5 Days Volcanoes and Virunga gorilla trekking safari tour (Rwanda Congo Gorilla trekking safari tour)

5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour is one of the best combined Rwanda and Congo gorilla safari that takes on an adventure to trek endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Congo to compare the difference between 2 gorilla trekking destinations in East Africa. Virunga national park is the oldest park in East Africa situated in Democratic Republic of Congo basically known as a home to the endangered mountain gorillas and volcanoes. On the other hand, Volcanoes national park is one of the best destination in Rwanda known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas as well as volcanoes. This 5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour starts and ends in Kigali.

5 Days Volcanoes and Virunga gorilla trekking safari tour

Highlights of 5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour

  • Day 1: Kigali pick up and transfer to volcanoes national park 
  • Day 2: Rwanda Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park and cultural tour
  • Day 3: Transfer from Volcanoes national park to Virunga national park
  • Day 4: Congo Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
  • Day 5: Drive back to Kigali for departures

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Kigali pick up and transfer from volcanoes national park 

Transfer to Volcanoes national park: On day 1 of 5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour, our company representative will be ready to pick you up from your preferred location in Kigali either at a hotel or at the airport.  Start the journey heading to Volcanoes national park while briefing you about this 5 days adventure in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Expect to arrive in Ruhengeri in time for lunch where you will visit the pack management to obtain your gorilla trekking permits and head to the lodge for lunch. Spend your evening at relaxation awaiting dinner and overnight. 

Meal plan: lunch and dinner

Day 2: Rwanda gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park

Rwanda gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park and evening cultural tour: After breakfast on day 2 of 5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour, grab your backpack with all that you require while in the wilderness of volcanoes national park and be driven to Kiningi park headquarters for a pre gorilla trekking briefing by the rangers who are very knowledgeable about these primates. After briefing, you will be grouped into 8 persons and be allocated the gorilla family to trek then by 8:00am set off to start a straining walk in the forest but so rewarding as you will be encountering with several species of wildlife that dwell in the same forest with the endangered mountain gorillas. The entire trek is estimated to last between 2hours to 7 hours with just one hour of close interaction and viewing gorillas. Ensure that you utilize your one hour well, taking photographs and getting all the basic information you require about gorillas. After one hour, you will be led out of the forest to park headquarters for a gorilla trekking certificate then meet your safari driver and be returned to your lodge.

Cultural tour: Later in the evening, your safari driver will take you for a fascinating cultural tour in Ibyiwacu cultural village where you will enjoy a breath taking entertainment by the local Rwandese and also get to learn more about Rwandan culture, listen to their tales, and their conservation plans since most of them were once poachers but now also engage in conservation process to protect the endangered mountain gorillas from extinction. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest as you prepare for a transfer to virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo the next day.

Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Transfer from Volcanoes national park to Virunga national park

Transfer to Virunga national park: Enjoy your breakfast at the lodge on day 3 of 5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour, check out of the lodge and meet your safari driver for a drive from Volcanoes national park to Gisenyi Rwanda where you will proceed your journey to Virunga national park via Grande Barrie into Goma where you will then visit the tourism office to obtain Congo Visa and Gorilla trekking permit then join the Convoy to be driven to your lodge for check in, dinner and overnight. 

Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Congo Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park

Congo gorilla trekking in Virunga national park: On day 4 of 5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour, arise from your bed as early as possible, have breakfast and be transferred direct to Bukima police post where most of gorilla treks are conducted thus the major trail head for virunga gorilla trekking. While at Bukima police post, you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking and while in presence of gorillas. Ensure that you follow all the guideline and rules for safety purposes. After briefing, hire a porter and start the walk into the forest to search for habituated mountain gorillas while encountering with other wildlife species in the same park. As soon as you land of the allocated gorilla family, you have one hour of taking phots and watching the gorillas as they go on with their daily movements in the forest feeding, playing, copulating, breast feeding, grooming and sometimes fighting amongst themselves. Trail back to obtain your gorilla certificate and be returned to your lodge for a relaxed evening or you may enjoy an optional visit to Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage.

5 Days Volcanoes and Virunga gorilla trekking safari tour
irunga gorilla trekking safari tour

Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Drive back to Kigali for departures

Drive back to Kigali Rwanda departures: Wake up on a relaxed cup of coffee or anything served for breakfast on day 5 of 5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour then check out of your lodge and be transferred back to Congo Rwanda border where you will be picked by your safari driver and returned to Kigali Rwanda with an enroute lunch. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will enjoy Kigali city tour and finally be dropped at your communicated drop-off location.

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch

END OF 5 VOLCANOES AND VIRUNGA GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI TOUR

Inclusive in 5 days Volcanoes and Virunga Gorilla trekking safari tour

  • A 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Rwanda gorilla trekking permit
  • Congo gorilla trekking permit
  • Congo tourist visa
  • Rangers and Convoy
  • English / French speaking safari guide
  • Accommodations for 4 nights as per itinerary
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Enough bottled drinking water
  • All mentioned activities

Exclusive in 5 days Gorilla trekking safari tour

  • International travel expenses such as Visa and air ticket
  • Rwanda visa (once you crossover from Rwanda to Congo, you will require a new visa to enter back in Rwanda)
  • Porter 
  • Alcoholic drinks and other beverages
  • Laundry 
  • Life insurance
  • Additional accommodation
  • Optional activities
  • Tips 
  • All other expenses of personal nature
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