Wildlife & Gorillas Rwanda
Start/End: Kigali
Duration: 5 Days
Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Golden monkey tracking, hiking, city tours
Destinations: Volcanoes National Park, Virunga mountains, Genocide memorial center
The most ultimate experience of Rwanda’s wildlife, Gorillas & golden monkeys combined with a visit to the twin lakes & hiking Mount Bisoke.
TOUR DESCRIPTION
This 5 days Rwanda Safari starts with Volcanoes national park where you will get to enjoy gorilla trekking and golden monkey expeditions. Both activities start at 7:00 am but on different days because they are completely different experiences. The Park lies along the Virunga Mountains with 8 ancient volcanoes shared by Uganda, Rwanda & DRC, located 2 hours away from Kigali city.
Also Hiking Mount Bisoke at an altitude of 3.711 m which is the fourth highest mountain of the Virunga chain and it has a beautiful Lake on the top. This is probably one of the most memorable activities in Rwanda, with proper hiking gear – your guide will lead you to the top.
A city tour of Kigali where you will get to visit the genocide memorial center – a place of remembrance for the people killed in the 1994 genocide, such an emotional moment to many visitors.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Kigali International Airport
- Volcanoes National Park (Parc De Volcanoes)
- Virunga mountains
- Kigali city trip including the Genocide Memorial centre visit at Gisozi
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Kinigi (Volcanoes NP)
Meet and greet at the Kigali International Airport by your driver-guide. Transfer to Kinigi at the foothills of the Volcanoes.
Accommodation at Gorilla Nest Lodge (Luxury), Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Comfort) or Kinigi Guest House (Standard)
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Tracking Rwanda Gorillas at Parc de Volcanoes
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Volcanoes national park Headquarters for briefing about the gorilla trekking. Here you will meet your ranger guide(s) who will tell you more about the greatest animal experience ever! We will drive you to the slopes of one of the Virunga volcanoes for your trekking. The activity will take around 2 hours least and up-to 6 hours most. After the gorilla trekking, if time allows, you will have lunch at Ruhengeri and an excursion to explore the beautiful lakes in the region (Lake Bulera & Ruhondo).
Accommodation at Gorilla Nest Lodge (Luxury), Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Comfort) or Kinigi Guest House (Standard)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Visit of the Golden Monkeys
Early morning after breakfast, you will transfer to the park headquarters. A visit to the golden monkeys is very different experience from gorillas, the monkeys react and interact differently; they will keep on playing hide-and-seek much to the delight of the visitors. On your way to Kigali several stops will be made to admire the scenery. Rwanda is also known as the ‘Land of a thousand hills’. The golden monkeys live only in the Virunga Conservation Area and have well habituated into 2 troops. The Kabatwa troop is located not so far from the Park headquarters and the Musanga troop lives near the Mount Karisimbi and has a much longer walking distance, another experience with excellent photo opportunities.
Accommodation at Gorilla Nest Lodge (Luxury), Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Comfort) or Kinigi Guest House (Standard)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 4: Hiking the Bisoke (3.711 m) – Kinigi
Hiking the Bisoke is organized as a one day hike and starts early in the morning. A park ranger will escort you to the top of the volcano. On a clear day you will enjoy the beautiful Crater Lake and the views of the other Virunga volcanoes. Fantastic views in all directions, lushly forested slopes, shady bamboo forest and an exhilarating climb. The Bisoke with an altitude of 3.711 m is the fourth highest mountain of the Virunga chain and has a beautiful lake on the top. The Crater Lake is the greatest of the Virunga chain.
Accommodation at Gorilla Nest Lodge (Luxury), Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Comfort) or Kinigi Guest House (Standard)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 5: Kigali Visit and Departure
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel, and head for a Kigali city tour including the Genocide Memorial center at Gisozi. The most important Genocide Memorials are those of Kigali (Gisozi) where the history of the genocide is explained. A visit to the genocide memorial is for most visitors an emotional event. Later transfer to the Airport for your departure.
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch
End of tour
INCLUDED
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof.
- All fuel for the tour
- English speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
- Accommodation and Meals on Full Board (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner)
- Park-entrance fees for all National parks
- All activities described in the itinerary
- 1 Gorilla permit per person.
- Drinking water.
NOT INCLUDED
- International air fares
- Entry visa Uganda
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- A porter for during the gorilla tracking’s (someone who carries your daypack).
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)