Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking vacation in Rwanda

Price
£2800 excluding flights
More info
This trip can be tailored to suit your budget and time and the number of guests.
Please ask for more information. Note: Gorilla permits in Rwanda were increased to $1500 each.
so this is reflected in pricing - Pricing is based on minimum two people
Please ask for more information. Note: Gorilla permits in Rwanda were increased to $1500 each.
so this is reflected in pricing - Pricing is based on minimum two people
Description of Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking vacation in Rwanda
Price information
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
Visiting Rwanda is a bit like doing a triathlon. It’s challenging, exciting, tiring and emotional. It also has three important aspects: people and cul...
'Safari' means 'journey', and the word itself has travelled – first from the Arabic safar and safariya, through to the Swahili safari. This East...
Reviews
2 Reviews of Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking vacation in Rwanda
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 03 Mar 2020 by Rebecca Rittgers
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
So to start, we didn't do gorillas and chimpanzees tracking in Rwanda. Instead, Wycliffe and his wonderful team arranged a special day trip for our group, the global staff of an international funder of disability rights. Our challenge to Wycliffe - create safari-type experience that everyone in our group - regardless of their ability - could enjoy. And Wycliffe provided! We all experienced screaming baboons, zebras frolicking, and the apex - an elephant emerging from the bush and staring us down! The animals and the team's sensitivity to and knowledge of them made this a day to remember.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Wycliffe is breaking new ground - and providing a space for all travelers, regardless of their ability, to have a rich experience. This is core to their mission- creating travel experiences that have lasting impact and that make a difference for both tourists and the local communities. If you think you can't experience a safari because someone in your group is limited physically, think again!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. It was wonderful that two of our four drivers/guides were women!! We also think that our group made an impact on both the Sandfield team and the local
guides and restaurants we encountered. All were eager to make sure we were accommodated, and while not perfect, you could tell they all appreciated understanding how to make their services more accessible. It was a win win/learning experience on all sides!
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was fantastic. The operator made this a fun almost joyous day. We saw amazing animals and beautiful countryside, and ended our day tired and
fulfilled!
Reviewed on 10 Mar 2017 by Chris Squires
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Discounting being within an arms length of a family of Gorilla's, Seeing how beautiful Rwanda is as a country and how friendly the people are, considering their recent history was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We had 3 days in Volcanoes national park, which was a little too long once you'd seen the gorillas and other sights. We only had 1 day round Lake Kivu so would have liked another day there.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely, I know the cost of Gorilla & other permits are expensive, plus tips for guides and trackers, but these people need the income so they don't revert to poaching. Rwanda are developing "community" living and it was apparent to see how lives & homes have improved since 2000.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
4.5 stars
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
We're committed to sustainability, in the communities in which we operate and in the ecosystems we encounter. We seek to minimise the impact of our trips by minimising and properly disposing of waste created, by conserving energy and water, and by ensuring that endangered wildlife and environmentally compromised areas are treated with respect.• Environmentally-focused community development projects in Uganda. the community development aspect of our trip is directly focused on improving the natural environment and human living conditions. These projects include planting trees and helping preserve endangered animals, birds and plant species.
. $600 permit feein Uganda and $750 in Rwanda that you pay for the gorilla tracking aspect is vital in government's conservation policies and it what is continuing to make the difference. So by paying the permit fee you're already helping to conserve these endagered primates.
• Environmental training: all of our guides, employees and drivers are trained in principles of environmental sustainability and will offer travelers’ tips on how to conserve water, reduce waste and otherwise minimize the environmental impact of their trip. We hope that our travelers will be able to take some of the conservation tips they learn from our guide’s home with them.
• Corporate recycling/energy policy: wherever possible our employees use recycled paper and recycle waste created in the office, as well as attempting to minimise waste created and be a “paper less” office. We also work to minimise energy and water consumption in our offices, and we encourage our partners to follow similar waste management
People
Use of Local Guides: we're committed to using local guides, all our drivers and guides in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda are all local English speaking guides and we are committed to the training and mentoring of local people with the potential to become guides. Our guides are trained in responsible tourism and will help our travelers to be both culturally and environmentally sensitive and on top of that they understand the local areas.• Retention of trip costs in local communities: we're committed to investing in local communities, and we aim to retain a significant portion of our travelers’ trip cost in the destination country. We use locally owned and operated hotels and restaurants. We offer opportunities for travelers to purchase local crafts and food, and our guides will provide guidance on appropriate places to shop for these.
• A real hands-on community development work: all of our trips involve a component of community development work and as such, travelers have an opportunity to contribute directly to the local communities they visit.
In addition, a portion of each traveler’s trip cost goes to support the development project for that trip. For instance, where our travelers are painting a classroom at an orphanage, the cost of the materials required is included in the trip cost.
In other areas, the trip cost includes a donation to the charity supported by that trip. Our development projects are carefully selected in conjunction with local charities and other organisations to ensure that our travelers’ work will be of maximum benefit to the local community
. We will give 10% of any profit we get from this trip to new medical Clinic that we have been helping to set up.
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