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A large mountain gorilla sits among the bush in Volcanoes

Rwanda Gorilla Extension

Example 4 Day Tour
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Spend four exciting days in the Central African country of Rwanda, visiting its vibrant capital city, beautiful northern volcanoes and exceptional wildlife. Rwanda is home to several families of endangered Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, and tracking these beautiful creatures is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Leave Rwanda with a renewed sense of nature, wildlife and of the resilience of the Rwandese people. 
Gorilla trackingRwanda's lush, green landscapeThe sun sets over RwandaA mountain gorilla in Volcanoes, RwandaVisit Rwanda's contemporary and safe capital city of KigaliA large mountain gorilla sits among the bush in Volcanoes
Highlights
  • Spend one hour observing a family of endangered Mountain Gorillas
  • Track endangered Golden Monkeys
  • Hike through the spectacular landscape of northern Rwanda
  • Visit the harrowing Kigali Genocide Memorial and learn about Rwanda today
Activity Level: Moderate
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Kigali

When you reach Kigali International Airport, Akagera Aviation will welcome you and introduce you to your driver guide. Afterward, you will be taken to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Historical Kigali | Volcanoes National Park

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Following breakfast, you will receive a briefing about your safari. The day begins with a city tour of Kigali, encompassing a visit to the Genocide Memorial site. Here, delve into Rwanda's history spanning from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide, and gain insight into how Rwanda has grappled with this past. Tour continues, showcasing the remarkable progress and new developments in Rwanda—a true testament to human resilience. Savor lunch at a restaurant in Kigali before embarking on a comfortable drive to Musanze (formerly known as Ruhengeri) in the northwest region of Rwanda. This town serves as the central hub for Gorilla tracking. The journey unfolds amidst the scenic backdrop of rolling hills, taking approximately 3.5 hours from Kigali.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Experienence

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Following your morning wake-up call and breakfast, be transported by road in a 4WD Land Cruiser to the park headquarters. Here, complete the necessary formalities for gorilla trekking and receive a briefing from the guides of Volcanoes National Park regarding the proper etiquette for interacting with the gorillas. The specific gorilla group you'll visit will be determined by the allocation from the 13 habituated Gorilla groups. Park rangers will have already set out to locate gorilla groups that can be visited by guests.

You'll be assigned to a particular gorilla group, with a maximum of 8 visitors allowed per gorilla family. The length of your trek will vary based on the gorilla group you've been assigned to and will start at an altitude of about 7,000 feet on the upper terraced slopes of the volcano. As you progress, enter the bamboo forest and dense undergrowth.

Follow established paths, and while the terrain is steep, it's not excessively strenuous. It's hard to put into words the excitement and amazement you'll feel as you gaze deep into the liquid brown eyes of these gentle giants, who share approximately 97% of their genes with humans. After locating your assigned gorilla group, spend an hour in their company before retracing your steps back down the slopes of the volcano. Lunch will be served at the lodge.

In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village.

Day 4: Golden Monkeys Trekking | Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Following breakfast, be transported to the Park headquarters for a Golden Monkeys trek, which, like gorilla trekking, begins at 7:00 in the Volcanoes National Park. These endangered creatures are a rare sight, and the park currently hosts two habituated troops, totaling around 80 members, available for tourist visits.

Golden monkeys in Rwanda reside in the bamboo vegetation near the base of the volcanoes. Through habituation, they've grown accustomed to daily visits from researchers and tourists, overcoming their initial shyness.

The experience of trekking golden monkeys mirrors that of gorillas, conducted in small groups, and once located, you can spend an hour observing them. They are highly active, often leaping from tree to tree, making them intriguing yet somewhat challenging subjects to photograph. Afterward, enjoy lunch at the lodge, then check out and embark on a roughly 3.5-hour drive to Kigali. The driver guide will be available for a city tour, including the possibility of souvenir shopping and visits to local markets, if your departure schedule permits. Alternatively, the driver guide will transfer you to the airport, marking the conclusion of your Rwanda trip.

Accommodations

Ingagi Park View Lodge

Spacious, clean interiors at Ingagi Park View Lodge

Kigali - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,574 2-3 travelers

Notes

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Included
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners
  • 3 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Activities as listed
  • Park Entrance Fee
  • All airport transfers and assistance
  • Private transport in a 4x4 tourist converted jeeps
  • English speaking driver-guides
  • Medical Emergency Evacuation services
  • Gorilla Permits
  • Bottled drinking water & snacks while trekking and in the vehicle.
  • 1 Golden Monkey Tracking permit
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Airport Tax
  • Excess baggage charges
  • International, regional, and local Airfares

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
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