This 4 Days Affordable Rwanda Gorilla Safari is a great chance to experience Africa’s mountain gorillas on an adventure through Rwanda. This African country is home to some of the planet’s last remaining mountain gorillas and a place where you will be warmly welcomed by smiling local people. Rwanda has bravely risen from a tumultuous past and stands proudly as a representation of Africa’s irrepressible beauty. Be enthralled by the profound power of the rare mountain gorillas
Highlights
- Stay in the small town of Ruhengeri in Rwanda
- Take a scenic hike through Rwanda’s dense misty jungles in Volcanoes National Park
- Witness the gentle nature of Africa’s mountain gorillas for one intimate hour
- Visit the heartbreaking Genocide Memorial Centre on a city tour of Kigali
- Optional Golden Monkey tracking excursion
- Incredible views of the Virunga Volcanoes and volcanic lakes
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Kigali, Rwanda
On arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL) you are met by our company representatives. You must arrive in Kigali city before 1pm. If your flight does not arrive before 1pm, you need to arrive one day earlier and book one night’s pre-tour accommodation as well as an arrival transfer. Please ensure you have read the visa information for Rwanda on your pre-departure information before you depart as you’re required to apply for your visa before arrival.
On arrival take a heart-wrenching visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum – the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims of the mass atrocity that took place in Rwanda in 1994. The Museum was opened in 2004 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide.
While the genocide occurred as a result of a complex series of factors, it can only be seen as an absolute tragedy to Rwanda and its people. Time spent at the museum is sure to be emotionally moving, but it is an important way to understand the sheer courage and resilience of the people of this beautiful, tiny nation.
Afterwards embark on a 3 hour drive through the verdant rolling hills of Rwanda as you head towards the gorillas. Your accommodation is located in the town of Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri).
The small Rwandan town of Ruhengeri is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, one of the last remaining sanctuaries for endangered mountain gorillas.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
- Dinner
Included activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Kigali – Genocide Memorial Tour
Day 2: Gorilla Trek In Volcanoes
Today, have an early breakfast and start transfer to the park offices where you are briefed on your gorilla trek by the guides of Volcanoes National Park.
This 160-km2 national park protects Rwandan portion of the Virunga Mountains. It includes a range of 6 extinct and 2 active volcanoes that straddle the border with Uganda and DR Congo.
Bamboo forest is scattered with alpine moorland, grassland and marshland. In this national park, there are 12 habituated gorilla families.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla.
No more than 8 per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to reduce the likelihood of disturbance or transmission of disease to the gorillas,
Gorilla trekking in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The landscape is by no means easy either, so it can be a bit difficult and often humid, but the sheer adventure in encountering a habituated family of gorillas, dominated by a great silverback male, more than outweighs any difficulty.
You need to be well prepared and relative fit to hike up to 4 hours – up and down hill, as it may take anything between 1 and 4 hours to reach your designated gorilla family.
The trackers have already set out and located the mountain gorilla family by the time you start your gorilla trek, so your actual time of trekking can usually be predicted when you set off. You can get very close to the mountain gorillas, which are calm and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself.
Your visit with the gorillas will last one memorable hour.
As lunch can only be taken upon return to your lodge, it is suggested that you bring some energy giving snacks to keep you going throughout the morning. At the end of the day the comforts of the lodge beckon, along with a chance to reflect on what is sure to be a truly memorable day.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Included activities
- Volcanoes National Park – Mountain gorilla trek
Add on activities
- Ruhengeri – Village walk
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
Day 3: A Variety Of Optional Activities
Today is a day of numerous trekking options. You may choose to do another gorilla tree or see the rare golden monkeys.
For those who loved the book and/or movie ‘Gorilla’s in the Mist’, the Dian Fossey tomb hike is a good choice. Over the course of the morning you follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey on your way to her grave, as well as the graves belonging to many poached mountain gorillas including famous Digit. You will be guided around the area where Old Karisoke Research Station was set up by a national park guide. While very little of the station remains, the setting is incredible and one can imagine the incredible life that Dian Fossey led in these isolated mountains.
For a more leisurely but equally unique adventure, tracking golden monkeys is highly recommended. In June 2003 the national parks department first allowed permits to walk the trails in search of these rare and beautiful primates. This hike takes you to the edge of the forest and watching these unique monkeys play and interact is a fascinating experience.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Add on activities
- Volcanoes National Park – Dian Fossey’s Memorial
- Volcanoes National Park – Golden Monkeys Trek
- Volcanoes National Park – Full Day Mt. Bisoke Hike
- Volcanoes National Park – Nature walk Rwanda
- Ruhengeri – Village walk
- Volcanoes National Park – Additional gorilla trek and permit
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
- Musanze cave exploration
- Canoeing on Twin Lakes
Day 4: Drive Back To Kigali
Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda is a great place to explore on foot – from its market places to the notorious Hotel Rwanda. This morning you will transfer back to Kigali for a city tour before then being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Meals
- Breakfast
Included activities
- Kigali – City Tour
End of the Gorilla Safari
Inclusions
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Transport: Car
- Accommodation: Hotel (1 night), Lodge/Camp (2 nights)
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Kigali – Genocide Memorial Audio Guide
- Volcanoes National Park – Mountain gorilla trek & permit
- Kigali – City Tour
Exclusions
- Add on/optional activities
- Your Rwanda Visa
- Tips
- Laundry services
- Other Beverages/ drinks
- International flights
- Extra meals not mentioned in the program
- Inoculations and personal insurance
- Items of personal nature such as telephone, postage, laundry, etc.
