G O R I L L A S I NR W A N D A

M a j e s t i c W h a l e E n c o u n t e r s

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1

"Go African mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park where DianneFossey set up her research station in 1967. Volcanoes is one of the best places in

the world for this unforgettable wildlife encounter"

W H Y U S ?

At Majestic Whale encounters our mission isto protect the world's oceans andenvironments along with all the beautifulanimals that live in them. We aim to run our trips with maximuminteraction and minimal impact and we feelvery honored to share this incredibleexperience with like minded people. As soon as you decide to join this epicjourney, we are here for you every step of theway. We are a family run eco consciousbusiness that prides ourselves on a high levelof customer service and you can feel free toemail us or call us with as many questions asyou like. Besides a truly unforgettable trip,you will also make friends for life Our motto at Majestic Whale Encounters is.... LOVE ...... PROTECT ......CONNECT

M A J E S T I C G I V E SB A C K

We always endeavour where possible to give back tothe animals and the countries we are privileged to visit.By choosing Majestic you can rest assured that you willbe part of helping communities, the animals andenvironments -as the countries we visit allow us intotheir homes, villages and lives... we take home a veryspecial lifelong memory and new appreciation and leavea little behind in return. For this tour, Majestic will be making a donation toGrace Rwanda Society and Ineza Foundation bothwhich promotes education and literacy in Rwanda. For more information on our projects please click here..

Majestic Whale Encounters were friendly, welcoming, professional, a great company and responded to all our enquiries and requests courteously and promptly, they went above and

beyond in countless ways.They were generous, caring and simply delightful hosts who were always available to assist. As

experienced travellers, it was wonderful to know we could let go, completely relax, and feelconfident that everything was being taken care of without us needing to worry about any details.This was one of our best ever trips, and you guys were a fundamental part of that. Thank you somuch - we will treasure these memories forever and are so grateful for all you did to ensure this

unforgettable experience in a spectacular location. Libby NSW

I T I N E R A R Y At this stage we are taking expressions of interest for this tour and so the itinerary will change,here is an outline of what it will include: -VIP Meet and greet on arrival-Fully guided Tour Day 1- Arrival at Kigali International Airport Stay one night Kigali Marriott near the airport Day 2 and 3- transfer to the One & Only Nyungwe House to spend two nights and enjoy a canopy walk venture and the following morning a chimp trekking adventure Day 4- Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, stopping at Thousand Hills on the way. Spend 2 nights at the incredible 5 star Bisate Lodge Day 5- Gorilla trekking + Gorilla guardian’s village for a cultural experience

Day 6- Golden Money Trek transfer back to Kigali and end of tour :(

Tour will include all transfers main meals, alcoholic house beverages with meals, soft drinks andtwo extra activities at Nyungwe!

W H A T ' S I N C L U D E D ?

- VIP meet and greet on arrival -Airport and inter hotel transfers from day 1 till the last day -1 nights accommodation at the Kigali Marriott Hotel on half board basis -2 nights at the One and Only Nyungwe House includes all main meals, mini bar, alcoholichouse beverages with meals, non alcoholic beverages and 2 extra activities per person perday -2 nights at the Bisate Lodge includes all meals, all local drinks, laundry, welcome massage,wifi-Refresher room and lunch at 5 volcanoes hotel on day 6-Exclusive use of private safari land cruiser 4x4 with wifi -Services of a professional english speaking uber luxe driver guide -Bottled mineral water in vehicle during the tour -1 chimpanzee permit -1 canopy walk permit -1 gorilla permit -1 golden monkey permit -All activities, visits and extra meals mentioned in the itinerary -Emergency medical evacuation services -Our assistance with a Majestic Whale Encounters guide

W H A T ' S N O T I N C L U D E D ?

-International and domestic airline tickets -Optional extras whilst in Kigali -Tips and Gratuities -Personal expenses such as mini bar, telephone calls, porter-age, travel insurance etc.drinks throughout the trip Speak to us about any extras pre and post tour activities, we have plenty of suggestions, andonly too happy to help you book

Your stunning luxurious Nyungwe National Parkaccommodation offers a one-of-a-kind escape, bordering oneof Africa’s oldest rainforests. Situated in five striking woodenvilla clusters, our treetop-skimming, luxury suites and roomsare secluded in wonderfully untamed surroundings,accommodating all adventure seekers and paying homage toRwanda’s beauty and heritage. Enjoy exceptional dining andselected beverages included in your stay, plus two signatureresort experiences daily.

