Today you shall be picked up from Kigali at 8am and depart for Musanze in the north of Rwanda. The journey from Kigali to Musanze/Volcanoes National Park is about 2 hours of driving, and it is a scenic trip as you will enjoy the dramatic landscape of lush rolling hills – you will see why Rwanda is called the land of a thousand hills. You will check into your room and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Optional tour activities:

On this day, you can also do one or two of the following exciting activities:

• Canoe trip on River Mukungwa (with Kingfisher Journeys): The half day (3 – 4 hour) canoe trip  on river Mukungwa which flows through the foothills of the Virunga Mountains is a perfect way to explore the lush countryside near the Virungas and get to enjoy the stunning scenery and great views of the rolling landscape, while also getting an insight into the life of the local people in rural Rwanda. For the keen birder there are lots of birds to record as you ride along the river.
• Visit the Twin Lakes (Burera and Ruhondo): The two beautiful lakes located near each other are located in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains , and the 1 hour boat/canoe ride on the lake Burera is enjoyable with stunning scenery of the lush rolling hills with the backdrop of the Virunga mountains.
• Cultural experience at the Gorilla Guardians Village: This village largely run by former poachers offers a taste of several Rwandan cultures and traditions. You will be treated to presentations of Rwandan cultural and traditional practices including a traditional dance performance, royal marriage ceremony, old hunting techniques, etc… This is a short tour, so in addition you can do one more of the optional activities above.
• Kigali City tour: Alternatively, before setting off to the gorillas in the north of Rwanda you can do a half day tour of Kigali City starting from 1am to 12pm, visiting some iconic places, museums, local markets, art galleries, nature reserves, etc… depending on your interest. You would then have lunch  in Kigali and thereafter leave for Volcanoes National Park.

Accommodation options to choose from:

Budget: Isange Paradise Resort

Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Upmarket/Upper-midrange: Amakoro Songa Lodge

Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

After early breakfast, you will transfer to the park office in Kinigi by 7am. Meet the park guides for the allocation of the gorilla groups.  There are 12 habituated gorilla groups available for the tracking adventure and no more than 8 people can be allocated for each gorilla group.

The park guides shall brief you about the gorilla trekking etiquette and thereafter you shall drive to the park boundary where you start trekking into the jungle to find the gorillas. The time taken to find the gorillas is 2 to 3 hours, but can take less or more depending how the gorillas move while feeding. You will hike along a relatively steep forested mountain which can be challenging if not fit.  Some porters will be found at the park boundary for hire at $10 each and these can carry your backpack and may provide a push or pull if you meet a challenging spot. For the elderly or handicapped who are not able to trek a “royal stretcher” is provided (at $300) in which one is lifted to and from the gorillas.

When you find the gorillas you will be allowed only 1 hour to watch them and follow them, after which you shall climb back to meet your driver and transfer to the lodge to refresh, check out and drive back to Kigali.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch