safaris and beyond logo beige
  • +254 722 510 431 | +254 733 556 555
  • info@safarisandbeyond.com
  • Gigiri Drive, Off UN Avenue, Kenya
safaris and beyond new logo
  • +254 722 510 431 | +254 733 556 555
  • info@safarisandbeyond.com
  • Gigiri Drive, Off UN Avenue, Kenya
gorilla trekking kenya slider
Rwanda

4 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

The Virunga Volcanoes were made famous by the pioneer primatologist, Diane Fossey following her work to study families of mountain gorillas, her favorite gorillas were called “digit”. The Virungas are located in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

In this 4-day flying safaris, starting in Kigali, with overnight at the Virunga Lodge, one of the best located lodges with impressive vistas of the Virunga Volcanoes and the Lake Ruhonda and Bulera, one is able to have the same awe-inspiring experience as Diane Fossey.

A trek to see the mountain gorillas is a life changing experience, you set out early in the morning in the company of your experience guides and trackers, through the dense forest most of the time in muddy and humid conditions, as you approach the gorillas you will notice the flattened grass and hear the crackling of tree in the silent rainforest, you will spend an hour observing the gorillas, and later begin the trek back. Once at the lodge enjoy a hot shower and meal, as you reminisce on the best experience ever after you come face to face Humans, closet relatives.

While at Virunga, you can also trek the forest to see the golden monkeys, visit the resting place of Diane Fossey and her favorite primate, Digit, and visit the untouched inland beaches of Lake Kivu or learn more about the culture of Rwanda by visiting nearby villages.

PACKAGE INFORMATION
  • Customisable Tour
  • Rwanda
  • 4 Days | 3 Nights
Let’s personalise your pricing. Because every trip is unique, rates are tailored to your specific travel dates, group size. Simply fill in the enquiry form, and we’ll send you a customised quote.
Enquire Now

Itinerary

Welcome to Rwanda. Upon arrival at Kigali’s Kanombe Airport, you will be assisted to your waiting helicopter and take the scenic flight to Virunga Lodge located in Volcanoes National Park. The lodge has the most stunning views of the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhonda – with a backdrop of the volcanoes from one side. The lodge is cozy and modern.

Check into your spacious room and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the hotel’s facilities or you can take a short wall to visit Lake Bulera and the local school.

Enjoy an early breakfast and reunite with your guide and trackers for the trek through the light mountain forest in the Volcanoes National Park as you seek out an identified gorilla family, this is the day that you have been waiting for, watch the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, as they youngsters play and silver back keeps a watchful protective presence over them – the behavior almost human right from the way they forage to their facial expressions. You will spend an hour observing the mountain gorillas. The time to reach the gorillas depends on how far and wide they move, trek is a whole day experience – and depending on the weather may be through muddy and wet conditions in the dense forest- when you reach the mountain gorillas and per park rules you will observe them from a safe distance to ensure as minimal as disruption to their activities as possible. After an hour observing the gorillas take the trek back, often in silence, as you take in the feeling of this life changing experience coming face to face with the mountain gorillas.

Today you can take an optional additional trek to see the mountain gorillas, depending on the availability of permits, to once again see the mountain gorillas or take additional photos of this gentle giants as they eat, play, groom each other and rest.

If permits are not available and you opt for other activities, you can opt to do the optional golden monkey trek, the golden monkeys are one of the endangered primates in Rwanda. They generally live in groups of to 30 individuals in the midst of bamboo and abundant fruit trees in the forest, not much is known about their diet and social structure as they have not been studied much. Their bodies are bronze colored while their faces are blue.

You can also visit the resting place of pioneering primatologist Dian Fossey’s and the gorillas cemetery she founded for poached gorillas, learn more about her work and contribution to the conservation of the mountain gorillas. You could also visit a local flower plantation having lunch with the staff and learning more about the area and local village life.

For pure relaxations, take your shoes off and venture to the pristine beaches of Lake Kivu as you soak in the African sunshine.

Breakfast and take the short drive to the airstrip to take your helicopter ride back to Kigali as you bid farewell to the Virungas and having learned more about the mountain gorillas, their gentle and innocent gaze etched in your memories. Arrive Kigali and continue with your onwards safari arrangements.
  • Activities as specified in the itinerary.
  • An expert driver/guide and vehicle.
  • One complimentary massage.
  • One golden monkey and one gorilla permit.
  • Park fees, nature and community walk fees.
  • International flights
  • Airport taxes
  • All meals and drinks not specified
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
Highlights
  • Trek the forest to see the golden monkeys.
  • Visit the resting place of Dian Fossey and her favorite primate, Digit.
  • Visit the untouched inland beaches of Lake Kivu.

SAFARI ACCOMMODATION

virunga lodge rwanda image
Virunga Lodge, Rwanda
Virunga Lodge Aerial View
Lake Kivu Aerial View

OTHER TOURS & SAFARIS