Gorilla Trekking - which company should I use?

Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 10:01 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gorilla Trekking - which company should I use?

Hello Everyone - My husband and I want to do a Gorilla Trek in Uganda or Rwanda in june 2010. I've looked at various safari operators. My price range is $3,500-$4,000 for 10 plus days. Is that reasonable? Has anyone traveled with Africa Adventure Safaris. What are your recommendations for a tour company? Thanks
forever39 is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 11:48 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We went to Uganda with Volcanoes Safaris in November. It was great. Not sure of the cost because we also went to Tanzania and other things. I loved Uganda but I've never been to Rwanda.
fourwheelinit is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 02:31 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I went gorilla trekking with Volcanoes Safaris to both Rwanda and Uganda. I second that recommendation.
safarimama is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 05:04 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10,256
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I'm going to Rwanda in June with R&N Xplorer. They're a budget operator; a bunch of people who post here have used them. R&N subcontracts to Mercator in Rwanda, not sure about Uganda. I believe Volcanoes is quite expensive though they are a very reputable company.

Maybe I'll see you there!
Leely2 is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 06:00 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We used R&N Xplorer in September of 2008. They were fantastic and a lot cheaper than other companies, although I wouldn't say they're 'budget'. The guide/driver that picked us up at Kigali Airport was the same gentleman we had for the entire trip. We stayed at the Gorilla's Nest, did two gorilla treks and one trek to Dian Fossey's camp and then spent a night at Lake Kivu on our way back to Kigali.

Is your $3500 budget per person? Because if it is then you're on the right track. It also depends how many treks you want to do. The Rwanda portion of our trip was $7000 (including $2000 for permits) which was for five days. If you're going to go in June your biggest worry will be if permits are available. R&N was able to find permits for us when no one else could.

The only thing about R&N that I didn't like was that you have to wire transfer the money, they don't accept credit cards.
loru100 is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 06:26 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10,256
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
loru, who was your driver/guide? I'm looking for names to request.

Info for the OP re: budget: I'm staying at Kinigi Guesthouse (the budget option), traveling solo and paying around $2800 for 5 days, of which $1100 or $1200 is for 2 gorilla trek permits and a golden monkey trek permit. This itinerary would have been about $500 less expensive pp for two people.

I've seen Amahoro Tours mentioned a lot too; they're in the Bradt guide and have lots of options.
Leely2 is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 06:52 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Volcanoes is not so expensive if you stay at Kinigi Guesthouse, as Leely is doing and as I did. If you use Volcanoe's very lovely top notch Virunga Lodge with beautiful views, then the cost shoots up. But you get a free massage there I think.

Back to Kinigi--If you want to save money, stay within a stone's throw of the ranger station where you leave for the gorilla visits, and birdwatch, then this was a great place. My guide was a big birder and hung around to bird watch.

I also used Primates. Heard some nice things about Access Rwanda.
atravelynn is offline  
Old Mar 4th, 2010, 05:48 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I can't remember his name, and I don't know what I did with his business card. He was very good but the only complaint I would have is that he wasn't 'aggressive' enough when the guides and rangers got together to sort out which tourists would visit which gorilla groups. While you could tell some guides were in there fighting for the groups they wanted, ours seemed to just take whatever was left over, which meant we missed out on seeing one of the groups we wanted to see.
loru100 is offline  
Old Mar 6th, 2010, 01:04 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My husband and I used R&N in Nov 2008 for Kigali and gorilla trekking. Everything went very smoothly and when we did price comparison, R&N was significantly less expensive than other operators. We spent three nite at Sabyino Lodge and did two treks. It was incredible!
bucky1 is offline  
Old Apr 10th, 2010, 03:38 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This may be a little late but I used Great LaKes based in Kampala, Uganda in 2007. The service was good on a private safari and resonable priced. I'm using Baobab this June for a 12 day private safari with 5 treks and evrything is going smoothly so far. 3 - 4 thousand sounds a little low if you want the gorilla permits included. Be sure to stay at the Travelers Rest hotel in Kisoro.
Bigfoot161 is offline  
Old Sep 16th, 2010, 05:39 PM
  #11  
PJG
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am also a bit late in referring, in January 2010 we were in Uganda and used IntoAfrica.. our guide was Gus, he is very experienced, we were gone for almost 3weeks, .. quite an adventure and not expensive. We saw the gorillas in Uganda and in Rwanda, I would love to do it again, it is just so fascinating. We were a group of 11 < all firends traveling together. This coming January 2011 we will be going to Ethiopia, we love to travel and do adventure trips.. a few years ago we went ot Tibet and Napal.. using land tours from that area...and next fall we are planning on going ot Papua New Ginnea. So for this upcoming trip we will be suing Let'sGo Travel out of Uganda but they have affiliates in Ethiopia, has anyone heard of them or traveled with them???
PJG
PJG is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
live42day
Africa & the Middle East
10
Jul 3rd, 2018 03:37 PM
braidsL
Africa & the Middle East
30
Nov 16th, 2015 01:30 PM
jaydh42
Africa & the Middle East
6
Oct 2nd, 2012 02:53 PM
dac10012
Africa & the Middle East
6
Apr 16th, 2012 12:32 PM
wishuwerhere
Africa & the Middle East
7
Oct 19th, 2003 09:46 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -