Overview
The 4 days Extensive Volcanoes National Park Tour explores Volcanoes National Park and Kigali City. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial before going to the park. The tour involves golden monkey tracking, a cultural tour, Hike to the Dian Fossey’s Tomb, and gorillas before you drive back to Entebbe.
Details
Day 1- Kigali Genocide Memorial and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Upon arrival in Kigali, the driver guide will take you for a city excursion in and around Kigali so that you are oriented about this great country with a thousand hills and a must visit is the GENOCIDE memorial. After this excursion, you will proceed to volcanoes National Park located in the North of Ruhengeri via undulating and beautiful terraced hills showing a clear picture of the general landscape and altitude of Rwanda. You will have a relaxed evening at the lodge as you get prepared for the next day’s adventure, with dinner and overnight at your accommodation
[Budget] Muhabura Hotel, [Midrange] Gorilla Solution Lodge, [Luxury] Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 2- Do Golden Monkey tracking and Iby’iwachu cultural visit
After briefing, embark on the golden monkey tracking. The encounter starts at 7am at the Kinigi Park headquarters where you head to the forest in unlimited numbers in search of these endangered Species. You take about 4 hours on the Golden monkey tracking experience inclusive of one hour encounter with them where you see them roll themselves on the Bamboo stems and present themselves with no much shyness as it has been reduced through habituation and enjoy the sights of their silver patch. Retreat from the activity and return to the lodge for relaxation.
In the evening, you will embark on the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village which gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of the culture and traditions. Be genuinely welcomed by the community as a special visitor while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. Expect to have a guided community walk to visit different sites and experience the everyday lives of the local people. Retire for overnight at your accommodation
[Budget] Muhabura Hotel, [Midrange] Gorilla Solution Lodge, [Luxury] Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 3- Dian Fossey hike in Volcanoes national park
This five hour guided hike takes you to where Fossey and Digit were buried. Located within the Volcanoes National Park close to one of Dian Fossey’s former research centers, you can see the remains of her former research camp. Along the way, you’ll also learn more about Dian Fossey’s life and the tragic circumstances surrounding her death. The trek starts at 07:00am from the Park Headquarters in Kinigi, from where visitors will have to be driven to the start point for the trek.
At this legendary site you will as well see the house in which Dian Fossey was strangely murdered back in 1985 however calmer is at the place where she was laid to rest just close to her most-loved gorilla – Digit and close to 20 other gorillas some of which were killed by the brutal poachers and others suffered death due to other reasons. Her tomb stone reads “No one loved gorillas more Rest in peace, dear friend eternally protected In this sacred ground For you are home Where you belong” You will have a relaxed evening at the lodge as you get prepared for the next day’s adventure, with dinner and overnight at your accommodation
[Budget] Muhabura Hotel, [Midrange] Gorilla Solution Lodge, [Luxury] Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 4- Do gorilla trekking and transfer to Kigali
After breakfast, you are picked up by your guide that will take you to the headquarters of the park, where you will be briefed about the rules and regulations concerning gorilla trekking in the park. This activity is really thrilling as you will have amazing views of the Virungas, and when you meet the gentle giants, you will watch them play, feed, among other things, which is an unforgettable experience.
On top of watching the gorillas you will be able to see other animals like elephants, monkeys, buffaloes as well as various species of birds. Later after trekking head back to the lodge for a late lunch and later transfer to Kigali to be dropped at Kigali International airport.
End of Tour.