A combination of gorilla trekking and Kigali city tour is a great Rwanda safari with an opportunity of interacting with nature and enjoy the feel of the business center of the country. The mountain gorillas in Rwanda live in Volcanoes National Park a dense rainforest with a topography covered in several ranges that make the search to find the mountain gorillas quite challenging. Request For a Quotation
The gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is generally more accessible even though the landscape of the Virunga area is characterized by several ranges. Sometimes the gorillas also move to deeper ends of Volcanoes forest which may prolong the gorilla trek.
Highlights Rwanda Gorilla Trekking And Kigali City Tour 4 Days
Day 1 Drive To Volcanoes National Park
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Day 3 Transfer to Kigali for the city Tour
Day 4 Departure
Key Information Necessary For 4 Day Gorilla Trekking And Kigali City Tour
-
- Book Rwanda gorilla trekking permit in advance
- Maintain some level of fitness for hiking to find the mountain gorillas and the search
- Carry essential gorilla trek gears including rainproof gears, sturdy safari boots, waterproof backpack and more.
- Reserve accommodation to use on gorilla trek and Kigali city tour
- Age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and beyond
- Good health is important during gorilla trekking in Rwanda as the mountain gorillas are susceptible to human communicable infections like flu, cough and others.
- Hire a porter to assist with carrying gorilla trekking gears, give you a push when exhausted too.
- Abide by gorilla trekking rules
Full Itinerary For 4 Day Gorilla Trekking And Kigali City Tour In Rwanda
Day 1 Drive To Volcanoes National Park
From Kigali, dive to Volcanoes National park a journey that may last about 3 hours. The roads in Rwanda are generally winding as they are curved so you negotiate several highlands along the way from which the country gets its nickname the land of a thousand hills.
Volcanoes National Park is a prehistoric rain forest in North western part of Rwanda believed to be one of the survivors of the ice age period. Mountain gorillas are the primary inhabitants of Volcanoes forest but other primates too like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, golden monkeys, red tailed monkeys and more. Over 200 bird species including Albertine rift endemics are recorded as residents of the forest too.
Check into your lodge
Volcanoes accommodation: Villa Gorilla, Mountain Gorilla View lodge, Musaze Eden Motel, Sabyinyo silverback Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, La Palme Hotel
Full Board
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Take breakfast, head to the ranger station for briefing, hire a porter, present necessary gorilla trekking documents later proceed with the ranger guide to find the mountain gorillas. Even though the gorillas may be stationed in quite hard to get too spots, keep your quench for gorilla trekking still high.
Shift your focus to other forest dwellers like birds, monkeys, different natural plants, amazing water sources and more.
When you finally approach the gorilla family, listen to the final briefing from the ranger guide and proceed to face them. Take photos of each moment with the gorillas while not forgetting the guidelines of this adventure.
One hour of gorilla trekking is allowed to give the gorillas space to go on with their daily activities.
Day 3 Transfer To Kigali For The City Tour
After breakfast, check out and drive to Kigali city where the heart of Rwanda beats. A visit to 5the museum, craft shop, genocide memorial, Rwandese cultural center, business center, enjoy Rwandese coffee are some of the optional activities you can choose from.
Overnight within Kigali City Facility
Half Board
Day 4 Departure
Departure day after the Rwanda safari
Best Time To Do 4 Day Gorilla Trekking And Kigali City Tour On Rwanda Safari
The dry season (June to September and December to January) is best time to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda even though Volcanoes forest is open all year. Do not be scared to do gorilla trekking in the shoulder season which is normally March to May and November because the park is not affected by extreme weather.
During the dry season of Rwanda, the gorillas and other Volcanoes forest inhabitants spend more time closer to the ground and are quicker to spot through the dense leaves. Trails of ever misty Volcanoes forest are quicker to explore in the dry season.
How Sure Can I Be Too See The Gorillas During Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
There are 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park during gorillas trekking. After paying a hefty cost for the gorilla permit for Rwanda many want value for money.
Even though the mountain gorillas are free to explore the forest they can be traced using the clues rangers and researchers have confirmed over time.
When gorillas conquer a particular feeding location, they may stay in that same area for atleast a year and can only move when food becomes insufficient. This is why rangers lead tourists via the trail head leading where the mountain gorillas were last seen the previous day.
While feeding, the mountain gorillas leave clues which gorilla trekkers use to locate the way abouts of the gorilla family.
Gorilla family members are always in constant communication with each other especially when they sense intruders in their vicinity so you can trace them with the murmurs they make.
What Time Does Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda Take
Time gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes depends on factors prevailing in Volcanoes National park. Some tourists have reported seeing the gorillas within 30 minutes from the start of the search while others may spend more time. Tourists are requested to maintain some level of patience as they go on the gorilla trek.
Note that because of the several highlands that make up the topography of Volcanoes forest, expect steeper and challenging search for the mountain gorillas but it is worth the experience.
One hour of viewing the mountain gorillas is allowed to minimize the chances of agitating the highly sensitive mountain gorillas
What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda.
Safari boots
Long Sleeved shirt and trousers
Foldable drinking water bottle
Rain proof gears
Warmers
Safari Hat
Energy treats
Garden gloves
Extra cash
Insect repellant
Sunscreen
Extra clean clothes