Day 1  Kigali Sept 27

We'll gather this evening in our Kigali hotel for Happy Hour and our traditional 'get-acquainted meeting.

Lemigo Hotel (1 night)

Day 2 Genocide Memorial

After our breakfast we'll be transported to the Genocide Museum. This emotional visit examines the terrible Rwandan genocide of the 1990s, but also takes a sobering look at all of the 19th and 20th century genocides. After lunch together you will drive through the verdant rolling hills of Rwanda to the Ugandan border and Bwindi National Park. After dinner you’ll be briefed on the next day's activities.

Day 3 Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast you leave for our highly anticipated Gorilla trekking experience. You’ll drive in sturdy 4x4s to Rushaga HQ where you will be allocated to a Gorilla family to track. Rushaga sector is well known for sheltering a high number of habituated mountain gorilla families. Interacting with these docile but magnificent animals is a memorable experience. Each gorilla family is led by a Silverback who determines the movements and daily activities within the family. Your adventure will take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, depending on how far you must trek to find our respective gorilla groups.

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (2 nights)

Day 4 Flight 

After a leisurely morning we will make the drive back to Kigali for an afternoon flight to Nairobi. We'll be met at the airport by our ace tour manager Clara and transferred to our Nairobi hotel.

Sarova Panafric (1 night)

Day 5 Giraffe Center

We will kick off our first Kenyan morning with a visit to the Giraffe Center, a conservation organization established to protect the vulnerable giraffes of East Africa. We’ll enjoy an “up close and personal” visit with the resident giraffes. In the afternoon, we depart for Nakuru. After settling in to our hotel, you'll enjoy a free evening

Day 6 Nakuru Game Drives

After breakfast we head to Lake Nakuru National Park for a full day experience. Our objective for Nakuru is the elusive Rhinoceros. Nakuru boasts a protected sanctuary and some of the highest concentration of Rhinos in Kenya. It is also home to the vulnerable Rothschild Giraffe and we hope to see some of the famous flamingos on Lake Nakuru. For those who love birdwatching, the park offers an opportunity to see an impressive variety of species.

Sarova Woodlands (2 nights)

Day 7  Masai Mara

Today is a travel day. We’ll have a leisurely start and break up our driving day with a lunch break, arriving in the late afternoon in the Masai Mara. The MM is Kenya’s premium savanna game viewing park. It is consistently ranked at or near the top of African parks for big cat spotting. By one metric MM ranks #1 for lions, #2 for rhinos, #1 for leopards, and #1 for cheetahs. After settling in the camp, we will head out for an evening game drive to explore what mother nature has to offer.

Days 8 - 10  Game Drives

Our days in the MM will be quite similar. We’ll engage in early and late game drives, pursuing the “Big Five” and taking advantage of each day’s best photographic light. The middle of our days will typically be spent back at camp for lunch and to relax by the pool. Occasionally, there will be optional activities such as a Hot Air Balloon Ride, Maasai cultural tours, or walking safaris.

Sarova Mara Game Camp (4 nights)

Africa is a destination that captures the imagination of travelers like no other. The name of the game in East Africa is:  Safari! Kenya provides the best game viewing on the continent. We will experience the classic savannas of the Masi Mara, the rhinos of Nakuru, and the delights of Nairobi. Come join us while we seek the Big Five and more. And starting with our 2027 tour, we are including our Ugandan Gorilla Adventure, formerly an optional extension. You’ll experience the emotionally impactful Genocide Museum and scale the slopes of the Virunga Massive in pursuit of Mountain Gorillas.

This tour involves demanding physical activity. The gorilla trekking element can be extremely difficult, including hiking uphill in mountainous terrain, for up to 3-4 hours. Participants should be in good health and capable of handling such activities.

Visas: Participants are required to obtain an East Africa Visa, at their own expense.

Note: The responsibility to acquire the correct visitor documentation rests solely with the traveler. Since Imprint does not provide this service, we have no special expertise, connections, or experience on which to draw. Therefore, we are unable to assist with difficulties. Any information offered is provided as a courtesy only. Said information is not to be viewed as complete and total.

Q: How do I acquire an East Africa Visa?

A: Here is link for starting the E-visa process: RWANDA

Q: How do I select the required East Africa E-Visa?

A: On the first page of the Rwanda E-visa website, use the drop down menu "Type of E-Visa" to select "East Africa Visa". Under "Transportation Methods" choose 'Airports' and 'Kigali International Airport-KGL-Kigali'. Complete the rest of the application as required.

