This 6 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Cultural Tour includes a comprehensive gorilla trekking experience in the Volcanoes National Park, hike to see the Dian Fossey Grave, Visit and explore the cultural heritage of Rwanda with an exceptional but optional visit to the Lake Kivu in Gisenyi town. Explore the best of Rwanda in just 6 days of your itinerary. This tour starts and ends in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali City. Contact us to book this tour.
Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Arrival, City tour and an overnight stay in Kigali city
Day 2: Visiting Gisozi genocide memorial site; transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
Day 4: Dian Fossey hike and transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer back to Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, City Tour & Transfer to Hotel for Overnight
On arrival at Kigali international airport, you will be received by our tour guide who will brief you on the tour highlights of your 6 Days Rwanda gorillas and cultural tour before driving you around the beautiful Kigali city on a tour. The city tour will introduce you to the different cultural aspects and setups of Rwandan people, check in at the craftsman shops for local souvenirs, visit the Kimironko market for an ideal view of the typical Rwandan culture and being. After having lunch during the city tour, you will then be transferred to your hotel to rest and prepare for a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park the next day.
Dinner and overnight at Flame Tree Village (Deluxe) /Serena Hotel (Luxury)/Five To Five (Budget).
Day 2: Visit Gisozi Genocide Center, Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Early in the morning, you will leave Kigali city after having your breakfast heading to the Gisozi genocide memorial site located just 15 kilometers from Kigali. Learn about the historical narration of the 1994 genocide with photographic moments displayed all over the walls, you may also opt to proceed to the national museum or simply go for lunch and later in the day, drive to the Volcanoes national park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas reaching in late afternoon.
After checking in at the hotel/lodge, you will be taken to the Iby’wachu Cultural Village where you will learn more about the Banyarwanda cultural practices and their tradition till evening to retire for Dinner and overnight at your booked hotel.
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing from the senior park rangers and after which your assigned lead guide will take you to the hiking trails to start the journey through the jungle for the gorilla trekking adventure. When you finally meet the gorillas, you will be permitted to spend a maximum of 1 full hour as you take photographs (BUT WITH NO FLASHLIGHT), and observing their fascinating acrobatics while asking your guide questions about these enchanting gorillas.
Later on, after the trekking experience, return to your Hotel for Relaxation. In the evening, you may go for a cultural walk, where you will be entertained by the Banyarwanda community, or go for a nature walk to the lakes and caves. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorillas view Hotel/ 5 Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury)/ Da Vinci Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Le bamboo Lodge (Deluxe)/Muhabura Hotel (Budget).
Day 4: Dian Fossey Hike and transfer to Lake Kivu
In the morning right after breakfast, you may wish to take a hike up to the Dian Fossey graves at Karisoke research center. Here you will explore and learn more about the activities of Dian Fossey an American Primatologist who worked hard to conserve the population of mountain gorillas. After the experience at Karisoke, you will retire for lunch at the lodge and then transfer to Lake Kivu for leisure experiences taking part in swimming, question coffee tours, boat kayaking, among others.
You will have dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel(Luxury)/ Stipp Hotel/Paradise Malahide/Waterfront resort (mid-range).
Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Wake up in the morning, have a tasty and delicious breakfast, then transfer to Nyungwe with en-route stopovers for photography and lunch along the way. Arrive at the hotel and check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight at either Nyungwe House(Luxury) / Nyungwe top view hotel (Mid-range), Gisakura guest house(budget).
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe, Depart to Kigali
After breakfast transfer to Nyungwe forest park headquarters and attend to a briefing from the park rangers before hiking into the forest in search for the chimpanzees. For about 1-3 hours of search, you will finally see the chimpanzees and later transfer back to Kigali with en route visit to the King’s Palace at Nyanza, Butare Museums and Murambi Genocide Memorial Site for additional cultural experiences of this tour.
End of the 6 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Cultural Tour.
Your 6 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Cultural Tour includes;
- 1 Gorilla Trekking Permit per person.
- 1 Chimpanzee Tracking Permit per person.
- Ground transport.
- Water in vehicle.
- Full board accommodation for one night.
- Service of an English-speaking driver-guide.
- All mentioned activities except for the optional ones.
However, the 6 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Cultural Tour excludes;
- Airfares.
- Rwanda Visa.
- Luxury drinks.
- Laundry.
- Tips to local guides & drivers.
- Telephone fee.
- Visit to the Ethnographic museum.
- Personal insurance.
- Any other item not mentioned above.