3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari.
This 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari takes you to Volcanoes National Park where you will trekking one of the 8 habituated mountain gorilla groups that inhabit the dense afro-montane rain forests in the national park. Other activities to look forward to on this 3 Days Rwanda safari include; Iby’iwacu community visit, hike to Dian Fossey tomb, visit Karisoke Research center and a short tour of Kigali City.
Highlight of 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’iwacu Community tour.
Day 3: Hike to Dian Fossey Tomb and Transfer back to Kigali.
Detailed 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Pick up and Kigali City Tour: On day 1 of your 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari, your guide from Explore Rwanda Tours will meet you at your designated pick up location in Kigali City. You will then embark on short tour of Kigali city where you will pay a visit to interesting tourist sites like; the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, Camp Kigali, Caplaki craft village, Nyamirambo Women’s center and Kimironko market among others.
Transfer to Volcanoes: Have lunch and proceed with your transfer to Volcanoes National Park. The national park is located about 1…..kilometers away from Kigali city. It takes about a 2½ hours’ drive from Kigali to the national park.
Volcanoes national park is located in Ruhengeri district in the north-western park of Rwanda. The national park covers 160 square kilometers of rain forest and was established as a national park in 1925 by the Belgian colonial government. The park is home to 13 primate species and more than 200 species of birds.
Upon your arrival in the park, check into your lodge for dinner and accommodation at
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’iwacu Community tour.
Gorilla Trekking: On this day, you will go Gorilla Tracking. After having a hearty breakfast, you will embark on a short drive to Volcanoes National Park Headquarters. Here you will be welcomed by warm hearted park guides and trackers, who will take you through the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking and later place you into groups. You will then proceed to hike into the forest where your gorilla tracking activity begins. Gorilla Trekking can take from 1- 8 hours depending on how easily the gorillas are located. Please note that while hiking, the terrain can be rough, muddy and slippery; hence you are advised to move with the appropriate hiking boots. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice, hence you are advised to carry waterproof clothing, hiking boots and bags for cameras and film.
Iby’iwacu Community Tour: Have your packed lunch and head back to the park headquarters where you will meet up with your guide and embark on a cultural encounter to the neighboring Iby’ Iwacu community village which is located near the national park. You will get to interact with the local people, see their day-to-day lifestyles and also watch dance performances from the local intore dance troupe. While there, you will get to learn of how most of the members of the Iby’iwacu village, were once poachers, who have be rehabilitated and now take part in conservation programs in the national park.
Return back to your Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Hike to Dian Fossey Tomb and Transfer back to Kigali.
Hike to Dian Fossey Tomb: Have your breakfast early morning from your lodge and then head out to Volcanoes National Park where you will embark on a hiking expedition to Dian Fossey’s Gravesite, an American primatologist and conservationist, whose scientific studies on Mountain Gorilla Groups in Volcanoes National Park has given us a better understanding of these primate species. You will have the opportunity to learn more about her life and scientific study up until her death. She was murdered on 26th December 1985 in her camp in Volcanoes National Park and was laid near her favorite gorilla ‘Digit,’ along with 20 other mountain gorillas. Aside from her grave site, you will also pay a visit to the Karisoke Research Centre which she used as a base for carrying out most of her scientific studies with the help of her staff. After your visit to Dian Fossey’s gravesite, head back to your lodge for lunch.
Transfer back to Kigali: After having lunch, your guide will drive you back to Kigali city where you will be dropped off at a hotel of your choice or a Kigali Airport in time to check in and catch your flight back home. End of Tour.
