Gorilla Holidays

Introduction

Through our expert operators, we have a sample of holiday itineraries that work particularly well to enhance your holiday experience with plenty of gorilla encounters.

The itineraries are easily amended in order to create your ideal tailor-made holiday, with your choice of accommodation, extra nights added in where you wish to spend longer, any extra sightseeing or excursions that you would like included or perhaps a beach extension in one of Africa’s beautiful coastal resorts. 

Gorilla tracking holidays combine extremely well with a beach extension on the spice island of Zanzibar.

Boasting some of the best beaches in the world with coconut palm trees, powdery-soft sand and beautiful clear seas, Zanzibar is also known to have some of the best diving in the world.

Contact us with your basic holiday ideas and allow Medway Travel to put together your desired holiday tailored to meet your requirements.

 

Overview

 

Rwanda

Described as 'the land of a thousand hills' Rwanda is a land of great diversity and beauty and enjoys six volcanoes, twenty-three lakes and numerous rivers, some forming the source of the great River Nile.

Rwanda boasts a variety of wildlife; the Parc National de Volcans, in northern Rwanda is home to one third of the world's population of endangered mountain gorillas. With 300 mountain gorillas living in Rwanda, it offers some of the best opportunities to see these spectacular creatures in their natural habitat at very close range.

A gorilla visit can entail anything from a one to four hour trek through the forest, led by experienced trackers who have spent their entire lives living in or close to the forest. The enchanting trek will have you weaving through overhanging vines, moss-covered hagenia trees and giant lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate. You may even spot golden monkeys or see buffalo, bush duiker and a wide variety of bird life. However, nothing can prepare you for one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth - spending some time with the gentle giant gorillas, as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting and raising their young.

With easy access to Kigali, why not combine a gorilla safari in Rwanda with a game drive on the plains of the Serengeti or even the chimpanzees of Mahale in western Tanzania, or, for those who seek pure relaxation, why not visit the beautiful beaches of Lamu or Zanzibar.

Accommodation offered includes the Virunga Lodge, which is set on a high hilltop with breathtaking views of the Virunga volcanoes, Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. The lodge is an hour from the gorilla tracking activities in Parc National des Volcans, which is home to seven families of mountain gorillas. The all-natural, environmentally friendly luxury lodge offers 8 stone and tile bandas with ensuite safari showers.

 

Uganda

Once described as 'the Pearl of Africa' by Winston Churchill, Uganda is a land of extraordinary contrasts, a land blessed with outstanding beauty, rich in cultural history and biodiversity.

Its reputation as 'Africa's friendliest country' is not only accredited to its likeable people, but also to its redevelopment as an eco-friendly environment, with the enlightened management of 10 national parks, and its introduction of eco-tourism projects.

From the moment the visitor lands at Entebbes international airport, with its breathtaking equatorial location on the forested shore of island-strewn Lake Victoria, it is clear that Uganda is no ordinary safari destination.

Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. In this lush country, one can observe lions prowling the open plains, track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth, then navigate tropical channels teeming with hippos and crocs before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of a mountain gorilla – Uganda’s star attraction. Looking into the pensive brown eyes of these gentle giants, is as humbling as it is thrilling, especially when one realises that fewer than 700 individuals survive, divided between Bwindi National Park and the Virunga Mountains.

Accommodation in Uganda varies from luxurious retreats to eco-friendly lodges,  such as Bwindi Mountain lodge, ensuring that the adventurous spirit is inherent to this unique destination, complemented by a full range of creature comforts, fine cuisine and friendly service. The Lodge overlooks the primeval Bwindi Forest and offers 8 thatched bandas with en suite safari shower and verandah.

 

Gabon

This stable country in central West Africa is an essential place to visit for serious wildlife enthusiasts. Many new national parks in Gabon are now protecting huge ranges of wildlife, including large populations of Western Lowland Gorills, Elephants, Chimpanzees, Monkeys, Forest Buffalo and much more.

