Day 1 Kigali Sept 27

We will meet in our Kigali hotel for a happy hour and extension briefing. You'll be free for dinner.

Lemigo Hotel (1 night)

Day 2 Genocide Memorial

After breakfast we will be transferred to the Genocide Museum. This emotionally stirring memorial tells the story of the Rwandan genocide of the 1990s, as well as other 19th and 20th century episodes of genocide. After lunch together, we'll be transported north to the Ugandan border and our Ugandan lodge.

Day 3 Bukima

Today is the big day. We'll be up early for our gorilla trekking briefing. Then, in small groups, we'll be escorted to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where trackers will meet us and guide us to our designated gorilla groups for an up close and personal encounter with these gentle giants. Your afternoon is free to relax and recover, or optional activities are available.

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (2 nights)

Day 4 Kigali, extension over

This morning we'll make the journey back to Kigali. You can be dropped off at the airport or in central Kigali. Extension ends. For those starting their journey home this day, we recommend not booking a departing flight before 6:00PM.

[Extension hotels and activities are subject to change.]

Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where expert guides track habituated gorilla families through mountainous jungle terrain. The reward is an intimate, awe-inspiring hour spent observing these gentle giants up close in their natural habitat—an experience that is profoundly moving.

Fitness note: The trekking involved in getting to the gorillas is often extremely demanding. Mountainous, uneven, and dense jungle terrain combined with up to 3-4 hours of trekking can make for heavy physical demands. Travelers should be strong and fit for this activity.

Visas: Participants are required to obtain their own visitor visas, at their own expense. 

Q: Is a pre-arrival visa required for the extension?

A: Travelers MUST obtain an East Africa Visa for this extension. We will travel back and forth across the Rwanda/Uganda border and one must have the visa that allows the reentry to Rwanda.

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 for a specific tour 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 for the extension?

A: You will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the extension. This email will include a link to a Manage Booking page where you can view all your trip details, your deposit receipt, 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 extension are NOT included.

Q: Since this an extension to the Southern Africa tour, why is the flight not included?

A: There is no convenient or inexpensive flight between Victoria Falls and Kigali. Therefore, we are uncomfortable subjecting our travelers to the flight connections available. We have made the judgement that for those wishing to add the UGA to the Southern Africa tour, they will be willing to assess the options and make their own transportation arrangements to join the extension.

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 Kigali, Rwanda (KGL) on Sept 30 (mid afternoon). We recommend not making any departure bookings earlier than 6:00PM on Sept 30.

Q: Should I arrive early for the extension?

A: When you arrive is entirely up to you. Most Imprint travelers will arrive on Sept 26 or 27.

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. However, the extension will end at the Kigali Int'l Airport OR central Kigali on Sept 30 (mid afternoon).

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 Southern Africa tour EPD deadline of Jan 15, 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 15?

A: No, if you have not received a cancellation notice from Imprint by Jan 15, you may assume the tour is a go.

Pre-Departure Information

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

A: About 8 weeks before the commencement of the Southern Africa tour, you'll receive a detailed email with a packing list, sightseeing suggestions, and other important information. The letter will include information about arrival in Kigali for those extending to the UGA. Meanwhile, ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the tour end date and has two clean pages for visa stamps.
A: Apply for your visas 2-3 weeks prior to travel.

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, Lemigo Hotel. For post-tour nights, we have no hotel booked in Kigali. Bookings are under Nature Wild Africa , standard rooms. Final hotel bookings with roster names will be made about 60 days prior to the extension 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 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 and Uganda. We cannot advise on inoculations due to liability concerns.

This extension involves demanding physical activity, including walking up to 2 hours each way, navigating dense jungle and mountainous terrain. 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 as countries that require proof of YF vaccination if arriving from a 'risk' country

We cannot offer advice regarding inoculations due to liability concerns.

Tour Member Expectations

Q: What mindset should I have for the extension?

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.