The flight from Nairobi to Kigali is only 1 hour 20 min.

Novotel Umubano Hotel Kigali: This hotel is a newly renovated 4 star hotel of international standard (services and food) comparable to a Novotel anywhere in the world. The hotel with 100 rooms has a lovely pool and tennis courts, is our accommodation of choice.

Rwanda: A tiny landlocked republic in Equatorial Africa, Rwanda lies on the eastern rim of the Albertine Rift and the watershed between Africa's two largest river systems: the Nile and the Congo. Known as ‘the land of a 1000 hills' Rwanda is a mountainous country with a moist, temperate year round climate. It is the most densely populated country in Africa. French, English and Kinyarwanda are the most widely spoken languages and the population of about 8 million people is largely Christian.

Kigali: Kigali has been the capital of Rwanda since 1965. An attractive city, it spreads over a number of hills and although it saw some difficult times through the genocide in 1994 and as power changed hands subsequently, it now has a pleasant, buoyant air. The main shopping and commercial area is centred around the Hotel Mille Collines, with the government district on the neighbouring Kaciyiru hill. The markets, the handicrafts, the Muslim quarter and a new genocide memorial under construction in Gisozi are some of the main places of interest.

Social History: In 1962, under Prime Minister Gregoire Kayibanda, Rwanda gained independence. Ten years later Major General Juvenal Habyarimana came to power. His death in a plane crash in April 1994 unleashed the genocide in which about one million Rwandans are thought to have been killed and nearly twice as many fled into exile. Political and social stability returned to Rwanda in 1999 with the new Government of National Unity.

The MoutainGorilla Trek: Typically, you depart after breakfast to reach Kinigi and the Headquarters of ORPTN (the Rwanda Parks Authority) by 0800 to complete the formalities for our Gorilla trip at the National Park Headquarters.

Gorilla Trekking: After approximately half an hour you head off for one of the most exhilarating and moving wildlife experiences you can have: you
get so close to these giant primates, observing them observing you – their almost human movements, innate dignity and social interaction make a unique connection within each of us.
The trek to find gorillas can be quite short, but on most days an hour or two of rough hiking each way is necessary. Each visit is by permit and
limited to one hour with a professional Gorilla tracker in charge who will coach you in the safety rules and body language required to come close to the Gorilla troops. The climb begins through the lush terraced farmland of the lower volcanic slopes. As the slopes become steeper and rockier, the vegetation becomes thick and tangled; the guides must use their machetes to help clear a path. Huge trees, clinging vines and undergrowth add to the challenge of swift streams and slippery red mud underfoot.
Usually at around 8,000 foot signs of the huge animals become apparent. Damage to the bamboo trees is an obvious sign as the gorillas relish the young tender shoots and break older stems to suck the sap. The smell of gorilla may waft by in the stray breeze or, if one is really near, it is strong and unmistakable. As you near you hear sounds: loud crashes or dull reverberating thuds.

The Mountain Gorilla : Gorilla gorilla berengei - Mountain Gorillas were made famous by Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to their future and immortalised them in the film ‘Gorillas in the Mist'. There are no more than 668 Mountain Gorillas remaining in the world today, of
which 355 live in the Virunga Volcanoes. In the past poaching and habitat destruction were the main cause for concern. However with publicity, tourism and education regarding the plight of the Mountain Gorilla, the authorities have been able to halt this rapid decline.

There are few animals in Africa about which so many legends circulate. His enormous size, his extraordinary strength and the fact that he lives in mysterious forests of luxuriant vegetation have contributed to his mystique. The troop consists usually of a dominant male and up to five or more females and their young. It is basically a stable family with the young only leaving after they reach sexual maturity. Females join another group while young males remain solitary until they have an opportunity of forming their own troop. This primate is of impressive dimensions; some males (such as Guhonda the silverback of Sabinyo Group that you may visit) attain over six feet in height and weigh more than 440 pounds. The head is massive and the huge jaws are equipped with powerful teeth. Far from being an aggressive animal, as the legends claim, the gorilla is gentle and peaceful in its habits. It is only when threatened that he adopts an intimidating attitude in which he howls in a most frightful way and beats his chest with his fists. Should visitors find themselves in his presence at this moment, they will be advised to assume a submissive, non-threatening attitude. Once his confidence has been restored, the gorilla goes on about his business accepting the intruder.

After a late lunch you return for the 90-minute road transfer back to Kigali. Tired but exhilarated it's a chance to reflect on your observations of these majestic primates whose captivating behaviour and solemn gaze stay lodged in your memory for years to come. In Kigali you check
in to the Novotel for your last night in Rwanda. We recommend dinner in the hotel.

Gorillas Nest Lodge: Located 2 kms west of the Kinigi Park Headquarters, the lodge is in a lovely rural setting and ideally situated
to the park headquarters for each morning's registration process. There is no electricity in Kinigi - so the lodge operates a generator.
Each public room overlooks green lawns and a semi-circle of 20 double rooms & 2 suites.
The rooms all look outwards into the Eucalyptus forest, pyrethrum farms and shambas (farms) beyond. The Lodge is well constructed,
but utilitarian: with grass thatched roofs in traditional Rwandese style - not the "rustic luxury safari" style of East and Southern Africa. Nearby is a traditional Rwandese homestead for visitors to visit in the afternoon's after Gorilla trekking, should you be fortunate enough to be staying more than 1 night!