Safari overview.

Rwanda Gorilla Safari: An exciting 5 day/4 nights trip to Rwanda’s Northern Province, where Volcanoes National Park is found. Here, you will enjoy unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure, get immersed into Rwandan cultures at the Gorilla Guardian Village and have an option to visit the renowned Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. You have options to either visit the frisky golden monkeys, climb a volcano or Hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb.

Safari highlights.

Day 1: Arrive via Kigali international airport – Overnight in Kigali.

Day 2: Kigali Genocide Site; drive to Volcanoes National Park – afternoon community walk.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking – Afternoon visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey.

Day 4: Either track Golden Monkeys/Volcano hike/hike to Dian Fossey tomb – Drive to Kigali.

Day 5: Return flight.

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali – Transfer to the hotel.

Welcome to Rwanda! Adventure Consults Airport representatives will meet and assist you through customs. Collect the luggage and meet your personal/private guide for a transfer to the hotel.

Depending on arrival time, you may have a detailed briefing on your safari today or tomorrow before starting the safari.

Overnight accommodation is included on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Most hotels are about 25 minutes’ drive from the airport.
Inclusions: Bed & Breakfasts basis.
Exclusions: All meals and drinks.

Day 2: Kigali City tour – Drive to Volcanoes National Park. Approx. 4 hours’ drive.

Meet your driver at the lobby for a briefing on your safari.

Available option for Kigali city tour before heading out to Volcanoes National Park is visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site.

A trip to Rwanda would be incomplete without a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial! The memorial is a center of education, and peacebuilding and honors the memory of more than one million Rwandans who were killed in 1994. The three permanent exhibitions and burial gardens form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished and provide a powerful educational tool for all.

The exhibition is shocking, provoking and attempts to piece together the causes and events of the three-month genocide which destroyed Rwanda in 1994.  Thousands of first-hand accounts are documented, and personal film footage and photography are showcased, illustrating the collection of events in a simple and striking way. No doubt, 99.9% of the Rwandan population were affected by the horrific violence of the genocide, a dark past that makes the present friendliness and goodwill of the country’s locals more inspiring.

Have a coffee break and start your journey to Volcanoes National Park. The Journey is dotted with amazing views. You will have stops along the way for snacking, photography and stretching and proceed to the lodge with the amazing views of the Virunga Volcanoes towering up to almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest. Lunch at the lodge.

Volcanoes National Park is a 160-square-kilometer Park in Northwestern Rwanda bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. About 115 mammal species that include mountain gorillas (35% of the World’s only surviving mountain gorillas), Over 200 bird species, 27 reptile and Amphibian species and 245 plant species call this Park home. The journey to Volcanoes National Park lasts about 4 hours, filled with breathtaking views of the countryside and when you get there, check-in and have lunch.

After lunch, you may simply relax at the lodge or go for a visit of the Gorilla Guardian’s Village that borders Volcanoes National Park. This site was set up as “Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to offer a new lease on life for ex-poachers. Your visit therefore, not only offers an insight into the culture of the people but also provides an opportunity of giving back to the community. At Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, you will get the chance to become a King for a day, watch and participate in the preparation of herbal medicine, learn how to use a bow and arrow, take part in the preparation of local dishes, banana brewing, making of handcrafts, and so much more.

Meals and Overnight at the lodge/Hotel.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
Some lodges/hotels include all drinks (but excludes premium drinks), and others do not.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking adventure – option to visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus.

An early breakfast, and head out to Kinigi Park headquarters in time for briefing. Depending on choice of accommodation, departure time varies. Gorilla trekking takes 3-6 hours or more and an Adventure Consults’ guide will ensure you have a packed lunch, snacks and enough drinking water.

Volcanoes National Park is one of the unmissable places to achieve your dream of getting up close and personal with the mountain gorillas. This morning’s adventure involves visiting one of the 12 habituated Gorilla groups within the Northwestern side of Rwanda.

You will enter the Gorilla Sanctuary and start the search for Mountain Gorillas. Once you find them, you are allowed to have one-hour of interaction as you watch them play, groom, relax, feed and make calls.  After an hour with the Gorillas, slope back to the base and transfer to the lodge.

Lunch, and have the rest of the afternoon free or take an optional visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of Dian Fossey (on payment of supplement).

Ellen DeGeneres Center visit costs vary depending on choice of activity. All activities require reservations, so let the sales team know in advance for proper arrangements and related costs.

Self guided tours: You take a walk through the Conservation Gallery which has interactive games, fun quizzes and a 360-degree theatre. You are free to take a walk through the Ellen DeGeneres Campus grounds and explore the gorilla, biodiversity, and wetlands trails.

Behind the scenes tour: In addition to activities listed in self-guided tours, here you get an opportunity to interact with a senior staff member of the research centre. You have a privilege to ask any questions. You will get to visit some of the labs to learn more about the research work and also see the work done by students.

Silverback Sundowner: Enjoy the serenity of Ellen DeGeneres Campus after official working hours. This exclusive experience is offered from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. You will enjoy drinks and canapés at the Virunga Lounge with a backdrop of all the 5 volcanoes. You also get to interact with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund senior staff members, ask any questions about conservation work, Gorillas and people souring the Gorilla parks. This activity is best done on a day/evening when the night is to be spent at any of the lodges in Musanze (not returning to Kigali).

Meals and Overnight at the lodge/Hotel.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
Some lodges/hotels include all drinks (but excludes premium drinks), and others do not.

Day 4: Golden Monkeys/ Volcano climb/Trek to Dian Fossey’s Grave – Drive to Kigali.

Today, you have many options to choose from. All activities listed begin early morning and are conducted once a day. Reservations highly recommended for well-arranged preparations.

You may either track the rare chattering Golden Monkeys or climb one of the famous Volcanoes (Visoke or Muhabura) or trek to Dian Fossey’s grave. See detailed activity description under activities in PNV

Alternatively, you may go for a second Gorilla trek – this will be on payment of supplement (USD 1500 per permit). No doubt, this would be a different family. Every Gorilla tracking experience is different and unique!

After lunch, drive to Kigali arriving late afternoon/evening. Last minute craft shopping and drop off at your hotel. Today’s lunch is included in the package price.

Overnight accommodation is included in Kigali on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Inclusions: Breakfast & Lunch.
Exclusions: Dinner and drinks.

Day 5: Departure flight.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have a short tour of Kigali (if not done on day 2) before being transferred to the airport in time for your return flight. Check-in time is 3 hours in advance.

Accommodation

Rwanda has got a variety of accommodation categories that provide visitors with different choices depending on personal interest and budget. Being a Holiday, Adventure Consults never dictates where one should stay hence always left to be an individual’s preferred choice.

Here are some of the recommended options. 

Accommodation in Kigali City; Kigali has got a variety of hotels to cater for large groups, small boutique hotels with limited rooms and commercial hotels ranging from high end, midrange to budget. Kigali hotels are all on Bed & Breakfast basis.

  • The Retreat by Heaven.
  • Kigali Serena Hotel.
  • Hotel des Mille Collines.
  • Kigali Marriott Hotel.
  • Four Points by Sheraton.
  • Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center.

Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park: There are many lodging/accommodation facilities in and around this Gorilla Park. The choice entirely depends on budget and personal tastes. We can’t list them all here, but below are some of the options.

  • One & Only Gorilla’s Nest
  • Virunga Lodge
  • Bisate Lodge
  • Singita Kwitonda Lodge
  • Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
  • Amakoro Songa Lodge
  • Bishop’s House
  • Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
  • Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.