This 8 Days Rwanda Expedition tour includes one of the memorable Gorilla trekking experiences in Parc national des Volcans commonly known as Volcanoes national park is found with in the greater Virunga conservation area, its located in borders of Uganda, and Democratic republic of Congo, North of Rwanda, the park sits on the 8 volcanoes the highest standing over 4500meters high above sea level. The mountain slopes are covered with interspersed bamboo which is home to several habituated gorilla families. it’s the same park that you will find the tomb of Late Dian Fossey one of the first America zoologist who dedicated her time to conserving and studying the natural behavior of the gorillas until they were brought to international scene. Besides mountain gorillas, volcanoes national park is home to the endangered golden monkeys and several bird species such as African long-eared owl, Archer’s robin-chat, Brown woodland warbler, Brown-necked parrot, Doherty’s bush-shrike, Dusky crimson wing, Dusky turtle dove, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Handsome francolin among others.
The 8-day expedition will also consist of a city tour with Kigali, a visit to Nyungwe forest national park, known for its primate species and the spectacular canopy walk, a day at lake kivu exploring islands and on a canoe and Iby’iwachu cultural village, one of the kinds that gives the African feel of Rwanda’s magical traditions.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kanombe Airport in Kigali, you will be welcomed by your tour guide and immediately drive through the town to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay. will drive Dinner and sleep at Hotel Gorillas (FB)
Day 2: City tour-Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After your morning breakfast, you will have a city tour. This city tour visit includes prominent and historical sites with a remarkable history to the country. Some of these places to visit the Kigali Memorial Genocide Centre with all the details of what transpired during the 1994 genocide, there are recap videos to watch, personal testimonies. Other places include the museum and thereafter have lunch and transfer to Volcanoes national park in Musanze District.
Dinner and overnight stay at Kinigi Guest House, Moderate La Palme/ Luxury Mountain gorilla view Lodge / Sabyinyo Silverback lodge (Luxury)
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking experience
Today is your encounter day, with mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park, you will have early morning breakfast and then drive to the park headquarters in Kinigi for briefing by 7am. After you pre-trekking briefing, then gorilla families will be allocated per of 8 individuals and led by the park ranger guides into the forest park to search for the where about of the gorillas. It’s a thrilling moment after a long trek and you finally meet the settled gorilla family going about its day. Utilize the one given hour to take pictures, observe and later trek back to the start point and return to the lodge and refresh. Spend your evening at iby’iwachu cultural village with the ex-poachers who now pass on the message of conservation through dance and drama, storytelling as well as exhibiting Rwanda cultural tradition and history.
Dine and slumber at Kinigi Guest House, La Palme/ Mt Gorilla View lodge/ Davinci guest house (FB)
Day 4: Golden Monkey trekking and transfer to Kivu
Have breakfast in the morning breakfast and back to volcanoes national park, this time around to trek and see the cheeky endangered playful Golden monkeys. After this excursion you will transfer to Lake kivu, while you have lunch, you will reach in the evening. Dine and overnight stay at Paradise Malahide Hotel or Serena Hotel (FB)
Day 5: Adventure on Lake Kivu
After breakfast step out of the lodge to have a splendid day on Lake Kivu for a boat ride around the Virgin Islands like the Napoleon’s Hat Island and there you can ascend to the peak of the hat to view the thousands of Angola bats in the blue skies. Following lunch continue to Butare the intellectual Centre of Rwanda to visit the national university plus the Institute of Scientific Research as well as the national museum. Dine and slumber at Hotel Faulcon (FB)
Day 6: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest national is a moist montane rainforest. It extends over an expanse of 970 sq km and offers breathtaking scenery looking over the forest plus Lake Kivu, in addition to sights to the north of the far away volcanoes of Parc National des Virunga. The main attraction here are primates including a quite a number of chimpanzees among other primates such as large troops of black & white Angolan Colobus monkeys. Besides primates, there are also mammal species and bird life.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
After breakfast proceed with chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park after briefing at the park headquarters. You will have a close encounter experience with chimpanzees, while along the way you will be able to spot other primate species such as Rwenzori colobus, L’hoest monkey, silver monkey, owl-faced monkey, red-tailed monkey, Den’t mona monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboon, grey-cheeked mangabey, bushbaby among others. Return to the lodge refresh and in the evening, you will do a canopy, here you’re walking up high in the middle of the forest close to nature its self, the canopy walk is good for birding as well spotting primates as a close rage. Dinner and supper at Hotel Ibis, Nyungwe guest house.
Day 8: Return to Kigali /Departure
You will check out of the lodge after breakfast and transfer back to Kigali city, drop off at the hotel or airport for departure.
This tour includes
- Gorilla tracking permit
- Cultural experience
- Bottled water while on safari vehicle
- Full board meals and accommodation
- An English-speaking safari guide
- Well service 4×4 safari car
- Ground transport
- All mentioned activities in the itinerary
Tour excludes
- Expenses of personal nature
- Tipping
- Insurance
