Crystal Cruises offers gorilla trekking excursion

Crystal Cruises will offer trekking expeditions through Africa’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 2014, allowing passengers the opportunity to see one of the most “remarkable” creatures on the planet.

The experience, which is part of the company’s Overland Adventure Series, gives cruisers the opportunity to see gorillas in the wild.

However, it is only available to passengers sailing on two legs of Crystal Serenity’s World Cruise: the 18-night 10 March voyage from Singapore to Cape Town and the following 21-day 28 March cruise between Cape Town and Southampton.

The five-night experience will cost US$11,676 per person and includes travel to Uganda, a two-day trek through the UNESCO World Heritage national park, opportunities to learn about the eco-system, meet ‘Batwa Pygmies’ and spend three nights at a Lake Victoria resort.

“This excursion allows guests to enjoy the ruggedly beautiful simplicity of nature in comfort and ultra-luxury,” explained Philip Ordever, vice president of international sales & marketing for Crystal Cruises.

“Although one of the most remote in all of Africa, our camp has a spa plus private tubs and decks overlooking the forest. But it pales in comparison to the opportunity to trek through Africa’s densest rainforest, deep valleys and mountain waterfalls to encounter one of the planet’s most remarkable, nearly-extinct creatures in its natural habitat.”

The experience forms part of the Crystal Cruises’ ‘Overland Adventures’ series, which include excursions to Nelson Mandela’s former home, safaris in Namibia and a journey through the countryside by Victorian railcar.