Nothing is as fulfilling as meeting face to face with the Giant Apes-our closest relatives in their natural habitat and for our 3 days Rwanda Gorilla Safari, you will not only trek the endangered mountain gorillas but also get immersed into the local culture and traditions of Rwandans by visiting the Gorilla Guardian Village. The trip kicks off and ends in Kigali City with opportunities of discovering about the Genocide history at the beginning or end of trip.
Highlights
- Get a chance to immerse yourself in the genocide history of Rwanda by visiting the Genocide Centers.
- Track the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
- Learn about the culture and traditions of Rwanda from the Gorilla Guardian Village.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Volcanoes National Park! Transfer to the Northern Province & tour the Twin Lakes.
- Day 2: Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking & Gorilla Guardian Village tours.
- Day 3: Kigali; Depart Rwanda.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Volcanoes National Park! Transfer to the Northern Province & tour the Twin Lakes
Have breakfast, check-out of the Hotel and meet your safari driver for the 3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. Before taking the road trip, enjoy a City Tour visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Art centers and the Kamironko local Market, then embark on the journey. One of the highlights of the journey is the breathtaking sceneries marked by verdant Valleys, and Virunga Volcanoes’ vistas while getting ushered to the Lodge for Lunch.
Spend the remainder of the day exploring the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo on a boat ride to take in the fresh air as well as spotting different bird species along the way. A nice dinner and goo night sleep is what you will need after this eventful day and it is provided at the Lodge.
Accommodation:
- Bisate Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (upmarket).
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (moderate).
- Kinigi Guesthouse or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (basic).
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Drive time: 3 hours.
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking & Gorilla Guardian Village tours
This day is a full and eventful time to discover the Giant Apes of Volcanoes National Park, and it begins with breakfast at the Lodge. Depending on where you are staying, the driver will transfer you to the Park Headquarters for the mandatory briefing before entering the forest. Go through the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking, then be transferred to the trailhead. You will navigate through the slopes of Virunga Volcanoes- especially Bisate or Karisimbi, cross streams and Valleys while searching for the mountain gorillas for the next 1-6 hours or more. Spend one hour observing and photographing the mountain gorillas before getting back to the Lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the Gorilla Guardian Village, formerly “Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village”, a not-for-profit organization that support former poachers to earn decent income from tourism and other projects. Here, a number of activities are offered to visitors like visit to traditional healer, being a “King” for a day, traditional dance and drumming performances, traditional beer brewing, and many others. At the end of this exciting tour, return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Kigali – Depart Rwanda
Having enjoyed your breakfast, take the ride back to Kigali and finally to the Airport for your flight back home or continue with your African Adventure! Is Uganda calling? Or the wildebeest migration of Kenya and Tanzania? Safe Travels!
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari Inclusions:
- Gorilla permit.
- Entry fees.
- All relevant taxes & levies.
- Bottled water.
- Visit to Gorilla Guardian Village.
- City excursion.
- Transport by a 4WD Vehicle, where applicable.
- A fulltime safari driver.
- 2 nights’ accommodation and meals.
Exclusions
- Accommodation in Kigali.
- Domestic and International flights.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Gratuities.
- Laundry fees.
- Telephone calls.
- Cigarettes.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.