Due to low numbers of visitors, the unique wildlife viewing and beautiful wilderness areas, the National Parks of Gabon provide paradise for wildlife fanatics. Do bear in mind that due to the infancy of the parks, transportation and infrastructure is still in development and therefore a spirit of adventure is recommended.

Flights to Gabon are generally with SN Brussels accessing the country by flying into Douala (Cameroon), from where we will organise a light aircraft transfer to Port Gentil (Gabon) and then directly to Loango National Park. It is also possible to fly to Libreville with either Royal Air Maroc (via Casablanca with an overnight stop) or Air France (via Paris). Your length of stay at certain locations may be determined by train schedules, and may involve overnight stops in Libreville. Don't let this put you off - it is a truly wonderful country!

Loango National Park is a 1550 square kilometer mosaic of primal forests, grassy savannahs, empty beaches and mangrove lagoons; Africa's Eden manages the national park through economically sustainable protection. You can experience a wild beauty that no longer exists along the rest of coastal western Africa and know that by doing so you are helping to preserve one of the last great wilderness areas on earth. Loango is such a diverse park that we recommend at least a week (split between the camps) to savor its beauty. The park offers a remote experience, but fo r a really remote experience and to fully appreciate the park's diversity you need to head to one of these three excellent bush camps - Akaka, Tassi or Point St. Catherine - where accommodation is in tents raised on platforms - each with their own palm-shaded covers, bathroom, toilet and bucket shower.

Lope National Park is a wonderful patchwork of open savannah and dense rainforest and is particularly famous for its large numbers of mandrills. It is also home to western lowland gorillas, moustached, putty-nosed and crowned monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey. Other mammals here include forest elephants, forest buffalo, red river hogs, red, yellow-backed and blue duiker, and perhaps civets. There are many leopards here too but they can be hard to see.

 

Essential Information

Uganda

The best time to visit Uganda for gorilla tracking is anytime between May and March, to avoid the heavy rain that April brings. The temperature, usually ranging from21 to 25C (70 to 77F), can be quite cool in some parts of Uganda owing to the country’s high altitude, despite its position on the equator. The mountain areas become much cooler and the top of Mount Elgon is often covered with snow. Other parts of the country are much warmer. There is heavy rain between March and May and between October and November. Lightweights and rainwear, with warm cover-ups for the evenings are always advised.

Uganda is 3 hours ahead of GMT, and valid passport and visa are required for British Citizens to travel to Uganda, which Medway Travel can assist you in obtaining through our consular service.

It is advised that you consult your Doctor for the latest health requirements for visiting Uganda.

The currency in Uganda is the Uganda Shilling (UGX). Foreign currency may be exchanged at the Central Bank, commercial banks and foreign exchange bureaux. American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa are accepted but not widely used. Some large hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and shops in urban areas accept credit cards.

Rwanda

Despite its proximity to the equator, the climate in Rwanda is cooled by the high altitude. It is warm throughout most of the country but cooler in the mountains. There are two rainy seasons: mid January to April and mid October to mid December. Lightweights are required for most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler upland evenings. Rainwear is advisable.

Rwanda is 2 hours ahead of GMT and valid passports are required for British Citizens to visit Rwanda. No visa is required for tourist stays of up to three months.

It is advised that you consult your Doctor for the latest health requirements for visiting Rwanda.

The currency in Rwanda is the Rwanda Franc (RWF). MasterCard is most widely accepted, with more limited use of Diners Club. It may be difficult to change traveller's cheques outside Kigali.

Gabon

In Gabon, the dry season is from June to August, and the main rainy season is from October to May. Average temperatures are 25°C (77°F). Lightweight tropical wear, with raincoats are advised during the rainy season.

Gabon is 1 hour ahead of GMT and valid passports and visas are required by British Citizens when visiting Gabon. Medway Travel can assist you with obtaining a visa through our consular service.

It is advised that you consult your Doctor for the latest health requirements for visiting Gabon.

The currency in Gabon is CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc. Only currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are not widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros. 

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