This 4 days Rwanda Gorilla tour includes trekking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park as well as visiting the Dian Fossey tomb in the park. There are 12 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes national park that are visited by trekkers everyday. These include Agashya, Karisimbi, Kwitonda, Amahoro, Sabyinyo, Susa, Umubano, among others. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who lived in the Virunga Mountains from the 1960s to 1985 when she was murdered by poachers. During this time, Fossey was carrying her research about gorillas as well as safeguarding them from poachers. Her tomb is situated at Karisoke Research centre which she established within Volcanoes national park.
Trip Summary
Day 1: Meet & Greet at Kigali Airport. Transfer to Kinigi in Volcanoes national park.
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave.
Day 4: Leave Kinigi for Kigali.You can have a Kigali City Tour before your flight.
4 days Rwanda gorilla – Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda & transfer to volcanoes national park
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Kinigi for an overnight. The journey goes through beautiful rolling / majestic hills of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight in Gorillas Nest Lodge or Kinigi Guest House
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and drive to the park headquarters with packed lunch and water. Attend to a briefing by senior park warden on the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ while with gorillas.
Gorilla Trekking through steep and slippery Virunga slopes is so strenuous and takes 2-8 hours depending on gorillas’ movements. At least an hour is allocated to the visitors in the presence of the gorilla group. If on return to the lodge, you still have free time, Iby’iwachu cultural visit is worth a visit. Dinner and overnight stay Gorillas Nest Lodge or Kinigi Guest House
Day 3: Hike to Diana Fossey’s Graves
Early morning breakfast is followed by a hike to Dian Fossey graveyard situated at the former Karisoke Research Center. This is where Dian spent about 20 years studying the Mountain Gorillas. The trek to the site is quite spectacular, as you pass through thick bamboo forest and afro-montane habitats, with criss-crossed trails of tracks of forest buffalo and elephant! Expect to see all sorts of wildlife on your way up and down to the graves, nestled between the beautiful volcanic peaks of Karismbi and Bisoke. Overnight at Kinigi Guest House or Gorillas Nest Lodge.
Day 4: Departure
After breakfast transfer to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight, you can go for a city tour with visits to Genocide Menorial sites like Gisozi, Nyamata and Ntarama, lunch in Kigali and later transfer to the Airport where the tour ends.
Tour Cost Inclusions
Gorilla tracking permit
Park Entrance fees
Accommodation & meals
Ground transport
Full time English speaking guide
Miscellaneous
Government Taxes
All activities listed in the itinerary
Cost Exclusions
Alcoholic beverages
Tips
Extra activities not in the itinerary
Personal shopping
More details about the 4 Days Rwanda gorilla tour
This tour exclusively takes place in Volcanoes national park in northwest Rwanda. It includes tracking the endangered mountain gorillas and visiting the Dian Fossey tomb which is also located within the park. From Kigali to the park, it is 2.5-hour driving journey along a good surface road. The short distance from the airport and a good transport network make Volcanoes national park the most easily accessible compared to other gorilla tracking destinations across the border in Uganda in DR Congo. Gorilla trekking is the most popular tourist experience in the park with treks arranged for visitors to meet some of the park’s 12 habituated gorilla families.
The Dian Fossey tomb hike is also a popular activity in the park. Guests visit the site to pay tribute the American primatologist who championed the incredible work of gorilla conservation in the Virunga Mountains. Fossey established the Karisoke Research Centre as the headquarters in Volcanoes national park for her gorilla research work and this is where her tomb is located. Visitors who have more time can also explore other experiences in the park including golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, bird watching and cultural tours.