Rwanda safaris are one that take you to the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, the big five game, the thousand hills and cultures so unique. This specific four days trip takes you to Volcanoes national park in the Virunga massif to trek the mountain gorillas and the beautiful golden monkeys. The trip also allows you visit the Iby’Iwacu cultural center for a cultural retreat with the Rwandan tribes.
Day 1: Arrival and travel to Volcanoes national park
Arriving at the airport, be received by our guiding expert, he will briefly take you through the whole trip as you drive to Volcanoes national park. Depending on the time of arrival, drive through Kigali city at your own pace you transfer to the park. This journey rewards you with amazing spectacles, the rolling hills of Rwanda, the green lush along the highway and the amazing people to and from their gardens or markets.
Day 2: Golden monkey trekking and Iby’Iwacu cultural center
Wake up to a cooling breeze and a delicious breakfast, head to the park headquarters for briefing about the dos and don’ts of golden monkey trekking. Now enter into the forest to look for the beautiful primates in the forest. Unlike gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking is a bit easier since the monkeys can stay in the same place for some time. On meeting them, you won’t need to be told, the forest just becomes so active, with monkeys jumping everywhere and some even coming so close to you. Spend one hour with the golden monkeys, watching them carry on their lives, and taking pictures of the moment.
In the afternoon after lunch you will visit the Iby’wacu cultural center. This is one stop center that exhibits all the three ethnic groups of Rwanda. Meet the Twa, Hutu and Tutsi people and cultures here. Enjoy traditional performances and the local cuisines. It’s simply worth an evening.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking
On this day, have an early breakfast and set out to the park headquarters for the gorilla trekking orientation by the local ranger guide. Here you will be told the dos and donts while trekking the gorillas. You will be divided into groups of eight trekkers; the maximum number of people to visit a gorilla family per day.
Now enter into the jungle just in the search of the mighty apes. Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park takes the trekkers to the thick forest, moving on a rugged terrain, and having to hold onto tree branches for support as you dodge the thorny trees. It’s a thrilling experience.
On meeting the apes, all the hustle now makes meaning, spending one full hour in the presence of the mighty gorillas is unexplained, and it’s a life time experience. Note that you can capture as many pictures if at all the camera has no flash. When the one hour elapses, slope back to the headquarters and to the lodge for lunch and relaxation as you wait for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Travel back to Kigali
Waking up will still be early, have breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel back to Kigali for your exit flight.
