Rwanda

This 2-day Rwanda gorilla safari packs in gorilla trekking, cultural encounters, and historical insights—from the misty slopes of Volcanoes National Park to Kigali’s poignant genocide memorial and the scenic Twin Lakes region.

What to Expect

• 🦍 1-hour mountain gorilla encounter in Volcanoes NP
• 🕊️ Kigali Genocide Memorial visit (UNESCO Memory of the World)
• 🌊 Twin Lakes exploration (Burera & Ruhondo)
• 👨👩👧👦 Community visit with local artisans
• 🏔️ Stunning Virunga volcano views

Key Notes

✔️ Best Time: June–September or December–February (dry seasons)
✔️ Fitness Level: Moderate (trekking at high altitude)
✔️ Packing Essentials:

• Waterproof hiking boots
• Layers for changing mountain weather
• Gardening gloves (for vegetation)
• Camera with zoom lens (no flash)

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1: Kigali to Musanze

Morning: Kigali City Tour

• Visit: Kigali Genocide Memorial
• Explore: Local craft markets
• Lunch: Repub Lounge (Rwandan fusion cuisine)

Begin with a moving tribute at the genocide memorial, where exhibits honor the 1994 tragedy. Browse vibrant craft markets for handmade baskets before heading north.

Afternoon: Scenic Transfer

• Drive: 2.5 hours to Musanze
• Stop: Twin Lakes viewpoint (photo op)
• Activity: Community visit (Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village)

Wind through Rwanda’s "Land of a Thousand Hills," pausing at the turquoise Twin Lakes. Engage with locals at a cultural village to learn traditional dance, basket weaving, and banana beer brewing.

Evening: Lodge Check-In

• Dinner: At lodge (organic garden-to-table meals)
• Stay: Five Volcanoes Lodge (luxury) or Amakoro Songa (mid-range)

Unwind with volcano views from your lodge, savoring dishes made from hyper-local ingredients like plantains and freshwater fish.

Accommodation: Mountain-view lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Return

Pre-Dawn Preparation

• 5:30 AM: Breakfast
• 6:00 AM: Drive to park headquarters
• 7:00 AM: Gorilla briefing & group assignment

Fuel up with strong Rwandan coffee before meeting park rangers. You’ll join a small group (max 8) assigned to one of 12 habituated gorilla families.

Morning: Gorilla Trek

• Trek Duration: 1–6 hours (varies by family location)
• Altitude: 2,500–4,000m
• Wildlife: May spot golden monkeys en route

Follow rangers through bamboo forests, listening for gorilla calls. When you find them, observe juveniles play-fighting and silverbacks feasting on wild celery—all just meters away.

Midday: Post-Trek Celebrations

• Certificate: Receive gorilla trekking diploma
• Lunch: Lodge farewell meal
• Return: 3-hour drive to Kigali (arrive by 5 PM)

Share trekking stories over lunch before returning to Kigali, with time for last-minute souvenir shopping at Caplaki Craft Village.

Accommodation: N/A (End of tour)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

✅ Included

• Gorilla permit
• Accommodation
• Full-time English speaking guide
• Full board Accommodation
• Transportation
• Visits to the Batwa and local community
• Bottled drinking water.

❌ Excluded

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Drinks / alcoholic drinks / additional meals
• Tips
• Activities not part of the described program
• International travel insurance
• Items of personal nature / souvenirs

PLEASE NOTE

The safari indicated here is essentially an offer. Changes in the course of the journey, the duration of your tour, the number of travelers, as well as the choice of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavor to stick as closely as possible to this program. For the majority of itineraries, we can offer luxury, mid range or budget versions of this safari upon request.

Sometimes it is not possible to adhere to the travel plan as described in this itinerary, due to weather and road conditions, authority regulations, organizational requirements, etc. Occasionally, the planned route of the tour has to change according to the situation on the ground. We must therefore explicitly refuse liability for adherence to the journey plan.