The 4 Days Rwanda gorilla tour focuses on primate experiences such as gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park. The tour also includes optional activities like Kigali city tour, Dian Fossey tomb hike, a cultural experience at the Gorilla Guardian Village, visiting the twin lakes of Burera & Ruhondo and visiting the historical Musanze Caves.
Trip Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park
- Dian Fossey tomb hike (optional)
- Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village experience (optional)
- Kigali city tour
- Visiting twin lakes of Burera & Ruhondo (optional)
Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport & transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park & optional cultural experience
Day 3: Golden monkey tracking & optional Musanze Caves
Day 4: Dian Fossey hike & transfer to Kigali
Detailed itinerary – 4 Days Rwanda gorilla tour
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be met by your safari driver guide. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a brief Kigali city tour which includes visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s history and pay respects to the victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide against the Tutsi. Other sites to visit include local crafts markets for souvenirs, and the museum.
After lunch in Kigali, transfer to Volcanoes national park in the northwest of Rwanda (2-3 hours drive). This scenic drive takes you through Rwanda’s “thousand hills,” terraced landscapes, local communities and plantations. Check into your lodge near park for dinner and overnight as you prepare for the gorilla trekking encounter in the morning.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and optional cultural experience
After early breakfast, head to the Kinigi park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers on the rules and guidelines of gorilla trekking. You will also be divided into small groups of trekkers and assigned a habituated gorilla family to track. Head into the forest led by experienced guides and rangers looking for your gorilla group. This trek may take between 1-6 hours depending on the location and movement of gorillas.
Once you locate them, spend the magical hour observing and photographing them as they go about their routine the forest. The experience before gorillas is truly phenomenal and unforgettable and you will be thrilled by their feeding behaviour and playing antics. Trek back to the park headquarters after the hour to be transferred back to your accommodation for relaxation.
In the afternoon, you can opt to for a thrilling cultural tour by visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (now known as Gorilla Guardian Village). Learn about Rwanda’s traditions, crafts, interact with the local community and get entertained by Rwanda traditional dance and music. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 3: Golden monkey tracking and Musanze Caves
Take early breakfast and head back to the park headquarters for a briefing on another scintillating primate experience, golden monkey tracking. Golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga Mountains which straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo. Golden monkey trekking is generally shorter and less strenuous than gorilla trekking. Spend one hour enjoying the company of these beautiful and playful primates in their natural habitat as you take their photos.
After the experience return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you can opt to visit the historical Musanze Caves. They are a network of underground tunnels formed through volcanic activity offering an interesting geological and historical experience. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Day 4: Dian Fossey hike and transfer to Kigali
After early breakfast, you can opt for a hike the Dian Fossey Tomb and the former Karisoke Research Centre. This is the burial site of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist who dedicated her life to gorilla conservation in the Virunga Mountains. The hike offers insight into her incredible work and the challenges faced by gorillas. Alternatively, you can choose to spend a more relaxed morning at your lodge or visit the Twin Lakes of Burera & Ruhondo for their scenic views and the surrounding area.
After lunch, begin your transfer back to Kigali, enjoying your last scenic views of Rwanda along the way. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time for more city tour around Kigali and last-minute souvenir shopping before being dropped at the Airport for departure.
Important considerations for the 4 Days Rwanda gorilla tour
Gorilla and golden monkey permits should be booked at least 6 months in advance due to high demand and conservation restrictions. A gorilla permit in Rwanda is sold at $1,500 per person while a golden monkey permit at $100.
The best time for gorilla tracking in Rwanda is the dry period between June to September and December to February. This is when the trails in the montane rainforest are drier and easier to navigate. However, gorilla tours and other wildlife safaris in Rwanda can take place year-round.
Some of the crucial gear to pack for gorilla trekking in Rwanda include, sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, pair of khaki trousers, long-sleeved shirt, gardening gloves, sunscreen, a hat and a camera with extra batteries. A reasonable level of fitness is crucial since gorilla trekking can be physically demanding. It involves hiking to high altitudes through dense vegetation and rugged grounds. It is also advisable to inform your tour operator in case of any health concerns. The minimum age permitted for gorilla tracking in Rwanda is 15 years.