3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
This 3 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari package gives you an opportunity to go to the the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is located in north-western Rwanda, is a renowned conservation area within the Virunga Mountains. Covering approximately 160 square kilometres, the park encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the range: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. It shares borders with Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Volcanoes National Park serves as the central hub for all Rwanda gorilla safaris, boasting the highest population of mountain gorillas within the Virunga Conservation Area, its prime location just about a two-hour drive from Kigali International Airport makes it the most accessible gorilla national park in the world.
Beyond mountain gorillas, the park is home to golden monkeys, a rich diversity of bird species, reptiles, amphibians, and countless insects, offering a well-rounded safari experience. Originally established as a small protected zone around the Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Bisoke volcanoes, the park was gazetted to safeguard the endangered mountain gorillas from the growing threat of poaching. Since then, Volcanoes National Park has become a cornerstone of Rwanda’s tourism industry, with many tours beginning or concluding within its scenic and wildlife-rich borders.
The 3-day Gorilla Tour in Rwanda offers more than just an unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas, it also includes a guided tour of Kigali and a cultural visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. At the village, you will immerse yourself in Rwanda’s rich traditions through cultural dances, folk tales, and traditional songs, gaining deeper insight into the local way of life. The journey begins and ends in Kigali Rwanda.
Main Highlights
- Kigali city Tour including
- Visit to the Gisozi Genocide
- Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
- Transfer to Kigali City or Kigali International Airport
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: City Tour – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
You will be picked up from either Kigali International Airport or your hotel by our company driver, who will give you a detailed briefing about your 3-day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. Your journey begins with a short tour of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and one of Africa’s cleanest cities. Highlights of the city tour include a visit to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Center, where you will gain insight into the tragic events of 1994 that claimed the lives of over 300,000 people.
You will also explore vibrant local art and craft markets, known for their handmade paintings, sculptures, woven baskets, mats, and fresh fruits. A visit to the King’s Palace adds a touch of royal heritage to your cultural experience. After exploring these fascinating sites, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a restaurant in Kigali, where you can savor traditional Rwandan cuisine. or continental meals. After lunch, you will begin the 2 hours journey to the Volcanoes national park. The beautiful mountainous countryside along the way will remind you why Rwanda is often referred to as “Land of a thousand hills”. Then check in a lodge. Dinner and Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Virunga Hotel/Davinci Gorilla Lodge
Day 2: Trek to Gorillas
Begin your day early with a hearty breakfast, and don’t forget to carry your packed lunch and drinking water. Your driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to the Park Headquarters for a pre-trek briefing led by a ranger guide. During the briefing, you will be assigned a specific gorilla family to trek and receive helpful tips and guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful encounter with the gorillas. After the briefing, your guide will escort you into the forest to begin your gorilla trekking adventure, which typically lasts between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the assigned gorilla group.
Once you locate your gorilla family, you’ll be allowed to spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. You’ll witness their behavior up close watching them feed, care for their young, and interact with each other. Photography and videography are allowed, provided flash is turned off.
After the trek, and depending on your time and energy, you may visit the Gorilla Guardians Village, where you’ll experience the traditional lifestyle of rural Rwandans. Many of the community members here are former poachers who have since become conservation advocates. Through dance, storytelling, and cultural displays, they share their past and celebrate their transformation. Alternatively, you can opt for an evening nature walk to the picturesque Twin Lakes that is Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo and continue to enjoy stunning landscapes, wetlands, and birdlife. Another enriching option is a visit to the nearby Iby’iwacu Cultural Village in Musanze, where you can immerse yourself in local customs, music, and traditional Rwandan hospitality.
Day 3: Dr Dian Fossey tomb hike and transfer to Kigali
On this day, wake up and have breakfast at leisure as you prepare for a guided hike through misty forest to the grave of Dr Dian Fossey the famous primatologist, this hike may take 3-4 hours. Freshen up and embark on the trip back to Kigali. The driver will drop you at your hotel in Kigali or to the airport for your flight back home.
End of 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Includes
- Full time 4X4 safari vehicle
- A Full-Time English-speaking Guide/Driver
- Fuel for your safari
- Rwanda Gorilla Permits
- Bottled drinking water per day
- All other activities in the Itinerary
- Full Board accommodation for 2 nights
- Pickup and drop-off at your desired location within Kigali
- Cultural and community visit
- Kigali city tour
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Excludes
- International and local flights
- Visas
- Personal expenses like tipping, beverages, wines and insurance
- Personal Activities not included on the Itinerary
