Rwanda: Gorilla Tracking

Board an overnight flight to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, a lively African city founded in 1907 as a German settlement.

You are at leisure until this afternoon’s city tour. Visit the Kandt Museum of Natural History, and in old Kigali, stroll around the craft centers and shop for unique Rwandan artifacts and souvenirs.

Visit the Kigali Memorial Center that honors the victims of a darker past. After lunch, drive to Kinigi at the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes and to your lodge, which offers extraordinary views of the volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. The Virungas, a branch of the Albertine Rift, are a chain of mostly dormant volcanoes lying along Rwanda’s northern border. They are home to the endangered mountain gorilla, as well as golden monkey, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, spotted hyena and bushbuck.

Your expert guides assign a gorilla family to you and tell you what to expect when tracking the mountain gorilla, the largest primate on earth. Numbering only about 700 individuals worldwide, mountain gorilla share 95% of their genes with humans and are now a critically endangered species because of habitat loss, poaching, disease and war. Weave through overhanging vines, moss-covered hagenia and giant lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate of the Virungas. Your guides rely on field reports as well as their own experience to locate the gorilla. Once you locate your assigned gorilla family, you may stay with them for an hour, giving you ample time to experience the familial bond between human and animal. This afternoon, you are welcomed to a local village by the sounds of drums while the Intore warriors (“the chosen ones”) dance. Tour the king’s palace and house and visit the traditional healer. Enjoy demonstrations of traditional skills; then attend a mass dance. This evening, a doctor from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project joins you for an informal presentation about caring for the gorilla.

Spend the morning tracking a different gorilla family as they go about life in the jungle. This afternoon, head to the resort town of Gisenyi and your hotel, located on the shores of picturesque Lake Kivu.

Take a boat ride to Coffee Island for a plantation tour and meet the local people. Afterward, go to a coffee factory for “coffee cupping,” a tasting experience to determine the quality of the coffee. This evening, enjoy a special barbecue dinner on the beach and watch a traditional dance performance.

Cruise Lake Kivu to Kibuye, where you have lunch overlooking the lake. Afterward, drive to your lodge in Nyungwe National Park, which is made up of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps and bogs. Nyungwe is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, as well as the acrobatic Angola colobus monkey, an estimated 500 chimpanzee, l’Hoest’s monkey, olive baboon, greycheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey and more than 300 bird species.

Embark on a thrilling canopy walk this morning. Descend on a 40-degree slant via a zigzag foot path to begin walking across the high suspension bridge that allows access to the upper parts of the forest — and an amazing spot for viewing unique canopy species of monkeys, birds, butterflies, plants and insects. Return to the hotel for lunch and later, visit a tea plantation.

Troops of several hundred Angola colobus monkey live in the park, and you spend a half day in search of them. The birds here are also spectacular and include giant hornbill, great blue turaco and red-breasted sparrow hawk. Your afternoon is at leisure. This evening, join your fellow travellers by the pool for sundowner cocktails and a farewell dinner.

Return to Kamembe for a flight to Kigali. You have a dayroom until it is time to leave on your international departure flight.

