3 Days gorilla Tracking Rwanda safari in the Volcanoes national park
This 3 Days gorilla Tracking Rwanda safari is an express, value for money gorilla tracking tour where you will have an experience with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park. Gorilla trekking ranks among one of the absolute highlights of a trip to Africa for most travellers, and the feeling that you get being so near to one of our closest relatives is hard to describe.Mountain Gorillas are one of the world’s most endangered apes. It is estimated that there are only about 880 left throughout the world. Almost half of them can be found in Uganda, and populations can also be found in neighbouring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Accommodation during the trip is based on a standard double/twin or single room in mid-range accommodation. All rooms have en suite bath and private veranda.
Highlights of the 3 Days gorilla Tracking Rwanda safari
- Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes national park
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Today, a representative from the lodge will pick you from Kigali airport or the hotel where you are staying in Kigali and transfer you to Volcanoes national park
You will get to the lodge in time for lunch; and relaxation the rest of the day. Your lodge is located near the entrance of the national park with an amazing view overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes.
Journey Time: 3 hours
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Mid-range)
Situated on the edge of the dense forest that makes up Parc National Des Volcans, this lodge offers an excellent resting place before and after your visit with the gorillas. From the large rooms, you can look out over the expansive lawns and tropical rainforest with the mighty Mount Sabinyo that rising up in the background like a Mt. Olympus of the Virunga range. In the evening, enjoy a camp fire and some entertainment from a local dance troop.
You can upgrade to the 5 volcanoes lodge which is one of the most beautiful lodges in the country. It has stunning beautiful views.
Day 2: Gorilla tracking and Iby’iwacu cultural tour
Today after breakfast, you will drive into the park to the Office The head ranger will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here your driver/guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated Gorillas groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours!
Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
In the afternoon, you will go to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, a Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects
It provides tourists experiences beyond wildlife. It has created a new understanding of tourism among tourists, rural communities, tour operators, but also has changed the traditional perceptions of tourism in Rwanda.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal plan: All meals
Day 3: Transfer back to Kigali
Today after early breakfast, you will be transferred back to Kigali Airport making sure you check in 2 hours before departure time.
Accommodation for tonight is not inclusive in the program. If you want us to book one (or more) nights in Kigali, please let us know.
Journey Time: 2 hours
Accommodation: Not inclusive
Meal plan: Breakfast
Transfers
Your transfers are provided by a vehicle from the lodge. This is a 4wd mini bus
Dates
This is a private tour, departure can be organised for anytime throughout the year subject to the availability of accommodation and transport.
Accommodation
The bookings with the hotels mentioned in the program depend on availability. Reservations will only be made after your booking.
In case the mentioned hotels are not available during the requested period, we will do our best to book a hotel in the same class for you- of course after consulting you.
Gorilla and chimp permits
It is not possible to ‘reserve’ gorilla and chimpanzee permits. Therefore we can only buy them after your booking and down-payment and it all depends on availability.Transport
Our standard offering for mid-range tours is a 4wd safari van with a pop-up roof for easy safari viewing. All clients will have a dedicated window seat. Your professional driver/guide will be at your disposal for questions or translations.
Tour Package Including:
- Transport in a 4WD minivan with pop-up roof for excellent safari view;
- All fuel for the tour;
- English speaking Ugandan driver/guide;
- Accommodation as listed in the program;
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Packed lunch for the gorilla tracking;
- Park-entrance fees according to the program;
- All activities described in the itinerary;
- 1 gorilla permit per person (a US$ 750 value).
Excluding:
- International air fares and entry visa Uganda
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation;
- A porter for during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack);
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance;
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc;
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)
This tour can be tailor made to suit budget and luxury travellers
Important:
Please note the gorilla tracking in this itinerary can be done in Bwindi and or Mgahinga national parks
Gorilla tracking is dependant on the permits availability at the time of your booking. Gorilla permits in all parks are on a very high demand and we advise that you book them as early as possible.
Inquire now for rates
When you book your trip with Gorilla Link Tours to any of our destinations, Gorilla Link Tours will donate US$ 5 per person to persons with Albinism.