Kigali + Volcanoes National Park — Mountain Gorilla Trek

Overview

There are roughly a thousand mountain gorillas left on earth, and Rwanda protects the finest population of them, two hours by tarmac road from its capital. This eight-day journey builds towards that single hour. Kigali comes first, with the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, the studios of the Inema Arts Center and the colour of Kimironko market. Then three nights at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes in Musanze: the two-kilometre lava tube of the Musanze Caves, the Intore dancers of the Gorilla Guardians village, a bamboo-forest trek for the golden monkeys, the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo beneath Mount Muhabura, and the climb to Dian Fossey’s grave at the old Karisoke research camp. The gorilla trek itself takes place on Day 4, from the park headquarters at Kinigi: one to four hours of forest walking, then exactly sixty minutes with the family. Rwanda issues only 96 permits a day for the entire country. Yours is included.

What Makes This Tour Special?

One full hour with a mountain gorilla family, official Rwanda Development Board permit included in the price.
Only 96 permits exist per day in the whole of Rwanda — we book yours eight to twelve months ahead.
Three primates in three days: mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and the legacy of Dian Fossey at Karisoke.
French is an official language of Rwanda: no interpreter, no misunderstanding, no language barrier.
Never more than one hour forty-five minutes of tarmac road between your base and your destination.
The Musanze Caves, a two-kilometre volcanic lava tube, with helmets and lamps provided.
One of the safest and cleanest countries in Africa, where every permit directly funds conservation and the communities living at the park gates.
Two dedicated French-speaking guides and a professional photographer travelling with you throughout, plus a complete photo album.

Included/Excluded

Round-trip international flights and the official RDB mountain gorilla permit
7 nights accommodation, all listed excursions, park fees and the golden monkey trek
Private air-conditioned coach with driver for the whole itinerary
Local SIM with data, dedicated guides and a professional photographer (photo album)
Meals as indicated

Tour Plan

Day 01 Arrival in Kigali and Welcome Briefing

Your Africa Tour Travel representative greets you at Kigali International Airport and accompanies you on a private transfer to your hotel, barely five kilometres away. After check-in we hold a friendly welcome meeting: a full day-by-day walkthrough of your programme, how each excursion works, an altitude briefing and the strict gorilla protocol, plus local etiquette. We set up your local SIM card with data and add you to our WhatsApp group.

WELCOME DINNER

Vue aerienne d un aeroport international en Afrique de l Est Vue aerienne de la skyline moderne de Kigali Kigali et ses collines verdoyantes vues du ciel

Day 02 Kigali — Memory and Creation

The morning is given to the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, with the Ubumuntu audio-guide trail (allow two and a half hours). The afternoon turns to the living Rwanda: the Inema Arts Center, where you meet the resident painters and sculptors in their studios, and Kimironko market for spices, kitenge fabric and basketwork.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH

Batiment et jardins paisibles a Kigali Tambours et peintures dans un atelier d art africain Marche africain anime, etals de produits frais sous parasols

Day 03 Road to Musanze and the Volcanic Caves

The tarmac road from Kigali to Musanze, about 100 km and one hour forty-five minutes, with a panoramic stop over the Virunga range. On arrival, the Musanze Caves: a two-kilometre volcanic lava tube, helmets and lamps provided. Then the Gorilla Guardians cultural village at Kinigi for the Intore dancers, the traditional king and the village healer. Gorilla briefing in the evening.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER

Le mont Karisimbi et un arbre isole a Kinigi, Rwanda Escalier menant a l entree d une grotte dans la vegetation Danseurs traditionnels rwandais en costume, en plein air

Day 04 Mountain Gorilla Trek

The day everything has been building towards. Assembly at the Kinigi park headquarters at 7:00 sharp, allocation of your gorilla family, then one to four hours of walking through the forest before exactly sixty minutes in the presence of the group, at a regulation distance of seven metres. Your official RDB certificate is presented afterwards, and the rest of the day is yours to rest at the lodge. Minimum age 15.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER

Gorille de montagne dans la foret de Kinigi, Rwanda Gorille dos argente dans les forets de Kinigi, Rwanda Randonneurs sur un sentier de foret tropicale brumeuse

Day 05 Golden Monkeys and the Twin Lakes

A three to four hour trek through the bamboo forest for the golden monkeys, a primate endemic to the Virunga range and every bit as spectacular as the gorillas. In the afternoon, the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo: a traditional dugout canoe, a walk through the villages and the view across to Mount Muhabura.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER

Singe dore se nourrissant dans son habitat naturel Lac parseme d iles et collines verdoyantes au Rwanda Lac de montagne et volcans sous les nuages au Rwanda

Day 06 In the Footsteps of Dian Fossey

A 7:00 departure for the three to four hour hike up to Dian Fossey's grave and the remains of the Karisoke research camp, at around 3,000 metres. The more athletic can opt instead for Mount Bisoke and its crater lake at 3,711 metres. Lunch in Musanze, then the road back to Kigali.

BREAKFAST | LUNCH

Le mont Bisoke sous un ciel bleu, chaine des Virunga Groupe de randonneurs dans une foret tropicale dense Sentier paisible dans une foret de bambous

Day 07 Nyamata, Ntarama and Rwandan Coffee

The memorials of Nyamata and Ntarama, about thirty kilometres south of Kigali, visited with the quiet and respect they call for. The afternoon lightens: a craft cooperative and a tasting of Rwandan speciality coffee, among the finest in the world. Farewell dinner and a screening of your photo report.

BREAKFAST | DINNER

Jardin du souvenir arbore, lieu de recueillement Sacs de cafe rwandais dans une torrefaction artisanale Paniers tresses colores, artisanat traditionnel

Day 08 Departure

A final Rwandan breakfast, then a private transfer to Kigali International Airport, with photos and a personal album to treasure.

BREAKFAST

Comptoirs d enregistrement et ecran des departs dans un aeroport Avion de ligne au decollage depuis la piste Terminal d aeroport moderne a la facade vitree