For your ultimate gorilla safaris in Congo and gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda, this 6 days gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Congo will give you the chance to explore Kahuzi Biega National Park and Volcanoes National Park, all found within the Virunga mountain ranges. With gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you will get to access the eastern lowland gorillas in Africa, which are a unique gorilla species quite different from the mountain gorillas that can be seen when you participate in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Combining both safaris will give you the chance to experience two different gorilla types, and at the end of the experiences, you will get to differentiate the two as you explore both national parks for a memorable Rwanda safari and Congo safari. Continue with the detailed itinerary below for a rewarding gorilla trekking experience in Africa.
Highlights of your safari
Day 1: Pick-up from Kigali Rwanda and cross to Bukavu
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking in Congo
Day 3: Transfer back to Kigali
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Day 6: Dian Fossey Museum and departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up from Kigali Rwanda and cross to Bukavu
Depending on your location in Kigali, our company representative-guide/driver will pick you up and transfer you to Kahuzi Biega National Park. While making your way to the park, you will watch the rolling hills in Rusizi with stopovers for lunch and a refreshing break. Cross through Cyangugu border to Bukavu town in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On arrival in Bukavu, the nearest town to Kahuzi Biega National Park, you will advance to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Panorama
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking in Congo
After enjoying your breakfast at the lodge, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about the Eastern lowland gorillas and gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, and the rules and regulations to follow. After the session, you will then set off to search for the lowland gorillas in the valleys of Kahuzi as you encounter different mammals, birds, and primates. The experience will take between 1-6 hours experience of the jungle, depending on the gorilla movement. You will watch them interact/play with each other as you take photos and videos. You will then descend back and meet up with your driver to drive back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay at Panorama Hotel.
Day 3: Transfer back to Kigali
After an early morning breakfast, head back to Kigali city. It’s a 7-hour’ drive passing through Nyungwe national park again, en route visit to the King’s palace in Nyanza and Butare national museum before proceeding to Kigali with lunch en route, connect to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Des Mille Collines.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After an early morning breakfast, your guide will transfer to Volcanoes National Park, where you will arrive in time to participate in Ibyi’wacu cultural village tour. Have a guided walk around the village at the different sites that exhibit the different aspects of the people of at the village to have an insight into the interesting features of the culture of the people of Rwanda. By visiting Ibyiwacu cultural village get to see a medicine man who is mixing a number of herbs that were used to cure a number of diseases like barrenness and impotence, stomach upsets, fever and many more. If you’re interested, you can also get involved in mixing the herbs, which will give you an authentic experience. After the experience head to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Tiloreza (mid-range) Amikus hotel (budget)
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel. our guide will meet you after having your breakfast and your lunches packed and he will take you to Kinigi Headquarters, where you are expected to be given a brief before starting the gorilla trek. This brief is done at 7 am. You are given guidelines during this brief before you are allowed to start the trek. This gorilla trek can take anywhere from 2 hours to half a day as it’s unpredictable. When you finally find the gorillas, you will have to maintain a 7-meter’ distance, and you are allowed one hour to admire and take photos of the gorillas. During the time you spend with the gorillas you will get the opportunity to understand a number of their rewarding features like how they co-exist with one another, you will get to watch the duty of the dominant silverback whose role is to mate with the adult females to increase the members of the family, raid other gorilla families for their members, you will watch the juveniles grooming one another for a rewarding safari experience. After the trek, you will then make your way back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay as the night before.
Day 6: Dian Fossey Museum and departure
Dian Fossey museum visit, where you will spend about 2 hours learning about the famous gorilla lady with artifacts that belonged to her along with an impression of the Virunga ranges. This is a thrilling walk through the museum. Connect back to Kigali for lunch, and if you have more time, you may visit the Kimironko market to purchase some local souvenirs for the people back home and also get to interact with the community. Drop Off: You will be dropped off at your agreed location in Kigali, which will mark the end of your 6 days Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Congo.
Note that your Rwanda Visa expires immediately you cross into Congo so you will have to reapply for another while at the border and find it ready after the tour.
Quote includes:
- Pick-up and drop off Kigali
- Lowland gorilla permit
- Congo Visa
- English/ French speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation and meals as described in the itinerary
- 4X4 safari vehicle and Fuel.
- Bottled mineral water in the car
Quote excludes:
- International flights fees
- Rwanda and Uganda Visa
- Porters and walking sticks for trekking
- Tourist visa fees for Rwanda
- Items of a personal nature like Laundry, Telephone calls, and luxury drinks, among others.
- Tips and gratuities to service providers
- Any other item not mentioned in the itinerary and extra costs not included in the itinerary
