Agents go gorilla trekking with Serena Hotels in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Ethos Marketing, the UK office for Serena Hotels, recently hosted a rare Fam trip to Rwanda which saw host Alison Whitfield and 7 tour operators off gorilla trekking. 

The group included Rose Gemmell (Scott Dunn), Peter Felix (Africa Travel), Karine Loupy (World Odyssey), Andrew Fielding (Kuoni), Bina Patel (Trailfinders), Claire Chant (Audley) and Gemma Smith (Ramblers).   

 The group started off their adventure with a flight to Nairobi on Kenya Airways and then a 1 hour flight to Kigali where they stayed at the luxurious Kigali Serena Hotel.  The group paid a moving visit to the Genocide Memorial and after a good night’s rest took a 4-hour scenic drive to Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.  

The group enjoyed a local tour and learnt a bit about the lake itself which is not only breathtakingly beautiful – but has its own treasure deep within its depths – volcanic methane gas which is 60% cheaper than electricity!   The group were up the next morning before the birds for a 05:30am start to their gorilla trek, arriving at Volcanoes National Park just in time for the 7am check in and breakfast!

Then they trekked for about an hour into the rainforest before spending time up- close and personal with a group of 17 gorillas including 3 year old twins. The group enjoyed lunch afterwards at Musanze feeling tired but elated! 

Definitely one for the bucket list – and Lake Kivu Serena is  a really great value alternative to staying at one of the gorilla lodges!  The next day they enjoyed a fun trip on the lake to take advantage of the fantastic weather before heading home. www.serenahotels.com

QUOTES:

“Rwanda is an absolutely incredible country, the scenery is breath-taking and we were so lucky to see so much of it. The hospitality at both the Serena Lake Kivu and the Serena Kigali was truly fantastic and we were made to feel so welcome everywhere we went. The Serena Kigali is the perfect overnight spot from which to explore Kigali before gorilla trekking. The trip to the gorillas was an incredibly touching experience and was the highlight of our trip.’’

-          Rose Gemmell from Scott Dunn

“The hotels were excellent and the staff fantastic. The gorilla trekking was such a special experience and one that I will cherish forever.  I am pleased to tell you that Ramblers Worldwide are looking at introducing a new holiday to Rwanda and Uganda on the back of this trip, so it all certainly worthwhile for all involved. I will take a look at what properties Serena Hotels have in Uganda, as having experienced the brand for myself I would be confident on using these properties.   I am also keen to consider a Thousand Hills as a ground handler as they really looked after us on the ground”.   

– Gemma Smith from Ramblers

For more information visit www.serenahotels.com

Claire Roadley
Marketing & PR Manager
Ethos Marketing®
Unit 5, Field Place Estate, Byfleets Lane, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, RH12 3PB
Tel: 44 (0)1403 243619
claire@ethosmarketing.co.uk
http://www.ethosmarketing.co.uk
Twitter: @ethos_marketing / @claireroadley
http://www.facebook.com/EthosMarketing

Ethos Marketing is the UK Sales, Marketing and PR office for luxury hotels and game lodges in Southern and East Africa.

Tags: