This 3 days gorilla tour in Rwanda takes travelers to Volcanoes National Park where you will participate in gorilla trekking adventure in the country’s only gorilla home. This 160sq.kms protected area harbors a reasonable portion of 1063 mountain gorillas that are left on earth today.
The park has over 10 habituated gorilla families all set for tracking on daily basis. On this gorilla tour, you will also engage in a visit to Iby’Iwacu cultural village and exploring the Twin Lakes. Your trip will begin and end in Kigali, Rwanda.
Detailed itinerary of your 3 days gorilla tour in Rwanda
Day 1: Drive from the hotel in Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Your 1st day of 3 days gorilla tour in Rwanda starts with a leisurely cup of tea. After, your driver guide/tour leader picks you up and drives you to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri region. But first, you may engage in a short Kigali city tour. On a city expedition, expect to pay a visit to the Kimironko Market, Kigali genocide memorial center, presidential museum craft shops and so much more.
After Kigali city tour, have lunch and then drive to Ruhengeri region where you will visit Musanze Caves later in the afternoon. These caves extend about 2kms and exploring them may take you 1-2 hours. Transfer thereafter to your lodge to have a relaxed dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in the jungles of Volcanoes National Park
Have a cup of tea or coffee and later, leave the lodge for Kinigi offices where briefing on gorilla trekking rules will be carried out by the park official. Before departing from the lodge, ensure that you have some snacks, bottled water and other necessary items.
You will be allocated to a park guide and only one habituated gorilla family to trek starting at 8:00am. Tracking mountain gorillas is an exhilarating experience that lasts for 2-6 hours and it includes 1 hour of you learning how these apes feed, behave, copulate, interact with each other and photography.
Some of the gorilla families to track in Volcanoes National Park include Bwenge, Kwitonda, Umubano, Amahoro, Hirwa, Sabyinyo, Susa A, Karisimbi (Susa B), Agashya and Ugenda. You will be allocated to only one gorilla family and return to the lodge after 1 hour of a magical encounter.
Have lunch and later, have a fun-filled cultural experience in the evening at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. The local guide will warmly welcome you and takes you through the different traditions, practices, history and cultures of Rwanda. Your cultural encounter will also include interacting with local residents, enjoy the dances and music performances as they will perform before you. You will return to the lodge for overnight stay after cultural experience.
Day 3: Exploring the Twin Lakes and return to Kigali
Enjoy an early morning cup of tea or coffee and later, depart for your exploration at the Twin Lakes (Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera). These are 2 magnificent natural wonders popular for birding. You will take a 1-hour boat trip along the Twin Lakes and get back ready to connect to Kigali for drop off at the hotel or Kigali airport for your departure flight.
