Accommodation
5 nights in lodges. On safari clients stay 3 nights at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge and 2 nights at Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge.
Transport
Our Custom Built 4x4 vehicles have five passenger window seats plus two mid row seats. We do not usually use the mid seats except for families that want to travel together and do not mind them. They have roof hatches for game viewing, an extended base for better leg room and as a rule carry a First Aid kit. There is enough room for 2 normal pieces of luggage per client on any of our trips.
Meals
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
Staff
Volcanoes safaris driver/guide, plus National Park rangers/guides and trackers.
Age Restriction
To protect gorillas from disease, no children under 15 or people with illnesses may go tracking. We do not have an upper age restriction but insist that you must be fit and healthy for the trip you have chosen. You must also have full travel insurance.
What To Bring
On safari, luggage should be limited to two items of baggage per person.
Warm clothes, fleece or light wool sweater, moisture wicking undergarments, lightweight wool socks, long-sleeved shirt, strong waterproof walking boots (comfortable for going up and down steep hills), sturdy trousers, sunglasses, a torch, fast film, binoculars, sun screen, a sun hat, a breathable lightweight rain poncho or parka with a rain hat, gloves to grip vegetation (inexpensive gardening gloves work well) and a small backpack to carry water and a packed lunch. It is best to have layers of clothing as temperatures tend to change. The guides will make you a walking stick if needed.
Group Size
Max 5
Other Information
Only a limited number of permits are available in each gorilla park. It is therefore essential to book well in advance. Permits need to be paid for at the time of the initial safari booking so that they can be purchased immediately. Delay in payment can result in permits not being secured. Those going gorilla tracking need to be properly equipped and should consult our website for a packing list. To protect gorillas from disease, no children under 15 or people with illnesses may go tracking. Trackers must be fit and in good health as tracking in thick forest at heights up to 3,000m traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines can be tough, arduous and wet. Porters can be hired to carry equipment.
Part of the gorilla permit fee goes to communities living around the gorilla parks. Permits are non-refundable except for medical reasons and a medical certificate has to be provided. Gorilla viewing can be denied at short notice because of national park or border closures, security changes or gorillas going out of range. In such circumstances refunds are at the discretion of the authority and are not within the company's control. Obtaining a gorilla permit therefore is not a guarantee of seeing a gorilla. One hour is allowed with the gorillas, at a distance of at least 5 metres. Flash photography is not allowed, so fast film is useful (400-1600 ASA). Personal video recorders are allowed. Professional film makers require permission and need to purchase filming permits. At the National Parks you will meet your ranger who explains the rules for tracking gorillas and will take you up to the gorillas. Please follow the rules stated.
Operator Remarks
All gorilla permits need to be purchased at the time of booking or a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of the safari paid, whichever is higher. Gorilla viewing is subject to availability of permits, which are limited; any additional gorilla permits required should be purchased when booking. Gorilla permit prices are subject to change without warning. The safari prices include a $100 contribution per client which will be transferred to the Volcanoes Partnership Trust, a separate non-profit organisation to undertake community and conservation activities.
One Parc National des Volcans gorilla permit is included in the cost but the other gorilla trackings require a supplement to be paid at time of booking.
