Itinerary
Rwanda Gorilla Express
Day 01: Arrival in Kigali
Day 02: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes NP
Day 03: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Kigali for departure
For those in rush to see the gorillas of Rwanda! Organized for those with limited time and with an urge to meet the mountain gorillas.
The Gorilla Express makes it easy to combine your gorilla experience with another safari in East Africa. Rwanda has excellent international flight connections! Including direct flights to other National Parks in East-Africa!
Parks & Places:
Discover Kigali
Discover Volcanoes National Park
Special interest:
The Virunga Gorilla Experience
Habituation of Primates: what does it mean?
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION:
BUDGET (**): Hotel Chez Lando & Mountain Gorilla View Lodge,
MIDRANGE (***): Hotel des Mille Collines & Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.
HIGH-END (****): Kigali Serena Hotel & One & Only Gorilla’s Nest.
More information on Rwanda Recommended Accommodations
ROAD MAP (Estimates):
Kigali – Musanze: 105Kms - 2h30
Musanze – Kigali: 105kms - 2h30
HELICOPTER TRANSFERS (Estimates):
Kigali Airport - Musanze: 30 min.
Day 01: Arrival in Kigali
Day 02: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes NP
Day 03: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Kigali for departure
On your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by our our driver-guide who will transfer you to your hotel.
Dinner & overnight at your accommodation
Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is near the nation's geographic centre in a region of rolling hills, with a series of valleys and ridges joined by steep slopes. It is a very clean and attractive city despite its dark past. A drive through the city is very refreshing and very well-lit at night.
Your driver-guide will pick you up from your accommodation and together you will go on a city tour. We propose that you visit the Genocide Memorial centre.
Situated on the outskirts of the city, the centre commemorates the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis. It serves as well as a burial site for over 250,000 and gives insight into the planning, execution and aftermath of the genocide. It also serves as a learning centre about genocides that have taken place the world over. This visit may be quite depressing but it serves to show the visitor where the country has come from.
You will continue your city tour at a local market or art centre depending on your interest. Thereafter, you will have a hot lunch at a local restaurant and then drive to Musanze. Enjoy the views as you drive through the hills and valleys. If you would like, you may stop for photos.
On arrival, you will be checked into your accommodation for the night and then go visit the Iby’ Iwacu Cultural village. The purpose of this visit is to demonstrate the rich culture and lifestyle of the Rwandan people. During the visit, you get to meet the local people in their traditional environment. You will also embark on a banana brewing process, pottery, meet the traditional healer and of course the spectacular dance performance.
Dinner & overnight at your accommodation
After breakfast you will report at the Park headquarters where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the greatest animal experience ever. The day starts with briefing at the park headquarters. Once you have been assigned the gorilla family that you will visit, you then set off with your driver-guide to the starting point.
Gorilla trekking is a very unforgettable experience. The hike through the bamboo forest may take between 30 minutes to 2 hours. You are encouraged to hire a porter who will be help you carry your backpack and offer you a hand when the trail gets a littler slippery or steep. Porters are sourced from the neighboring communities and by hiring one, you are contributing to their life.
See here the Magic Safaris Video
An encounter with the largest living primate is both frightening and breathtaking. You are only allowed 1 hour with them. You observe them as they groom, play and feed.
On return from the activity, you will join your driver-guide for the drive back to Kigali. Your drive-guide will drop you off at the airport in time for your flight.
This is the end of what has been a memorable tour of the country of a thousand hills!
This safari idea can be tailor-made to create a unique holiday for you. With our intimate knowledge of both Rwanda and Uganda, we look forward to designing and organizing a personalised and memorable holiday.
Contact us for a free quoteThe Tour package includes: Return ticket for domestic flight, Airport transfers, accommodation, all meals, plenty of mineral water, the services of a driver-guide, all park and entry fees, all activities as per programme: Kigali city tour and 1 gorilla trek.
It Excludes: International airline ticket, beverages, tips, visas and personal expenses.
What to bring with you? Money for your personal expenses, outfit with adapted colours for wildlife observation, good walking shoes, raingear, a few long-sleeve shirts, slippers, sweater for cool evenings, sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sun cream, video/photo camera, a 200 mm or longer telepholens is very usefull, reserve batteries, films and a torch.