5 Days Rwanda & Congo Gorilla Trekking

5 Days Rwanda & Congo Gorilla Trekking is a short but combined gorilla tour that travelers can engage in when they want gorilla trekking in the 2 countries. Embark on this 5 days Congo and Rwanda gorilla safari in the amazing Virunga and Volcanoes national parks. Get to track two different gorilla families in two different gorilla destinations; Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Highlights of Tour Itinerary include Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Congo, Iby’iwacu Cultural Experience, Hike to Musanze caves (Optional), and a Half-day Kigali City tour.

Summary of the 5 Days Rwanda & Congo Gorilla Trekking

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’iwacu Cultural Tour.
Day 3: Transfer to Virunga National Park.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga.
Day 5: Transfer to Kigali and half-day City Tour.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

Transfer to Volcanoes: Following your arrival at Kigali International Airport, your guide will pick you up and drive you to Parc National Des Volcans/Volcanoes National Park; which is located in the north-western part of Rwanda. You will embark on a 2½ hour drive to Volcanoes National Park; located in Ruhengeri district, in Musanze town. You will then check into your lodge, have lunch and get a bit of rest.
Rwanda Cultural Tours: In the afternoon, you can opt to go on a Rwanda cultural tour to the nearby Iby’iwacu community. Get to experience the unique Rwanda cultures at first hand. You will get an opportunity to interact with the locals, learn about their cultural history and also be entertained by spectacular performances from the local dance group. Later return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’iwacu Cultural Tour.

Gorilla Trekking: This day marks the highlight of your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. Have an early morning breakfast and transfer to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi by 7 am. Upon your arrival in Volcanoes national park; you will be met by the park’s head ranger, who will brief you and give you guidelines to follow while tracking the gorillas and also when you are in their presence. You will then be placed into tracking groups, comprising 8 members per gorilla trekking group. Gorilla trekking activities in Volcanoes begin at exactly 8 am and you will be accompanied by armed park rangers, skilled guides, and porters, in case you have luggage to carry with you. Don’t forget to carry packed lunch with you on this day, because gorilla trekking can take between 2-7 hours, trying to locate the gorillas. Once the mountain gorillas have been located, you will get to spend only an hour with the majestic giants. Use this time well and do take as many photos as you wish; only bear in mind that your camera’s flash is disabled. After your amazing gorilla trekking experience, you will return to the park’s headquarters for your gorilla trekking certificate and then drive back to your lodge.
Iby’iwacu Cultural Experience: Later in the afternoon, you will drive to the Iby’iwacu village and get an insightful peek into the spectacular Rwandan culture. You will get to interact with the local people, see their day-to-day lifestyles and also watch dance performances from the local intore dance troupe. While there, you will get to learn of how most of the members of the Iby’iwacu village, were once poachers, who have been rehabilitated and now take part in conservation programs in the national park. You also have the option of hiking to the Musanze caves and exploring them. You will learn about the history of these caves and their cultural significance to Rwanda’s historical past. Later return to your lodge for dinner and accommodation.

Day 3: Transfer to Virunga National Park.

Transfer to Virunga: Have an early morning breakfast and embark on a road trip to Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While on your voyage, you will get to explore the remarkable views of the Virunga massif, vegetation, and Lake Kivu. You will cross into Congo via the Goma border at the Le Grande barrier and drive to Goma town. Here you will be escorted in a convoy provided by Virunga National Park. Upon your arrival in the national park, you will check into your lodge, have dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga.

Gorilla Trekking: This is the day you have been waiting for! Wake up early and have your breakfast before you proceed to the park’s headquarters. Depending on wish gorilla group you wish to track, your guide will drive you to either Mikeno or Bukima Visitor Centre, where all gorilla trekking activities begin. Just like in Rwanda, while at Virunga national park, you will be briefed first and then placed into groups of a maximum of 8 members per gorilla group. You will be escorted by armed park rangers, experienced guides, and porters if you wish to hire one. There are 8 habituated mountain gorilla groups in Virunga National Park and are available for tourists to track. Gorilla trekking activities in Virunga take between 2-4 hours, inclusive of an hour spent with the gorillas once they have been located. Gorilla trekking activities in Virunga national park don’t a lot of vigorous hiking activities and hence can be done by an adult. Get back to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Community Tour: Later in the afternoon, you can opt to go on a community tour to one of the neighboring village communities or visit the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage for those staying in Mikeno lodge. Later return back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali and half-day City Tour

Transfer to Kigali: This is day marks the end of what we hope was an amazing 5 Days Rwanda & Congo Gorilla Trekking tour.
City Tour: After having a relaxed breakfast, you will drive back to Kigali in Rwanda; and depending on departure flight time, you can have a half-day tour of Kigali City. During your Kigali city tour, you will visit some amazing cultural and historical places in the city like; Kigali genocide memorial center, camp Kigali, Nyamirambo women’s center and Caplaki craft village; where you can grab some souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones back home.

End of Tour the 5 Days Rwanda & Congo Gorilla Trekking tour

This tour package is inclusive of;

2 Gorilla trekking permits.
Park entrance fees
Accommodation and meals as per your itinerary
Congo tourist visa
Activities as per your itinerary
Mineral water
4×4 wheel drive safari vehicle
An English speaking tour guide.

This tour package excludes.

Rwanda tourist visa
International flight tickets
Alcoholic beverages and personal purchases.