The 5 days Rwanda gorilla trekking & community development tour is a wonderful option for wildlife lovers who wish to combine gorilla trekking with community development or support. You will start from Kigali City, and then visit the Northern Province, where Volcanoes National Park is located.
You will trek the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, take a boat ride on the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo. You will then make your way to the Gorilla Guardians’ Village for an elaborate understanding of Rwandan culture and community development experience.
Having existed since 1925, Volcanoes is one of the oldest national parks on the African continent with over 35% of the world’s mountain gorilla population as well as about 200 bird species. Tracking the Giant Apes is the reason why most visitors throng this biodiversity hot spot but there are also golden monkeys, leopards, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, duikers, and serval cats among others.
Highlights
- Enjoying tracking and spending time with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
- Take a boat ride on Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo.
- Spend an entire day learning about Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage at Gorilla Guardian’s Village.
- Explore Kigali City through a guided tour.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Welcome to Kigali, Rwanda.
- Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Road trip to Volcanoes National Park.
- Day 3: Tracking mountain gorillas and boat ride on the Twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera.
- Day 4: All day community development Tour (Gorilla Guardian’s Village).
- Day 5: Depart Volcanoes National Park.
Detailed Itinerary of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Community Development Tour
Day 1: Welcome to Kigali, Rwanda
From Kigali International Airport, it’s a short 15-minute drive to the center of Africa’s cleanest city- Kigali. Depending on the time you arrive this beautiful country, you will check-in at one of the best hotels and take the remainder of the day exploring its incredible historical and cultural sites or simply relax while enjoying the hotel facilities.
Since it was founded in 1907 when German Administrator and Explorer Richard Kandt received his appointment as first Colonial Governor of Rwanda and setting up the city as its headquarters, Kigali boasts of different historical sites. These include the Kandt House Museum, the Presidential Palace Museum – where the plane carrying the former president crushed and sparked the 1994 Rwanda genocide. From these tourist sites, you will get back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
- The Retreat or Kigali Serena Hotel (luxury).
- Onomo Hotel or Hotel des Mille Collines (popularly known as Hotel Rwanda)-midrange.
Meals: Own arrangement.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Road trip to Volcanoes National Park
Since Volcanoes National Park is only 3 hours’ drive from Kigali City, we shall first take time to explore more of the city’s top historical and cultural sites. The tour will involve visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial for an insight into the genocide history of this country, art and craft galleries for some stylish African footwear and clothing. You will get your lunch and leave for Volcanoes National Park, before arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
- One & Only Gorilla’s Nest or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (luxury).
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (upper midrange).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Drive time: 3 hours.
Day 3: Tracking mountain gorillas and boat ride on the Twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera
You will have an early start this morning to walk or drive to the Park headquarters in Kinigi for the briefing, allocation into gorilla families and later go for mountain gorilla tracking. You will go through the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking as provided by the Park Ranger.
Next you will get into the vehicle for a 20-minute drive to the trailhead or starting point and later walk through the dense forest, bamboo zone and other areas along the slopes of Virunga Mountains where these Giant Apes live.
After several hours of walking and sighting lots of animals, birds and butterflies along the way, you will finally come across the mountain gorillas. Celebrate your efforts with a one hour of photography as these creatures go about their daily routines.
After your delicious lunch provided at the lodge, you will experience a refreshing boat ride on the twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo. Be introduced to the birds and after the tour has come to an end, you will return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
- One & Only Gorilla’s Nest or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (luxury).
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (upper midrange).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: All day community development Tour (Gorilla Guardian’s Village)
On this morning, you will wear your excitement hat and be driven to the Gorilla Guardians’ Village for a full-day of community tour. Gorilla Guardian’s Village is a not-for-profit organization in Northern Province of Rwanda, established to improve lives of reformed poachers as well as communities living around Volcanoes National Park.
The Organization ensures the provision of conservation incentives, livelihood improvement projects as well as support different community enterprises.
Projects here range from livelihood change initiatives, such as provision of clean water, education, health advisory and agricultural support; conservation support such as Ranger support and provision of goats for conserving gorillas; and Enterprise development – through local business start-ups, community tourism, basket weaving and other crafts.
This is one of the most fulfilling activities in Rwanda where you will be on a community walk to visit the King’s Palace replica, and get entertained in the different traditional dances. Visit and learn from traditional healers, local schools, banana bee brewing, and take part in preparing and later enjoy a local lunch with the locals. By the end of the day, you will have an insight into the simple yet fulfilling lives here and even wish to spend more time.
Accommodation:
- One & Only Gorilla’s Nest or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (luxury).
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (upper midrange).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Depart Volcanoes National Park
Have breakfast and depart Volcanoes National Park for Kigali City, arriving in time for your flight back home or continue with your Rwanda adventures.
Meal plan: Breakfast.
Drive time: 3 hours.
5-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Community Development Tour Includes:-
- Full day in Gorilla Guardian’s Village.
- Park entry fees.
- Gorilla permit.
- Boat ride on the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera.
- 4 nights’ accommodation with endless views.
- Meals according to the provided meal plan.
- Vehicle transfer by customized safari land cruisers.
- Bottled water.
- Services of a private driver.
- Relevant Government taxes.
Package excludes:
- Rwanda visa.
- Domestic and international flights.
- Porter fees.
- Laundry fees.
- Telephone calls.