You will be met upon arrival at Kigali International Airport and transferred to Hotel des Mille Collines.
Depart after breakfast to Mountain Gorilla View Lodge close to Volcanoes National Park. Drive 3-4 hours.
City Tour and Kigali Genocide Memorial en-route with lunch in the city
Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum
Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The centre is an extremely moving, challenging, educational and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide. The memorial hosts a tour which is transparent and educational but very sombre and humbling when guests realise that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.
Volcanoes National Park
Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, and set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience face to face encounters with these intriguing creatures. Regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, with the beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke being a particular highlight. Make sure to visit the fascinating Karisoke Research Centre and the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey.
Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Located very close (about 15 minutes) from the main headquarters of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park (Parc National de Volcans), this is a very handy base from which to explore the area.
The 30 individual cottages have been built on 4 acres of land on the slopes of Mt Sabinyo. The stone and thatch cottages each have en-suite facilities, a small lounge with a fire place and a private veranda. The cottages are of a good size and are well positioned to give them privacy from each other. Being at altitude, it can get cold therefore each cottage has a fireplace in the room.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early morning briefing with National Parks’ personnel, you will be taken to the start of your Gorilla trekking hike. Your walk to the gorilla family may take anything from 30 mins to several hours – following your guide through the beautiful forests. Along the way you may encounter golden monkeys, as well as a range of birdlife and other forest dwellers.
Once you reach the Gorilla family, you will be privileged to spend an hour watching them as they interact with each other:sleeping, eating, grooming or playing. It’s a humbling experience to sit amongst our ‘cousins’. Be sure to enjoy the experience fully, and not just through the lense of your camera - as the hour goes by so fast!
Day at leisure to enjoy some optional extra activities in the area, or just relax in the peaceful tranquility of the lodge (2nd day of Gorilla viewing may be arranged but permits are $1500 per time going out).
Optional extra activities:
Dian Fossey Tomb - $75 USD
Dian Fossey played a key role in creating awareness around the plight of the mountain gorillas in the 1970s and early 80s. This challenging 1.5-hour hike to reach her grave provides ample opportunities to view forest hogs and elephants, as well as a number of primates. Fossey’s house still stands today, with her grave adjacent to it. She rests here next to her favourite gorilla friend Digit as well as 20 other gorillas.
Golden Monkey Tracking - USD 100 per person
Located in Volcanoes National Park, Golden Monkey Tracking offers visitors a unique experience of catching a glimpse of the endangered Golden Monkey. These striking primates with their bright orange fur contrasting the green rainforests of the Virunga Mountains is a photographers dream. The Golden Monkey can be found in very few places outside of Volcanoes National Park, and their vibrant colours, energetic demeanour, and sizeable troupes of up to 30 individuals are indeed a sight to behold.
Private transfer back to Kigali International Airport
