3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari
This 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari / 3 days Uganda gorilla trekking from Kigali highlights a short mountain gorilla trekking encounter in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park respectively – the two homes to the giant gorillas and the leading safari destination in each country respectively. This Rwanda gorilla trekking package offers a stunning experience with Rwanda gorillas.
Option 1: 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Below is the day by day plan for this 3 Days Rwanda gorilla safari. Please have a look at it and request for any changes or adjustments. This gorilla safari package is crafted for affordability and enjoyment. It will reward you a memorable visit to mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Day 0: Arrival and Hotel Transfer.
On arrival at Kigali international airport (formerly known as Gregoire Kayibanda airport), you will be welcomed by a company representative from our Rwanda tours and travel company along with your Rwanda Safaris driver / guide and transfer to your hotel in Kigali for dinner and overnight stay. Luxury, Midrange and Budget accommodation can be arranged for your 3 days Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Day 1: Transfer to Ruhengeri / Parc National Des Volcans
You will enjoy breakfast and a tour of Kigali city including Kimironko market and Kigali Genocide memorial site after which you will have lunch and transfer to Parc National Des Volcans which is found in the northern province of Rwanda. Arrive Ruhengeri in the late afternoon and transfer o your hotel for dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for Luxury, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge for Mid range or Kinigi Guest house / Muhabura lodge for Budget.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Parc National Des Volcans
Enjoy early morning breakfast, carry your lunch pack and a short drive to the park headquarters for briefing by the park ranger guides about the dos and don’ts of Gorilla trekking. Gorilla groups / families to visit will also be allocated here. You will be provided a walking stick and you can as well hire porters from here!
Depending on the gorilla family allocated, you may embark the vehicle and drive up to the starting point or start the trek right away with the rangers moving ahead of the group clearing the trail. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda could take anywhere between 2 to 5 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas and the terrain can also be challenging so a good pair of light hiking boots can be handy and it is advisable that you have enough drinking water. On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed 1 hour to see the gentle primates and take photos as they go about their business. Later return and drive back to the lodge where you will spend the evening at leisure as you recover from the gorilla trek. Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and transfer back to Kigali
After breakfast, you will go for golden monkey tracking. This activity also takes between 2-3 hours in the Virunga forest. Later return back to the lodge for early lunch and transfer to Kigali city reaching in the afternoon. Drop off at the airport for your departure flight or your hotel in Kigali marking the end of this 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla safari.
Note: Gorilla trekking is the no.1 tourist activity in Rwanda and has the highest demand. Each gorilla permit costs $1500 and it is advisable that you book your gorilla permit 3 months in advance especially during the high season as the permits are offered on first come first serve basis.
Option 2: 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking from Kigali
If you cannot afford the $1500 Rwanda gorilla permits fee then you can arrive from Kigali, trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Depart from Kigali. This way you will save $900 since Bwindi gorilla permits cost $600 each. You will also save a lot of time compared to what you would have spent had you arrived through Entebbe in Kampala.
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On your first day with us according to this itinerary you will be met by our representative who will pick you up from the airport or your preferred location. You will be taken for a city tour, visiting the Rwanda genocide memorial grounds, some craft shops and lots more places. Your driver guide will give you some information on the culture and history of Rwanda. You will also have lunch depending on your time of arrival. After enjoying Kigali, you will then embark on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National park – the home of these endangered species to rest and prepare for the trek the next morning. This journey will be approximately 4 and a half hours from Kigali. Dinner will be at the hotel. Overnight at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Chameleon Hill Lodge for luxury and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge for budget and comfortable stay.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
As early at 6am, you will be expected to be up for breakfast and ready to set off for the trek. Our guide will meet you after having your breakfast and take you to the park headquarters where you are expected to be briefed before starting the gorilla trekking expedition. This briefing begins at 7am. You are given guidelines during this meeting before you are allowed to start the trek. Gorilla treks can take 2 hours to half a day as its unpredictable. When you finally find the gorillas, you will have to maintain a 6 meters distance and you are allowed one hour to admire and take photos of the gorillas.
After the trek, you will return to your starting point, pick your gorilla trekking certificates, have lunch and head back to your hotel as the night before to relax and reminisce on the experience. You can ask the guide in case you want to have another activity in the evening at your own cost and he will advise. Dinner and overnight will be at the same hotel as the night before.
Day 3: Transfer back to Kigali
On this day last day of your 3 days gorilla trek, you will have breakfast at your own pace but ensure to check out of the hotel in time. Our guide will be waiting to drive you back to Kigali International Airport or any other preferred location for drop off.
