Terra Incognita \"ter-a-in-kag-net-a"\ [L] (1616): unknown territory: an unexplored country.

Rwanda

Gorillas in the Mist
In support of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.


Young Mountain Gorilla, as seen on Gorilla trek, Gorillas in the Mist ecotour, Rwanda

Meet Mountain Gorilla Project Veterinarian Dr. Mike Cranfield and/or the Regional Field Veterinarians
8 days and 7 nights - Saturday to Saturday (leave home on a Friday, back on a Sunday).

Gorilla DoctorsA unique adventure indeed. We will visit Rwanda, home to the critically endangered Mountain Gorilla, where we shall TWICE track these gentle giants. The Mountain Gorillas inhabit some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, high on the flanks of the Virunga Volcanoes. We will also take the opportunity to visit the grave of famed primatologist Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to the conservation and protection of these animals. A veterinarian from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project will join us during this ecotour, and will detail some of the threats facing these incredible animals.

Group size is limited to 16 individuals.
2010 Departure dates: 27 November - 4 December (TWO spaces available).
2011 Departure dates: 5 - 12 March (TRIP FULL); 28 May - 4 June (OPEN to enrollment); 3 - 10 September (only TEN spaces available); 10 - 17 December (OPEN to enrollment).

Cost per person is $6,649
Single supplement is $1,000

For each participant a donation will be made to the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to continue the important task of providing preventive and emergency health care to these critically endangered creatures.
See detailed itinerary below.


This is an Ecotour that will make a difference to you, and to the areas we visit.
We will donate to the important work of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.
We will employ local people.
We will use locally owned and operated lodges and outfitters.
We will use local goods and services.


Mother and young Mountain Gorilla, seen on Gorilla trek, Gorillas in the Mist ecotour, Rwanda

Daily itinerary:

Day 1: Saturday. Arrival to Kigali, Rwanda
Plan to arrive in Kigali today - International flights arrive from Brussels, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Johannesburg. You will be met upon arrival at the International Airport outside baggage claim and transferred to the Kigali Serena Hotel.
Overnight in Kigali Serena Hotel. (D)

Day 2: Sunday. Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Today we depart for Akagera National Park in the east of Rwanda bordering Tanzania. This is just a two-hour drive and we should be at the Lodge in time for lunch. We can clean-up, settle into our rooms, relax poolside and late this afternoon we should have chance for a "Game Drive" before sunset. Welcome dinner and orientation at the Lodge this evening.
Overnight at Akagera Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Monday. Akagera National Park
An early morning game drive in the Park should reward us the chance to see a variety of birds, elephant, hippo, giraffe, spotted hyena, buffalo and crocodiles. We return to the Lodge in time for lunch, and then we shall plan on a short siesta. Later this afternoon we may enjoy a canoe ride on Lake Ihema, which is very rewarding for seeing the large number of hippo, the huge Nile crocodile and many birds, or we can choose to go on another game drive. Dinner at the Lodge this evening.
Overnight at Akagera Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tuesday. Akagera National Park to Volcanoes National Park
An early start this morning as we head towards Kinigi in the north-west of the country. Along the way we will stop for lunch in Kigali, and shall visit the Genocide Memorial, where we shall hear stories of survival and the heart-warming stories of recovery and rebuilding hope. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda's landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. We settle in this evening at our base for the next four nights, the dramatically located Virunga Lodge, overlooking the lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo.

This evening we meet one of the Veterinarians from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, and hear about their ongoing efforts to protect the Mountain Gorillas. They will join us for cocktails and dinner, and will share with us some of the stories, challenges, and successes of their important work.
Overnight at Virunga Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Wednesday. Gorilla Trek, Volcanoes National Park
Today we take our first Gorilla trek. We will arise early this morning and drive the short distance to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park where we shall meet our trackers and head up the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes. We may visit one of the five habituated groups. No more than EIGHT people may visit any group on any given day, so we can rely on having an intimate experience with our group, whichever group we visit. The trek can be quite strenuous, so you should be able to hike for two or three hours on steep mountain trails.
Overnight at Virunga Lodge. (B,L,D)


Mountain Gorilla emerges from the vegetation, Rwanda

Day 6: Thursday. Dian Fossey Grave, former-Karisoke Research Center, Volcanoes National Park
Today we can visit the grave of Dian Fossey, located next to that of Digit her long-time favorite Gorilla. The grave site is located at the former Karisoke Research Center where Dian spent some twenty years studying the Mountain Gorillas, and the trek to the site is quite spectacular, passing through bamboo forest and afro-montane habitats - indeed the trails are criss-crossed with the tracks of forest buffalo and elephant! We may see all manner of wildlife as we make our way up and down to Karisoke, nestled between the volcanic peaks of Karismbi and Visoke. Alternatively we can relax at the lodge today, visit some of the local villages, or perhaps trek to see the endangered Golden Monkeys that also make this area home.
Overnight at Virunga Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Friday. Second Gorilla Trek, Volcanoes National Park
Today is our second chance to go trek the Mountain Gorillas, and we now know what to expect! We should be able to visit a different Gorilla group than our first visit; indeed, the more athletic of us may even try to visit the Susa group which usually requires the longest and most challenging trek. After returning today we may have time to visit the local market or perhaps the lake. Farewell Dinner tonight with the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Field Staff.
Overnight at Virunga Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Saturday. Virunga Lodge to Kigali, Rwanda
A nice relaxed final morning, when we can just soak in the ambiance of this very special place, reflect back upon the adventures of our past week, and pack. Please plan your departing flight for afternoon or evening today. Depending on your flight schedule you may have lunch at the Lodge then depart for Kigali for your return flight home.
(B,L,D)


Ecotour participants after the Gorilla trek, Rwanda

Cost per person is $6,649
Group size is limited to 16 participants.
(single supplement is $1,000 / International Airfare is NOT included)
(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)

International Air Travel - International air is not included in the price of your trip, but we would be happy to have you work with AirTreks, our preferred provider of international air arrangements. We recommend our customers work directly with AirTreks as they coordinate your international flights directly with Ecotours and enable you to arrive at your destination at the times specified for your tour. Please contact AirTreks at ecotours@airtreks.com for more information on international air travel, a no obligation cost estimate of your international flights and complete international air itinerary planning.