ONE ANDONLYNYUNGWEHOUSE

Cocooned in the heart of a working tea farm, One and Onlys'intimate spa features two treatment rooms and reflects the bestaspects of Nyungwe Forest’s irrepressible beauty. Anexpansive deck leads off from the welcoming entrance,connecting you to the uplifting surroundings.

A PLACE TOHEAL.. .

"Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help.Only if we help shall all be saved"

Jane Goodall

BISATE 5 STAR LUXURY LODGE

Optional extras include massage, guided walks andcultural experiences

Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park,combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pioneering visionof reforestation and community partnership. Bisate is located in the natural amphitheatre of an erodedvolcanic cone, with dramatic views of the peaks of the Bisokeand Karisimbi volcanoes rearing up through Afro-alpineforests. Encountering one of the gorilla groups in the nearbyVolcanoes National Park is a unique experience. Six opulent en-suite forest villas maximise comfort and viewswhile adhering to environmentally responsible principles andreflecting the rich culture of rural Rwanda. Bisate is withineasy driving distance of the Park Headquarters, from wheregorilla treks depart daily. Walks on Bisate’s property offerbirding and participation in the reforestation programme. Bisate is Rwanda’s first genuinely luxurious and eco-sensitive safari lodge, centred on Africa’s most immersivewild primate experience.

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T R E K K I N G W I T H T H E K I N G O F T H E M O U N T A I N

The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, someeven say life changing. Encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives arecarefully managed, with expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists upbamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feetaway from the gentle creatures. The largest living primate, gorillas are spread across much of the equatorial Africanrainforest. Broadly speaking, the species is split into lowland gorillas and mountaingorillas.The volcanic range which spans Rwanda, Uganda and the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo is home to the critically-endangered mountain gorilla. Tracking gorillas in Rwanda is safe and relatively accessible. At the latest count, thereare approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas in the wild, with 604 in the Virunga Massif.The population is slowly increasing, thanks to concerted efforts between ourgovernments, communities and NGOs.There are twelve gorilla families living in theVolcanoes National Park, which are fully habituated, with a few others habituated solelyfor scientific research. The groups, or troops, consist of at least one silverback alongwith several females and youngsters.The troops are somewhat fluid in composition, but tend to stick to a preferred area.They are constantly monitored and protected by park rangers, with each group cominginto contact with tourists for a strict maximum of one hour per day.

Eight tracking permits are issued per troop per day, meaning the encounter is asintimate and as unobtrusive as possible. Only 96 permits are available each day inRwanda. Visitors gather at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi at 7am,and are allocated a family group on the day according to fitness levels, as well as beingbriefed on protocols and rules for visiting the gorillas. The families are known as Susa,Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge,Ugyenda and Muhoza. Hikes up to their various locations can last anything from 30minutes to four or more hours, reaching an altitude of between 2,500m and 4,000m.Porters are available to carry backpacks and cameras, as well as to offer a helping handalong the route. Part of the revenue from the permits is channelled towards localcommunities, to build schools and health centres, as well as roads. There is acompensation fund for local farmers should any gorillas damage their crops, which helpsto ensure peaceful co-existence. Gorilla tracking also provides employment for manylocals, from rangers and trackers to porters, drivers and staff at tourist lodges.For those interested in tracing the footsteps of Dian Fossey, her tomb is a 30-minutedrive from the park headquarters and then two or three hours hike through the forest, toabove 3,000m altitude. Conservation organisations currently working in Rwanda include: Dian Fossey GorillaFund International, The Gorilla Organisation, International Gorilla ConservationOrganisation, Gorilla Doctors and Wildlife Conservation Society. Highlights NationalParks Volcanoes National Park Sports & Adventure Hiking

T R E K K I N G F O R C H I M P S

At the break of dawn, your expert guide will lead you into the heart of the jungle, onthe trail of chimpanzees. A rustle of leaves, and then, through the branches, you’llspot a chimpanzee gazing down from the fig trees. Or perhaps you’ll see a troop oftree-dwelling chimps catapulting off through the canopy. Every trek is different, andthe jungle’s charismatic chimpanzees are full of surprises.

