Volcanoes National Park

4 Day Gorilla Tracking Tour at Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is a great opportunity to combine an unforgettable encounter with Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas with an exciting hike to the top of one of the Virunga Volcanoes. Gorilla trekking in the 160km2 Volcanoes National Park is the most popular tour in Rwanda. The Republic of Rwanda lies south of the equator, bordered by Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north, south, east and west. Rwanda is famous as the land of a thousand hills because of its hilly landscapes - very rich in biodiversity such as the endangered mountain gorillas, abundance of lush and vibrant flora and fauna. Our 4 day Gorilla Tracking  experience will give you a glimpse of this beautiful land. The Mountain Gorillas are unique to only three countries including Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. 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. 

Volcanoes National Park, found within the Virunga Massif is home to a population of over 400 mountain gorillas, including the 10 families that are habituated for tourism. Each of these gorilla families can be tracked everyday within the forests by a maximum of 8 visitors. A gorilla tracking permit in Rwanda goes for 1500 USD per person, though more expensive than other destinations: $600 in Uganda and $400 in DRC. The park is also home to golden monkeys, buffalos etc as well as an exciting 200 species of birds with 12 endemics. A variety of different species of butterlies, grass and trees can be found within the forest.

On this 4 day Gorilla Tracking Tour at Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, you will be rewarded with the most important highlight and best adrenaline activity of any African safari that is filled with the art of nature and thrill of pleasure. Volcanoes is part of the Virunga mountains which has different volcanoes like Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura, Sabyinyo. These grandeurs make the safari more scenic and spectacular. Other activities on this safari include the hike to Dian Fossey's tomb, golden monkey tracking among others. Be ready to ask and receive all the information of your interest. It is this information, experience and activities that partly make the 4 day Gorilla Tracking Tour at Volcanoes National Park remarkable. 

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

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Detailed Itinerary Travel Tips Map

Day 1

Arrival

Leisure Time

Arrival at Kigali International Airport, Transfer to Volcanoes NP & Rest of the Day at Leisure

  • 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

  • Upon your arrival in the 'land of a thousand hills' our guide will be happy to receive you and transfer to the National Parc des Volcans which lies within the Virunga Mountain range in the north-western Rwanda. You will spend your next three nights in a spectacular setting overlooking the Virunga mountains.
  • This evening, enjoy sundowners and local performances with the stunning view of the volcanoes from the lodge.

Day 2

Dian Fossey tomb Hike

Leisure Time

Trekking the Dian Fossey Tomb Trail & Rest of the Day at Leisure at the Lodge

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

  • Early this morning you will drive to the park headquarters for trekking the Dian Fossey Tomb Trail.  Trekking to the Dian Fossey Tomb is one of the most sought after activities on a Rwanda safari and it involves visiting the famous American Primatologist, Dian Fossey graveyard who dedicated almost 20 years of her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas. From the park headquarters , you will then drive  for about 30 minutes to the  trail head, in order to access the Karisoke research camp. From Karisoke, it takes around 10 minutes to reach the park boundary, from which it takes a further estimated 1 to 2 hours to reach the research centre where Dian Fossey's tomb is. At the site, you will find the house from where the legendary Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985. She was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas who were either killed by poachers or just died reasons. During the trek, you will encounter a variety of bird species, forest elephants, forest hogs among others.  
  • Dinner and overnight the Virunga Lodge.

Day 3

Gorilla Tracking

Leisure Time

Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park & Rest of the Day at Leisure at the Lodge

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

  • Early this morning you will drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi in Musanze district by 8:00 am for Gorilla tracking registration and briefing about the trekking rules. Gorilla tracking can be physically demanding and you are likely to walk for about three to seven hours through thick jungles depending upon the gorilla's movements. The experience of observing these mountain gorillas in their natural habitant is memorable. You will be allowed to spend one hour with these phenomenal mountain gorillas, a time during which you will take photos and see them play, eat and groom each otherYou carry packed lunch for the tracking.
  • Dinner and overnight the lodge. 

Day 4

Departure

Departure

  • Journey time: 2.5 hours
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Depart your lodge and transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.

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.
  •  It is also important to note that the hike to the to the Dian Fossey tomb involves moving through the forests and hiking up the slopes and therefore requires some relative degree of fitness and patience.

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.
  • At least 1-2 liters of drinking water per person during the trekking.
 

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