Nature and Mountain Gorillas Photography Holiday!
Nature,Wildlife and Primates Photography HolidayDates 5th - 12th June 2010 and 2nd - 9th December 2010 Group size 6-8 Minimum Age 15 years
Gorilla permits need to be booked and paid for at least 20 weeks in advance.
Accompanied by Photographer and local guide. Park rangers on treks.
Rwanda really is a stunningly beautiful Country and our nature
photography holiday introduces you to the nature, forests and primates
of Rwanda, including a trek to see the endangered
Silverback Mountain Gorillas.
Day 1 Arrive at Kigali Airport. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 2-3 Drive southwest to spend two nights in Nyungwe Forest National Park - pass through villages, agricultural lands, tea and coffee plantations. The rugged mountain rain forest at high altitude makes for a diverse and rich biodiversity - over 85 species of mammal, 120 butterflies (40 are endemic to Nyungwe), huge colonies of driver ants, 280 birds and 100 different varieties of orchid. Best known for being home to the often elusive chimpanzees and large troops of black and white Colobus Monkeys.
Gorilla permits need to be booked and paid for at least 20 weeks in advance.
Accompanied by Photographer and local guide. Park rangers on treks.
Day 1 Arrive at Kigali Airport. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 2-3 Drive southwest to spend two nights in Nyungwe Forest National Park - pass through villages, agricultural lands, tea and coffee plantations. The rugged mountain rain forest at high altitude makes for a diverse and rich biodiversity - over 85 species of mammal, 120 butterflies (40 are endemic to Nyungwe), huge colonies of driver ants, 280 birds and 100 different varieties of orchid. Best known for being home to the often elusive chimpanzees and large troops of black and white Colobus Monkeys.
Day 4 Early morning walk in the forest , return to Kigali for overnight/dinner. Kigali is the Capital City of Rwanda and seat of the Government.
Day 5-7 Panoramic drive to the northwest of Rwanda, gradually climbing up to the Parc National des Volcans on the Rwanda, Uganda and Congo border. Three nights at a lodge in the rich rainforest. Visit the Karisoke Research Centre, tomb of Diane Fossey and local community project. Two days trekking in the forest - one looking for Golden Monkeys and spotting birds and one day to see the mountain gorilla families - a really special privilege. You must come sufficiently fit and prepared as trekking is steep and challenging, with heights of between 1600m - 2950m. Strict guidelines for trekking to see the mountain gorillas are issued by the Rwandan Government - visit link.
Day 8 A quieter pace today with a gentle walk to spend time with a Village Community. Later in the day, we return to Kigali airport for your return flight (or extend - options available on request).
Day 5-7 Panoramic drive to the northwest of Rwanda, gradually climbing up to the Parc National des Volcans on the Rwanda, Uganda and Congo border. Three nights at a lodge in the rich rainforest. Visit the Karisoke Research Centre, tomb of Diane Fossey and local community project. Two days trekking in the forest - one looking for Golden Monkeys and spotting birds and one day to see the mountain gorilla families - a really special privilege. You must come sufficiently fit and prepared as trekking is steep and challenging, with heights of between 1600m - 2950m. Strict guidelines for trekking to see the mountain gorillas are issued by the Rwandan Government - visit link.
Day 8 A quieter pace today with a gentle walk to spend time with a Village Community. Later in the day, we return to Kigali airport for your return flight (or extend - options available on request).
Full details on request. We can also offer tailor made itineraries for private groups.
Dates - please see the Photography Holidays Calendar for up to date availability.
Need to Know
Please read the Rwanda essential travel info and FAQ's pages, and the information on the pages in the Reservations section. The minimum age for Mountain Gorilla Trekking is 15 years old.
What's included
This photography holiday starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda. The price includes accommodation (shared in twin rooms), meals, local guides and activities as indicated - National Park and trekking permits, (which include one gorilla trekking permit and one golden monkeys trekking permit per person), entrance fees as per itinerary. The trek guides and local rangers who accompany us are fantastic, they love what they do and are extremely knowledgeable. They also are mindful of your safety and what they say goes! Please note that you may start trekking and see a family of gorillas very quickly, or you may trek a very long way - it all depends on the gorillas!
We stay in hotels, lodges and guesthouses. Sometimes there are power cuts, water shortages and problems with the plumbing. Meals can vary, please advise in advance if you have dietary requirements so that we can make sure these can be catered for.
What's not included
Flights (or overland transport), Visas, Yellow Fever and other vaccinations required, malaria tablets, Travel Insurance, Supplier and flight failure insurance, camera insurance, single supplement (on request), camera equipment, personal expenditure, drinks, tipping and gratuities, personal donations,
What to bringWhat's not included
Flights (or overland transport), Visas, Yellow Fever and other vaccinations required, malaria tablets, Travel Insurance, Supplier and flight failure insurance, camera insurance, single supplement (on request), camera equipment, personal expenditure, drinks, tipping and gratuities, personal donations,
Our holidays are based on the Brussels
Airlines flight schedule via Brussels from East Midlands, Edinburgh,
Leeds Bradford, Manchester and London Heathrow. There are flights on
other airlines including Kenya Airways, which often involve a lengthy
stopover in Nairobi. We can quote for additional accommodation either
end of your holiday to fit with different flight schedules - please
request.
- A waterproof backpack to use during the day to carry your waterproofs, water, cameras etc
- Good, comfortable, well worn in walking boots with ankle support.
- Camera equipment - don't forget your manual, charger, plenty of cards or film,
- Binoculars - very useful
- Sun hat, sun cream, sunglasses (on a cord can be a good idea!)
- Mosquito repellant
- A walking stick can be very helpful
- Clothes - practical, sensible clothes. Layers are good for adapting to changing climate.
- Waterproofs
- Gloves (because of creepers, nettles etc)
- Torch
This holiday requires a good level of fitness. The trekking in the forests can be very steep, muddy and wet. We trek at a sensible pace, not rushing and taking time with our photography, but even so, you do need a suitable level of fitness and stamina to enjoy this holiday. With the gorilla trekking, there is usually an option to trek to see a gorilla family that has been spotted nearer by, but nothing is guaranteed - by the time you get to where they were seen they could have moved on - and gorillas move quite quickly! It is not unknown to spend most of the day trekking before finding a gorilla family. Remember, you are also carrying a backpack with water, camera equipment and anything else you may need.
PhotographyThere are absolutley amazing photographic opportunities in Rwanda, BUT we do have guidelines when it comes to photographing people and wildlife.
- PLEASE bear in mind that photographing the gorillas, or any primate, is not easy and can be extremely frustrating, especially if you need to get that little bit closer to get your shot and can't. Flash photography is not permitted. There's lots of vegetation, it might be raining or often it is dark because of the overhead canopy. As we've mentioned before on this website, sometimes the best memories are those we can't capture on camera.
- There are official restrictions on professional photography, the use of pro videos and filming. Permits are required. Please check with us if you have any concerns over the equipment you plan to take with you.
- We recommend a zoom lens with a minimum range of 18-200mm
- Before photographing people, please ask and please respect their answer. We also ask you to consider what you do with, and how you use your photographs when you return home.
The Fairtrade BIG SWOP fortnight 22nd February - 7th March 2010
Why not try some Rwandan Tea during THE BIG SWOP fortnight? Swop your usual brand but do remember to check that local people definitely benefit from your purchase by looking for the Fairtrade label. Watch the video for more info!
Responsible Photography Holidays
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