Q: If the application requires a local address, what should I use?

A: Lemigo Hotel 23VX+V48, KG 624 St, Kigali, Rwanda

Q: If the application asks for a local tour operator or travel agent, what should I use?

A: Nature Wild Africa Ltd., KG 175 ST 28, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 788 380 033

Registration and Deposit

Q: What should I expect after registering and paying the deposit for the tour?

A: You will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the tour. This email will include a link to the Manage Booking page where you can view all your trip details, payment schedule, and information for purchasing travel insurance. Imprint Tours STRONGLY recommends purchasing trip insurance.

Flight Information

Q: Are flights included?

A: International Flights to/from the tour are NOT included. Internal tour flight (Kigali > Nairobi) is included.

Q: What airport do I use to join/depart the tour?

A: The tour starts in Kigali, Rwanda (KGL) on Sept 27 (late afternoon) and ends in Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) on Oct 8, after breakfast.

Q: Should I arrive early for the tour?

A: When you arrive is entirely up to you. Most Imprint travelers arrive 1 day early.

Q: Can I skip breakfast on the final day and depart early that morning?

A: Yes, you are not obliged to partake of the final breakfast, nor will you miss any tour activities.

Q: Does Imprint provide or arrange airport transfers?

A: No, airport transfers to join or depart the tour are the traveler's responsibility to arrange. Basic information will be included in the 8-Week Letter. 

Q: Does Imprint provide advice about airlines, routing, or booking?

A: No, Imprint does not provide these services.

Q: When can I book my flights?

A: We advise not booking flights before the EPD deadline of Jan 27, 2027. If you want to book earlier, please inquire about the status of the tour.

Q: Do I need to check the tour status after Jan 27?

A: No, if you have not received a cancellation notice from Imprint by Jan 27, you may assume the tour is a go.

Early Pay Discount (EPD) vs. Full Pay

Q: How do I take advantage of the Early Pay Discount (EPD)

A: To receive the $300 EPD, you must register for the EPD price and pay in full by the designated date. You will receive a notice of final payment due one week prior. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding EPD as cancellation incurs a penalty.

Q: If I’ve chosen to take advantage of the Early Pay Discount (EPD), and subsequently cancel, what penalties will I incur?

A: If you’ve opted for the EPD and paid in full, but then cancel, your deposit plus $400 of the EPD price is non-refundable. If no deposit has been paid, $1000 of the EPD price is non-refundable.

Q: Why must I choose between EPD and Full price for the extension, when the price remains the same?

A: To synchronize your final payment (so the tour payment and extension payment are due on the same date).

Q: Can I pay with a Credit Card?

A: Yes, you can opt to pay via Credit Card. However, you must pay the Credit Card fees, which are non-refundable in the case of cancellation.

Q: Can I avoid the Credit Card fees?

A: Yes, you can pay via ACH transfer without fees. 

Q: Can I choose to delay final payment until May 27, 2027?

A: Yes, you must register for a Full Price package, then pay your balance due by May 27. You will receive a notice of final payment due one week prior.

Q: Is there any penalty for cancellation of a non-EPD registration?

A: No, there is no penalty for cancellation until May 27. However, your deposit is forfeit if the 30 days has elapsed (see above).

Q: What if I have to cancel after May 27?

A: After May 27, 2027 all payments are final and non-refundable for any reason.

Pre-Departure Information

Q: What should I do to prepare for the tour?

A: About 8 weeks before departure, you'll receive a detailed email with a packing list, sightseeing suggestions, and other important information. Meanwhile, ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the tour end date and has two clean pages for visa stamps.

ages for visa stamps.

Note - It is the sole responsibility of the traveler to provide up-to-date passport information. If a passport has expired or will expire prior to six months beyond a traveler’s intended departure from their Imprint tour destination, it is the responsibility of the traveler to update the passport data in their registration. Imprint Tours is not responsible for transportation booking delays, mistakes, or omissions if registration passport data is out of date.

Pre- and Post-Tour Hotels

Q: Since Imprint is unable to assist with pre- and post-tour hotel bookings, how do I book pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights in our tour hotels?

A: For pre-tour nights, our tour hotel is Lemigo Hotel. For post-tour nights, our last tour hotel is Sarova Panafric. Kigali bookings are under Wild Africa & Imprint Tours. Nairobi bookings are under Nevleve and Imprint Tours. Both hotels - standard rooms. Final hotel bookings with roster names will be made about 60 days prior to the tour start.