MPC 2012 Terms & Conditions

INCLUDED IN MARCO POLO PROGRAMS: All accommodations as noted in the itinerary; meals as specified; arrival and departure transfers (regardless of days of arrival and departure); fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees); local bottled water during sightseeing; select beverages with group meals; services of an A&K Tour Director; handling of two pieces of baggage per person for international flights (other conditions/restrictions may apply for internal routes; please refer to Baggage section); hotel taxes; and gratuities throughout, except to your Tour Director (please see separate section on Gratuities for more details).
SPECIAL NOTES:
ON EXTENSIONS: All extensions are locally guided.
GRATUITIES ON MARCO POLO PROGRAMS: Gratuities are included for hotel and restaurant staff, porterage and local guides and drivers. Gratuities are not included for the A&K Tour Director, which are at the traveller's discretion and should be based on the level of satisfaction with the service received. Where applicable, gratuities to ship crews and camp staff are also not included in the escorted group program price and are at the discretion of the traveller. Recommended guidelines for each area visited are provided in A&K's pre-tour documentation.
NOT INCLUDED IN MARCO POLO CLUB PROGRAMS: Passenger Travel Protection Program; international and internal airfares, unless otherwise noted; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes, unless otherwise noted; excess baggage charges; gratuities to the A&K Tour Director on Marco Polo Programs or ship's crew/camp staff as outlined in the GRATUITIES ON MARCO POLO PROGRAMS section; meals other than specified in the itinerary; beverages other than noted in your pre-tour documentation; sightseeing not included in the itinerary; and personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability)
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: All 2012 Marco Polo Club program departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of two travellers, excepting cases of force majeure, which could include any major world event that adversely affects international travel patterns and other circumstances beyond A&K's control. The higher price noted in the dates and prices section covers the increased per person costs of very small groups and allows us to guarantee your journey.
ITINERARIES: Accommodations including vessels and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Abercrombie & Kent's control. Every effort will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. A&K also reserves the right to withdraw a program or any part of it, to make alterations to the itinerary or the program inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to tour members any costs caused by delays or events beyond its control.
SPECIAL REQUESTS: Specific requests such as adjacent or connecting rooms, bedding requests, smoking or non-smoking rooms and special dietary needs should be advised at time of booking. Please note that every effort will be made to secure a special request; however, it cannot be guaranteed in advance of travel.
PRICES & ARRANGEMENTS: 2012 programs have two prices: a higher price that allows us to guarantee departures for very small groups of two to six travellers and a lower price for small groups with seven to 18 travellers. Both prices are shown in the dates and prices section. The higher price will be noted on your initial invoice and reduced before you depart if your group has seven or more travellers. Quoted program prices include planning, handling and operational charges and are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes. A&K reserves the right to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, taxes and V.A.T. received after prices are published and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. A&K is under no obligation to give a breakdown in costs involving any Marco Polo program. Your Marco Polo Club discount is included in the advertised program price, inclusive of extra services.
IMMEDIATE CHECK-IN: On programs where immediate check-in has not been included in the program price, A&K has requested that all hotels provide this service when possible; however, it cannot be guaranteed. Most hotels allow check-in to take place during the mid-afternoon. Should you wish to have a guaranteed room ready for your immediate check-in upon arrival, it can be arranged for an additional charge. Please ask A&K for details and prices.
EARLY ARRIVAL: A&K recommends that you arrive a day or two before the start of your planned program to allow time to relax and refresh after your journey. To help you prepare for the start of your tour, A&K has negotiated favorable overnight rates at many hotels; please ask for details at time of booking. Departing early from the U.S. and Canada during the winter months is strongly recommended due to possible flight disruptions and cancellations caused by inclement weather.
ACTIVE ELEMENTS: Some active elements have been incorporated into select itineraries. To enjoy the trip as intended, a minimum level of fitness is required. A&K will require notice if any participant has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to him or herself or to other members of the group. A&K reserves the right to decline acceptance of anyone whom it considers unsuitable due to fitness level. A&K also reserves the right to remove from the trip, at the participant's own expense, anyone whose condition is such that it could create a hazard to him or herself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers. Should you have any questions or need any clarification about a specific program, please ask for details at time of booking.
A&K'S PASSENGER TRAVEL PROTECTION PROGRAM: Our specially designed travel protection program, which provides cancellation coverage, medical coverage and protection against lost or damaged luggage, is not included in the program price and is strongly recommended.
CHILD POLICY: Unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour, a minimum age of 10 years is required. Some activities contained within an itinerary may have a different age restriction from the overall minimum age requirement. Details will be provided at the time of booking.
PASSPORTS & VISAS: Valid passports are required for all international destinations. Check with your travel agent or A&K for the latest visa requirements. Please note that non-U.S. passport holders are responsible for obtaining the required documentation applicable for entry. Passports must be valid for six (6) months after the return of your journey and should also have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigrations stamps. A&K cannot be held responsible should you be denied entry to a country due to non-compliance with these requirements. A copy of your valid passport must be submitted to A&K in order to confirm air reservations.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT SCHEDULE: For all programs in this brochure, a deposit of $1,250 per person is required at the time of booking. For the Rwanda: Gorilla Tracking program, an additional non-refundable permit fee of $1,075 is required along with your deposit. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 90 days of departure, the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation.
CANCELLATION CHARGES: Cancellations received by A&K 90 days or more prior to departure will be subject to a $500 per-person/per-tour cancellation fee; 89-60 days prior will be subject to 20% of the program price; 59-30 days prior will be 50% of the program price; and 29 days or less prior to departure will be subject to 100% of the program price.
CANCELLATION CHARGES FOR EXTRA SERVICES: Additional hotel nights and other extra services booked in connection with A&K programs are subject to the following: Cancellations received 31 or more days prior to the service will be refunded in full; cancellations received 30-15 days in advance will be charged 50% of the price; and cancellations received less than 15 days in advance will be charged 100% of the price.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: International airfares are not included in program pricing. Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, has special agreements with many carriers and can offer quotations from any gateway. Please ask your tour consultant about our special fares. All international and internal air quotes are subject to change and can carry penalties and surcharges until final payment has been received by A&K. Flight confirmation is based on availability. Air reservations cannot be confirmed until a passport copy is received by A&K. PLEASE NOTE THAT CERTAIN AIRFARES ARE SUBJECT TO A SERVICE FEE.
Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. These programs may use the services of any IATA carrier. International air carriers are subject to international air conventions limiting their liability. The limitations of liability are contained on the reverse side of the airline ticket or e-ticket receipt, or on the carrier's web site, and form part of the terms and conditions of this package. The passage contract in use by these companies, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the purchaser of these travel programs and/or passage.
BAGGAGE: Abercrombie & Kent provides handling of two pieces of baggage per person. Weight restrictions on some routes on internal/domestic flights may apply; details will be provided with pre-tour documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at the owner's risk throughout the travel program, and A&K assumes no liability for lost or damaged baggage. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flights.
CLAIMS & REFUNDS: Refunds are not made for any missed services, except for verifiable extenuating circumstances. Please see our Limits on Abercrombie & Kent's Responsibility clause below. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program and be accompanied by supporting documentation and/or a statement from the local destination company verifying the claim. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual price of the services involved and not on a per diem basis. Adjustments will not be made for unused sightseeing trips or meals. A&K will not accept any liability for any claims that are not received within 30 days of the termination of your travel program. All claims for days missed while travelling should be made in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program.
PHOTOGRAPHY DURING TRAVEL: Abercrombie & Kent reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a program with A&K, program members agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs. Program members who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to their Tour Director at the beginning of their program.

