abranz

i am probably starting a little late in my planning.
after my trip to so. africa in 2002 i have been dying to return to other parts of the 'dark' continent.
my initial desire was to go to kenya and tanzania but after having waited so many years to return, i really want to spend my 50th with the gorillas.
this would be at the end of june 2011.

after having read and continuing to read trip reports i think i would like to spend 4-5 days in rwanda and 8-9 days in kenya or tanzania.
i am leaning a little towards kenya only because i feel that if i go to tanzania, i also want to go to mt. kilimanjaro but i don't have enough time on this trip.

this is a first time solo trip for me and as excited as i am, i am also very nervous.

tips? thoughts? suggestions?

Lillipets

You'll have to hustle to get a gorilla permit but I would give it a try if I were you.
My 1st trip to Africa was the year I turned 50 and I saw the gorillas....you won't regret whatever you have to do to get yourself a permit!
Go for it!!!!

abranz

thanks lillipets.

from what i have read so far, it appears that the tour company you sign up with for the trek has access to the permits.
am i wrong? do i need to apply for them myself?

tour companies that i am looking at right now:

r & n explorer
access rwanda
volcanoes safari
into africa
hakunamatata tours

sandi

At this date, for the Gorillas in Rwanda, it's a matter of whether permits are available, which days. If you can get thru one of the outfitters you mention (Volcanoes* is good), then build your Kenya safari around this either before or after.

*they have a 4/day trip with 2/permits (@ $500/ea.) for gorilla trekking on different days; if too costly, you can arrange for 1/day trek only. They also have different level of accommodations... this short little trip can be expensive, so be prepared.

Also check your international air whether flying into KGL direct (thru Europe and maybe Nairobi), and then from KGL to NBO for safari and then homebound out of NBO. Check a site as Kayak www.kayak.com for schedules/routing/prices.

Traveling solo is fine and will be safe, but remember once in Kenya for safari if you don't do with a group, be prepared to pay single supplement many of the lodge/camps. If I recall correctly, during early part of June Kicheche Camp in the Masai Mara doesn't assess a single supplement. Can't say though about other lodge/camps elsewhere in Kenya.

Good luck!

abranz

thanks a lot sandi.

your advice is spot on based on what i have been reading about the gorilla trekking.
i was totally unprepared for the high cost of the permit but i figure if i'm going to do it, i might as well do it right.
do the 4 day trip with 2 treks and skimp on the accommodations.
as beautiful as the virunga and sabyinyo lodges are, i also think i want to go with proximity to the park.
i have e-mailed volcanoes, safari rwanda and r & n explorer so far but now i think volcanoes (stay at virunga) may not be the right choice.

do you have any thoughts on gorilla's nest? there is some mention about it in some of the posts but it was not very clear.

i figured once i get rwanda taken care of, i can focus on kenya.

thanks a lot

Cateyes555

I have not been to see the gorillas (hope to one day) but I would so encourage you to spend your 50th in Africa!!!! If you can't get the permits, go to Kenya or Tanzania as it'll still be a wonderful trip and a great way to celebrate yourself

abranz

thanks cateyes.
i can't imagine doing anything better - all part of my self discovery and re-invention

atravelynn

And they want to see you!

Tips? Take broken in hiking boots. If you don't have any, get them now and start walking in them. Book 2 visits to the gorillas (or more).

Thoughts? You go girl! End of June = beautiful time to go.
If you act fairly soon, you should be able to get permits.

Suggestions? You already suggested it "do the 4 day trip with 2 treks and skimp on the accommodations"

For considerable savings over other accommodations, consider Kinigi Guest House. I stayed there as a solo female and found it basic but charming with excellent on-the-premises birds. I even hesitate to describe staying there as "skimping" because it was just fine. To really skimp you can stay in Kinigi's spartan dormitories with several other guests and facilities in another building.

I've stayed in Gorilla's Nest before the current management. It is a few steps above Kinigi Guest House and it had a nice flock of crowned crane that I did not see at Kinigi.

In 2009 I heard very good things about Gorilla Mountain View Lodge.

If I were to return, I'd go back to Kinigi Guest House.

It is possible to travel with Volcanoes, but stay at Kinigi, as I did.

