Overview:
A 3 days Volcanoes National Park gorilla trek will take you for a thrilling experience in the northwestern part of Rwanda. Your trip begins and ends in Kigali. In addition to the gorilla trek, the tour will ensure that you enjoy comfortable road trips, Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour and the Kimironko Market tour. You will be transported in Monteero Safari’s 4X4 safari vehicle, with an experienced guide driving you.
Volcanoes National Park covers 160 square kilometers in the Virunga Conservation Area. It was established in 1925 and has 5, the most, of the 8 volcanoes of the Virunga ranges. The volcanoes are Karismbi, Bisoke, Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. Volcanoes National Park is among the best places in Africa where you can see mountain gorillas in the wild. There are at least 12 habituated gorilla families that can be tracked by visitors.
Gorilla treks are guided adventures that involve hiking in the dense forest to look for a habituated gorilla group. Once the gorilla family is encountered, the park authority allows you to spend 1 hour in their presence. This is sufficient time to observe how they behave in their own natural habitat. You can also take photos.
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Twin Lakes exploration
Our driver will collect you from your accommodation or Kigali International Airport. After greeting you, you will be briefed about your 3 days Volcanoes National Park gorilla trek. From the airport the road trip covers 116.7 kilometers. After the scenic drive that takes around 3 hours, you will arrive at Volcanoes National Park. Check in in your booked lodge. Have your delicious meal for lunch.
You will be taken to the Twin Lakes known as Burera and Ruhondo. This is an opportunity to enjoy a boat cruise on an engine boat in this pristine site. The lakes were formed due to volcanic activity. You can also spot a variety of bird species, have a nature walk and also explore the islands. Plenty of stories about the site will be told to you. You will be driven back to the lodge. Have your delicious dinner and also the overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
After waking up, take the early morning breakfast. Request a packed lunch from the lodge staff. Your driver will take you to the Kinigi park headquarters before 8:00 AM. You will be in time for a briefing by the park guide. You will also be placed in a group of 8 and given a habituated gorilla group to look for. Follow the trekking rules. You will move into the dense forest under the guidance of a seasoned park ranger guide and armed ranger.
You will find the habituated gorilla family. With this exciting opportunity, watch the gorillas play, eat, groom and how they behave in different kinds of ways. Pull out your camera and carefully take photos of these mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Return to the trailhead. The entire trekking experience will take somewhere between 2 to 6 hours. This is because the gorillas are quite mobile. Your physical fitness is also a factor to determine your hiking speed.
Your driver will take you back to your lodge. Freshen up and go for the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village exploration. Take this time to appreciate the rich cultural tapestry of the Rwandese. Purchase some items as souvenirs. Also interact with the local people. This is the perfect time to learn some words in the local language. You will return to your lodge. Eat your dinner and have overnight stay.
Day 3: Return to Kigali city and Kimironko Market exploration
Wake up for your early morning breakfast. Check out of the lodge and your driver will take you back to Kigali city. After 2–3-hours you will arrive in Kigali before afternoon. This depends on the road traffic conditions of the day. You will be taken to Kimironko Market to tour this bustling place. Lovely items like crafts and African fashion clothes are available. You might wish to purchase some of these to take home as souvenirs.
Your driver will take you to either your accommodation, or drop you off at the Kigali International Airport. This is the end of the thrilling 3 days Volcanoes National Park gorilla trek. You will be wished a safe journey on your flight.
