The 2-day gorilla trekking safari in the Volcanoes National Park will begin in Kigali city or at the airport and include a city tour of the city’s top sights, such as the Kigali Museum, memorials to the genocide, art galleries, and more. The safari will begin and end in the capital of Kigali.

The Volcanoes national park once encompassed the entire territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When Dian Fossey built her base in the park in 1967, it became well-known throughout the world. The renowned primatologist established her gorilla research center between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke after leaving the Congo for safety purposes. To safeguard the mountain gorillas, Dian Fossey put in a lot of effort. Although poaching was rampant in the park, she battled with the poachers tenaciously through her campaigns and fundraising efforts. In 1985, Fossey was assassinated in her bedroom by those who were allegedly making money from illegal hunting.

Along with a few of her favored gorillas, she is laid in a tomb at her former research facility. It is Dian Fossey who is recognized for making important discoveries about mountain gorillas. Massive killing would likely have killed off mountain gorillas in the absence of her efforts. Fossey figured out how to get the gorillas used to being around people, which opened the door for what is known as gorilla tourism. Limited poaching and the 1994 civil conflict continued to endanger the gorillas following Fossey’s passing. The necessity to safeguard mountain gorillas was, nevertheless, well known at this point.

Even though Rwandan gorilla tours are more expensive, many tourists still pick the park due to its proximity to Kigali, the country’s capital. Safari reservations have been said to be simpler in Rwanda by certain tourists. Some people also assert that Rwanda’s roads are preferable and that it is simpler to locate gorillas there. Its superiority to the parks in Uganda and DR Congo may be primarily due to its ease of access.

The safari highlights will include a visit to Kigali’s top sights and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park

Day 1: Visit Kigali’s main center before heading to Volcanoes National Park

Early in the morning, a guide will pick you up from your hotel or airport to start your gorilla trip. The first thing to do is take a tour around Kigali. To understand more about the 1994 genocide, you will travel to the well-known Kigali Gisozi genocide war memorial site. The King’s palace and other noteworthy locations will be visited after that. After lunch, begin the two to a three-hour trip to the volcanoes national park. Enjoy the scenic, mountainous, and lush scenery as you travel; you’ll realize that Rwanda is truly the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Departure.

Wake up really early, and while you’re waiting for our guide, have a short breakfast. You will be taken to the Kinigi park administrative building for a gorilla trekking introduction. The purpose of this briefing is to inform you of the guidelines for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. You will have the option of hiring a porter and choosing one of the 10 habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda.

After that is complete, you, your porter, and the park rangers will start tracking the gorilla group. The duration of the activity may range from one hour to five hours, depending on where your specific gorilla group is located. Take as many pictures of the gorilla group as you can once you see them. Follow your guide’s instructions and maintain your composure even if a gorilla family member approaches you.

You will return to the starting point when your hour is up, where our guide will be ready to drive you back to the lodge for lunch and a rest. The guide will pick you up later in the day and take you to the airport or accommodation in Kigali. You can also check out our 1-day tour to volcanoes national park if you have a short stay and yet you would like to experience gorilla trekking in Rwanda.