3 days gorilla trekking and mount bisoke hiking safari.

These 3 days gorilla trekking and mount bisoke hiking safari takes you through the vistas of Rwanda as you traverse Volcanoes National Park. The safari involves trekking mountain gorillas that share 98% DNA with humans, you will also hike one of the great Virunga mountains; Mount Bisoke as you pass through the varied vegetation type until you reach its summit that has a crater lake. You will also immerse yourself in culture in the Iby’icawu cultural village and you will discover the traditional Rwandan culture.  You also have a visit to Ellen DeGeneres campus that was introduced to support the Dian Fossey fund.

Trip overview of 3 days gorilla trekking safari at volcanoes national park.

  • Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National park and visit to Ellen DeGeneres campus.
  • Day 2: Gorilla trekking and visiting Iby’Icawu cultural village.
  • Day 3: Mount Bisoke hike and transfer to Kigali International Airport.

DETAILED 3 DAYS GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI AT VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK.

Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National park and visit to Ellen DeGeneres campus.

You will be picked up by our competent driver guide and driven to Volcanoes National Park, which is about a three to four hour drive away. Along the way, you will see plantations and various tree species with winding roads, which will further immerse you in nature. The country is known as the “home of a thousand hills” because of its picturesque rolling hills.

After checking into the lodge upon arrival, you will have lunch and rest before visiting the Ellen DeGeneres campus, which was created to support the Dian Fossey fund, which has been there for more than 50 years. It features a 360-degree theater and virtual reality headsets that give you a glimpse of the gorilla trekking activity. You can observe mountain gorillas’ daily activities, such as feeding, caring for their young, resting, and protecting them. This helps you get ready for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure. Additionally, there are signs there that describe how mountain gorillas feed, what poses a threat to them, and the several mountain gorillas that Dian Fossey named. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Amarembo by Touch down

  •  Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
  • Ingagi Park View lodge

Meal Plan: Full board

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and visiting Iby’Icawu cultural village.

After an early breakfast, you shall head to the Volcanoes Park headquarters in Kinigi. The dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking will be explained to you by 7:30 during the briefing and you will embark on an hour-long gorilla walk at 8:00 am under the guidance of a park ranger. The mountain gorilla family you are trekking with shares 98% of human DNA and you may capture pictures while you watch them feed, interact with one another, and defend their families. You may also encounter other species like the bush pigs, duikers, and several bird species throughout the mountain gorilla hike. From the hike, you will return to the accommodation facility for lunch before visiting Iby’icawu Cultural Village for a cultural experience. There, you will see dancers perform for you and purchase souvenirs to take home. After this amazing experience you will return to the lodge for dinner and the night ahead.

Accommodation: Amarembo by Touch down

  • Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
  • Ingagi Park View lodge

Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3: Mount Bisoke hike and transfer to Kigali International Airport.

Get up early for breakfast, check out of the lodge, and proceed to Volcanoes Park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing on the dos and don’ts of ascending Mount Bisoke. Following this discussion, you will be taken to the beginning of the trek in the foothills of the mountain. If you need assistance carrying your bags, porters can be hired.

After that, you will start your trek to the summit of Bisoke Mountain. This climb takes five to six hours, and depending on the hiker’s physical condition, the descent will take two hours. Diverse vegetation, breathtaking views of other Virunga volcanoes like Nyiragongo, muddy trails, and possibly uncommon wildlife like golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, forest elephants, and buffaloes, as well as some bird species though encounters with gorillas are short lasting for only 10 minutes and non-habituated ones require distance which may be encountered as you ascend. The highlight is reaching the summit and its stunning crater lake. In order to get ready to descend to the base at the starting point, you will unwind while taking photos at the top of Mount Bisoke and rehydrate. Our driving guide will wait for you at the base of Bisoke and take you to Ruhengeri for lunch before you go for Kigali International Airport to catch the flight back home.

Highlight: End of Safari

Safari includes;

  • Full-time English-speaking driver guide.
  • Meals and accommodation as mentioned.
  • Gorilla permits.
  • Bisoke permits
  • Iby’Icawu cultural visit.
  • Activities mentioned.
  • Airport and Ground transfers.

 Safari excludes;

  • Souvenirs
  • Donations and Tips.
  • Entry visa and airport taxes.
  • Personal expenditures such as drinks and laundry.