This 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari is one of the shortest Africa Safari that we offer. This gorilla tour is best suited for a business traveler that only has a weekend to spare or one that wants to add the gorilla trekking experience on an overland Africa safari from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The Rwanda gorilla safari starts in Kigali where we’ll pick you and transfer you to Volcanoes National Park, check you into the luxury and serene Virunga Lodge just outside the gorilla sanctuary, for the next two nights. Spend a day in Rwanda’s rain forest jungle, track the mountain gorilla, and spend one precious once-in-a-lifetime hour with them and live to tell the tales of the African jungle.
The trip is tailor-made and can be adjusted in your own style of travel. It includes transfers, meals, accommodation and activities. Though we process the gorilla tracking permit on your behalf, that part of the bill is on you ($1500 per person + processing fees).
Safari Highlights
Visit the Kigali genocide Memorial or take a city excursion around Kigali city and experience the African cultures. The road drive across Rwanda’s countryside will reveal the most stunning natural setting of this tiny East African country. Tracking the mountain gorilla in Volcanoes may appear third on this bullet but just because we wanted to squeeze the best in here. This is the top highlight of this trip and a bucket-list Africa Safari item. Activities around the lodge after the gorilla trek like Rwanda cultural tales, music and dance will impress your travel lust.
Day 1: Travel to Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes park Rwanda Today you will be picked up from either the airport on your arrival or your hotel depending on where you will be. You will take a short Kigali city tour exploring the major historic and cultural sites like the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Craft markets in Kigali, Kand National Museum, and presidential museum depending on the time. After visiting some of these sites you will have lunch at a restaurant in the city and enjoy local foods or continental meals depending on your preference, remember to let your driver guide know your meal preferences so he chooses the right restaurant. After the lunch in Kigali city we embark on the journey to the home of the mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park.
Location: Volcanoes national park
Meal plan – lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
Up market – Five Volcanoes
Mid-range – Le Bambou gorilla lodge
Budget – Garden Palace hotel
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes national park
Today after an early morning breakfast you are ready to start your gorilla trekking. The driver guide will transfer you to the briefing areas where you will learn from the ranger guide about the expectations while in the park. In the meantime as you wait for everyone to gather, enjoy the Rwandan hospitality of traditional dances and a hot Rwandan coffee. The ranger guide will share some of the gorilla trekking tips like no flash photography and later divide you in the different gorilla trekking groups. Depending on location of the family of gorillas you will trek, the driver guide will transfer you to the start of the trail head for the allocated gorilla group. Spend the afternoon at leisure recuperating from the gorilla trekking experience or take on an optional activity of visiting the musanze caves or the twin lakes.
Location: Volcanoes national park
Meal plan – lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
Up market – Five Volcanoes
Mid-range – Le Bambou gorilla lodge
Budget – Garden Palace hotel
Day 3: Cultural tour at Iby’iwacu cultural village
ibyiwacu cultural village After the amazing activity of gorilla trekking yesterday, today you explore a bit of culture at the Iby’iwacu cultural village/ Gorilla guardians Village to have a taste of the history and culture of Rwanda. Some of the members of this cultural village are former poachers who depended on the forest for survival, this cultural village contributes heavily to conservation of the mountain gorillas because they are able to earn from sharing their culture as opposed to poaching. At Kagera safaris we are committed to include cultural experiences on our itineraries to enable visitor’s experience the areas they visit more intimately and also have the locals benefit directly from the tourism income. This marks the end of your 3 day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari, you will then be transfer ed to Kigali to return to your hotel or take your flight back home.
Carry a rain jacket because the rain can be unpredictable in the virungas Mountain gorillas live at high altitude and this may cause difficulties for some visitors. You should pace yourself and drink plenty of water. Eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden – designated time and place will be communicated?
Waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots are essential.
Gardening gloves for protection against stinging plants
Long trousers and long sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect stings.
Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash
Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a small charge.
Tour includes
Gorilla tracking permit
Ground transport
Cultural experience
Bottled water in the safari vehicle
Full board accommodation for two nights
Service of an English-speaking driver guide
All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
Tour excludes
Extras at the accommodation i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
Tips to porters and driver/ guide
Insurance
