4 Days Gorilla and Dian Fossey Trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park
With 4 Days Gorilla and Dian Fossey Trek in Rwanda, you stand a chance to explore the world’s unique apes –the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and also walk on the footsteps of Dian Fossey.
The key highlights of this trip include guided mountain gorilla trekking experience and Dian Fossey trek. The 2 unusual adventures that this itinerary includes will be enjoyed while in Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park is the most accessible park for gorilla trekking and takes you 2-3 hours to drive from the heart of Kigali capital. On a gorilla tour, you will be allocated to any of the 12 habituated gorilla families to visit.
They include among others Kwitonda, Bwenge, Umubano, Sabyinyo, Susa A, Agashya, Hirwa, and Karisimbi. As per this itinerary, the actual gorilla trekking and Dian Fossey trek will begin from Kinigi with briefing.
Brief Itinerary – 4 Days Gorilla and Dian Fossey Trek:
- Day 1: Pick up from your hotel in Kigali & drive to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri
- Day 2: Enjoy the best of mountain gorilla trekking & relaxation
- Day 3: Dian Fossey trek with park guide & cultural village tour
- Day 4: Return to Kigali by car
Detailed Itinerary – 4 Days Gorilla and Dian Fossey Trek:
Day 1: Pick up from your hotel in Kigali & drive to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri.
After you have had the best of your hearty breakfast, you will meet your safari leader/driver guide in Rwanda. Have a quick briefing where you will have insight about this memorable trip.
You will exit the hotel premises and start the day with a brief Kigali city tour. On Kigali city tour, your area of focus will be the Kigali/Gisozi genocide site- recently recognized as UNESCO Heritage Site and also pay a visit to other nearby historical sites or grab some fresh fruits at Kimironko market.
After the Kigali city tour, settle for lunch break and later, you will set off to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri and today, your road trip will be done in a classic 4×4 drive car. Arrive early for you to check-in at your booked lodge.
Accommodation
- Kinigi Guesthouse/Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
- Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Sambora Kinigi Lodge/La Palme Hotel (Midrange)
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)
Day 2: Enjoy the best of mountain gorilla trekking & relaxation.
Report to Kinigi as soon as you get done with breakfast and be there when fully equipped with all the essentials. At Kinigi, you will find the park official who will take you on briefing about the gorilla trekking regulations. He/she will also use this period to allocate visitors habituated gorilla families and the park guides to accompany them into the wild and back.
You will begin your trek through the lush Volcanoes National Park and expect to spend from 2-6 hours on a search for gorillas. On locating these apes, expect to have an hour of a face-to-face encounter and photography. After this special moment with gorillas in the wild, begin walking back to the pre-booked lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation
- Kinigi Guesthouse/Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
- Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Sambora Kinigi Lodge/La Palme Hotel (Midrange)
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)
Day 3: Dian Fossey trek with park guide & cultural village tour.
A delicious cup of tea/coffee be enjoyed at the lodge and after, meet your driver guide for you to be transferred to briefing point. Today, your focus will be the Dian Fossey tomb trek and your journey will enrich you will Dian Fossey’s conservation legacy.
It is an inspirational journey as you walk into the footsteps of the renowned conservationist, primatologist. Around trek to and back from Dian Fossey tomb site takes 2-4 hours, and you will have lunch break at the lodge.
Late in the afternoon, you will be accompanied to Iby’Iwacu Village to enjoy the best of Rwandese cultures and traditions, dances and music performance, etc. You will be led back to your accommodation and have a leisurely dinner then retire for the night.
Accommodation
- Kinigi Guesthouse/Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
- Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Sambora Kinigi Lodge/La Palme Hotel (Midrange)
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)
Day 4: Return to Kigali by car.
After a hefty breakfast, you will be picked up by the driver guide and today, you will make it back to Kigali. At Kigali, proceed to Kigali International Airport (KGL) for you to depart back home.
End of the 4 Days Gorilla and Dian Fossey Trek safari.
4 Days Gorilla and Dian Fossey Trek Safari cost includes
- Valid Rwanda gorilla permits
- All park entry fees
- Full time English-speak driver or guide (guide of your preferred language)
- All travel to and from Volcanoes NP
- Accommodation for 3 nights plus meals as per the itinerary
- All safari activities except the optional ones
- Bottled water for you to keep hydrated.
4 Days Gorilla and Dian Fossey Trek Safari cost excludes
- Tips
- Visa fees
- Laundry services
- Telephone bills
- Shopping
- Travel insurance, optional activities, cigarettes, passport, beverages, and others.