3 days gorillas and Dian Fossey tomb hike in Volcanoes National Park
3 days gorillas and Dian Fossey tomb hike in Volcanoes National Park, the 3 Days Gorilla Trekking and Dian Fossey Hike tour takes you to the home of the endangered mountain gorillas and also visit the grave site of Dian Fossey in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most visited national park and home to the second largest population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas . the highest number of the mountain gorillas resides in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Volcanoes national park is the place where Dian Fossey the great primatologist established the base for her research about mountain gorillas and other primates and made all efforts to protect them from poachers. She was the first to discover different facts and behavior of mountain gorillas and tried all ways to make them used to human presence.
She extended her research advocating for the protection of the mountain gorillas from Rwanda to other parts of Africa. This effort however increased enemies especially the poachers and traffickers of baby gorillas who later led to her murder as her body was found lifeless in her Karisoke research center where she based her research. Though Dian Fossey is gone, her legacy still stands and its mainly from her efforts that Rwanda is getting many visitors who participate in the gorilla tracking activity.
Itinerary in brief 3 days gorillas and Dian Fossey tomb hike in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 1: Arrival- Brief city tour -transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2:Gorilla trekking – Visit Ib’yiwachu cultural center
- Day 3: Dian Fossey tom hike -return to Kigali
Itinerary in detail
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – brief city tour -transfer to Volcanoes National Park
When you arrive in Kigali, meet our driver guide, who will brief you about the trip, and feel free to ask any questions about Rwanda. After breakfast, he will take you for a brief Kigali city tour . During this tour, you will visit some of these places, depending on your choice and available time. places include, Kigali genocide memorial site, Kimironko market, the former presidential palace, and souvenir shops.
After lunch at one of the hotels in Kigali, set off for Volcanoes National Park, a journey that takes two hours. When you arrive, check into the booked accommodation for refreshments. If you are not so exhausted, you can have a short nature walk in Musanze to interact with the locals.
Dinner and overnight at One and Only Gorilla Nest Lodge ( luxury), Sambora Kinigi Lodge (mid-range), Kinigi Guest House (budget)
Day 2: Gorilla tracking – visit Ib’yiwachu cultural center.
Wake up early enough for an early morning breakfast. Request your hotel to prepare for some snacks or a packed lunch. Drive to the park center to meet the park guides and wardens.
After the briefing, you will be grouped in groups of eight depending on fitness levels and personal choice, and later assigned to a gorilla family. with the leadership of armed game rangers and the help of porters, set into the park jungles to search for the gentle apes. The trackers who go earlier to the jungle to find out where the gorillas spent the night will help to communicate with the game rangers so that you can easily find the gorilla family. The trek will last for 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. It is a bit demanding and challenging, especially if you are not so fit. As you trek, try to follow instructions from your ranger guide, and when you find the gorilla family, you will be allowed to spend one hour watching the family play, feed, and groom. When it’s time to lead, head back to the starting point to meet your driver guide, who will transfer you back to the hotel for lunch and relaxation.
After lunch, visit the gorilla guardian village, formerly known as the Ib’yiwachu Cultural Center. At this place, enjoy the best of Rwandan history, culture, and tradition. Listen to traditional folk tales, songs, and watch the interesting Intore dance.
Dinner and overnight at One and only Gorilla Nest lodge (luxury), Sambora Kinigi Lodge (mid-range), Kinigi guest House ( budget).
Day 3: Hiking to Dian Fossey’s tomb – return to Kigali
On this last day of your safari, after an early morning breakfast, return to the park center for the briefing about hiking to Dian Fossey’s tomb. After the briefing, drive for 30 minutes to the trailhead that gives you access to the research center. The trek to the grave site takes 2-3 hours, including inspiring views of different wildlife creatures, including animals and birds.
At the grave site and the Karisoke research center, you will get more information about Dian Fossey and all about her Karisoke research center. After the hike, descend to find your guide, who will take you back to the hotel. After lunch, check out and drive back to Kigali for your departure.
Tour includes
- 4X4 safari vehicle with fuel.
- A Full-Time Guide/Driver
- Rwanda Gorilla Permits
- Bottled drinking water
- All other activities in the Itinerary
- Full Board accommodation for 2 nights
- Pickup and drop-off at your desired location within Kigali
- Cultural and community visit
- Kigali city tour
Excludes
- International and local flights, visas, personal expenses like tipping, beverages, wines, and insurance.