossey room to view original artifacts and learn about her pioneering work, including encounters with actual snares.
Learn about the Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey over 50 years ago, and its ongoing conservation and research initiatives. From protecting gorillas to supporting local communities, the Dian Fossey Fund continues to make a meaningful impact in Rwanda and Congo, ensuring a brighter future for these remarkable animals.
Day 3 – Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkeys are known to have unique characters and are a rare species that are endangered at the moment and they are currently found in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda. They are easily recognized due to the yellow patches that can be seen all over their bodies. The Golden monkeys are also known as ‘the Old world monkey’ and the only way to separate these primates from others is by their noses. There is a unique character about the golden monkeys and that is most of the monkeys have their nostrils pointing to the sides but if you look closely at the golden monkeys, their nostrils face upwards.
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda mostly takes place in the Volcanoes which is found in the Virunga Mountains and it has only one session per day which starts in the morning. Those who are willing to take part in the golden monkey trekking are advised to report at the headquarters by 7:00 am for a mini briefing about the trek before it starts and it is only fifteen minutes away from the Park.
Day 4-5 – Gorilla Trekking
The Virunga Mountains straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and are home to around 480 mountain gorillas, more than half of the world’s entire population — the rest live in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
In Volcanoes National Park, which encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, twelve gorilla groups are now habituated for tourism and offer one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural experiences. To be in the presence of these gentle giants at such close quarters is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Although the immense size of the silverbacks might be overwhelming, these 400-pound creatures are actually extremely accommodating to human presence amongst their family. The guides might even teach you a few words in ‘Gorilla’ so you can greet them and show that you are, in fact, friendly!
The day of the trek usually begins with an early start at your hotel and then a drive to park headquarters at Kinigi. Here, park officials assign you to a gorilla family and you meet your gorilla guides. After being briefed on protocols, you head over to the specific starting point, where teams of porters are available for hire. Remember, you are trekking for around 2,500m and so any help is welcome.
Groups are limited to eight guests. The initial trek is usually through rural Rwanda’s open fields of potatoes and pyrethrum, until you reach the rough wall boundary of the park itself. From here, your guide will be in communication with the trackers and you will begin the hike through the forest to meet the gorillas. Your permit allows you one hour with the gorilla family, after which you say goodbye to your trackers and hike back down to meet your awaiting vehicle.
Brazzaville, the capital city of the Republic of Congo, is situated in the banks of the mighty Congo River. This city holds the opportunity for superbly interesting city tours to take in the Poto Poto market (known for amazing textiles), visiting areas of local and historical interest, eating in some fun and quirky restaurants and if time allows to meet up with the Sapeurs or La Sape, a slang abbreviation based on the French word sape, meaning ‘attire’.
This refers to the Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (Society for Creators of Ambiance and Elegant People) which is a subculture centred on the cities of Brazzaville and Kinshasa but growing in followers throughout Central and West Africa.
Spending time with the Sapeurs, you will be enlightened and taught the rules of elegance, through parades, dance and walking the town.
The Radisson Blu M’Bamou Palace Hotel offers a prime location on the banks of the famous Congo River in Brazzaville’s central business district. As the capital of the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville hosts leisure and business visitors, who can choose from a variety of guest rooms, including Presidential Suites and the Penthouse Apartment. Enjoy easy access to Maya Maya International Airport, as well as the ferry that links to Kinshasa, from this convenient city center hotel.
Ideal for family trips as well as business travelers, the M’Bamou Palace Hotel has a children’s pool in the wellness center in addition to shops, a nightclub, a beauty salon and marina on site. With over 2,600 m² of meeting space and 8 innovative function rooms, comprehensive business facilities are also available. Stroll through one of the biggest and most colourful markets in the region at Poto-Poto, which offers street food, unique local delights, and a variety of arts and crafts. Or visit Moungali, the fourth district of Brazzaville, a modern area with plenty of restaurants, bars, and a market famous for its fashion.
Premium Room – River View
The Premium Room – River View, covering 32 m², provides a spacious retreat for up to two adults and one child, with options for twin or king beds. It features all the amenities of the Superior Rooms but with added space for enhanced comfort. Guests can enjoy free wifi, coffee and tea facilities, an iron and ironing board, an in-room safe, a professional hair dryer, a TV with mirror casting, and a magnifying mirror. The room also includes a rain shower for a refreshing experience.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park, in the remote north-west of Republic of the Congo, is one of Africa’s oldest national parks established in 1935. It is a tapestry of pristine rainforests, savannahs, rivers and baïs and plays an integral part of the Congo Basin and TRIDOM Transfrontier Park (overlapping Gabon, Congo and Cameroon) – the lungs of Africa.
Today, Odzala Discovery Camps – Ngaga Camp, Lango Camp and Mboko Camp – are gaining fast traction with those who visit to experience one of the world’s last intact eco-systems; a haven for the Western Lowland Gorilla, Forest Elephant, Bongo and many more species of flora and fauna.
Congo Conservation Company
Congo Conservation Company (CCC) was founded as an actor for true conservation within the region through the development of low impact tourism.
Odzala Discovery Camps has been managed by CCC in the pristine ecosystem of Odzala-Kokoua National Park since 2012.
Through these tourism developments, conservation has been given a higher value by the communities within and surrounding the region as a result of job creation and investment in the area. Together – community, research and tourism are working towards a stronger future for the Congo Basin and all its inhabitants.
Hidden in a dense, nearly inaccessible forest, Ngaga is one of Africa’s most remarkable lodges, offering the rare opportunity to visit gorillas in a habitat barely touched by humanity. The experience will leave you with unforgettable wildlife encounters, a deep connection with nature, and a sense of supreme isolation.
With just six thatch-roofed bungalows nestled among the trees, plus a viewing deck, dining area, and lounge overlooking the forest canopy, Ngaga promises privacy and exclusivity. Even in the primal solitude of this intact ecosystem, you’ll enjoy stylish accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and warm hospitality.
Bungalow
Hand-built in local style, Ngaga’s six double/twin Bungalows feature en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, mosquito-netted beds, and wraparound decks overlooking the trees. Screened windows ensure a steady breeze allow you to fall asleep to the sounds of birds, frogs, monkeys, and insects — the symphony of the forest.
Observe the families of Western Lowland Gorilla that live in the forest surrounding Ngaga Lodge as they climb trees to feast on ripened fruit, swing from branches, and communicate with hoots and howls. Each encounter with these primates is fascinating and life-changing.
Intimate guided walks reveal the splendor of the Congolese rainforest, fostering a deeper understanding of this precious ecosystem and the flora and fauna it shelters.
After an afternoon walk through the woods, you come across a group of chairs set in a stream. Kick off your shoes and cool your feet in the water while the guide prepares gin and tonics.
Meet the community. Mbomo and Ombo villages, both located near Ngaga Lodge, provide an opportunity to meet some of the people who have lived in the Congo Basin for generations. Learn about the challenges and rewards of life in the forest and share your own experience in the outside world.
Step into the mysteries of the forest after dark. On foot, listen for insects and watch the flickering light of fireflies. In a vehicle, look for the reflection of shining eyes in the treetops. Notice how alive the forest is, no matter the time of day.
Kamba African Rainforest Experiences
Kamba African Rainforest Experiences (formerly Congo Conservation Co.) invites you to immerse yourself in one of Africa’s most spellbinding ecosystems. Encounter gorillas, forest elephants, African gray parrots, and other rarely sighted wildlife. Fill your lungs with the immaculate air of a forest barely touched by humanity. And experience the paradigm shift that comes from visiting one of the remotest, most remarkable places on Earth.
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