Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari with Scott Portelli

Apr 20: Arrive Kigali

Upon arrival into Kigali Airport you will be met by our local representatives and transferred to the Kigali Marriott, your hotel for the evening. Settle in and join your fellow travel companions for a welcome dinner.

Apr 21: Kigali - Volcanoes National Park

Depart after breakfast with Scott and your private guide and set off to explore city of Kigali, including a visit to the Genocide Museum. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before driving approx. 2.5hrs to Kinigi and the nearby Volcanoes National Park. A 'true island in the sky', the Volcanoes National Park is home to some of the world's few remaining mountain gorillas, which were first studied here in 1959 by George Schaller, and through the 1960s by Dian Fossey and her colleagues. In the late afternoon you'll have a briefing where Scott will take you through the itinerary for the next few days, ensuring you are properly prepared for your encounters with the gorillas!

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel B, L, D

Apr 22: First Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park

Today will be spent tracking the world-famous mountain gorillas. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to one of 10 habituated family groups. An early breakfast and you're off to the park headquarters at Kinigi to register and be allocated your gorilla family for today. Once this is done, you'll set out by vehicle to the start of your gorilla safari. The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany you on your gorilla tracking, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts. Scott will guide you through how to get the best out of your photographs, and in the evenings, go through them with you so you can improve your skills over the following days.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel B, L, D

Apr 23: Golden Monkey Trek

This is an opportunity to practice your forest-photography skills. Set off into the forest to track the golden monkeys. This species is endemic to the Volcanoes National Park area and is known for being cheeky, playful and inquisitive. There are currently two habituated groups and guests are allowed to spend one hour with one group. Please bear in mind that there is no limit to the number of visitors so it can be quite busy. After your trek you'll return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon (if time and weather conditions permit) you'll visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, or the local markets in the town of Musanze.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel B, L, D

Apr 24: Second Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park

Your second day of gorilla tracking! After an early start, make your way to the park headquarters where you will be assigned a ranger and a gorilla group. Tracking the gorillas can take anything from 4-8hrs in lush green, steep, muddy terrain! It is, however, the experience of a lifetime... Coming across these amiable primates in their natural surroundings is quite awe-inspiring as you watch them go about their daily lives, alternately playing, grooming, snoozing and foraging. Return to the lodge later in the afternoon to relax, have a hot shower and reflect on the day’s activities.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel B, L, D

Apr 25: Optional Third Gorilla trek or Dian Fossey Research Centre Visit

On your final day, you'll have the chance to once again track the gorillas or, alternatively, visit the Karisoke Research Centre where Dian Fossey worked, which includes a trip to the meadow which once served as the setting for her humble mountain hut, with views of the Bisoke, Karisimbi and Sabyinyo peaks. In the afternoon you’ll be driven back to Kigali Airportfor your onward flight. Guests joining Scott in Uganda will cross the border into Uganda and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.