Make sure to mention Terra Incognita Ecotours when you contact AirTreks to receive preferred pricing, and recommended travel itineraries specifically developed for your tour.

Watch more about us...
Watch the video about our trip to Rwanda.

Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park, YouTube

Rwanda: Akagera National Park, YouTube

Rwanda Gorilla Trek as seen on CBS on Tampa Bay's 10

Read more about Rwanda...
Mountain Gorilla Information
msnbc.com
African Wildlife Foundation
National Geographic
The Africa Guide
USAToday

Travel Information

Thanks for choosing Rwanda with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

What you need to have with you on your trip:
Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen (who get visas upon entry), please consult the Rwanda consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter Rwanda. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.


Virunga Lodge, our base for Gorillas in the Mist ecotours, Rwanda

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child’s surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child’s birth certificate.

Please note: You must be over 15 years of age to obtain a gorilla viewing permit.

Emergency Contact number while on your ecotour:
Call COLLECT (813) 289-1049

Security: There are currently no security problems in Rwanda. After the tragedy of the genocide in 1994, Rwanda has now stabilized and welcomes visitors. Please feel free to check with the US State Department for any updates or change in conditions.

Gorilla Treks

The highlight of the ecotour is undoubtedly the opportunity to trek the endangered Mountain Gorilla, and there is no doubt a face-to-face encounter with these gentle creatures is the most sensational wildlife experience of them all. During this ecotour you will have TWO opportunities to go on a Gorilla Trek. In order to participate in a Gorilla Trek, viewing permits must be obtained in advance, and they are extremely limited in number, so advance booking is essential to ensure permits can be obtained. Currently the viewing permits cost $500 per person, per day, and the cost is included in your ecotour.

The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is perhaps the World’s most endangered ape, with approximately 700 animals, and they are only found in small portions of protected afro-montane forests in north-west Rwanda, south-west Uganda and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Half the population lives in the area of the Virunga volcanoes, and the other half lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, although located close to one another, expanding agriculture and the clearing of forest habitat means these two populations are now isolated from one another.

Gorilla trekking is tightly controlled and regulated for the safety of the visitor and importantly for the safety of the Mountain Gorillas. A maximum of 8 visitors may visit a group of habituated Gorillas on any given day, this minimizes behavioral disturbance and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.

Gorilla Groups:
There are currently SEVEN groups habituated to visitors in Rwanda.

Only the Park Authorities will assign which gorilla group you will visit.

You will trek from the Park Headquarters to where the guides observed the Gorillas the day before, from there you will track the Gorillas. The trails may be very muddy, slippery and portions will be quite steep and strenuous.

Gorilla Viewing Rules:

Practical Information

Currency: Rates effective March 2010. The currency of Rwanda is the Rwanda Franc (RWF) and 1 USD = 573 RWF.

Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, some restaurants and larger stores. U.S. dollars are of course widely accepted in Rwanda, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician or a travel clinic specialist for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

At the present time, several immunizations are recommended/required for this ecotour, (e..g., Yellow Fever) and the CDC recommends that the normal "childhood" vaccines should also be up to date: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR Vaccine), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Perturssia (DTP Vaccine) and Polio vaccine.

Swimming: There is an opportunity to swim during the ecotour, at the Lodge in Akagera, but there are no other swimming opportunities.

Time Difference: Rwanda is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, but during Daylight Savings Time (March - November) the time difference can be reduced by one hour.

Weather: Rwanda is located close to the Equator, daytime temperatures can reach 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but, due to the high altitudes (5,000 to 9,000 feet) you will be visiting, the mornings and evenings are cooler and nights can feel a little cold. Please remember that the sun’s rays are more vertical than you may be used to, so you can sunburn more easily, and the additional altitude makes the sun’s rays even stronger. Be very careful of the midday sun.

There are two seasons in Rwanda; the long dry season (June to September) and the wet season, which can be divided into the big rains (mid-February to June) and the small rains (mid-September to mid-December). However, due to the high altitude, rain is possible at any time of year, and the weather can change quite quickly. Typically in the rainy season it rains in the afternoons and the mornings are bright and sunny. Although one can almost depend on clear, sunny weather, there are occasional unseasonable storms, and brief but intense rain showers occur regularly in the tropical regions during any season.

Are you fit for your trip?

Even though your adventure is quickly approaching, it’s not too late get fit for your trip. Fit for Trips, in collaboration with Terra Incognita Ecotours, has developed fitness programs specific to your itinerary to ensure that you have the adventure of a lifetime. Whether you are just getting started with a fitness routine or regularly train for athletic challenges, Fit for Trips offers trip-specific conditioning routines for adventurers of all levels. All Terra Incognita Ecotours guests will receive receive an 8% discount and a money-back guarantee.

Get started today and be fit for your trip!

Watch the video about our trip to Rwanda.