Small Group Safari

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari with Scott Portelli

Join award-winning wildlife photographer Scott Portelli in the forests of Volcanoes National Park, tracking mountain gorillas and learning how to capture them perfectly on camera.

Duration 5 days
Price From $4,375
When Apr
Destination Rwanda
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A 5 day safari tracking mountain gorillas with wildlife photographer Scott Portelli - from $4,375 per person sharing, excluding gorilla permits and international flights.

Safari Overview

Like a phoenix rising from its turbulent past, Rwanda is a surprising and breathtakingly beautiful country. This five day journey explores the misty mountains of the Virunga Volcanoes National Park, in search of the endangered mountain gorillas that call it home. Two mornings are spent trekking the gorillas in their natural habitat in the company of award-winning wildlife photographer Scott Portelli. Scott is there to assist you in taking the perfect images of these great apes; come rain or shine, he knows the best time, angles and camera settings to get great shots during your limited time with them.

You can spend up to an hour with the gorillas each time, and with the option of a third trek, you will have plenty of opportunities to capture some incredible images. The afternoons are not wasted, as you will learn how to edit your images professionally with expert guidance from Scott.

What makes this trip extraordinary?

  • Track mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
  • Receive expert photographic advice from wildlife photographer Scott Portelli.
  • Trek through the forests of Volcanoes National Park.
  • Visit the remains of Dian Fossey's research centre.

An incredible opportunity to come face-to-face with the endangered mountain gorillas of virunga, and learn how to photograph them with guidance from the experts.

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Day by day

Day 1

Kigali - Volcanoes National Park

Upon arrival at the airport you will be met by 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. Afterwards, you will drive (approximately 2.5 hours) to Kinigi and the Volcanoes National Park. A 'true island in the sky', the Volcanoes National Park is home to some of the worlds few remaining mountain gorilla, which were first studied here in 1959 by George Schaller and through the 1960's by Dian Fossey and her colleagues. In the late afternoon you will have a briefing, where Scott will take you through the next few days and ensure you are properly prepared for your encounters with the gorillas.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel L, D

Days 2-3

Volcanoes National Park

Enjoy two days of gorilla tracking. An early start each day as you make your way to the park headquarters at Kinigi to register and be allocated your assigned ranger and gorilla family; the gorillas we are allowed to track belong to one of ten habituated family groups. The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. Experienced guides will accompany you on your gorilla tracking, using their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts. Tracking the gorillas can take anything from 2-6 hours 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. 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 in the following days.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel B, L, D

Day 4

Optional Gorilla Trek or Dian Fossey Visit

Today you have the chance to either track the gorillas once again (price not included) or head out to visit the remains of the Karisoke Research Centre where Dian Fossey worked, which includes a chance to visit the meadow of where her mountain hut used to be, with views of Bisoke, Karisimbi and Sabyinyo peaks. These activities must be booked at time of booking and are at additional cost. For those who wish to relax at the lodge and recuperate after the last few days activities, then this is of course also an option.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel B, L, D

Day 5

Volcanoes National Park - Kigali

In the morning you will be met by your guide and driven back to Kigali airport in time for your onward flight.

Trip Details

Trip Information

This safari is a small group safari with set departure dates. Please note, gorilla permits are not included in the price of this safari and will cost an additional £2,400 for two permits. There is also a single supplement of £330.

 2018 Departures   Prices 
Apr 9 - 13  From £3,125 per person
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