This 2 Days Rwanda gorilla tour is a short trip aimed at trekking gorillas in Volcanoes national park. This tour is specifically designed for travellers with limited time or on a small budget but would love to see the gorillas. It also includes a cultural experience at near the park. Mountain gorillas are one of the largest and most powerful living primates that can eat all day long. As a matter of fact, they spend a quarter of their day foraging, mainly on plants, and 85% of their menu is comprised of stems, shoots, and leaves, although sometimes they also enjoy roots, snails, Ants, and Larvae.
Being social creatures, most of these Giant Apes live in stable families comprising between five and thirty individuals, with a dominant male (silverback) and several females, as well as infants and blackbacks. As they get older, the majority of the males, as well as some females, leave their natal families to join other families, hence preventing inbreeding. You will have an opportunity to learn about these Giant Apes for as much of this Gorilla Tour as possible.
You’ve got only 2 days to make a trip to Volcanoes National Park to track the endangered mountain gorillas with the help of armed Ranger guides. This trip is perfect for visitors who are limited by time, especially those in the country for business or any other trip, and wish to add the life-changing gorilla trekking adventure to it.
Highlights
- Search for the endangered mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking tours in Volcanoes National Park.
- Visit the Gorilla Guardian’s Village to learn about typical Rwandan culture and customs through traditional dance performances, visits to a traditional healer, and many others.
- Enjoy breathtaking views of the countryside through the 3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Head to Volcanoes National Park, afternoon visit Gorilla Guardian’s Village.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking adventure and departure from Volcanoes National Park.
Detailed Itinerary – 2 Days Rwanda gorilla tour
Day 1: Head to Volcanoes National Park, afternoon visit to Gorilla Guardian’s Village
After breakfast at the Hotel in Kigali City or any other place of residence, meet your safari guide at the Hotel Lounge for a brief meeting on how your gorilla tour will go. Pack your bags onto the safari vehicle and start the journey to Volcanoes National Park. This Protected Area is one of the four gorilla trekking destinations, and your visit will introduce you to these majestic creatures.
The Park covers an area of about 16000 hectares at the northwestern edge of the country. While Gorilla trekking is the main focus of this 2-day Gorilla Tour, don’t miss the Park’s other occupants as well- lots of bird species.
After arriving at the Lodge, take some time to freshen up, have lunch, and relax while taking in magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes.
In the evening, board the safari Land Cruiser for your first Volcanoes National Park adventure- a visit to the Gorilla Guardian’s Village. You will be met by the jovial people and enjoy the interesting activities that include visits to the traditional healer, take part in the banana beer brewing process, visit the local schools, and get entertained in the traditional dances and songs, and feel free to join in the fun.
Overnight accommodation at: Bisate Lodge (luxury), Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange), and Muhabura Hotel (budget).
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking adventure and departure from Volcanoes National Park
Get an early start for your gorilla trekking adventure and report at the Park Headquarters for a briefing. Before leaving the Lodge, make sure that your bags are packed and packed into the safari vehicle.
At the Park Headquarters, you will go through the rules and regulations to be followed while searching and spending time with the Giant Apes in their natural habitat. You will get transferred to the trailhead by vehicle and later start the actual search for these Giant Apes. Follow the guide through the open grassland and evergreen Bamboo forest, and this will last 1-6 hours, depending on the location of the mountain gorillas. On locating them, you will be required to leave your bags behind before approaching, and while at it, ensure to maintain a distance of 7 meters away from them.
You will have 60 minutes in their presence, and it will be one of the most unforgettable moments as you watch them play, rest, eat, and take care of their infants under the watchful eye of the dominant silverback. After this thrilling adventure, you will return to the base to meet your driver for the transfer to Kigali.
You will have a stop at Musanze Town for lunch and continue with the drive to Kigali City, arriving late afternoon. From here, you can proceed to your place of residence or catch your connecting flight home. Ensure that the flight isn’t departing before 1900 hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
This 2-day Rwanda Gorilla Tour package includes;
- Airport transfers, as long as it is within the safari period.
- Meals as per the itinerary.
- Entry fees to Volcanoes National Park.
- A visit to Gorilla Guardian’s Village.
- Bottled water.
- Relevant Government taxes and levies.
- Gorilla permit/s.
- Ground transportation by a 4X4 Safari vehicle.
- Ranger fees.
- 1 night accommodation.
This 2-day Rwanda Gorilla Tour package excludes;
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Accommodation in Kigali City.
- Gratuities to safari guide, porters, Lodge staff, Ranger guides, and others.
- Airfares.
- Porter fees.
- Visa fees.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Cigarettes.
- Extra expenses resulting from the Tour cancellation.
Best time to enjoy the 2-day Rwanda Gorilla Tour
Our 2-day Rwanda Gorilla Tour is a year-round safari package, but understanding how the rainy and dry seasons affect gorilla trekking experiences is important. Depending on how you weigh your priorities, this information will help you decide which season is perfect for you.
The climate of Volcanoes National Park is tropical with distinct dry and rainy seasons. While gorilla trekking is a year-round activity, the seasons greatly impact the experience. The rainy season, March to May, and November equate to heavy downpours, dense vegetation cover, and muddy/slippery forest trails.
Gorilla trekking is considered less challenging in the dry season, June to October, and December to February, when rainfall levels are reduced, vegetation thins out, and forest trails are less muddy or slippery. However, the wet/rainy season is perfect for birding (when migrant bird species flock).