Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Parc National des Volcans
We shall meet at your hotel or upon arrival at the airport and depending on your arrival time, we would have a city tour of Kigali to include a visit to the genocide memorial centre at Gisozi as well as the local craft markets and later, drive to Ruhengeri the gorilla tracking capital of Rwanda. This scenic drive will take about 2 and a half hours enjoying the rolling hills and truly evidencing why the country is dubbed the Land of a thousand hills.
Accommodation on Fullboard basis at:
Virunga Lodge/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Kinigi Guest Gouse
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Parc National des Volcans
After breakfast you will report to the park headquarters in Kinigi where your guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you of allocating you a gorilla family to track. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the gorilla tracking formality and how everything will be conducted from the start to the finish point; also you will be briefed on how you are to conduct yourself in the forest before and after encountering the gorillas. Return afterwards for lunch at your hotel or at Ruhengeri. Time permitting, we shall have an excursion to explore the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo in the region or just conduct a village walk in Ruhengeri or visit the Iby’Iwacu traditional village, where the local community displays the traditional ways of living.
Accommodation on Fullboard basis at:
Virunga Lodge/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Kinigi Guest Gouse
Day 3: Optional activities and transfer to Kigali
In case you wish to take another day tracking the gorillas in parc National des Voclans, today is the days and we recommend you visit one of the groups with a longer hiking time; the Susa group which is located on the slopes of the Karisimbi volcano and has more than 35 members will give you a great sense of achievement.
Alternatively, you may opt for other hikes in the park to include: A walk to visit the Golden Monkeys. Listed as “endangered”, the habituated groups of about 40 individuals are the only ones to be found in Africa, an excursion to Dian Fossey’s grave of and the former Karisoke Research Center or a hike to the top of the Bisoke volcano (3.711 m) and its beautiful crater lake. Afterwards, drive back to Kigali, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.