This Rwanda Gorilla trekking and Dian Fossey grave tour presents a great opportunity to stay 3 nights in the northern park of Rwanda with its nestled rolling hills and evergreen, cool nature! Enjoy Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and go trekking to the late Dian Fossey’s grave in Karisoke.
Day 1: City tour & Transfer to Ruhengeri / Musanze – Volcanoes National Park
On such a morning, your driver/guide will pick you up from the airport or your hotel in Kigali – Africa’s cleanest city and go on a city tour visiting the local market, historical sites and the poignantly renowned Gisozi genocide memorial site.
Have lunch and depart Kigali, driving northwest to Ruhengeri, a.k.a Musanze town. This is an interesting drive that promises magical landscapes and sheer natural beauty. Arrive at your hotel in the evening, unwind, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight.
Day 2: Rwanda Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes National Park
This is the morning you have been looking forward to! No matter how comfortable your bed is, you will quickly jump out of it at dawn, check through your list to make sure you have everything, on to the restaurant for breakfast, and drive to the park headquarters.
Hand in your passport to your driver/guide, who will quickly finalise the registration process as you enjoy more (free) coffee and a Rwandan cultural performance – the Intore dance. Attend a briefing from the ranger guides and get to know which Gorilla family you will be visiting.
Get back to the vehicle and drive up to the beginning point where your trek to the Gorillas starts. Keeping in mind that Volcanoes National Park is mountainous, most of the treks go uphill from the start, so make sure you carry a snack and enough drinking water in your day-pack.
Once you find the Gorillas, you will be granted up to 1 hour to watch them, take photos, and record short videos as you can manage. When your hour is up, communication will be quickly put through to your driver/guide, who will be waiting for you.
Driver but to the hotel/lodge where you will freshen up, refresh, and spend the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at your chosen hotel/lodge as above.
Day 3: Dian Fossey Trekking – Karisoke
Another exciting morning in Volcanoes National Park. Begin with an early morning breakfast at the hotel/lodge and head back to the park headquarters. Dian Fossey trekking carries pretty much the same procedure as Gorilla trekking. Go through registration and briefing, and drive to the starting point where you will begin your trek with the ranger guide.
Trekking to the grave at Karisoke can be quite challenging, so it requires relative fitness levels and could actually take longer than the Gorilla trek, but for a worthy cause; walking in the footsteps of the woman who brought Gorilla trekking to light and had her life taken while protecting them.
After the trek, join your driver/guide and drive back to the hotel/lodge where you will relax for the evening.
Alternatively, you can drive to Gisenyi – Lake Kivu and spend the evening by the shores of this lovely Lake. Spend a night in Gisenyi or return to the hotel/lodge in Musanze.
Day 4: Transfer to Kigali & Fly Out
As all good things come to an end, this will be your last day on this tour! Have the morning to yourself and enjoy breakfast at leisure. Check out and embark on your journey back to Kigali, where you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
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