The safari takes you to Volcanoes national park where you will trek mountain gorillas twice. Mountain gorillas can be found in the large Virunga massif where this park is located. The park has 10 habituated gorilla families and these can be trekked by only 80 visitors per day.
During this safari you will also visit Iby’Iwacu Village where you will learn more about Rwanda culture, through dances, music and drama, visit Lake Kivu and take a boat cruise and if time allows you will also learn stories about the Rwanda civil wars of 1994 at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site. This will surely be a great safari!
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Upon landing at Kigali international airport, the assigned driver guide will pick you from the airport and quickly transfer you to Volcanoes National Park. The park is one of the finest destinations in Rwanda and it’s located in the Virunga Mountains, home to 5 of 8 Virunga mountains including Karisimbi, Bisoke and Gahinga among others.
The park is home to mountain gorillas that pull most tourists visit Rwanda and the 10 habituated gorilla families are open to trekkers every day. The park is as well home to the graveyard of Dian Fossey who was murdered as she tried to save the gorillas from poachers.
The park shelters the elusive golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, spotted hyenas, bush-bucks among others. On arrival, you will check in at the safari lodge.
Day 2: First gorilla trekking experience and visit Iby’Iwacu cultural village
On this day, you will head to the park offices after breakfast and transfer to the park offices. Here you will be able to receive guideline about gorilla trekking, checking of trekking permits and information concerned about the forest is also got from this point.
You will then be assigned a ranger guide to lead you to the presence of this gorilla family. On seeing your eyes on them, you will have an hour with them as you know more and study about these endangered mountain gorillas.
You will then trek out of the forest and head to your lodge. After lunch, you will head to the Iby’Iwachu cultural village where the Rwandese culture is displayed and learnt. While in this village, you will have to explore the traditional music, dances and drama, taste the dishes; take a walk through the community among others. The day ends at the lodge.
Day 3: Second gorilla trekking experience and visit Lake Kivu
Like the previous day, you head to the park office for briefing and after with a help of the park ranger / guide, you will enter the jungle and search for another gorilla group. On finding the group, spend an hour with them; take photos while enjoying their movements and behaviors.
After, trek back and meet your driver/guide to take you to Lake Kivu where you will spend a night at one of the resorts.
Day 4: Transfer back to Kigali visit Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
You will take a boat cruise in the morning on Lake Kivu and after transfer to Kigali city. Depending on your flight, visit the Rwanda genocide memorial Centre where Rwanda civil wars stories will be told and then head to the airport where you will be dropped for departure.
