5 Days Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trekking Safari
- Places to visit: Kigali,Volcanoes National Park
Overview
Volcanoes National Park is otherwise known as Parc Nationals de Volcans (PNV). The stunning area protects five of the nine staggeringly beautiful Virunga Mountains, each characterized by steep slopes that are blanketed in a thick green, tropical rainforest. The park is home to approximately half the worlds remaining population of the, critically endangered, mountain gorilla. What makes this park more unique is that it hosts seven groups of habituated mountain gorillas.
In this tour, you will be able to get as close as possible to the wildlife without sacrificing your comfort. A nice accommodation with a little touch of luxury will provide you a safe haven during your trip, enhancing your overall experience when you return after a hard day in the wild.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by our tours representative, outside the airport arrivals section and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Lodge
Day 2: Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a City Tour of Kigali(Cost of city tour included)
The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwandaās independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare.
Visit the old Kigali and the craft centres then visit the genocide memorial site. Learn about Rwandaās history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankindās resilience.
Lunch in Kigali.
Later, depart Kigali and drive to Ruhengeri.
Ruhengeri is the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town is located only 25km from Uganda boarder and is relatively a small city of about 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is
quite remarkable. The Town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here. It is
Approximately 2.5hrs drive from Kigali to the Volcanoes National park.
Accommodation: Bisate Lodge
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park ā Golden Monkey Trek
Early breakfast at the lodge.
0620hrs. Depart from your lodge with your guide to the National Park headquarters.
Short briefing from your designated āGolden Monkey guideā from the Volcanoes National Park authority.
Return from the Golden Monkey trek and drive back to your lodge for lunch.
Afternoon at leisure or visit the Ibāiwacu cultural village (Cost offered separately).
Accommodation: Bisate Lodge
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park - Gorilla Trek
Early breakfast at the lodge.
0620 hrs: Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs for your first day of trekking.
0700 hrs: Registration is a simple process where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the
various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 88 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group.
Once the trekkers are put into groups, each groupās Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the ādoās and donātsā while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point.
Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way.
Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the
greatest wildlife experiences on earth!
After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide for a transfer to your lodge for lunch.
Afternoon, enjoy a visit of the spectacular and scenic Twin Lakes ā Bulera and Ruhondo.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge
Day 5: Depart
After breakfast, depart from foothills of the volcanoes and drive on a scenic drive to Kigali. Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly ā land of a thousand fertile green hills.
(2.5hrs).
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight(Flight after 1300Hrs recommended; cost of flight not included).
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
- Inclusions
- Exclusions
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
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Why book with us?
- Unbeatable support
- World Class Guides
- Expert Advice 24/7
- Specialized Safari Vehicles
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