Gorilla Trekking in Parc Des Volcans

0;In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that(bed and breakfast).
you shiver more than you sweat, are great, oldMacushla is approximately twenty-five minutes
volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, andfrom Nairobi City only thirty minutes from Wilson
nearly covered with rich, green rainforest - thedomestic airport and forty-five minutes from the
Virungas” wrote primatologist Dian Fossey.international airport. A low rambling property with
The Parc des Volcans is situated in the faran attractive garden that is surrounded by
northwest of Rwanda, protected by the steepindigenous forest, Macushla accommodates a
slopes of a magnificent mountain range. The Parcmaximum of ten guests in delightful large and airy
is a rich mosaic of ecosystems - evergreen androoms with open beamed ceilings. The sitting
bamboo forest, open grassland and swamp. It isroom area has lovely log fires and the standard
also home to the rare mountain gorilla.of cuisine is superb.
An exhilarating trek through the cultivated foothillsThere is also a small cottage set apart from the
of the Virungas offers incredible views in allmain area which consists of two rooms and is
directions. Then, all of a sudden, the trail entersideal for families.
the national park, immersing you in the quietWithin walking distance of Macushla is the Giraffe
intimacy of the rainforest, alive with birdlife andCentre, which is well worth a visit. The owner of
chattering monkeys, and the elusive populations ofthe lodge, Carry Henken, will happily arrange for
elephant and buffalo. Through gaps in the forestyou to visit other points of interest in and around
canopy, you can see a glimpse of the magnificentNairobi.
peaks which are easily reached and among theTo cool off there is an attractive terrace and
highest in Africa.small swimming pool. Warm hospitality is a
On the base of the Virungas is the bustlinghallmark of Macushla House.
market town of Ruhengeri. On the outskirts ofDays 7 to 9
town is a natural bridge of solidified lava flow. It isIn the morning you will be met and transferred to
a fascinating relic of the volcanic activity that hasNairobi’s Wilson Airport where you board
shaped this scenic area. The seldom visited buta scheduled light aircraft flight departing to the
lovely Lakes Burera, Ruhondo and Karago are alsoMasai Mara. On arrival you will be met and
within easy access.transferred to Sala’s Camp where you
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is situated on the edgestay for three nights (inclusive of meals, local
of the Parc des Volcans and is a great lodge todrinks and laundry service).
stay at when visiting Rwanda. Read more aboutSala's Camp is situated on the banks of the Sand
Rwanda gorilla trekking and the plight of theRiver, a secluded and private corner of the Mara,
Mountain Gorilla on our website (offering spectacular views across the plains
Gorilla trekking and luxury Kenya safari itinerarytowards Tanzania.
Day 1The Carr-Hartley safari tradition of adventure and
Depart from London’s Heathrow Airportelegance under canvas with personalised service
on the Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi’scontinues to be Sala's Camp trademark. The
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.camp accommodates a maximum of 14 guests in
Day 2six spacious double tents and one honeymoon
Arrive and connect onwards to Kigali. On arrivaltent. These en-suite tents are comfortable and
you will be met and transferred to Kigali Serenaromantic, offering running hot and cold water,
where you stay for one night (bed andlighting and flushing toilets. The mess tent provides
breakfast).access to charging points for cameras and other
The Kigali Serena is located on the stylish Rue deelectronic equipment.
la Revolution in central Kigali, the commercial hubGuests have the opportunity to witness one of
of Rwanda. Guest rooms are luxuriously appointedthe world's greatest natural spectacles, a natural
with a 300 square metre Presidential suite, 6wonder of the world - the Great Wildebeest
luxury suites, 18 studios, 19 superior rooms andMigration and voted in November 2006 a new
60 deluxe rooms, including a specially designed andnatural wonder of the world. Each year the
equipped accommodation for disabled guests.promise of rain and green grass brings more than
The hotel also boasts a fully equipped fitness1.3 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra. These
centre, business centre, gift shop and an outdoornumerous migrants are followed along their annual,
swimming pool. Two restaurants and a lounge barcircular route by a block of hungry predators,
cater for a variety of sophisticated tastes - frommost notably lions and hyena. Sala's Camp is
the fashionable to the quietly elegant.located at the heart of the migration.
A tiny, landlocked republic in Equatorial Africa,This secluded spot is nestled on the convergence
Rwanda lies on the eastern rim of the Albertineof two rivers and offers tranquillity and
Rift and the watershed between Africa’stremendous views along the Sand River towards
two largest river systems: the Nile and the Congo.Tanzania and the Serengeti. From your tent you
Often called the "land of a thousand hills", Rwandawill be able to enjoy at abundance of birdlife and
is a mountainous country with a moist, temperatewildlife. Activities are complemented by the
year-round climate.personal approach of the knowledgeable team and
This is a sultry land of lakes, rain forests andinclude morning and afternoon game drives, bush
rolling hills, offering a number of magnificentbreakfast and lunches, sundowners and shared
lakeside resort towns. It is famous for itsfire-side experiences. Other activities include
mountain gorillas, which can be spotted in theBalloon safaris and visits to Masai villages which
country's magnificent national parks. Thecan be arranged by the Sala's Camp team.
