2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek.
This 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek is just perfect for you in case you have got a busy schedule and would still love to trek mountain gorillas during your stay in Rwanda. This 2 days Rwanda Safari will send you gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, which is Rwanda’s mountain gorilla capital.
Detailed Itinerary for 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek.
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Transfer to Volcanoes: On Day 1 of your 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek, you will have breakfast early in the morning from your hotel in Kigali. Your guide from Explore Rwanda Tours will pick you up from your designated hotel in Kigali city and transfer you to Volcanoes National Park. It takes about two and a half hours to drive from Kigali city to the national park, which makes the park an ideal destination for one to trek gorillas and drive back to the city on the same day.
Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri district, with its closet town being Musanze. The national park was first established in 1925 and covers roughly 160 square kilometers of rainforest.
The national park is the only refuge for the endangered species of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Volcanoes national park lies within the Virunga Conservation Area, along with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tourists visiting the national park are sure to be graced with spectacular and breath-taking views of five of the eight volcanic mountains that lie within the Virunga Volcano Massif, and these include; Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura mountains. The park is also shelters over 200 bird species and about 13 primate species, including mountain gorillas which are an endangered primate species under the IUCN Red List.
Cultural Encounter: Once you get to Volcanoes national park, you will embark on a cultural experience where you will get to visit the Iby’iwacu Community Village which is located just outside the national park. The Iby’iwacu community village is unique because most of the members in this community were once poachers, who have been rehabilitated and now actively participate in conservation projects in the park. You will get to watch drum, dance and singing performances from the local intore dance troupe in the community. This is a great way for you to learn more about the Rwanda culture and its unique diversity.
After your cultural experience, drive back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation will be at Kinigi Guesthouse/ Virunga Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla’s Nest.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer back to Kigali.
Gorilla Trekking: This day marks the highlight of your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. Have an early morning breakfast and transfer to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi by 7am. Upon your arrival in Volcanoes national park; you will be met by the park’s head ranger, who will brief you and give you guidelines to follow while tracking the gorillas and also when you are in their presence. You will then be placed into tracking groups, comprising 8 members per gorilla trekking group.
Gorilla trekking activities in Volcanoes begin at exactly 8am and you will be accompanied by armed park rangers, skilled guides and porters, in case you have luggage to carry with you. Don’t forget to carry packed lunch with you on this day, because gorilla trekking can take between 2-7 hours, trying to locate the gorillas.
Once the mountain gorillas have been located, you will get to spend only an hour with the majestic giants. Use this time well and do take as many photos as you wish; only bear in mind that your camera’s flash is disabled.
After your gorilla trekking experience, head back to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking permit and drive back to your lodge for lunch.
Transfer back to Kigali: After having your lunch, your guide will drive you back to your hotel in Kigali city or straight to Kigali International Airport in time to catch your flight back home. End of 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek
