In this amazing 5 Day Rwanda safari to Volcanoes National Park, you will track gorillas in their natural habitat at the park, an activity that will get you closer to these Human Relatives with close to 98% of human DNA.
Have another day with the beautiful creatures, the golden monkeys, tracking while following their footsteps, then end the entire adventure with a hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave in memory of her conservation efforts; the safari will also have additional bonuses and activities such as sport biking, nature walk, birding and cultural encounters among other interesting activities.
Day 1: Pick up, Kigali Genocide Memorial, drive to Volcanoes National Park, and Iby’iwacu tour
Our company representative will pick you up from a hotel, the Airport, or your residence, there will be a briefing as you enjoy a cup of coffee. Head to the city for a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial for an insight on the 1994 Rwandan genocide and pay your last respects to the 250,000 victims buried here. It is a place where visitors head to pay tributes as well as learn about the disadvantages of discrimination, tribalism, and genocide. Enjoy an en route lunch as you drive off to the Volcanoes National Park where all the activities will transpire and check into your lodge. Venture out to Iby’iwacu cultural village for a visit and that will expose you to the cultures of the people of Rwanda. Get entertained by the traditional songs and dances as you finish off your stay at the village. Return to the lodge and rest.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and relax in the afternoon
Early in the morning, pack a camera, binoculars, clad on good hiking outfit and head to Volcanoes national park where you will join your colleagues for a gorilla trekking briefing as you enjoy a cup of coffee, the park rangers will be verifying your documents as well as explaining some of the essential information you should know before getting to the jungle to track the gorillas.
Everybody is soon allocated to respective gorilla families and guide to accompany a group of 8 trekkers to the jungle in search for these gentle giants. As you move, keep on enjoying the birds’ melodies and sighting other primates along the way, jumping from one tree branch to another, though the trek might seem strenuous, the relief that will come upon finding them is tremendous.
One hour will be given to you to watch, take photos and write some notes on the Unique behaviors and attributes these creatures possess as explained by a ranger guide.
Return to the lodge, take delicious lunch and relax in the afternoon from the tiring trek in the morning. You can also choose to take on an optional activity. In the evening have dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Golden Monkey trekking and Dian Fossey Museum
Start your day with breakfast then head to the park’s headquarters for briefing where the park rangers will tell you the dos and don’ts while trekking. Golden monkeys are one of the unique and rarest primate species found in Africa, which can be only located in the Virunga massif in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Trekking them is hard and requires maximum attention since they move very fast and are so playful, therefore it requires you to be so active and observant if you will have to take the best shot at the end of the activity.
The trekking time depends on how far the creatures move though it can be estimated to be between 2-7 hours. Upon finishing the trek, descend to the park’s headquarters where you will head back to the lodge for lunch. Transfer to the Dian Fossey museum in the afternoon where you will get to witness the works that were done by Dian Fossey. Visit her work area as you learn how she interacted with these primates. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Hike to Dian Fossey grave and relax in the evening
After breakfast, you will head out for a trek to the graveyard of a researcher who devoted her entire life to conserving the Mountain gorillas with in the Virunga region, though she met her death in 1985 by some unknown assailants who murdered her.
Dian Fossey was carrying research about mountain gorillas primarily in the Park National des Vulcans, Virunga national park and Mgahinga national park after her arrival in 1967. She established the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Bisoke mountains and spent her entire life at the park, writing a book, “Gorillas in the Mist” which was later acted in a movie after her death.
Her grave lies close to her research center amongst the gorillas which became her life. When the trek is done, return to the lodge for lunch and relax in the evening. Have dinner later and sleep for the night ahead.
Day 5: Kimironko market tour and departure or overnight stay in the city.
Start your day with a taste of coffee, next, check out of the lodge and hit the road to Kigali city. Tour the Kimironko market in the city and observe the fresh foods like vegetables and fruits and also grab yourself an art piece as souvenir from the many art and craft shops in the market. Have lunch after your tour and head for the airport for your departure flight or drop off at your hotel in the city for an overnight stay.
