Country: Rwanda
Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: City tour & transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: Gorilla Trek at Volcanoes National Park
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trek and departure
Overview.
The 4 days Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking adventure, brings you to a great encounter with the rare mountain gorillas and shy Golden Monkeys. This trip starts with a pick-up in Kigali, where you will have a night, before you head off to Volcanoes National Park, after an in sighting Kigali city tour with a visit to the Kigali genocide memorial. You will spend two nights at Volcanoes, trek the gorillas and return for your departure flight back home. On the last day, you will undertake golden monkey trekking before you transfer back to Kigali, for you’re onwards flight.
High lights.
- Kigali city tour
- Visit to Kigali genocide memorial
- Gorilla trekking experience
- Golden Monkey trekking experience
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Day Itinerary
Upon arrival at Kigali Airport, our company’s safari driver will be waiting to welcome you and provide a short briefing before transferring you to your accommodation in Kigali (approximately 20-30 minutes depending on traffic conditions). You will have the opportunity to rest and prepare for your safari adventure the following day. Our driver will ensure that you are comfortable and ready for an exciting and unforgettable experience exploring the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of Rwanda.
Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 meters above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial Ground, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit. The city is well organized and known for its neatness and hospital people.
Overnight stay at: Kigali Serena Hotel.
Meal Plan: Bed and breakfast
Day 2: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day Itinerary
After breakfast we will depart the hotel and drive to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center which honors the memory of more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994 through educational and peace-building. You will be able to watch and listen to some video clips from some of the survivors of the incident. Lunch in Kigali and after Lunch we will proceed to Volcanoes NP through the magnificent route to Musanze which will take us approximately 2hrs of good road drive, with a great en route stop overs. The road is smooth and well maintained, something that Rwanda is well known for.
Volcanoes National park
Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face to face encounter with these intriguing creatures, making it the most famous park in Rwanda. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the Crater Lake on Mount Bisoke. You can as well as opt for trekking the shy golden monkeys or head for a canoe ride on the twin lakes. The beautiful Buhanga Eco Park, still remains virgin and open to visitors, where you get more cultural insight in regards to leadership and kingship of Rwanda.
Overnight stay at: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day Itinerary
After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters. You will meet with your ranger who will brief you about the code of conduct while with the gorillas. You will then enter the forest in search of the gorillas. The gorilla trekking may take 2 – 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas in the jungle and your group speed as well. Meet and stay with the gorillas for a maximum of one hour. After a great experience you will walk back to the starting point, meet your guide waiting for you and be transferred to your lodge for lunch, and after lunch, you can decide to relax at your lodge at your leisure or head for a cultural encounter with a walking tour to different site to get an insight of Rwandan culture. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Gorilla Trekking at Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some take the better part of the day.
Overnight stay at: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Golden Monkey trekking and transfer to Kigali for departure.
Day Itinerary
Today after your warm early morning breakfast, we will be transferred back to the park headquarters for briefing and start off you day golden monkey trekking in search for these primates in the jungle. Just like the gorilla trekking experience, the same trekking procedures and guidelines, applies to golden monkey trekking though no so hectic like gorilla trekking. You will later return to the lodge for lunch and later transfer to Kigali for your onward flight. Time permitting, you may undertake an added Kigali city tour to explore the local market, craft shops, before you head to the airport for your departure. End of service!
Meal Plan: Breakfast, and lunch.
This safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- 1 Gorilla permit ($1500), per person
- En-route lunches
- Golden Monkey permit
- Kigali city tour
- Visit to Kigali genocide memorial ground
- Services of an English speaking driver/ guide.
- Bottles of mineral water
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Tips & gratuities
- laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations
- Health test requirements
- Porter fees while trekking
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options. Write to us with more details about your safari.