5-day Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Trek

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 : Kigali

On arrival at Kigali, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

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Day 2 : Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up.  You will visit the Genocide memorial and later have lunch.  After lunch, you will drive up to Volcanoes National Park.   If there is time, you will visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fosse Gorilla Fund.  If you are short on time today, your guide will include it within the next day, or two.

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Day 3 : Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trek 1 - Begin your gorilla trek in the early morning and set off into the tangled and mist-shrouded forests with guides and trackers who are very experienced at locating the gorillas by finding the nest the family had used the previous night. Watching gorillas in their natural habitat is a memory that will last a lifetime. The experienced ranger guides will willingly share with you a lot of information about the history and lifestyle of the Gorillas. After spending an hour with the gorillas, we head back to the lodge and relax.

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Day 4 : Volcanoes National Park

Embark on a second Gorilla Trek or trek the Golden Monkeys.

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Day 5 : Departure

After breakfast, return to Kigali to connect with your onward international flight.

Included

Accommodation as mentioned
Transfer by 4×4 vehicle
Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fosse Gorilla Fund
Experienced with an English-speaking driver
Mineral water in the vehicle and during the trekking

Excluded

International Flights
Travel Insurance
Visa Fees
Gratuities
Drinks, meals and other activities not mentioned