- City Market, Muindi Mbingu St, Nairobi
- info@datmacsafaris.com
Item Code: Awesome Gorilla Trek
This 3-day safari is designed to immerse you in the beauty of Rwanda, offering the chance to track the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The experience of trekking these majestic creatures in Volcanoes National Park will be the highlight of your trip, with additional cultural and scenic experiences enriching the journey.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Morning:
- Arrival in Kigali: Your driver-guide from Datmac Safaris will meet you at Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali.
- Kigali City Tour (Optional): If time allows before departure, enjoy a brief tour of Kigali, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you can learn about Rwanda’s history, and explore the local markets.
- Late Morning:
- Transfer to Volcanoes National Park: After the city tour, start the scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes about 2.5-3 hours (approximately 100 km) through Rwanda’s stunning landscape of rolling hills, terraced fields, and small villages.
- Lunch:
- Enjoy a relaxing lunch at your lodge or a local restaurant on the way.
- Afternoon:
- Arrive at Volcanoes National Park: Check into your lodge near the park. Recommended options include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, or Virunga Lodge, all of which offer beautiful views of the volcanoes and the surrounding nature.
- Evening:
- Dinner & Relaxation: Enjoy dinner at the lodge. You can also opt for a relaxing evening walk to enjoy the fresh air and scenic beauty of the area before retiring for the night.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Early Morning:
- Breakfast & Gorilla Trek Briefing: After an early breakfast, depart for the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers. They will explain the safety protocols, gorilla behavior, and the rules for trekking. Groups of trekkers are assigned to specific gorilla families based on fitness levels, with each trek group limited to 8 people for a more intimate experience.
- Start the Gorilla Trek: Begin your trek into the lush rainforest, traversing through the dense jungle and slopes of the volcanoes. The trek duration varies, depending on where the gorillas are located, but it generally takes between 1 to 6 hours. The rangers will guide you to the gorilla family assigned to your group.
- Gorilla Viewing: Once you find the gorillas, you'll spend up to one hour observing them. This is a magical experience where you’ll see the gorillas interact, feed, and rest. You may also witness the incredible dominance of a silverback or watch the playful antics of young gorillas.
- Lunch: After the trek, enjoy a packed lunch in the forest or return to your lodge for a hot meal.
- Afternoon:
- Optional Cultural Experience: After trekking, you can visit a local Iby’iwacu Cultural Village to learn about the traditions and daily life of the Rwandan people. You’ll see traditional dances, crafts, and agricultural practices, offering insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
- Evening:
- Return to your Lodge: After a long and rewarding day, head back to your lodge for a well-deserved rest. Enjoy dinner and unwind in the serene environment of Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking or Dian Fossey Hike & Transfer Back to Kigali
- Early Morning:
- Golden Monkey Trekking (Optional): After breakfast, you can choose to go on a trek to see the golden monkeys that inhabit the Volcanoes National Park. These small, colorful primates are known for their playful and social behavior. The trek takes about 3-4 hours and is an excellent alternative or complement to the gorilla trekking experience.
- Alternative: Dian Fossey Hike (Optional): For those with a keen interest in conservation, a hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave is available. Fossey was a pioneering primatologist who dedicated her life to studying and protecting the mountain gorillas. The hike to her grave takes about 5-6 hours and offers fantastic views of the park and an opportunity to learn about her important work.
- Lunch: Enjoy lunch at the lodge or a packed lunch during your excursion.
- Afternoon:
- Transfer Back to Kigali: After your morning activity, begin the drive back to Kigali. If time allows, stop at local markets or craft shops along the way for souvenirs. The drive takes about 2.5-3 hours.
- Evening:
- Drop-off at Kigali: You will arrive in Kigali in the late afternoon or evening. If you have a flight departing that day, your driver will take you to the airport. Alternatively, if you are spending the night in Kigali, your driver-guide will drop you off at your hotel, which brings an end to the beautiful journey.
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