In Nyungwe Forest, there are about 1068 plant species. Among them, over 200species are trees, 240 species of orchards, and other new species are being foundeach year. Approximately 85 mammal species are found in Nyungwe, including 13primate species. It accommodates over 300 birds species, this makes Nyungwe thebest bird watching site - many call it birds paradise. The biodiversity of the forest is further enriched by other landscapes includingswamps, marshes, bamboo thicket, heath, open woodland and many microhabitats. Nyungwe is known for its 13 primates species including the famouschimpanzees. This is the best site for chimpanzee trekking. There is also the largesttroop of the Colobus monkey. Nyungwe has fragmented forest including Cyamudongohome of the well habituated chimpanzees. Gisakura also has other fragmented forestwhere the second habituated small troop of Colobus monkeys live. Nyungwe has 130km of constructed trails which allows all travelers of different fitnesslevels to enjoy its beauty and fresh air.

N Y U N G W E F O R E S T

T R E K F O R T H E B E A U T I F U LG O L D E N M O N K E Y

The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus MitisKandti) is a local subspecies of the widespreadSykes Monkey, also known as the “BlueMonkey” and is endemic to the high altitudeforests of the Volcanoes National Park area. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive andoften spend their time leaping from bamboobranches or frolicking on the forest floor. Golden monkey males have a reddish color ontheir back and on the dorsal part of their sidesas well as some grizzled darker patches.Females are lighter in color and have lessgrizzled brown patches. Golden monkeys eat about 20 to 30 plantspecies. They mostly rely on leaves, fruits, andinvertebrates, but their main preference isbamboo.

Rwanda has three national parksand lots of other attractions you canvisit while you're there! Here is oneof the other top things to see and doon your trip in Rwanda...Akagera National Park lies ineastern Rwanda, hugging theborder with Tanzania. It'scharacterized by woodland,swamps, low mountains andsavannah. The varied terrainshelters wildlife including zebras,giraffes, elephants, lions andhundreds of bird species, such asthe rare shoebill stork. In thesouthern part of the park, vast LakeIhema is home to hippos andcrocodiles.

R W A N D AS A F A R I S

WHY CHOOSE RWANDA?

Rwanda has recently changed their vision forhigh end, low impact Tourism. This has doubledtheir cost of Gorillas trekking permits which arenow twice the cost of Uganda and almost fourtimes the cost in the DRC.Rwanda's high end tourism strategy attracts themost exclusive resorts and promising higherincome to the local communities on the edge ofthe Volcanoes National Park where the MountainGorillas live. This also means that a gorilla safariis one of the most expensive travel experiencesthere is, with two nights at the famous premiumgorilla lodge, the specatcular Bistate Estatecoming to almost $10,000 for two people (if nottravelling in a group) Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is also easier withseveral gates to the park. It is also safe, peacefuland very clean and there is no corruption orbribery going on. The higher cost also meansless crowds creating a more exclusiveexperience.Things work as they are supposed to and arevery well organised, running smoothly. Yes theprices are higher but they come with muchhigher standards and service.

"I never knew of a morning in Africa when I wokeup that I was not Happy "

– Ernest Hemingway

What is the air temperature like?Daytime temperatures are generally warm, so bring lotsof light clothing and think about sun protection,including a hat and sunglasses. The evenings tend tobe cool, so a light sweater would be a good idea What other animals can I see on safari?Rwanda's tapestry of habitats is home to a diversity ofspecies including mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, goldenmonkey, hippo, giraffe, zebra, leopard, crocodile andmore than 600 species of birds. Ten percent of Rwandais designated as Important Birding Areas. What do I wear when trekking?When tracking gorillas, wear sturdier clothing to protectagainst stinging nettles, and solid walking shoes.Consider bringing gardening or leather gloves as wellas gaiters.

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QUESTIONS

How much is a permit? The permits for trekking with gorillas in Rwanda is$1500US per person. This is included in your tour price.The age limit to trek Gorillas is 15 years of age. What if wanted to do more than one day of gorillatrekking?Yes this is possible, we are more than happy to help youarrange another day. Let us know as early as possible, asthey only hand out a certain number of permits. What is the dress code?Dress codes are informal yet respectful. Men tend towear trousers but shorts are fine, although walkingaround without a shirt is frowned upon. Women will feelmore comfortable in knee-length or longer. I have dietary requests, can these be catered for? Yesof course, just let us know upon booking

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"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us"

TRIP DATES AND PRICESFebruary 23rd-28th 2021 Cost 9,600USD pp twinshare Click here to go to our Rwanda page onour website