Another good company is Primates with Theo as your guide.

abranz

atravelyn,
you just helped me make up my mind.

after reading about the beautiful surroundings of virunga i was very torn.
the reviews about gorilla's nest are so confusing that i would rather not chance it.
gorilla mountain view sounds good but based on yours and others recommendations i know exactly what i will be getting into at kinigi.

i will check with primates as well. thanks so much

now, i wait impatiently for the responses and start planning the kenya part.

scruffypuma

abranz: Hopefully you will be able to obtain the permits, but if not, go to Africa and celebrate your 50th anyway, you won't regret it!!
atravelynn: Is the "Primates" company that you mentioned, "World Primate Safaris"? I cannot seem to find "Primates". I have also been longing to see gorillas, but have put it off for "bum knee" reasons, but the temptation keeps calling me. Thanks.

Leely2

Great idea, one you'll never regret! Secure your permits and get to planning. Worry about the cost later.

atravelynn

It is Primate Safaris, Scruffypuma.

Joseph Birori
Primate Safaris
BP 4158
Kigali, Rwanda

URL: www.primatesafaris-rwanda.com

Phone: +250 503428/9
Fax: Fax +250 574513

E-mail: office(at)primatesafaris-rwanda.com

It is possible to request a guide from the company you choose, whether that guide usually works for that company or not. Guides will move around if requested.

I'd suggest Theogene R. or Kirenga K. from my experience.

Even with a bum knee, you can manage by hiring an extra porter or two. Porters were about $10 in 2009. They can practically carry you. I was told a story about porters carrying a paralyzed guest to the gorillas.

scruffypuma

atravelynn, thank you for the info, I will look them up.

tinydancer

Having recently been to Rwanda, I'd also suggest looking into combining Uganda and Rwanda and skipping Kenya, as I found the two experiences to be so different for one another. I know this is a completely different suggestion from the others, but I keep thinking it may a better idea. It's like an apple and an apple, instead of an apple and an orange.

We loved Virunga Lodge, but it does cost a bit more, but a lot less than the more expensive one close to the park hq (at least it did in 2010). Being in close proximity to the park for us wasn't as interesting or as beautiful as staying at Virunga (btw, they now operate a helicopter transfer from Kigali directly to Virunga I think). Once you meet at the park hq, there is still a 20 - 45 minute drive to whichever group you get).

I'd also recommend that doing 2 treks, although costing more of course, is the way to go. One will not feel like enough and afterwards you will not even remember how much it cost you.

Whatever you decide, you will love it.

abranz

tinydancer,

are you suggesting that rwanda and uganda would be apples to apples and rwanda and kenya would be apples to oranges?
if so, that is exactly what i want to do.
i loved being on safari in s. africa and would love to see the big 5 again in kenya
i also want to keep my experience in rwanda and the gorillas separate and special.

does that make any sense? i don't know.....sometimes i don't make sense to myself either.

loru100

We stayed at the Gorilla's Nest in the fall of 2008 and really enjoyed it. I'm not sure if the change in management has occured since then, but I would stay there again. We also used R&N and were very happy with their service.

If time allows, an overnight at Lake Kivu is very nice and a great way to relax after all that trekking. And most definitely do 2 treks. We weren't able to get permits for two days in a row so we did one trek one day, did the trek to Dian Fossey's camp the next day and then the 2nd trek the third day. We really enjoyed seeing where she lived and the gorilla graveyard was very moving.

cary999

abranz - your "shift" key broken on your keyboard, that why no cap letters? or?

regards - tom

abranz

sorry tom.
i gave up using my shift key many years ago.

atravelynn

Abranz,

Sorry about your non-functioning shift key.

If you have 4-5 days for gorillas and 8-9 days for other safari activities, I think a Rwanda plus Kenya or Tanzania combo would be good.

While Uganda offers many rewarding and even unique safari opportunities, if you wish to see the "Big 5 again," it is not as convenient or likely in Uganda. However, I did see all 5 in Murchison Falls and in Ziwa rhino sanctuary, which is about 90 minutes from the Murch Falls southern boundary.

abranz

atravelynn,
i have high hopes that i will be able to do both rwanda and kenya.

r & n have been the first ones to respond so far.
i'm hoping they will be able to secure a good itinerary.

please keep your fingers crossed for me.