5Days Volcanoes Gorilla tour

Arrival of your flight at the Kigali International Airport. Meet and greet assistance by Akagera Aviation.

(Covid protocols will be observed). Once done, you will be handed over to and warmly welcomed by our representative outside customs and immigration hall. Transfer to your hotel in the city.  Arrive and check in assistance. Tour briefing will take place at the lobby. Dinner will follow (may be in the room as your results will take about 6 – 8 hours) and overnight stay at Quiet Haven Hotel, on Half Board

KIGALI

Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit.

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

09h00:  Proceed on a city tour that will include visits to the Kigali Genocide memorial and the Choose Kigali arts gallery.

Highlight; Perhaps the city’s best known landmark, and with good reason, is the very insightful and moving Kigali Genocide Memorial standing amid beautiful rose gardens and fountains. The memorial sets out the history leading up to the genocide in Rwanda and also explains other genocides around the world. It includes poignant displays of victims’ photographs and belongings, bringing the realities of the atrocities to life. While it might seem an unusual tourist attraction and can be upsetting, it does help to put into context how and why the genocide happened and to better appreciate just how far the country has moved on together in the intervening years. It also plays a vital role in educating Rwanda’s new and future generations about the genocide.

Have lunch at Choose Kigali. At 15h00, have a leisurely drive to Musanze & Volcanoes National Park region. Arrive in the evening at 17h30 and assisted with check in over a welcome drink. Dinner will follow at 19h00. Overnight stay at La Locanda Hotel (FB I.e. Lunch (Restaurant),

VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face to face encounter with these intriguing creatures. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorilla’s are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke.

Early breakfast at the hotel then transferred to the park headquarters in time for Golden monkey trek briefing that’s scheduled to take place at 07h00.  At 08h00, proceed to trailhead and begin the adventure.

The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti) is a local subspecies of the widespread Sykes Monkey, also known as the “Blue Monkey” and is endemic to the high altitude forests. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive and often spend their time leaping from bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor. There are two habituated groups of Golden Monkey, one group comprises around 80 - 100 members and has its home at the foot of Mt Sabyinyo.

After this experience, transfer to your hotel in time for lunch. Once done, visit a local clinic for your PCR  test to enable you travel back home. This afternoon at 15h30, you will visit the Gorilla Guardians Village.  

This Village offers an adventurous visit to a traditional rural Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas at Parc National des Volcans.  The visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs.

The village also gives a chance to the visitors to enjoy the eight different local dances, listen to Gorilla songs, local food preparations, visit the local healer, visit the king’s place and get to hear all the old

stories.

Later, head back to the hotel. The evening will be at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at La Locanda Hotel, Full Board

Early breakfast at the hotel then proceed to the park headquarters in time for your Gorilla Trek briefing at 07h00.  You will be transferred to the trailhead where you will join others and start your guided walk at 08h00.  

Volcanoes National Park is the Rwandan section of the great volcanic massif called the Virunga Mountains that straddles the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. The massif covers a huge area of over 8,000km², encompassing six active and three extinct volcanoes.

There is no other wildlife experience quite like an encounter with mountain gorillas. That precious hour spent in their company – watching the group playing, sulking, teasing each other, eating, or dozing just like we do – is extraordinary. And the gorilla tracking safaris in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park are among the best in Africa.

Rwanda is now home to twelve habituated groups of mountain gorillas that are scattered all over Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking can be arduous – some of the groups wander high up the mountainsides – but it is always utterly rewarding.

After this exciting experience, return to your hotel in time for lunch then check out.

Visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. 

Later, return to the hotel for the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at La Locanda Hotel, Full Board basis

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out based on your flight details.

Transfer to the Kigali International Airport via Kigali. Lunch stop will be at the Pilipili restaurant or similar.

On arrival at the airport, bid farewell to your driver guide and proceed to check in for your outbound flight.

(You will be required to present a negative PCR test taken at least 48 hours before travel).