5 Days Gorilla Trekking In Virunga And Volcanoes National Park
per person
5 days of gorilla trekking in Virunga and Volcanoes national park will make you double trek mountain gorillas of Rwanda (Volcanoes national park) and those of DR Congo (Virunga national park). Mountain gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park is done among the 10 fully habituated mountain gorilla families in the park while that of Virunga is done among 8 families. On a 5 days safari, you will need to have 2 valid gorilla trekking permits to be part of the groups to trek and you must be free from transmitted diseases because mountain gorillas are vulnerable.
The 5 days safari starts from Kigali takes you to volcanoes national park where you will spend 2 nights and then to Virunga national park passing via the Gisenyi-Boma border. The safari will be best if you come well prepared with good hiking waterproof boots, insect repellents, rain jackets, a face mask and sanitizer, a good camera, and enough drinking water.
5 Days Gorilla Trekking In Virunga And Volcanoes National Park Highlights
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 2: Trek mountain gorillas and visit Iby’iwacu cultural village.
Day 3: Drive to Virunga national park DR Congo
Day 4: Encounter mountain gorillas in Virunga national park
Day 5: Drive back to Kigali
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Volcanoes national park
On day one of 5 days gorilla trekking safari in Virunga and volcanoes national park, you will be picked up by our English-speaking driver guide from your hotel or Kigali international airport and then he will brief you about the safari. After the briefing, you will start on your journey to volcanoes national park which takes 2-3 hours. Volcanoes national park is situated in the northwestern part of the country and along the way, you will pass through different rolling hills, meet local people and so many other things. On reaching Musanze, you will head to your accommodation, check-in, and prepare for gorilla trekking the next day.
Meal plan
Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel – luxury, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge – mid-range, Kinigi Guest House – budget
Day 2: Trek mountain gorillas and visit Iby’iwacu cultural village.
This will be the most amazing day on your safari so will need to wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and then meet your driver who will transfer you to Kinigi park headquarters. At the briefing point, you will gather with other trekkers and the rangers will teach you about the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity thereafter you will be driven to the starting point where you will meet armed ranger guides.
The armed ranger guides will lead you through different park trails searching for the apes until you meet them and as soon as you search for them, you will meet different park animals like the buffaloes, spotted hyenas, duikers, elephants, giant forest hogs, several primates, and different bird species.
Once the mountain gorillas have been located, the 1 hour rule will start counting and you will be able to watch the apes do daily activities like nesting, breastfeeding, hunting, take photos and you will be able to learn more about their habits. Once trekking is done, your group will trek out of the forest and you will meet the driver at the starting point ready to drive you to the lodge for lunch.
Once lunch is done, you will be driven to Iby’Iwacu cultural village and get to learn more about the culture of Rwanda. You will be able to meet and interact with local people, watch them do their day to day activities, and in the end, you will be entertained through traditional dances and drama. Later you will return to the lodge to have dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal plan
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel – luxury, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge – mid-range, Kinigi Guest House – budget
Day 3: Drive to Virunga national park DR Congo
On the 3rd day of your double gorilla trekking safari in Virunga and volcanoes national park, you will wake up early in the morning for breakfast, check out of the lodge, and then meet your driver guide to transport you to Virunga national park of DR Congo. You will enter DR Congo through Grande Barrier at the Gisenyi-Goma border. From the border, you will be escorted by the military convoy to Virunga national park where you will check in your lodge. You will have the rest resting, have dinner, and have an overnight stay.
Meal plan
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation
Mikeno Lodge – luxury, Kikumba Tented Camp – mid-range, Bukima Tented Camp.
Day 4: Encounter mountain gorillas in Virunga national park
The 4th day will be the day you are to trek mountain gorillas of Virunga national park for the second time after trekking in volcanoes national park. Virunga is home to 8 fully habituated mountain gorilla families you will be one of the luckiest people to trek any of these families. You will wake up early in the morning, have your breakfast and your driver-guide will take you to Mikeno or Bukima Visitors Centre where briefing activities normally take place.
Just like Volcanoes national park, even in Virunga national park the trekking starts with a briefing from the rangers and afterwards get grouped not exceeding 8 and armed park rangers will lead you through different jungle trails. The trekking takes 2-7 hours in Virunga and during this activity, you will come across different park mammals, primates, and birds but on meeting the mountain gorillas 1 hour will be given to you to be around them as you watch them do daily activities, learn about their habits as you take photos.
After trekking, you will leave the forest and meet your driver guide who will transfer you back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, you can do optional activities like visiting communities, birding, and nature walk. Return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal plan
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation
Mikeno Lodge – luxury, Kikumba Tented Camp – mid-range, Bukima Tented Camp.
Day 5: Drive back to Kigali
Day 5 will be the end of your fantastic safari and on this day you will wake up in the morning, have breakfast and check out of the lodge. You will meet your driver-guide ready to start your journey back to Kigali city. You will be dropped off at Kigali international airport or any other place of your choice to end your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking In Virunga And Volcanoes National Park.
Meal plan
Breakfast and Lunch
Tour includes
- 2 gorilla trekking permits
- Transport
- Service of the English-speaking guide
- Accommodation for 4 nights
- Drinking water and meals indicated in the itinerary
Tour excludes
- International tickets
- Visas
- Tips
- Optional activities
- Porter fee
- Personal expenses
- Personal insurance