4 day Rwanda Gorilla Tracking and Lake Kivu tour leads you to Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. This tour combines the ultimate gorilla trekking, the highlight of a Rwanda safari with a wonderful relaxation time at the Lake Kivu, which is one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Africa. There is only about 1063 mountain gorillas remaining in the world and Rwanda is one of the only three countries including Rwanda, Uganda and DRC where you can see them in their natural habitat in the Virunga mountains. Each of the three countries offers the gorilla trekking experience but Rwanda is by far the best country for gorilla trekking adventures because of the easy access of the park that is located 2.5 hours from the capital Kigali, a city that is punctuated by excellent infrastructure, a breathtaking landscape of rolling hills and a stunning backdrop of the Virunga mountains which host the phenomenal mountains gorillas. As of the latest census, Rwanda has a population of over 400 individual mountain gorillas. These gorillas all exist in groups or families, some of which are available for the trekking experience. Currently, Rwanda has 10 gorilla groups that are habituated for tourism.

On this 4 Day Rwanda Gorilla Tracking and Lake Kivu tour, you will also have the opportunity to carry out  golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys are stunning primates that are only found in the Virunga mountains.(In the volcanoes and Mgahing national park.) In Volcanoes, two large troops have been habituated for the tracking experience and offer a wonderful addition to the mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. This 4 day Rwanda Gorilla Tracking and Lake Kivu tour will definitely also reward you with memorable experiences of an African safari. You'll have boat cruises on Lake Kivu, during which you'll witness a variety of bird species and water loving animals on the lake shore. You'll also visit a number of fishing villages and have a taste of African culture and tradition.

We give you a range of accommodations to choose from, ranging from budget, moderate to luxury.

Activities

  1. Volcanoes National Park
  2. Lake Kivu

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Drive to Volcanoes N.P.

Drive to Volcanoes National Park

  • Journey time: 2.5 hours
  • Accommodation: Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Garden Place Hotel (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

  • Our company tour-driver shall pick you from Kigali and depart to Volcanoes National Park which is situated in Musanze District in the north of Rwanda. You will spend the rest of the day at the lodge taking in the stunning views of the volcanoes and rolling highlands.

Day 2

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla tracking

  • Accommodation: Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Garden Place Hotel (Budget)
  • Meal Plan:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • We shall wake up quite early, have breakfast and transfer to the park office at 7am. We shall take lunch boxes as we cannot predict how long the trek may take. At the park office we meet the park guides to allocate you to a gorilla group you are going to track in Volcanoes National Park, and thereafter we shall drive to starting point of trek located just outside the park, and off you shall trek up the volcano to find the gorillas. A hiking a stick will be provided free of charge, and a porter can be hired at only $10 to carry your backpack and provide support. After you find the gorillas you will spend one hour following these incredible apes! After the gorilla trek you will spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge.

Day 3

Golden monkeys trek

Transfer to Lake Kivu

Golden monkey tracking and transfer to Lake Kivu

  • Journey time: 1.5 hours
  • Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Lodge (Luxury), Paradis Malahide Lodge(Midrange), Inzu Lodge (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • In the morning we shall return to the park to the track the beautiful golden monkeys. These monkeys are unique to the Virunga ranges. They live in the bamboo forest at the bottom of the mountains. Finding them is easy and not strenuous since they keep in their habitat at the base of the mountain. After the light trek in the Volcanoes and an amazing one hour spend with the golden monkeys we shall transfer to Gisenyi along Lake Kivu and relax away the rest of the day

Day 4

Boat ride

Transfer to Kigali

Transfer to Kigali

  • Journey time: 4 hours
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

  • We shall set out for a relaxing boat ride on Lake Kivu to enjoy the amazing views across the lake into the DR Congo and for the bird lover there is plenty of water birds to see. Later we shall check out and transfer to Kigali

General Tips:

  • Please note the age limit of 15 years and above for gorilla tracking.
  • Book your permits well in advance as only 8 permits are issued per gorilla group in a day.
  • You should be free from infectious diseases such as Flue which can be passed to the gorillas since humans share 98% DNA with gorillas. If you are found to carry an infectious disease you will not be allowed to track.
  • Every participant has the chance to hire a trekking assistance (porter) who will help carring the bags and support whenever it is needed. For the trekking assistant an additional fee of US$ 10 is charged.

What to bring:

  • Bring proper walking boots, long trousers and rain gears as you will be hiking through the forest of Volcanoes NP.
  • Insect repellant is recommended.
  • Sun screen is advisable.
  • At least 1-2 liters of drinking water per person during the trekking.

Recommended for you