Overview
For those who adore primates and aspire to witness two of Africa’s highly endangered primate species, the 3-day Rwanda gorilla safari and golden monkey trekking package at Volcanoes National Park is perfect. In addition to exploring the capital Kigali, this package also includes a stop at Iby’iwacu Cultural Village to connect with the native people and their traditional way of life. Both of these activities are scheduled to take place in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, which is the country’s most popular tourism destination. Every year, thousands of travelers come to the park to participate in various activities, which we will discuss in more detail shortly.
Highlights
- Touring Kigali city and visiting the Genocide memorial site
- Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
- A tour of the Iby’iwacu cultural village
- Golden Monkey Tracking
Itinerary
Day 1 : Kigali city tour – Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park
Your tour will begin with a morning pick-up by the guide either from your hotel or the airport. The first destination will be the city of Kigali, which although small, is well-planned and clean, with numerous landmarks to explore. During the tour, you will visit places such as the Genocide memorial site, the former presidential palace, the city’s main market, and artisan shops. The genocide memorial center serves as a tribute to the thousands of people who lost their lives in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. After the educational tour, you will have lunch before embarking on a 2 to 3-hour journey to the Volcanoes national park. Along the way, you will enjoy the scenic beauty of the hilly countryside, and understand why Rwanda is known as “The Land of a thousand hills.”
Dinner and Overnight at Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range) and Virunga Lodge (Luxury)
5 volcanoes boutique Hotel (Mid-range)
Day 2: Mountain gorilla Tracking – GORILLA GUARDIAN VILLAGE CENTER
Get up early and have breakfast before going to the park headquarters in Musanze for a briefing on gorilla tracking. The head park guide will conduct the briefing at 7:00am, covering topics such as the park’s history, Gorilla groups, Dian Fossey, and the rules and requirements for gorilla trekking. You will also receive advice on how to behave around the gorilla family you choose. After registering and being assigned a gorilla group, you can hire a porter. The allocation of gorilla families is now based on the fitness level of travelers because some families are located deep in the forest and require more challenging hikes. Watching a gorilla family is an incredible experience, and you should follow the guide’s instructions, stay calm, and avoid sudden movements.
When your one-hour time with the gorilla group ends, return to the starting point where our company guide will be waiting for you. The driver will take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest before the next activity. In the afternoon, our guide will pick you up and take you to the Iby’iwacu cultural village near the volcanoes national park in Musanze. Enjoy cultural dances and learn about the culture of the people of Rwanda. The village is now called the Gorilla Guardians Village and is considered one of the best cultural centers in Rwanda.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge (Luxury). 5 volcanoes boutique Hotel (Mid-range)
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking at the Volcanoes National Park – Transfer back Kigali
Wake up early and have breakfast before attending a briefing about the golden monkeys then you will venture into the forest to observe the golden monkeys, critically endangered, like the mountain gorillas. To prevent their complete extinction, various projects have been implemented to protect them. The monkeys can be spotted on top of short bamboo trees, but they also forage on the ground. It is suggested that you take plenty of pictures of these adorable primates, while also taking time to observe them. After the activity, you will return to the lodge for lunch and rest, and then start your journey back to Kigali. Our guide will drop you off at either the airport or your hotel.
Included
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Personal items
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Excluded
- Park fees
- All activities
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- All Taxes/VAT
- Pick up and drop off
- Meals
- Drinking water