Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Extension

Welcome to Rwanda! On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.

Today begins with a tour of the vibrant city of Kigali. You will visit the Genocide Memorial and Museum’ where you’ll have a private lecturer explain how the country has been able to rise from its dark history since 1994, when 800,000 people were killed in just a few weeks.

This afternoon, depart Kigali for a two-hour drive to Kinigi and the entrance to Volcanoes National Park, home of the silverback mountain gorilla. Spend the next few nights at either Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (classic) or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (luxury), both just 15 minutes away from the entrance to the national park.

The Volcanoes Park of Rwanda is home to a small population of mountain gorillas. Some of the local gorilla families have been habituated to human presence over the past 20 years and it is possible to spend a short amount of time with them in their natural habitat.

This morning you’ll meet with your local guides who will educate you about the family you’ll be visiting and the proper way to respectfully interact. It is critical that under no circumstances are the gorillas to be touched by humans or visited by anyone with a cold or illness. This is to protect these endangered animals from diseases. Your trek may take up to eight hours but your guide will lead the way to where the trackers have located the animals. Often, your trek will take you over 7,500 feet without a trail which means rough and slippery terrain. The hike will be physically demanding, but getting to see these magnificent creatures is very much worth every step. Be prepared for rain at all times, have your camera at the ready and try to savor the time you get to spend with these amazing animals.

You have the option for a second gorilla trek or you can opt for Golden Monkey trekking instead. This afternoon return by road approximately two hours to Kigali in time for your evening departure.