OVERVIEW :
You will come face to face with giant silverback gorillas in this amazing safari. Get the opportunity of a lifetime to observe their daily life – feeding, playing, resting, and raising their young. Not only that, immerse yourself with the breathtaking view of the volcanoes surrounding the Volcanoes National Park. It will be an unforgettable tour you’ll ever experience!
HIGHLIGHTS :
Gorilla trekking
Covers gorilla trekking permits
Private transport in a 4×4 land cruiser
1 historic city tour of Kigali town
English speaking driver-guide
Daily meals during trekking
3 nights accommodation and
Airport transfers
DETAILED ITINARARY :
Day 1: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be greeted by a professional representative, outside the airport arrivals section. After a briefing, you will depart on a scenic drive North West through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda’s landscape.
You will arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes National Park. The town is located only 25 kilometers away from Uganda border. It is relatively a small city that occupied by around 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable here.
The town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly and as a former Belgian colony, people speak French here. However, there are many people who can speak English too.
Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/ Lunch, dinner, and breakfast will be included
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla trek
You will have early breakfast. At 6:20 a.m., you will transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for your first day of trekking. At 7:00 a.m., there will be a briefing by your trackers. After the briefing, you will drive to the trail head to start your amazing gorilla tracking adventure. Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear. The cost is 10 USD per person per day. Peak Cruise Safaris advise that you utilize this service.
Your trek starts in the cultivated foothills of the Virunga’s, offering stirring views in all directions. When you enters the national park, you will be immersed with the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, that alive with the colorful bird calls, chattering golden monkeys, littered with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, among the highest in Africa yet easily accessible, beckon an ascent.
Weaving through overhanging vines, moss-covered Hagenia trees, and giant lobelias that thrive in
the tropical climate, Peak Cruise Safaris experienced trackers, who have spent their entire lives in or close to this forest, will bring you up close with one of the gorilla families.
Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting, and raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must be a truly one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth!
After the trek, you will rejoin your driver guide for a transfer to your lodge for a lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the twin lakes Ruhondo and Bulera.
Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/ Lunch, dinner, and breakfast will be included
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park to Kigali
You will have your breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, you will depart for the second gorilla trek where you will be allocated to a different group. After the trekking, you will then depart from the foothills of the volcanoes and drive south past coffee, tea, and banana plantations 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.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena
Day 4: Kigali and departure day
You will have your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Kigali. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Kandt museum, see old Kigali, and the craft centers. You will have the chance to visit the genocide memorial site.
Here, you will 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. After this tour, you will tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda – the recovery of the town has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience. Lunch in will be at Kigali.
After lunch, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport (KGL) for your scheduled departure flight.