A unique opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda twice. Led by experienced gorilla trackers and guides, this safari will take you face to face with several habituated gorilla families, giving you the chance to observe the behaviour of these captivating creatures in their natural environment. Continue your primate odyssey by tracking golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.
You will have the unique experience of being accompanied on one of your gorilla treks by the Gorilla Doctors to learn more about the challenges of protecting and conserving this species.
Stay at the most community and eco-focussed lodge in Rwanda.
Day 1: Arrive Kigali
Upon arrival you will be met by your private guide and driven to the Kigali Serena. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and start thinking about the adventures that lay before you.
Day 2: Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
This morning, you have the chance to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. After lunch, you travel north 2.5 hours to Ruhengeri and the Volcanoes National Park. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a talk with the Gorilla Doctors.
Day 3: Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park with the Gorilla Doctors
An extra special day of gorilla tracking as you are accompanied by a member of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (Gorilla Doctors)! The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to either one of ten habituated family groups. An early breakfast and you’re off to the park headquarters at Kinigi to register and be allocated your gorilla family for today. Having a member of the Gorilla Doctors on your trek will allow you to learn more about their everyday experiences and challenges as the work to protect the mountain gorillas. In the afternoon, if time and weather permits, you will be able to visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, or the local markets in the town of Musanze.
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trek
Golden monkeys, also known as blue monkeys, are a local subspecies of the Sykes monkey, endemic to Volcanoes National Park and known for being cheeky, playful and inquisitive. After your trek, in the afternoon, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Centre in Musanze.
Day 5: Second Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park
Your final day of gorilla tracking! An early start to make your way to the park headquarters where you are assigned a ranger and a gorilla group. Return to the lodge later in the afternoon to relax, have a hot shower or massage and reflect on the day’s activities.
Day 6: Volcanoes National Park - Depart Kigali
Please note that check out is this morning. Enjoy breakfast and spend your morning at leisure at your lodge. Following lunch, drive back to Kigali and transfer to Kigali International Airport in time to check in for your flight home.
The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to either one of ten habituated family groups. The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany you on your gorilla tracking, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts. Tracking the gorillas can take anything from 4-8 hours in lush green, steep, muddy, terrain! It is, however, the experience of a lifetime... coming across these amiable primates in their natural surroundings is quite awe-inspiring as you watch them go about their daily lives, playing, grooming and eating!
