How to spend  4 days in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park is one of Africa’s most prominent national parks and a popular tourist hub for eco-tourists and wildlife enthusiasts in Rwanda. Located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is famous for being home to the endangered mountain gorillas and several other primate species.

The park encompasses five of the eight Virunga mountains which are home to about half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.  The volcanoes in this park include Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura. These mountains help to create a breathtaking backdrop and spectacular views for visitors who go for guided treks to get closer to the incredible creatures in their natural habitat.

Are you planning to spend 4 days in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and looking for the best things to do?  You’re in the right place.

On your trip, you will discover some of the must-see attractions, firstly in Kigali city as you will land at Kigali International Airport, visit important places like Kigali Genocide Memorial, the bustling Kimironko market, Nyamirambo Women’s Center and Inema Craft Center.

With the help of a trained local driver guide, you will proceed to Volcanoes National Park as you enjoy spectacular views of the gently rolling and terraced hills at the countryside.

Volcanoes National Park is a place of great pleasure that offers different guided activities like mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, volcano hiking, birding safaris,  cultural experiences in the gorilla Guardians Village, the Musanze caves,  boat trips on the twin lakes and conservation efforts that are greatly associated with the work of Dian Fossey, a primatologist that studied and worked tirelessly to protect the mountain gorillas.

Tanzania and gorilla safaris4 days in Rwanda – Volcanoes National Park

If you have already planned your travel dates, you should also book the activities and accommodations in advance. This will help you to suit your budget and eliminate last-minute inconveniences.

Below is one way how you can have a great trip of 4 days in Rwanda but mainly in Volcanoes National Park.

Day 1: Kigali City tour 

This is a full day of exploring the different attractions in Kigali city.

Tourist attractions: Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Kimironko Market, Inema Arts Center.

 In the morning, our company driver guide will pick you up from the airport or your hotel to start the safari. After greeting and a simple briefing, you will visit the Gisozi genocide war memorial site where you will learn about what happened during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. This place offers a powerful experience for everyone to promote reconciliation, forgiveness, and building peace through education.

From here proceed to Nyamirambo women’s centre, a  women’s  project that was  create  address  gender-based violence, inequality and discrimination. At this place , women and girls are empowered with different entrepreneur skills like fashion and design , cookery and weaving. Additional activities in this place include cycling, bike mechanics, woodwork, and language training. You can support the women by buying some of their products as souvenirs for take home.

After Lunch, visit the busy Kimironko market to have more interaction with the locals. The guide will help you translate the communication you will make with the local vendors.in this market, you will find many stalls with different items like clothes, food, fruits vegetables, and art and craft work.  Since Kigali is a city of wonders that cannot be explored in a single day, you will end the day with a visit to the Inema Arts Center. The center displays a gallery with art and craft products and a cafe providing light refreshments and fresh Rwandan coffee. More to this is entertainment from talented young artists. As the day ends, return to the hotel to prepare for the next day, dinner, and overnight at Mille Collines Hotel. (mid-range).

Day 2: Gorilla tracking and Ib’yiwachu cultural visit

On this second day, wake up as early as 4:30 a.m. and meet your driver, who will drive you to Ruhengeri at Kinigi Park headquarters for a briefing about the gorilla tracking activity. The park officials will share important information about tracking mountain gorillas, a brief history of the park, and Dian Fossey’s efforts towards mountain gorilla conservation.

After the briefing, you will be assigned to one of the 12 habituated gorilla families. Allocation is based on age and physical fitness. After knowing your group, you are given a chance to hire a porter if you have heavy luggage

With the head of park rangers, you deep into the forests and mountain slopes in search of the primates. Gorilla trekking is a bit challenging but once you meet the gorilla family, you will realize that it was worth all the effort and cost.

 You are only allowed one hour with the primates then return to the starting point to meet your driver and return to the hotel for lunch.

At the Gorilla Guardians’ village

Spend the evening a t the Gorilla Guardians village which is also known as Ib’yiwachu Cultural Center.  This is a place for different Rwandan cultural exhibitions, traditions, and history. Enjoy the traditional marriage procedures,  visit the herbal medicine man, get a chance to dress like a king or queen, and enjoy the interesting cultural dance.

Accommodation at Davinci Gorilla Lodge. (mid-range)

Day 3:Golden monkey trekking  and visit Ellen DeGeneres Campus

Golden monkey trekking

Another day in Volcanoes National Park, go for another early morning briefing on golden monkeys another group of primates listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are very cute and playful primates with golden coats. Tracking them takes less hours compared to gorillas, and you should expect to be back at the hotel at midday for lunch.

After lunch visit the Ellen DeGeneres campus a place that was built in memory of the renowned gorilla conservationist, Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to the protection of mountain gorillas and their natural habitat.   Get to know more information about volcanoes National Park.

Accommodation at Davinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange)

Day 4: Visit Musanze caves and return to Kigali

This is the fourth day in Rwanda and the last day of your trip. After an early morning breakfast,  move out of the hotel for a guided nature walk in Musanze caves.

When you walk through the caves you will notice that the place is home to bats.  Move through the rooms in the cave, you will see the vegetation on the walls as the place is also best for photography.

Explore the cave for 2-3 hours  then return to the lodge and check out and return to Kigali. As you drive to Kigali enjoy the spectacular views of the countryside. you can make stopovers at different spots according to your wish  for photography.

Your driver guide will drop you at the airport  or at your hotel as per your  wish.

I hope you will have a great time in Rwanda.

Inclusions

  • English Speaking  driver -guide
  • 4×4 WD vehicle with fuel.
  • Rwandan Gorilla Permits at $1500
  • Full board meals and accommodation
  • All activities in the itinerary
  • Bottled mineral water,

Exclusions

  • Flight tickets and visa fees
  • Personal Insurance
  • Personal needs like luxurious alcoholic drinks, airtime, laundry, tips to porters and guides, and souvenirs.