3-day Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Mountain gorilla trekking is a unique and exhilarating wildlife experience that involves tracking and observing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.  The trekking adventure typically starts early in the morning with a group of visitors accompanied by trained guides and trackers. Before the trek, visitors receive a briefing on the guidelines and rules to ensure the safety and well-being of the gorillas and their habitat. Treks can vary in length and difficulty as the gorilla families’ locations change daily.

The Mountain Gorilla is only found on the mountains of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and are listed as one of the top 10 most endangered species on Earth. There are approximately 350 gorillas in the Volcano and Virunga Mountains of Rwanda and Congo and another separate group of approximately 300 in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. No Mountain Gorillas are living outside of their native mountain forest home or in captivity.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of endangered mountain gorillas in Africa. The organization was founded in 1978 by Dian Fossey, an American primatologist, who dedicated her life to studying and safeguarding the gorillas in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains.

Ellen DeGeneres has used her platform on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to raise awareness about the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and its conservation efforts. Through her show, she has encouraged her audience to contribute to the cause and support the protection of mountain gorillas and their habitats in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

Highlights

  • Kigali
  • Volcanoes National Park
  • Rwanda

Tour Summary

Full Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1 : Volcanoes National Park

On arrival into Kigali International Airport, you will be met by a representative holding a sign-board with your name on it.  For those arriving early, you have the opportunity visit the genocide memorial museum.  Have lunch in Kigali before embarking on your journey to Ruhengeri, the location of the Volcanoes National Park.

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Day 2 : Volcanoes National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts with the gorillas. You will then be allocated the gorilla group to track.  Your guide/driver will drive you up to the starting point of the gorilla tracking group allocated.  Tracking the gorillas may take between 1 to 6 hours, and depends on the group you track and their movements.  Once you find the gorillas, a maximum of one hour is allowed to stay with them before descending back to the starting point. On descent, you will meet your driver/guide and drive back to your lodge.

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Day 3 : Departure

After a relaxing breakfast, you will set off back to Kigali stopping by market places, en-route. Lunch in Kigali and later transfer to Kigali International Airport to check in for your onward flight.

 

Included

Airport meet/greet and transfers
Accommodation on full board basis
Transfers in 4WD vehicle with guaranteed window seat
English speaking driver
Mineral water in the vehicle and during the tracking

Excluded

Gorilla permit(s) – US$ 1,500 per permit, per trek
International Flights
Gratuities
Items of a personal nature
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Travel Insurance
Optional excursions from lodge / hotel
Visa
Increases in park fees, government taxes and levies and fuel surcharges

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