This 4-Day Affordable Rwanda Gorilla Safari offers a fantastic opportunity to see Africa’s mountain gorillas during an exciting adventure through Rwanda. This African country is home to some of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas, and it is where friendly local people will warmly welcome you. Rwanda has courageously overcome a turbulent past and now proudly stands as a symbol of Africa’s resilient beauty. Their incredible presence will captivate you as you see these rare mountain gorillas.
Safari Highlights
Take a scenic hike through Rwanda’s dense, misty jungles in Volcanoes National Park
Visit the heartbreaking genocide memorial in Kigali
Witness the gentle giants in their natural habitat for an hour
Golden monkey tracking in the
Incredible views of the Virunga volcanoes and the volcanic lake
Cultural tour in the town of Ruhengeri
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:Arrival In Rwanda
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you are met by our company representatives of Rosamy Africa Safaris Tours & Travel Ltd. You must arrive in Kigali city before 1 pm. If your flight does not arrive before 1 pm, you need to arrive one day earlier and book one night’s pre-tour accommodation as well as an arrival transfer. Please ensure you have read the visa information for Rwanda on your per-departure information before you depart, as you’re required to apply for your visa before arrival.
On arrival, take a heart-wrenching visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum, the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims of the mass atrocity that took place in Rwanda in 1994. The Museum opened in 2004 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide.
Though a complex series of factors caused the genocide, one can only see it as an absolute tragedy for Rwanda and its people. Time spent at the museum is sure to be emotionally moving, which is an important way to understand the sheer courage and resilience of the people of this beautiful, tiny nation. Your accommodation will be in the town of Musanze, formerly known as Ruhengeri, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
Day 2: Gorilla Trek In Volcanoes
After an early morning breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing on your gorilla trek. This 160-square-kilometer park protects the Rwandan part of the Virunga Mountains, which includes eight volcanoes (six extinct and two active) that span the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The park’s landscape is a mix of bamboo forests, alpine moorland, grassland, and marshland. It’s home to twelve habituated gorilla families, and the park is a vital sanctuary for the endangered mountain gorilla. To protect the gorillas, visits are strictly controlled; only eight people per day can visit a single habituated family.
The dense forest makes the trek challenging, as you often encounter wet, muddy, and humid conditions. You should be in good physical condition and prepared to hike for up to four hours, sometimes on difficult terrain. Fortunately, park trackers locate the gorilla families early in the morning, so guides can give you a good estimate of how long the hike will be.
Once you find your designated gorilla family, you’ll have one incredible hour to observe them. Generally,they remain calm and gentle, and you can get quite close. Since you won’t be able to have lunch until you return to the lodge, it’s recommended that you bring some high-energy snacks for the trek.
At the end of the day, you’ll return to the comfort of your lodge, where you can relax and reflect on a truly unforgettable experience.
Day 3: Optional Activities
On the third day of a 4-day Rwanda safari, with gorilla trekking often taking place on the second day, a variety of optional activities are available to fill the day. A popular choice is golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, where you can spend an hour with these playful primates.
Alternatively, a cultural tour of the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (also known as the Gorilla Guardians Village) offers an immersive experience, allowing you to interact with local people and learn about their traditions, history, and way of life. For those seeking a more physical challenge, hiking Mount Bisoke to its crater lake is an option, providing breathtaking views. Other possibilities include taking a boat cruise to the Twin Lakes (Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo) or visiting the historically rich Musanze Caves. For a more relaxed day, you could transfer to Lake Kivu for a boat cruise and some time at leisure by the water.
Accommodation options:Virunga lodge(luxury),Da Vinci Gorilla lodge(mid range),Muhabura hotel (budget)
Day 4: Departure
This morning, you will return to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, for a city tour. Next, you will explore the city on foot, visiting notable sites such as its bustling marketplaces and the famous Hotel Rwanda, before a driver finally transfers you to Kigali International Airport for your departing flight.