Main Info
Few people get the chance to visit the three countries where mountain gorillas are found but with our 8 days Gorilla Trek Africa, you will be one of the few lucky people to take on such an interesting journey. The Safari starts in Kigali and leads to Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda to trek one of the 12 habituated gorilla families, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks of Uganda to spend time with one of the 21 habituated gorilla families and a visit to Virunga National Park to trek one of the 8 habituated gorilla families. This is an extraordinary safari that will need commitment, physical fitness and be financially capable.
Highlights of the 8 Days Gorilla Trek Africa
- Trek mountain gorillas three times in three countries.
- Road trip by a customized safari vehicle.
- Kigali City tour.
- Visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural village.
- Golden monkey tracking.
- Volcano hiking/climbing.
- Visit Lake Mutanda
- Tour of the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport (Rwanda) and drive to shores of Lake Kivu.
Day 2: First Gorilla Trek in Virunga National Park.
Day 3: Transfer from Virunga National Park within Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
Day 4: Second Gorilla Trek and visit to the beautiful Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
Day 5: Golden monkey tracking/Dian Fossey Gravesite Hike and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Day 6: Climb Virunga Volcano/guided forest walk and evening walk along the lush shores of Lake Mutanda.
Day 7: Transfer to Southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking.
Day 8: Leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport (Rwanda) and drive to shores of Lake Kivu
Arrive at Kigali International Airport and find our company driver/guide who will be waiting to receive and welcome you into the country. Have a brief tour of the City with targeted sites being Caplaki Craft Village for a chance to learn about the different cultural symbols and artifacts of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, Genocide Memorial Sites that document the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and tour through the bustling Kimironko Village among others. After this amazing tour, have Lunch and drive to Gisenyi Town, shores of Lake Kivu. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.
- Midrange: Hotel Paradis Malahide.
- Budget: Discover Guesthouse.
Travel time: 5-6 hours.
Day 2: First Gorilla Trek in Virunga National Park
Very early in the morning leave Gisenyi with your packed Lunch for a drive to Virunga National Park, crossing the border to Goma. Arrive the Park Headquarters before briefing starts at 7:00am and trekking begins at 8:00am. Be assigned a gorilla family and start walking through the thick jungles of this Park to search for the gorilla family, lasting 1-4 hours depending on the pace of walking as well as movement of the mountain gorillas. On catching a sight of these giant apes, you have an allowance of one hour in their presence for observing and photography. Find a nice spot to partake of your packed Lunch and later visit the Senkwekwe Center, the World’s only Mountain Gorilla Orphanage. Later get back the booked Lodge within/or outside Virunga National Park for dinner and overnight.
Overnight stay:
- Luxury” Mikeno Lodge.
- Midrange: Kibumba Tented Lodge or Lulimbi Tented Camp.
- Budget: Tchegera Island Tented Camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Transfer from Virunga National Park within Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
In the morning after a wonderful breakfast leave for Volcanoes National Park, within the north-west of Rwanda and it involves crossing the border at Gisenyi-Goma border point. Arrive Rwanda’s gorilla trekking destination in the afternoon after over 6-7 hours’ drive for a sumptuous Lunch and straight away head for a tour of the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Dinner and overnight within the spectacular outskirts of Volcanoes National Park with dramatic views of the Virunga Volcanoes and lush rainforest.
Overnight stay at:
- Luxury: One & Only Gorillas Nest.
- Midrange: La Palme Hotel.
- Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Second Gorilla Trek and visit to the beautiful Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Your second gorilla trek of this 8 days Gorilla Trek Africa safari is at Volcanoes National Park, within north-western Rwanda and is conducted in the same way as in the previous destination. Breakfast and drive/or move to Kinigi Park Headquarters for briefing from the Park rangers and transfer for another 30 minutes to the trailhead to start the trek. Trekking lasts 2-5 hours and is inclusive of the amazing one hour in their presence for photography and viewing. Get back to the Lodge for Lunch and in the afternoon/evening undertake the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village tour to bring you closer to the unique historical and cultural heritage of Rwandan people.
Overnight stay at:
- Luxury: One & Only Gorillas Nest.
- Midrange: La Palme Hotel.
- Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Golden monkey tracking/Dian Fossey Gravesite Hike and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Still in Volcanoes National Park, you will either undertake a hike to the Dian Fossey gravesite of track the golden monkeys within the Bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Breakfast and move to the Park Headquarters for a short briefing on the activity chosen. In the afternoon cross-over to Uganda through Cyanika border to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (south-western Uganda), 3-4 hours’ drive away.
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
- Midrange: Lake Mutanda Resort.
- Budget: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Climb Virunga Volcano/guided forest walk and evening walk along the lush shores of Lake Mutanda
On this day have breakfast at the Lodge and undertake a guided forest walk or climb one of the Virunga Mountains (Sabyinyo, Gahinga or Muhabura) within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Either way, you are guaranteed of encountering unique bird species, mammals (elephants, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, sometimes gorillas and golden monkeys) as well as the wonderful tree species in the Park. Lunch at the Lodge and in the evening undertake a walk through the shores of Lake Mutanda or swim in the calm and clean waters of the Lake.
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
- Midrange: Lake Mutanda Resort.
- Budget: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Transfer to Southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking
Early in the morning have breakfast and transfer to the southern sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-either Nkuringo or Rushaga. All the previous treks are not as hectic and strenuous as hiking through the rugged terrains of Bwindi’s southern sectors and thus must be physically fit to take up this challenge. Treks take 1-5 hours and are climaxed with the face to face encounter with the mountain gorillas in their families where they are found playing, resting, foraging, copulating and swinging from branch to branch. Return to the Lodge for a hot meal (for lunch), relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Clouds Gorilla Lodge or Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
- Midrange: Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
- Budget: Nshongi Camp or Bwindi Backpackers Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board.
Day 8: Leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Kigali
Breakfast and leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Kigali. Cross over through Cyanika border and undertake a City tour on arrival. Have Lunch and be dropped-off at the Airport for your flight or to any other place of stay within the City.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
End of your 8 days Gorilla Trek Africa
The Package includes;
- Gorilla Permits for Uganda ($700), Congo ($450) and Rwanda ($1500).
- Golden monkey tracking permits/or Dian Fossey gravesite hike fees.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
- Volcano hiking fees.
- 7 nights’ accommodation.
- Bottled water.
- Kigali City tour.
- Services of a fulltime English speaking guide.
- Hike around shores of Lake Mutanda.
- Transportation by a good 4WD Vehicle.
- Border crossing.
This package excludes;
- Hotel fees for Kigali or any other Town.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Telephone fees.
- Laundry expenses.
- Cigarettes and drinks.
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary.
- Visa fees (whether Uganda, Congo or Rwanda)
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