3 DAYS GORILLA TREKKING AND CULTURAL SAFARI IN RWANDA

The overview

Through the course of this 3-day Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour Package, you will embark on an incredible gorilla tracking experience in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. In addition to witnessing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, you will have the chance to explore Kigali,

The genocide memorial center, and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where you can learn about Kinyarwanda culture. You will also have the chance to drive through the stunning rolling hills of the nation, pass through tea plantations, enjoy breathtaking views of the distant Virunga volcanoes, and hike to Dian Fossey’s Tomb

Safari highlights

Kigali City tour and visit to cultural sites
Gorilla trekking
Iby’iwacu cultural village visit
Hike to Dian Fossey’s Tomb

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes national park

When you arrive at the airport today, you will be welcomed by our representative and be taken to Kigali city. You will go on a short city tour of Kigali, including significant historic and cultural sites like as the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Kigali Craft Markets, Kandt National Museum, and Presidential Museum, depending on the time. Following this adventure, you will be taken to Volcanoes National Park and check into the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Meal plan: Dinner

Day 2: Gorilla tracking and Iby’iwacu village visit.

Following an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing with your fantastic local guides. Begin your gorilla trekking expedition in Rwanda at 8 a.m. The trek to find the mountain gorillas could take anything from 1 to 7 hours, depending on their position.

The knowledgeable local guides will drive you to one of the forest’s 10 habituated gorilla groups, where you will get an hour to see and photograph these amazing creatures as they dine, forage, play, or interact in their natural environment. Then you return to your lodging for a nice lunch and some relaxation.

Visit Iby’iwacu village in the late afternoon, an identical reproduction hamlet that portrays what traditional life was like for many Rwandans back in the day. Hunting skills, traditional dancing and music, traditional architecture, weaving, local beer manufacturing, and visiting traditional healers are all available to see or engage in. Later in the evening, return to your lodge for leisure and dinner.

All meals are included in the meal plan

Day 3: Hike to Dian Fossey’s Tomb and transfer Back to Kigali

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing from the park ranger guides. Then, take a trek to Dian Fossey’s tomb. The hike is difficult in places and takes 3-4 hours to complete, but anyone with basic fitness can do it. On average, the course is 2900m to 3000m above sea level.

In addition to the wonderful natural magnificence of this Rwanda National Park, you may encounter forest pigs, buffalo, elephants, duiker, birds, golden monkeys, and perhaps gorillas throughout your tour.The native guide is going to tell you a lot about Dian Fossey and her efforts to save the endangered Mountain Gorillas from extinction.

When you arrive, go see the crumbling remains of her house and tomb. Digit, her favorite gorilla buddy, is buried nearby, along with 20 other poached gorillas. After this important occasion, return down the mountain to meet your tour driving guide. Begin the incredible trip back to Kigali to complete this fantastic 3 Days Rwanda safari tour.

Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch

3 days gorilla trekking and cultural safari in Rwanda Inclusions

Gorilla trekking permit
All activities mentioned in the itinerary
All accommodation provided
An English or French speaking professional driver/guide
All transportation
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals as specified in the day-by-day section and drinking water

Exclusions

International flights
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips to guides and porters
Personal items like souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees,
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Medical insurance

Brief information about Volcanoes national park

The park’s official English name is Volcanoes National Park, and its official French name is Parc National des Volcans. Volcanoes National Park is located in Rwanda’s Ruhengeri area, about a two-hour drive from Kigali, the country’s capital. This area is made up of 160 square kilometers of bamboo and rain forest. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park border Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Mountain gorillas are exclusively found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, which also shares five of the eight volcanoes that make up the Virunga massif. The volcanic mountains Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi, and Bisoke surround this park. These volcanoes were formerly active, but they are now extinct and dormant.

Volcanoes National Park was gazetted in 1925, consisting of the land masses of Mounts Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Mikeno, with the purpose of preserving mountain gorillas from difficulties such as poaching, making it Africa’s oldest national park. In 1929, the Park’s limits were increased to encompass additional territory in Rwanda and the Congo, and its name was changed to Albert National Park.

The mountain gorilla is the only ape species on the planet that is still gravely endangered. Only a few rare, protected, and conserved afro-montane forests remain, notably those in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park in northwest Rwanda, and Bwindi Impenetrable.

Volcanoes National Park currently has 11 habituated gorilla families, one of which is allocated for research and from which the young gorillas for the Kwita Izina coronation ritual are chosen.

Volcanoes National Park is located northeast of Rwanda, near the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The national park is accessible by air and road. The Park is a two-hour journey from Kigali via Musanze town on a calm road and offers spectacular views of Rwanda’s countryside. Charter flights with Akagera Aviation, which offers speedier helicopter flights to Kinigi airfield and then to the Park’s headquarters, can be arranged