3 day gorilla tracking Rwanda Tour
Rwanda is often called the land of the thousand hills. Everywhere you look you will see the beautiful green hills. In Rwanda you can enjoy culture, nature, primates and the beaches of Lake Kivu! Most popular park of Rwanda is Volcanoes NP, where you can track the gorillas, the golden monkeys or do different hikes in this dramatic, volcanic landscape. Dian Fossey studied the endangered Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes NP and her grave can be found and visited in this park.al villages and relax at Lake Kivu.
Itinerary
Day 1: Airport pick
Today, you will be picked from the Kigali airport by your guide from Vivid Adventure Safaris Ltd.
Depending on your arrival time you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. Prepare to use your haggling skills! All activities and purchases today are at your own cost.
The hotel you will be staying in is the world famous Hotel des Mille Collines from the movie Hotel Rwanda. This is a semi-luxury hotel.
Journey Time: 15 minutes from the airport
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines
Meal Plan: No meals inclusive
Hotel des Mille Collines (luxury)
This hotel is known from the tragic film ‘Hotel Rwanda’ as the UN headquarters during the 1994 crisis in the country. Today it is a charming accommodation with the refurbished structure of the old building still visible. The swimming pool and the live music in the afternoon make it a wonderful place to just unwind before or after the flight.
Day 2 Gorilla tracking
Today after breakfast, you will drive into the park about 30 minutes to the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux (ORTPN). The head ranger of the ORTPN will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here your guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated Gorillas groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours.
Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
Journey Time: 15 minutes by car, tracking time varies
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Day 3: Airport transfer
Today after a relaxed breakfast you shall be transferred by your guide back to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre, which opened in 2004. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda’s recent history in time to catch your flight back home.
Your guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.
Note: This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 3 p.m. or later. If you need another night in Kigali, we will be happy to make a booking for you.
Journey Time: 2.5 hours
Accommodation: Not included
Meal plan: Breakfast
