3 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari is 2 nights/3 days Rwanda gorilla safari tour, taking you for the once in a lifetime adventure of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, a refuge for around 300 endangered Mountain Gorillas.
On this 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari, expert local guides will lead you into the forest’s secret trails in the magnificent volcanic Virunga Mountains to encounter a family of these rare giants in their natural habitat. Once found, approach the gorillas quietly and settle down to observe them from a safe 7 meters distance.
You’ll spend an hour with these human like creatures, watching the adults forage and groom each other while the babies tumble and play, under the watchful gaze of the great silverback patriarch.
Your 3 days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari will also include an amazing cultural tour to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village and an opportunity to trace back Rwanda’s tragic past at the Genocide Museum in Kigali city.
Day 1 & 2: Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Kigali City Kigali Genocide Memorial
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport and drive to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes & Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
Day 3: Return to Kigali. Visit the Genocide Memorial & Depart.
Your thrilling 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari starts as soon as you land at Kigali International Airport. You’ll be welcomed by your safari guide giving you a briefing about Rwanda and this safari in particular.
From Kigali, you’ll embark on a 2-3 hour drive northwest through the beautiful, terraced hillsides of Rwanda to your lodge near the stunning Volcanoes.
Established in 1925, Volcanoes National Park is the oldest national park in Africa. It covers 160 km² of rainforest and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo.
Aside from over 300 Mountain gorillas, the park is inhabited by endemic golden monkeys, an array of birds, and other animals such as forest elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, and bushbuck. Tonight you have dinner at the lodge as you prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek tomorrow.
The highlight of the Day: – Driving through Rwanda’s beautiful, terraced hillsides
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: – Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Budget: – Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: – Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – 116km/2-3 hours
Activities & Services:-
Once You Transfer To Volcanoes National Park, You Can Visit The Musanze Caves This Afternoon
Upon arrival, you will visit the ancient caves of Musanze which are cathedral-like natural features noted to have been used as a hiding place for the Rwandan royals during times of war and storage for supplies and food.
Retire for relaxation and overnight.
Your day two of the 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari begins with an early breakfast at 6 am at the lodge. Thereafter, drive to the Park Offices to meet with excellent local guides for a briefing on the etiquette of gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
After the briefing at around 8 am, the hike into the forest begins. Gorilla trekking with your guides through the park is a relatively tiresome activity. The trek can take anything from 30 mins to 8 hours. It may involve a climb to altitudes, not over 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times quite muddy.
But, once the gorillas are located all the aches and fatigue of the trek are forgotten, as the experience is often described as finding a hidden natural treasure in the mist. Viewing time is limited to one hour. After your captivating hour with these gentle giants, make your way back to your lodge for relaxation.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a cultural tour of Iby’iwacu Village, a replica village of what traditional life was like back in the day for many Rwandans.
You have an opportunity to spectate or participate in many activities such as hunting skills, traditional dance, and music, traditional architecture, weaving, local brew preparation, meeting traditional healers, etc.
The highlight of the Day: – Trekking the fascinating Mountain Gorillas
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: – Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Budget: – Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: – Gorilla trekking
Optional Activity: – Visit the volcanic Twin Lake lakes
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast today and then embark on a drive back to Kigali. It’s a fascinating journey of around 2-3 hours, depending on any stops you make en route. On arrival, visit a location stained with Rwanda’s heartbreaking history, The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center.
This tragic memorial was constructed in April 2004 to honor those who lost their lives during the horrific 1994 Rwandan Genocide. The center was built on the site where an estimated 250,000 victims were buried.
It serves as a place where individuals can grieve the loss of their loved ones and provide educational information regarding the genocide for future generations.
Rwandans believe that although the painful emotions associated with this tragedy may be construed as negative, it is extremely important that the younger citizens of Rwanda fully understand the reasons and effects of such an event on a nation.
After the memorial tour, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the best restaurants in the city and transfer to the airport for a flight home to mark the end of this thrilling 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari.
The highlight of the Day: – Learning about Rwanda’s tragic past at the Genocide Museum in Kigali.
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Distance & Time: – 116km/2-3 hours
Activities & Services: –
Optional Activities in Volcanoes NP: –
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