atravelynn

http://www.volcanoessafaris.com/go/n...ialoffers.html

Offer is good for trips of 6 days or more. This is a great opportunity if you've been contemplating a gorilla trip. For the record that's a free $500 gorilla permit.

Maybe you'd even like to join me in August of 2009 for up to 4 gorilla visits, plus other primate tracking in Rwanda and Uganda. I don't profit from your participation other than our sharing of fixed costs and your presumably delightful company. Presumably I am equally delightful.

I'm looking forward to this trip, even if it is all as a solo.

I'll add one more Volcanoes plug. I was pleased that they did not forget clients who had booked long ago when doling out discounts. To me that's an indication of a respectable company.

Safari_Craig

lynn,

i do not dispute that volcanoes is a good company. i have booked many clients with them. but...

are you really going to go on six treks (six permits)? i am not sure who this would appeal too. unless the guest stays at goirlla's nest, the accomodations would make this trip very costly - especially at sabinyo, jack hanna, etc.

would volcanoes sell or broker the six permits if you did not buy the hotel nights, transfers, and other services from them? if that was the case, then i would say this is a good deal.

craig beal

twaffle

I would love to visit the gorillas with you Lynn, but no way is it possible for me this year.

thit_cho

Craig, unless I misread the Volcanoes materials (and in the interest of full disclosure, I did travel with them in 2003), the special requires a six-night safari, not as you wrote, six permits. So, like I did, a visitor could spend time in Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi and Kigali, and if that is over six nights, the second permit would be free (I did that trip in 2003 and paid for two permits). I didn't read where the special is conditioned upon six permits, which I agree, for me would be excessive.

divewop

For the past couple of years, Rwanda has been working on increasing tourism in their country and trying to get people to stay longer for things other than the typical 2 or 3 day stay for gorilla trekking. As Michael and Lynn mentioned above, the other parks such as Nyungwe, Akagera (which borders Tanzania)and QENP in Uganda may be inviting to those willing to explore a little further to discover what the country has to offer.

I'm also hoping this is a good sign that the rumor of increasing the cost of gorilla permits isn't going to happen.

Lynn, if I had the extra $$, I'd definitely be going with you!

Safari_Craig

I should read more carefully. Thanks!

Craig

atravelynn

"are you really going to go on six treks (six permits)? i am not sure who this would appeal too."

Obviously not too many people because no one else has decided to join me. Actually I'm only doing 4 gorilla visits and a golden monkey trip, along with several other primate visits elsewhere in Uganda and Rwanda. I once did do 8 gorilla visits in one trip, making me the giant forest hog of gorilla permits. I had 5 folks join me for 4 of the gorilla visits. Permits were not $500 each back then.

"unless the guest stays at goirlla's nest, the accomodations would make this trip very costly "
I'm opting for even lesser accommodations than Gorilla's Nest (which I found to be great) and am staying at Kinigi Guest House. Otherwise the whole thing would be too costly for me too.

<b>Divewop</b>, I'd love to say "maybe next time," but I'm pretty sure this is my last time up the gorilla mountain. Of course there are the LOWland gorillas that could entice me some day.

This trip includes Nyungwe and Akagera. When I was in Rwanda in 2004 I was so impressed with their marketing efforts for other regions, that I vowed to return. At some point during each gorilla visit a big map was laid out on the ground and Akagera and Nyungwe was pointed out and the attributes of these places were enthusiastically explained. My guide knew all about Akagera and Nyungwe and could answer detailed questions and so could some of the other staff I encountered. The tourism industry of Rwanda really seemed to have a coordinated, comprehensive effort and the people I talked to were quite proud of the resources. It made me want to come back and check the other places out. So I am.

atravelynn

Virunga Lodge was under construction when I arrived and that was the first place I was taken enroute to PNV to check it out and to take a little walk and enjoy the view. I still recall my guide emphasizing that all the employees I saw working on finishing up the construction of the lodge were from Rwanda. I got to tour the rooms and they told me, "Next time you come, you will stay here." It did not work out that way, but I will at least stop there for lunch.

I did not find any of this promotion to be pushy, which I hate, just optimistic and proud.

MyDogKyle

"making me the giant forest hog of gorilla permits" LOL!!!!

Lynn, you kill me. Just so you know, every time you mention your upcoming trip I wish I could go with you.

Thanks for posting about this deal -- hopefully some people can take advantage of it (says the one who had to pay for both of her gorilla permits last October...). If you happen to visit either Group 13 or the Umubano gang, please send them my love.

atravelynn

I'll certainly pass on your greetings to Group 13 and Umubano if I see them, <b>MDK.</b>

<b>Divewop</b>, I also would like to spend some more time in Kibale with those fascinating chimps if you like the littlier primates. I still get chills when I think about MDK's experience there. Or maybe we could track the elusive Giant Forest Hog in Queen Elizabeth National Park. I still think that's the best place to see them.

divewop

I'd also like to get to Gabon soon, while I'm young enough, to track some lowland gorillas and see the surfing hippos and eles before it becomes to touristy.

So many things to see on that continent. I need to win the lottery too. I'm sure it would help if I actually started buying tickets...

divewop

'to' touristy= 'too' touristy

gilsomenni

I tried Volcanoes but found them very expensive. We received quotes from Primate Safaris and R&N Explorer and these were cheaper by about $1200 a person.

I just priced the posted offer and it is still much higher than a recent quote from Primate Safaris.

Any recent experiences with Primate? We are considering the new Mountain Gorilla View Lodge at Volcans. It appears to be better than Gorilla's Nest in the price range. Anyone been there? Virunga Lodge is too far away.

JaneB

Ditto that, Divewop. Gotta go to Gabon!!

divewop

There's also another camp planned. I don't know where it stands in the building stage but it looks like it will be a nice little tented camp upon completion. The website is:

www.elegantafrica.com

I sure hope that tourism does extend to visitors doing other things while in Musanze and visiting other parks in the country. With all the lodges/camps being built in and around Kinigi and the little hotels/inns being being built in Musanze, they're going to have a lot more rooms to fill than the number of tourists who visit the gorillas & golden monkeys.