The Volcanoes National Park is a forested area in the Virunga Mountains that border Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is Rwanda’s premier tourist attraction where you can track a habituated family group of mountain gorillas.
Visit the Genocide Memorial located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum started by a partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust.
Arrive at Kigali International Airport, welcomed by our representative outside the customs and immigration hall, who will assist with immigration procedures. You will indulge in an optional city tour visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial before your heading to Musanze,Volcanoes National Park.
Genocide Memorial visit: https://kgm.rw/
Visit the Genocide Memorial located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum started by a partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The center is extremely moving, challenging, educational, and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy, and successful rebuilding post-genocide.
Arrive at the hotel intime for lunch. Afternoon at leisure relaxing or have an optional explore the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: https://gorillafund.org/ellencampus/
The Ellen Campus, which opened in 2022 near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park – home to the majestic mountain gorillas – is the realization of a 20-year dream. This world-class research and education center honors Dian Fossey’s legacy and furthers our mission to save gorillas from extinction.
The campus is open daily to the public, offering state-of-the-art exhibits showcasing nearly 60 years of gorilla conservation, a gift shop featuring locally made crafts, delicious meals and coffee at the Gorilla Café, serene nature trails and the opportunity to connect with our dedicated staff.
You will have a morning call at around 5:30am before meeting at the main dining area at 6:00am for breakfast and a cup of freshly brewed Rwandan coffee. 6:45am depart for the Trekking Headquarters at Volcanoes National Park (20-minute drive), on arrival: Coffee will be served, while your driver guide secures your spots
with specific gorilla families (selecting the most suitable family depending on the group’s requirements – there are however no guarantees).
You will then gather in a group with the Volcanoes National Park Guide for a detailed briefing.
At 8:00am, vehicles will depart to the various trailheads for a 15-minute to one-hour drive – depending on the gorilla family each group has been allocated. At the start of the trailhead, you will be allocated a porter to assist with carrying bags and navigating challenging terrain, (this is recommended). Cash is required to pay the porters (the minimum amount is USD 10). The time that it takes to reach the gorilla family varies and can be anything from 30 minutes to 3-4 hours, and treks reach an altitude from 2,500-4,000m.The gorilla-trekking terrain varies from farmlands to thick bushes closer to the Park boundary, and visitors may be allocated to a gorilla family who is on the move – which could make their trek longer. This may at times require navigating a path through dense vegetation, which can be slippery. There are also stinging nettles, which is why we recommend packing gloves and gators to be used during Gorilla trekking.
For gorilla trekking, you will be in the rainforest. Warm clothing is required as well as walking/hiking boots, hat, lightweight backpack, raincoat, garden gloves to avoid stinging nettles and gaiters are recommended.
After this amazing experience, you will descend from the mountains. Lunch will be at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. Later in the afternoon or evening you will be transferred to Kigali,drop off at the airport for your flight home.
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