Tour Hotels

Q: If I need a complete list of tour hotels, where do I find that?

A: Hotels are listed in the itinerary section above.

Q: Will there be hair dryers in the hotels.

A: Yes, hotels & lodges will have hair dryers.

Q: Will there be opportunity to do laundry during the tour?

A: Yes, there will be opportunities for laundry.

Important Reminders

Q: Are there any critical things I need to keep in mind?

A:

• Print and keep the confirmation letter for reference.

• If your passport will expire between now and 6 months beyond your intended departure from Africa, it is your sole responsibility to update your registration information in We Travel. You can use the link in your confirmation email to return to your account to make edits. Imprint Tours is not responsible for reminding you to update your information nor for any problems with booking delays or mistakes due to incorrect passport data.

• Add reid@imprinttours.com to your email address book.

• Download & activate Whatsapp for essential on-tour communications.

• Check your bank’s policy on international ATM withdrawal or Credit Card fees.

Health and Safety

Q: What health precautions should I take?

A: Visit the CDC website or your local travel medicine clinic for suggested inoculations for Rwanda, Uganda, & Kenya. We cannot advise on inoculations due to liability concerns.

This tour involves demanding physical activity. The gorilla trekking element can be extremely difficult, including hiking uphill in mountainous terrain, for up to 3-4 hours. Participants should be in good health and capable of handling such activities.

Yellow Fever

The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains a list of countries where Yellow Fever (YF) is a "risk of transmission" AND a list of "Country requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever for travelers arriving from" any country on the first list.

Facts:

• WHO lists Uganda as a "risk" country

• WHO lists Rwanda & Kenya as countries that require proof of YF vaccination if arriving from a 'risk' country
  

We cannot advise on inoculations due to liability concerns.

Tour Member Expectations

Q: What mindset should I have for the tour?

A: Be flexible, respectful, independent-minded, and personally responsible. Expect challenges and surprises, especially in less-developed areas. Positive, flexible attitudes contribute to a better group experience.

Travel Insurance

Q: Why is travel insurance important?
A: Travel insurance protects your investment against unforeseen events like flight delays, baggage loss, or sudden illness.

Trip cancellation insurance helps protect you and the investment you made in your trip when you travel. It provides pre-departure benefits in case you must cancel your trip before you have the chance to take it, and post-departure benefits such as travel delay, trip interruption, and emergency medical expenses to protect you while you are traveling. We recommend Trawick. For more than 25 years, Trawick International has been a trusted provider of international insurance, administration, and assistance services.  Trawick International provides personalized service and trusted guidance.  With 24/7 customer support and worldwide protection, you’ll have everything you need for everywhere you’ll go. We understand your plans can change quickly and unforeseen events could impact your travel plans. We feel it's important to consider purchasing a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment.

Comprehensive Travel Protection and Travel Medical Insurance Plans may provide coverage for:

·       Trip Cancellation

·       Trip Interruption 

·       Trip Delay 

·       Missed Connection

·       Baggage Benefits

·       Baggage and Personal Effects 

·       Baggage Delay 

·       Emergency Accident and Sickness

·       Medical Expense 

·       Dental Expenses 

·       Emergency Evacuation 

·       Repatriation of Remains  

·       Accidental Death & Dismemberment

*Please make sure to read your specific plan document as coverage may vary depending on state and policy purchased. 

For policy questions please call Trawick International’s 24/7 customer service team at 888-301-9289.

Worldwide Travel Assistance is available 24 hours a/ day, 7 days a week. Trawick International offers immediate online policy confirmation of coverage, personalized ID cards and plan documents. Our Global Response Center (GRC) is staffed by a diverse team of bilingual and multilingual professionals.  Trawick Internationals Assistance Provider OnCall International can arrange access to over 180 written and spoken languages to ensure we can deliver clear, accurate, and culturally sensitive emergency response and assistance to travelers anywhere in the world, at any time.

Please Note: Full coverage terms and details, including exclusions and limitations, are contained in the insurance policy. Product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. Plan sold by Trawick International. Insurance is provided by either Technology Insurance Company or Wesco Insurance Company, an AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. company and non-insurance services by Trawick International. Limitations and exclusions apply. Trip cancelation plans are only valid for residents of the United States.