Gorilla and Chimp Trekking in Rwanda Review, Part 1/3

Rwanda is known as “the land of 1,000 hills,” and after trekking through more than a few of them, I can confirm this is not an exaggeration. Our gorilla and chimpanzee trekking trip was filled with awe, joy, some sorrow, and more natural beauty than I was prepared for.

I loved it all so much, that after writing the review, I couldn’t fit into one post, so you’re getting a 3-part series.

Our group was seven people: mostly my expat camp neighbors here in Lagos, plus one very adventurous friend who flew from America to Nigeria first…and then onto Rwanda with us.

I still think she’s crazy for this.

Cost

For transparency, the trip cost about $7,300 per person. That included the $1,500 gorilla trekking permit, hotels, transfers, and most meals. It did not include flights or tips.

Yes, gorilla trekking is expensive. It’s also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Unless you go twice.

You get the point. We also chose two nights of luxury lodging that could be downgraded to reduce cost.

We used Jack at Cambium Safaris to plan the trip, and he did a phenomenal job. In addition to being an Africa based travel agent, Jack and his wife own and run and safari camp in Botswana, so they know the business from many vantage points.

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrive in Kigali. Stay at Radisson Blu.
Day 2 – Travel to Nyungwe Forest. Stay at Nyungwe House.
Day 3 – Chimpanzee trekking
Day 4 – Zipline & canopy tour. Return to Kigali and stay at Heaven Hotel.
Day 5 – Nyamata Genocide Memorial + Rwandan cooking class
Day 6 – Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

In this post, I’m sharing Days 1 and 2 and how the entire trip somehow became “for the children.”

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Day 1 - Arrive in Kigali

Our flight from Lagos landed at 8:35 PM. The first thing I noticed was the cool air and breeze outside. It felt incredible.

We were met by Hemingway Tours, who escorted us through immigration and into an airport lounge where we drank Coke and sparkling water while they retrieved our luggage. It was the smoothest airport experience I’ve ever had.

We stayed at the Radisson Blu for the night, a short drive from the airport. Check-in was slow and we were a little cranky about that, but the rooms and beds were decent.

Day 2 - Travel to Nyungwe Forest

We rode 5.5 hours from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest in southwest Rwanda. The drive was stunning, but next time I’d fly to save time.

When we finally arrived at Nyungwe House, we were greeted by local dancers and drummers performing just for us.

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The rainforest was noticeably cooler than Kigali and I had to put on a jacket before getting out of the car. Then, while the dancers were still singing and jumping, as if on cue, thunder rolled in and a light, cool rain began to fall.

Inside the lobby, staff handed us hot ginger tea while checking us in. Two masseuses were waiting to give shoulder massages in chairs overlooking the misty hills.

After being thoroughly spoiled by our welcome, we headed to our rooms.

For The Children

I had every intention of going to the gym, but before I could change, a friend opened a bottle of wine and poured glasses for us on the patio.

On second thought, I could go work out after one glass of wine.

Many glasses of wine and zero push-ups later, I noticed a note on the living room table. It was sitting where the wine bottles had been, next to two reusable water bottles.

I read the note out loud:

“If you choose to leave your bottles, we will donate them to local schools as part of a sustainability program and provide students with a safe way to store clean drinking water.”

Filled with altruistic pride, I announced:

“Y’all, we need to drink more wine. It’s for the children!”

Two of my friends had already figured it out and were laughing too hard to speak.

The note was referring to the reusable water bottles. Not to our empty wine bottles.

For the rest of the trip, we raised our glasses at dinner and toasted,

“For the children!”