Volcanoes National Park in particular, on the borderDays 10 to 12
of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of theAfter your morning activity you will be returned
Congo (DRC), currently houses the world's largestto the airstrip where you board a scheduled light
population of mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillaaircraft flight departing to Ukunda. On arrival you
is a tourist attraction unique to Rwanda and it iswill be met and transferred by road and boat to
estimated that 350 of the 650 existing mountainFunzi Keys where you stay for three nights in a
gorillas are located in Rwanda and the DRC,beach front cottage.
making the Gisenyi area home to the highestFunzi Keys is probably the most luxurious beach
concentration of mountain gorillas in their naturalhideaway in Africa. Situated on a private island
habitat.fifteen minutes by light aircraft from the Kenya
Days 3 to 5Coast, the island accommodates guests in a
After breakfast you will be met and transferredchoice of thatched cottages inspired by typical
to Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge where you stay forOmani architecture. There are nine seafront
three nights (inclusive of meals, local drinks andcottages offered on a full board basis and each
activities).with a vast ‘bedroom’ with
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is situated on the edgefour-poster bed, a jacuzzi bath with a view,
of the Parc National des Volcans in North WesternOmani furnishings and an open-fronted lounge with
Rwanda, in an undulating area of eleven hectaressofas and low tables.
with fabulous views towards the Parc National desThe lodge has recently expanded to include eight
Volcans.garden cottages which are available on a half
All guest cottages are discreetly and privatelyboard rate and although slightly smaller than the
situated in the folds of the hills and each has itsseafront, and without a jacuzzi bath or sea view,
own unique view. The altitude of the lodge isthese are furnished to an equally high standard
approximately 7,000 feet above sea level so theand only minutes from the main lodge and
climate is generally cool and the volcanoes rise toseafront.
a height of almost 15,000 feet.The owners, Alessandro Torriani and his wife
The lodge comprises of a central building withClaudia, are usually there and they charmingly and
reception, bar, dining room, library/games roomunobtrusively keep in touch with each guest to
and shop. Both the bar and dining room havediscuss what they would like to do each day and
extensive outdoor decks from which guests canwhat you would like to eat and drink –
enjoy the spectacular views. The accommodationthere are no menus.
comprises five cottages, two suites and a familyFunzi Keys has an enormous pool and a wide
suite and all have at least one private veranda, arange of water sports. Guest can enjoy inclusive
sitting room, bedroom, dressing room and a largeactivities ranging from snorkelling, trips to the sand
modern bathroom. The family suite has an extrabank, sailing, canoeing, creek fishing, wind surfing,
bedroom and en-suite.dhow and boat trips in the bay and to the Ramisi
The lodge is constructed of local stone, finishedRiver and sundowner dhow cruises. Guests may
with an ochre coloured plaster. Terracotta tiledalso enjoy a complimentary massage, pedicure
roofs give a stylish contemporary Rwandeseand manicure.
flavour. All guest rooms have large windows toOther activities available at extra cost include
make the best of the wonderful views. Doublescuba diving and deep-sea fishing in the nearby
thickness wall maintain the warmth from thePemba Channel where the enormous catches
fireplaces when it is cold outside and keep theattract sports fishermen from all over the world.
rooms cool in the warmer weather during theGuests often like to simply explore the island with
day. The lush gardens have been extensivelyits pretty creeks, spectacular bird life. Snorkelers
landscaped.and divers will want to visit the owner’s
The rainforests of the Virunga Volcanoes are theprivate islands to the south where there are
last refuge of the Mountain Gorilla. The Virungasmarvellous reefs and hundreds of species of fish.
span Rwanda, Uganda and the DemocraticThere is a small beach in front of the lodge and a
Republic of Congo, with the Parc National dessuperb private white sandy beach a few hundred
Volcans being the Rwandese element of thisyards away by boat.
ecosystem. The lush slopes of the volcanoesThe atmosphere is private and relaxed with
provide an appropriately dramatic natural settingsuperb cuisine and dinner can be prepared to
for what is perhaps the most poignant and thrillingorder and enjoyed by your own campfire on the
wildlife experience to be had anywhere –beach outside your lodge, in the dining room or on
to see the Mountain Gorilla in its natural habitat.board a dhow moored just offshore. The dhow
Roughly half of the world’s wild populationcan also be used for dreamy sunset cruises
of Mountain Gorillas are resident on the Rwandanaround the islands.
slopes of the Virungas. Five habituated families ofDay 13
gorillas are visited, and these families have fromIn the afternoon you will be returned by road and
seven to over thirty five individuals in each.boat to Mombasa where you board the Kenya
Day 6Airways flight to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta
In the afternoon you will be returned to theInternational Airport. On arrival connect onwards
airport where you board the Kenya Airways flightto London’s Heathrow Airport.
to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta InternationalDay 14
Airport. On arrival you will be met and transferredArrive into London Heathrow.
to Macushla House where you stay for one night