02 NIGHTS 03 DAYS VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – GORILLA EXPRESS

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by our tours representative, outside the airport arrivals section. After a short briefing, you will embark on your safari.

Enjoy a City Tour of Kigali. (Cost of city tour included)

The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare.

Visit the old Kigali and the craft centres then visit the genocide memorial site. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience.

Lunch at the Hotel Mille Collines - featured in the film “Hotel Rwanda”, regarding the 1994 Rwanda Genocide Against the Tutsis.
Afternoon, drive to (Ruhengeri) the Volcanoes Mountains – home to the Mountain Gorillas & Golden Monkeys, for overnight. 94km, 2.5hrs

Ruhengeri is the base for Gorilla trekking at the Park National des Volcanos. The town is located only 25km from Uganda boarder and approximately 2.5 Hours from Kigali City. It is relatively a small town of about 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The Town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here.

Overnight at Virunga Lodge/Sabyinyo Silver Back Lodge/Bishops House/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge LDBB

Early breakfast at the lodge.

0620 hrs: Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs for the Gorilla trekking experience.

0700 hrs: Registration is a simple process where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 96 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group.

Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point.

Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way.

After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide for a transfer to your lodge for lunch.
Later, depart from the foothills of the volcanoes and drive on a scenic drive to Kigali. Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly - land of a thousand fertile green hills. (2.5hrs).

Overnight at the Hotel (BB)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport