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Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Volcanoes National Park
Tour Highlights
What makes this trip special
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your trip, day by day
Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your African Majestic Adventures guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali or the airport. Your adventure begins with a comprehensive city tour of Kigali, one of Africa's cleanest and safest cities. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a deeply moving insight into Rwanda's history and remarkable reconciliation. After lunch at a local restaurant, we begin the scenic 2.5-hour drive north through Rwanda's famous terraced hills and lush countryside to the base of the Virunga Mountains. Check in at your lodge with stunning volcano views. Morning: Pickup from your Kigali hotel or airport at 9:00 AM. Begin with a guided city tour of Kigali, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and artisan cooperatives. Learn about Rwanda's incredible transformation since 1994. Coffee at a local cafe with panoramic city views. Afternoon: After lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Rwandan cuisine, depart Kigali for the 2.5-hour drive north to Musanze district. The scenic drive winds through Rwanda's iconic terraced hills, potato farms, and vibrant villages. Arrive at Volcanoes National Park area in the late afternoon. Check in to your lodge with stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes. Evening: Freshen up and enjoy sundowner drinks with volcano views. A gourmet dinner is served with traditional Rwandan cuisine. Your guide will brief you on tomorrow's gorilla trekking experience, including what to wear, what to pack, and what to expect. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or similar.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight of your safari - gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters at Kinigi for a briefing by the Rwanda Development Board rangers. You will be assigned to a specific gorilla family and briefed on trekking protocols. The trek takes you through cultivated fields, bamboo forests, and dense montane vegetation. The duration varies from 1 to 5 hours depending on the gorillas' location. Once you find the family, you will spend one magical hour observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Morning: Early wake-up call at 5:30 AM with tea and coffee. Depart for Kinigi Park Headquarters by 6:30 AM for the 7:00 AM gorilla trekking briefing. Rangers assign groups, provide trekking instructions, and share information about the gorilla family you will visit. The trek begins from the park boundary through farmland, then into bamboo and montane forest. The terrain is steep and muddy - porters are available for hire. Afternoon: Once the gorilla family is located, spend one hour in their presence - the most profound wildlife experience of your life. Observe the silverback protecting his family, mothers nursing infants, and juveniles playing. After the trek, lunch is served at a local restaurant or back at your lodge. Afternoon rest or optional visit to IbyIwacu Cultural Village. Evening: Return to the lodge for a hot shower and well-deserved rest. Enjoy sundowner drinks with stunning volcano views. A celebratory dinner is served with traditional Rwandan entertainment. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or similar.
Golden Monkey Tracking in the Virunga Bamboo Forest
Today is dedicated to tracking the rare golden monkeys of the Virunga Mountains. These playful primates are endemic to the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park and are found nowhere else on Earth. The trek is generally shorter and less strenuous than gorilla trekking, making it a perfect complement to yesterday's adventure. Golden monkeys are highly active and social - you will see them leaping through bamboo, grooming each other, and feeding on young shoots. Morning: Breakfast at the lodge at 6:30 AM. Depart for Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey tracking briefing at 7:30 AM. The trek through bamboo forests is generally easier than gorilla trekking, lasting 1-3 hours with less steep terrain. Golden monkeys are highly active in the morning hours - watch them leap through bamboo, forage for shoots, and interact in their social groups. These rare primates are a photographers dream, often coming close to visitors. Afternoon: After the trek, visit the IbyIwacu Cultural Village for an immersive experience in traditional Rwandan life. Participate in banana beer making, traditional cooking, Intore dancing, and learn about the relationship between local communities and gorilla conservation. Return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch. Evening: Relaxation at the lodge with spa treatments available. Enjoy sundowner drinks with volcano views and a farewell dinner featuring traditional Rwandan cuisine. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or similar.
What's Included & Excluded
Know exactly what your package covers
Included
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Professional trekking guide and armed ranger
- Lodge accommodation
- Full board meals
- Ground transport
Not Included
- International flights
- Visa
- Travel and medical evacuation insurance
- Tips
- Porter fee for carrying bags on the trek (optional but recommended)
- Alcoholic drinks
Best Time to Travel
Gorilla trekking is possible year-round. The driest, easiest trekking conditions fall June-September and December-February.
Lodges near the park
Full board at lodges
What to Pack
Suggested gear for this trip
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