Activities

Detailed Itinerary for the 2 Day Budget Gorilla Trek Rwanda

Day 1: Kigali - Volcanoes National Park

Our Rwanda safari rep will meet you at the airport. This can also be at your hotel in Kigali. Enjoy a briefing on the 2-day budget gorilla trek Rwanda. It is time to hit the road now. Enjoy a scenery filled transfer to Volcanoes National Park. 

The altitude at the Volcanoes National Park ranges from 2400km to 4,507. The forest is dominated by Volcanoes from where it got its name. The Volcanoes is well known to the outside world.  It is the place the American primatologist Dian Fossey under took her pioneering studies. 

For 20 years she studied mountain gorillas in this forest. You will arrive in time for lunch at your lodge. The afternoon will be spent at leisure. You may opt to visit the local villages. This is a way to interact and learn about their lifestyles.  

You may also opt for a nature walk in the forest. This will be at an extra fee. Your meals and accommodation will be at Kinigi Guest House.

About Volcanoes National Park

The Parc National des Volcans is a beautiful area of National Park in the north of Rwanda. It is a mountainous landscape comprised of a section of the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes. These are shared between Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

There are nine volcanoes (six extinct and three live). The highest peak of Karisimbi towering at an altitude of over 4500 metres.

The area is famous as one of the last natural refuges for Mountain Gorillas. There are many of the World’s remaining individuals are found here. They are trekked in families and there are 10 habituated Rwanda gorilla family groups.

The Park is also renowned as the setting for the work of the late primatologist Dian Fossey. In the late 1960s Dr Fossey set up Karisoke – a research centre to observe and study Mountain Gorillas. 

Intense study over thousands of hours enabled her to be trusted. She was accepted by the gorillas, which at that time numbered just 250. Her book “Gorillas in the Mist”, was the basis for the 1988 movie of the same title. This movie documented her work and tireless campaigning against poaching and habitat destruction. She continued this crusade in conservation until her mysterious death in 1985.

The dense vegetation and slopes of this mountainous rain forest provide a challenging trek. It is deemed less strenuous here than in the steeper landscape of other parks.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking, Parc National des Volcans

You will begin the 2 day budget gorilla trek Rwanda early. This is by waking up to an early breakfast. This will be followed by a transfer to ORTPN offices. Here you will be briefed on the day’s activities. There are the dos and don’ts one need to follow during trekking.  

You will be put in groups of 8 depending on your gorilla family. Every group will have a guide and an armed ranger. For those who would like the services of a porter, it is okay to get one.  It is time to set off into the forest for Gorilla trekking in Rwanda. This will be a thrilling trek through the refined foothills of the Virungas. 

The trek will provide you with inspiring views in all directions. Suddenly, the trail will enter into the national park. You will be engrossed in the strange closeness of the rain forest. The forest is alive with the calls of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey. You will be besieged with fresh spoor of elusive forest buffalo and elephant. You can see marvelous peaks through gaps in the forest canopy. 

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite strenuous but rewarding. This will be replicated once an encounter with these gentle giants is established. You will spend some time watching the gorillas. You will see the adults feeding their young ones. They will be feeding, grooming and resting among the forest canopy. Watch the youngsters play in the vines in a pleasurably display. 

After an hour’s encounter with the gorillas, it’s time to leave. Get back to your lodge for lunch. This will be followed by a departure to Kigali. You will be dropped off at the airport in time for your departure flight.

---------- End of 2 Day Budget Gorilla Trek Rwanda ----------

2 Days Budget Gorilla Trek Rwanda Costs

The 2 Day Budget Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda cost includes

• Accommodation with meals as per program
• Bottled water
• Customized safari-vehicle
• Gorilla permit
• An English speaking guide
• 1 X Rwanda gorilla permit
• Government taxes
• Lots of fun and African sunshine

The 2 Day Budget Gorilla Trek Rwanda cost does not include

• Items of personal use
• All drinks, beverages and alcohol other than what is served at breakfast
• Deviation from the Itinerary
• Visa
• Tips and porterage
• Insurance

What you carry for your 2 Day Budget Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda :

• Sun glasses
• Camera gear
• Heavy and light clothes
• Sturdy hiking boots