4 Days Gorilla Trekking and Dian Fossey Tomb Hike

Dian Fossey and the mountain gorillas-gorilla beringei seemed to be one as she carried out research in the forest for over a period of 18 years doing her research in the wilderness, the Volcanoes National Park was made famous because of her, the protection of Mountain gorilla species is admirable to date since her initiation, it is unfortunate that the American primatologist died an unknown death to date, the Volcanoes National Park is situated in the northern part of Rwanda, one of the oldest ecosystems of Africa. Our 4 Days Gorilla Trekking and Dian Fossey Tomb Hike will take you to explore the best of the park.

Introduction

Start	Accommodation	Type	Destination	Basis	Duration
Day 1	One & Only Gorilla’s Nest		Volcanoes National Park	FB	3 Nights
	→ Governors’ Camp Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge	alternate

Key
B&B: Bed and Breakfast
FB: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Included

Airport and inter-hotel transfers from day 1 to the last day.
• All activities as highlighted in the itinerary.
• 2 Nights at Volcanoes National Park.
• 1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 1500.-)
• Dian Fossey Hike.
• Exclusive use of a private safari land cruiser 4×4
•Services of a professional, experienced English-speaking driver guide.
•Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.
•Village/ Cultural Visit to Volcanoes.
•Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour.
•All government taxes.
•Our assistance.

Excluded

International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,
All extra activities, visits, entrances, and extra meals/drinks are not mentioned in the itinerary.
Entry visa fees,
Optional extras whilst in Kigali.
Drinks throughout the trip,
Tips and gratuities,
Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.

Day 1: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, and set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience face to face encounters with these intriguing creatures. Regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, with the beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke being a particular highlight. Make sure to visit the fascinating Karisoke Research Centre and the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey.

Day Itinerary

0900: Pick up from Kigali International Airport
0915: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
1230: Arrival at your lodge for your check-in.
1300: Lunch for the day.
1530: Afternoon relaxation at the Lodge.
1800: Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Overnight: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest

Cushioned in the foothills of the breathtaking Virunga Volcano range, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest makes the magical possible as you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime, personal encounter with the rare and majestic mountain gorilla, roaming free in its own natural habitat. Offering an exclusive front-row seat to the world’s most popular mountain gorilla sanctuary. You’ll be captivated as exotic colourful birds and one of the planet’s greatest array of primate species flourish before your eyes and welcome you into their world. Then retreat to your own world, a spectacular modern haven, where every creature comfort is yours to behold. An all-inclusive resort, guests can look forward to savoring locally inspired dishes and taking part in two complimentary daily on-resort experiences.

Alternate: Governors’ Camp Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge comprises six cottages, two suites, one family cottage. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms finished with Venetian plaster a dressing room and a sheltered veranda. Heat exchangers in the fireplaces provide a plentiful supply of hot water. The family cottage comprises two independent ensuite rooms connected by a shared verandah. The main lodge building comprises reception, sitting room with snug area, dining room, library / games room, a responsible tourism / community awareness room, shop and bathrooms. Three large fireplaces provide warmth and all rooms are finished with a polished wooden floor. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views to the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding lowland farmland.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 2: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Day Itinerary

0600: Breakfast and report to the park headquarters.
0800: Start the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
1200: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
1230: Lunch at a nearby facility before heading back to your lodge.
1500: Visit Iby’ Iwacu cultural village.
1800: Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Activities

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some taking the better part of the day.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Offering an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime as you home stay with the community and become part of their family

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Day Itinerary

0600: Breakfast and report to the park headquarters.
0800: Start and ready for Dian Fossey Hike in Volcanoes National Park.
1300: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
1330: Lunch at a nearby facility before heading back to your lodge.
1500: Relaxation for the rest of your day.
1800: Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Expert Tips

Second Gorilla trekking – Visiting another gorilla family.

Activities

Volcanoes National Park Dian Fossey Tomb Tour

Volcano National Park Dian Fossey Tomb Tour is located in Rwanda, Africa. The historic location was the home and research facility of primatologist Dian Fossey. Visitors can trek through the forest to reach the location, taking in the spectacular views. The trekking tour is about 1.5 hours long and visitors will see wildlife such as birds, forest hogs, forest elephants and a variety of primates.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

0800: Breakfast in the morning.
0900: Drive and return to Kigali.
1130: Arrival in Kigali.
1200: Lunch in Kigali.
1400: Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.
1500: Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight.
TBA: Flight time departing Kigali. End of service.

Activities

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum

The memorial hosts a tour which is transparent and educational but very sombre and humbling when guests realise that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.

Basis

Breakfast and Lunch

Transport

Transfers

Date	Company	Pick Up	Drop Off	Time	Vehicle
		Kigali International Airport [KGL]	One & Only Gorilla’s Nest		Transfer
		One & Only Gorilla’s Nest	Kigali International Airport [KGL]		Transfer

4 Days Gorilla Trekking and Dian Fossey Tomb Hike Highlights include:-

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity to discover the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well-trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some take the better part of the day.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.

Offering an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime as you homestay with the community and become part of their family.

Volcanoes National Park Dian Fossey Tomb Tour

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum.

Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The center is extremely moving, challenging, educational, and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy, and successful rebuilding post-genocide. The memorial hosts a tour that is transparent and educational but very somber and humbling when guests realize that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.

Selected lodges to stay at during the 4 Days Gorilla Trekking and Dian Fossey Tomb Hike:-

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge.

Cushioned in the foothills of the breathtaking Virunga Volcano range, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest makes the magical possible as you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime, personal encounter with the rare and majestic mountain gorilla, roaming free in its own natural habitat. Offering an exclusive front-row seat to the world’s most popular mountain gorilla sanctuary. You’ll be captivated as exotic colorful birds and one of the planet’s greatest array of primate species flourish before your eyes and welcome you into their world. Then retreat to your own world, a spectacular modern haven, where every creature’s comfort is yours to behold. In an all-inclusive resort, guests can look forward to savoring locally inspired dishes and taking part in two complimentary daily on-resort experiences.

Governors’ Camp Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.

Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge comprises six cottages, two suites, and one family cottage. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms finished with Venetian plaster a dressing room, and a sheltered veranda. Heat exchangers in the fireplaces provide a plentiful supply of hot water. The family cottage comprises two independent ensuite rooms connected by a shared verandah. The main lodge building comprises a reception, a sitting room with a snug area, a dining room, a library/games room, a responsible tourism/community awareness room, a shop, and bathrooms. Three large fireplaces provide warmth and all rooms are finished with a polished wooden floor. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding lowland farmland.