4 Days Drive Gorilla Safari – Volcanoes National Park

Day 1: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park

Have breakfast at your Hotel; Take up a city tour of Kigali, including a visit to the Genocide Memorial site, a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent’s lives in 1994. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides globally and how this country has dealt with that past.

Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience. The history of Rwanda dates back centuries. Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962, when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare. You will have lunch in Kigali;

Afterwards, depart to Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The Town itself, located only 25km from the Uganda border, is relatively a small city. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The Town has excellent views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are amicable here, and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here. Dinner and overnight at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes National Park

Early breakfast at your lodge; 0630 hrs.: transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs 0700 hrs. Registration, where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening.

There are 80 gorilla permits available each day, with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group. Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures and the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas.

After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles to drive up the mountain to the starting point. Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear. The cost, US$10 per person/per day. We advise that you utilize this service.

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, waterproof hiking boots and a light raincoat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long-sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grab onto the vegetation, while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that comes in very handy, especially when hiking downhill.  A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.

After the trek, join your driver-guide for a transfer back to your lodge. You will enjoy a visit to iby’I wacu cultural village where ex-poachers were turned into eco-warriors in the afternoon. Overnight: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. (Full Board) (Inclusive of local beverages and laundry service)

Day 3: Volcanoes National Park – Gisenyi

Today after breakfast, you will drive to Gisenyi in western Rwanda on the shores of Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s western side, one of a string of huge freshwater lakes that lie along Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Dominating the border between Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake and the sixth largest lake in Africa.

You will have the day to relax and have an optional tour of Gisenyi, including a visit to the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, BRALIRWA (the local brewery) and the hot spring. Water activities available (to be paid directly). Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.

Day 4: Gisenyi – Kigali – Departure

Today you will enjoy the scenic drive back to Kigali and proceed to the airport for your departure flight.