LIMITS ON ABERCROMBIE & KENT'S RESPONSIBILITY: Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents and assigns (collectively A&K), does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers (including from time to time other affiliated Abercrombie & Kent companies). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, A&K is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person.
In addition and without limitation, A&K is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time.
There are many inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here, which can lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that these trips take place in remote locations, far from medical facilities. Passenger assumes all such risks associated with participating in this trip.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES & WARNINGS: It is the responsibility of the traveller to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U.S. State Department's travel web site at travel.state.gov or by phone at 888 407 4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the trip, should the traveller still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, the traveller assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events such as those advised or warned against
ARBITRATION AGREEMENT: Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions, to the Limits on Abercrombie & Kent's Responsibility clause, to the brochure, to any information relating in any way to the trip, to the trip itself, or to any products or services related to the trip, shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that (a) in lieu of a personal appearance at arbitration, the arbitration may be conducted by telephonic means, (b) arbitration is the exclusive forum for dispute resolution (no court actions), and (c) except as otherwise provided by statute, each party shall bear its own costs and expenses and an equal share of the arbitrator and administrative fees.
TRAVELLER'S REPRESENTATIONS: The traveller represents that neither he nor she nor anyone travelling with him or her has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to him or herself or other members of the tour. A&K reserves the right to decline to accept anyone on a trip, and to remove from the trip, at his or her sole expense, anyone whose condition is such that he or she could create a hazard to himself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the trip.
Any payment to Abercrombie & Kent constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out herein and in more specific pre-departure passenger documentation, including the personal information form.
Abercrombie & Kent accepts all major credit cards.

© 2012 Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC. ABERCROMBIE & KENT, A&K, ADVENTURE CREW, DESIGN YOUR DAY, GUARDIAN ANGEL, INSPIRING EXPERIENCES, MARCO POLO CLUB, PRIVATE JOURNEYS, SIGNATURE SERIES, SIMPLY THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL, TRAVELLING BELL BOY and the ampersand design are service marks owned by Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies, S.A. The service marks and trademarks of airlines appearing in this brochure and on abercrombiekent.com are owned by the respective companies mentioned.
CST#2007274-20

Complimentary Passenger Travel Protection Insurance

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• Images of Egypt & Kenya
  February 28, 2012
• Pharaohs and Pyramids
  All January - March 2012 departures
• Splendors of the Nile
  March 19, 2012

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