Enjoy Rwanda during gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park and then hike Mount. Bisoke, one of the eight Volcanic Mountains in Virunga massif. There is an option of visiting the Iby’iwachu cultural village for an incredible cultural experience.
The visit to mountain gorillas will enable you to learn about the behaviors and lifestyle of these beautiful creatures that live in groups also called families like humans. Hiking to the summit of Mount. Bisoke offers a great view of the crater lakes and surrounding areas with a high chance of meeting the mountain gorillas. The tour will begin and end in Kigali city which is covered with thousands of hills hence offering an appealing view.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Transfer to Volcanoes national park
Immediately after a pick up from either the airport or hotel in Kigali, transfer to Volcanoes national park home of mountain gorillas. Enjoy the beautiful countryside covered with hills hence ordering an eye-catching moment. Volcanoes national park has 5 of 8 Volcano mountains including the Bisoke that you will hike. The journey from Kigali to the park takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the speed. Arrive in the evening and check in the lodge booked.
Day 2. Gorilla trekking and optional visit to Ibyiwacu Cultural Centre
Take morning breakfast at the lodge and then transfer to the park offices where you will attend the briefing. The park guide will take tell you all the required information such as birth rate, gorilla behaviors, and much more. You’ll also be told about the dos and don’ts that enable you to trek smoothly among others include; don’t use flashlight cameras since they threaten the gorillas, don’t make noise, keeping a distance of about 7 to 8 meters and also, don’t feed in front of gorillas and don’t feed wild animals.
The search for mountain gorillas will begin with the guidance of the park ranger guide and some potters that will carry extra luggage. The overall time taken can be between 2 to 7 hours and this depends on where the mountain gorilla family visited is located. An hour will be spent in front of the gorillas capturing great moments as you take photos and record videos.
After the experience of gorilla trekking, head back to the lodge for lunch and then take part in an optional visit to Iby’iwachu cultural village here learn about how the locals conserve wildlife and culture at the edges of Volcanoes national park. This will be through Kinyarwanda cultural music and dances, storytelling, tasting local foods and drinks, visiting the traditional healer and many more others. Depart back to the lodge where you will have your dinner as you prepare for the last day of your 3 days Rwanda gorillas and Mt Bisoke tour.
Day 3. Hike Mount. Bisoke and transfer to Kigali
Begin the day with breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters in Kinigi where the briefing will take place. The dos and don’ts will be well stipulated by the park ranger guide, also the guide will tell you what to expect while in the field hiking. Start the hike 7nder the guidance of the park ranger guide and the walking stick and on the summit, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Rwanda plus a crater lake at the summit of Mt Bisoke.
While hiking, there is a lot to spot including the different bird species and if you’re lucky, meet the mountain gorillas. Take your packed lunch while at the summit and then descend back to the park offices where you will meet the driver guide to take you back to Kigali. The overall experience of hiking will take about 7 to 8 hours. The tour will end after a drop-off at the airport in Kigali.
