This short yet epic 3 days gorilla tour in Rwanda takes you to track and see these apes in the forest. The endangered mountain gorillas are found in the Virunga ranges, and specifically Volcanoes National Park. Another key site to see is the Dian Fossey graveyard, which offers a prior hike to reach there. An additional activity is a canoe ride on the twin lakes – Burera and Ruhondo, with their beautiful scenery.
If time allows, take a short city excursion. A tour like this takes you to the Kigali Presidential Palace Museum, Rwanda genocide memorial centre, craft markets, etc. Trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and be rewarded with a certificate for memories.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Volcanoes NP after a pick up from the Kigali international airport
Meet and greet the driver guide at the airport. She/he will guide you through this safari and immediately after briefing. They first transfer you to Volcanoes National Park. But, if time allows do a city excursion where you will visit Rwanda Genocide Memorial center and the national museum.
This park is famous for its mountain gorillas and total land area of 160 Sq.km in the Virunga ranges. Years ago this park was a base for an American zoologist (Dian Fossey). She saved several gorillas from poachers. Fossey was a researcher and the first person to start habituating mountain gorillas in Virunga conservation area. Her murder happened later in 1985 under mysterious people.
This park also serves as a home of over 178 bird species. Among these are 15 species of endemics. These are the African Green Broadbill, and Lagden’s Bush-shrike. Other mammals in the jungles are the golden monkeys, forest buffaloes, black-fronted duikers, hyenas, bush bucks among others. On arrival, check in the accommodation facility.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and hiking Dian Fossey graveyard
An exciting day starts with a delicious spiced breakfast that is followed by briefing session at the park offices. On this point, you will be allocated to a group of eight people to trek a habituated endangered species. This is special because it happens in their natural habitat. Follow the conservation guidelines.
After trekking for 2-8 hours, return to the office where the warden rewards you with a certificate of gorilla trekking. Hike to visit the Dian Fossey graveyard in the afternoon. See some primates on the way. They include red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons among others. Several beautiful birds like African Green Broadbill, Lagden’s Bush-shrike etc. can be seen as well.
Reach there and gain knowledge about Dian Fossey who saved several gorillas from extinction. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who became the first person to start gorilla habituation in Virunga region. The latter includes Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Virunga National Parks. Fossey got murdered by poachers in 1985. But, until now her research centre still exists
Day 3: Transfer back to Kigali via the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Take a leisurely breakfast and travel back to Kigali. Pause for exploration of the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Volcanic activity formed these lakes. Therefore, they offer a fantastical view for photography, and birdwatching. Take a canoe ride around the lakes to enjoy the scenic views. After proceed to Kigali where you will have lunch and later a drop off at the hotel or airport.
