4 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

This 4 days gorilla trekking Rwanda is a short but very rewarding trip that takes you to the biologically rich Volcanoes National Park in north-western part of the Country. You will spend an unforgettable time with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. While a gorilla trekking safari is the main highlight of on this 4-day trip, we shall spice it up with a hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb, tour the Gorilla Guardians’ Village, take a boat ride on the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo as well as the tour of Africa’s cleanest City (Kigali).

At 160 square kilometers, Volcanoes National Park is small in every sense but what it offers always leaves travellers speechless. It has about 35% of the world’s mountain gorilla population and in here, 12 gorilla families have been habituated for trekking, which means 96 permits are issued per day.

Highlights

Trekking the extraordinary Giant Apes in their natural habitats.
Hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb.
Visit to the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo.
Tour of the Gorilla Guardian village.
Tour of Kigali City.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival into Kigali City and journey to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking Rwanda and visit to Gorilla Guardian’s Village.
Day 3: Enjoy the hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb and Tour of the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera.
Day 4: Say farewell to Volcanoes National Park: Drive to Kigali City and Departure.

Detailed Itinerary of 4 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

Day 1: Arrival into Kigali City and journey to Volcanoes National Park

Upon landing at Kigali International Airport, a Scenic Luxury Vacation driver will be waiting to welcome you to ‘the land of a thousand hills’, as Rwanda is fondly referred, and embark on a drive Northwards to Volcanoes National Park. Departing from Kigali City, the Capital, your drive goes north for approximately 2 hours to get to Musanze Town-the gateway into Volcanoes National Park.

It will be three hours of taking in views of rolling hills as well as verdant landscapes in the north-west of Rwanda then settle for dinner and overnight stay at the booked lodge within the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park.

Overnight:

Luxury: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest.
Mid-Range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

Drive Time: 2 hrs & 30min. 30 Min Helicopter.

Day 2: Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking Rwanda and visit to Gorilla Guardian’s Village

Today you will get the chance to experience the jungles of Volcanoes National Park on-foot while trekking and searching for the endangered mountain gorillas. This will be one of your unforgettable days as you get up-close and personal with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Having enjoyed a hearty breakfast, converge at Kinigi Park Headquarters where Park rangers will offer briefing on gorilla trekking that include the dos and don’ts of the activity.

While trekking time is quite unpredictable, be prepared for 1-5 hours of walking, followed by one hour of watching and photographing the Giant Apes as they go about their daily routines. It is undeniably challenging as you cross Valleys, hike slopes and jump streams but all this will be rewarded with the face to face encounter with giant Apes. After the wonderful time with the mountain gorillas, you will hit the trail back to your lodge for lunch.

The afternoon will see you visit the Gorilla Guardian Village to learn about cultures and traditions of the three ethnic groups of Rwanda. Such lessons shall include learning how people revolve around making and using herbal medicine, banana beer brewing, traditional hunting demonstrations, drumming classes and so much more. Settle for a hot dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Overnight:

Luxury: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest.
Mid-Range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3: Enjoy the hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb and Tour of the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera

You will return to Volcanoes National Park early morning for the Dian Fossey gravesite hike that also starts with briefing at Kinigi Park Headquarters. It takes about 3-4 hours of hiking through slopes of Bisoke and Karisimbi Volcanoes, encountering different animals that sometimes include golden monkeys and forest elephants. You will then get to the final resting place of a woman who sacrificed 18 years of her life, in protecting and studying about the mountain gorillas.

After reaching there and taking photos, you will return to the lodge for lunch and then set off for the tour of Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, the twin lakes formed when lava from Mount Sabyinyo blocked River Nyabarongo.

You will learn about the formation of these twin lakes, spot different bird species and take in views of the surrounding rolling hills before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight:

Luxury: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest.
Mid-Range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Say farewell to Volcanoes National Park: Drive to Kigali City and Departure

This day, enjoy breakfast and transfer to Kigali City for a proper city tour and last minute shopping for souvenirs from across the East African region. Get dropped at the Airport for the return flight back home. Urabeho!

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Drive Time: 2 hrs & 30 min. 30 Min Helicopter.