Trek With Giants
Trek through the Volcanoes National Park to see the majestic mountain gorillas...
If you are keen to see the habituated mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park during a short trip to Rwanda, then this itinerary is one to look at! The Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel will be your base for 2 nights whilst you trek to see the gorillas and explore the beautiful mountains of the Virungas.
Kigali, Rwanda
Arrive into Kigali’s international airport and met on arrival. Transferred to the Serena Hotel in Kigali to stay for 1 night on a B&B basis.
Kigali/ Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, have a private tour of Kigali including the genocide museum. In the afternoon, transfer to Volcanoes National Park in the Virungas to stay in Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel for 2 nights on a full board basis.
Kigali is Rwanda’s capital city and there is plenty to do! The guided tour of Kigali on the first morning will help you get your bearing around the city, as well as learning about the fascinating history behind the city and its people. Although the genocide museum can be described as a chilling experience, it is a must-do whilst in Kigali as it shows how far the country has developed and moved on since the tragic events of 1994.
Volcanoes National Park
Today is your mountain gorilla tracking experience! After breakfast in the Hotel, you will be transferred to the park headquarters to be briefed before the hike. Once you are in groups of no more than eight people, you will be guided through the Virunga mountains in search of the gorilla family! After the hike, transfer back to Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel to stay for the night on a full board basis.
This is the day you’ve been waiting for – the day you’ll come face-to-face with the majestic mountain gorillas. As part of the Virunga Mountains (covering Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo), the Volcanoes National Park homes 20 families of endangered mountain gorillas. Although half of the families are protected for research purposed (continuing the legacy of Dian Fossey), the other 10 families have become familiar with tourists and it is one of these families that you will get the chance to observe. It has been described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience so remember to embrace every moment and step aside from the camera now and then!
Kigali
Have breakfast in the hotel and spend the morning in the midst of the Volcanoes National Park. In the afternoon, transfer back to Kigali’s international airport to connect onto your international flights home.
Whilst gorilla trekking is the main reason to visit the Volcanoes National Park, many of the hotels offer other activities that take advantage of the incredible landscape. These include guided hikes, bike riding, canoe rides, visits to local villages, schools and communities, trekking to see the golden monkeys and many more. Alternatively, spend the morning relaxing and taking full advantage of the view and the surroundings of the lush, green mountains before you head back home!
Please note that the above is on a full board basis unless otherwise shown and does NOT include international flights.
