The 5 days Rwanda and Congo gorilla safari is a combined safari which gives you a life time experience as you track the lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas in two different national parks. You will have the opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and then proceed to the lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1; Transfer to Kigali-volcanoes national park
Day 2; Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 3; Transfer to Bukavu-Congo
Day 4; Lowland gorilla trekking
Day 5; Transfer back to Kigali
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1; TRANSFER TO KIGALI – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
The driver/ guide will pick you up and brief you about the safari. After the briefing you will be taken to the volcanoes national park. While on the way, you can have a city tour and then proceed to the national park which is a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Check into the hotel and wait for dinner and a night stay.
Accommodation choices
Luxury –Gorillas view hotel
Deluxe –La Palme hotel
Budget – Muhabura hotel
DAY 2; GORILLA TREKKING
Early in the morning after having breakfast, you will head to the parks headquarters of the volcanoes national park for a briefing by the park rangers. Then after, you will enter into the forest in search of the gorillas. The mountain gorilla trekking takes 2 to 4 hours depending on their location. When the gorillas are found, you will spend with them an hour as you take pictures and videos for memories. Therefore after the trekking, you will head back to the lodge for lunch. Late in the afternoon, you can have a community walk and the areas surrounding the forest. After head back to the lodge for dinner and night stay
DAY 3; TRANSFER TO BUKAVU – CONGO
After breakfast early in the morning, then head embark on a journey to Cyangugu border to cross to Democratic republic of Congo. You will visit the national museum in Butare, the king’s palace in Nyanza and the genocide site. Lunch will be in Butare which is the second largest city after Kigali. You will be able to spot views of the largest lake in Rwanda that is Lake Kivu. After you will proceed up to Congo where you will check into the hotel, have dinner and a night stay
Accommodation choices
Luxury –coco lodge
Mid-range – orchid safari lodge
Budget – horizon hotel
DAY 4; LOWLAND GORILLA TREKKING
You will wake up early in the morning and head to the headquarters of Kahuzi biega national park for the trekking of the lowland gorillas. At the headquarters, you will be briefed and after head into the forest in search of the lowland gorillas. These kind of species stay in bigger families compared to the mountain gorillas. After trekking the gorillas, you will go for lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a nature walk within the national park as well as visit the Tshibati waterfalls, Bukavu town among others. After you will head back to your lodge, have dinner and a night stay.
DAY 5; TRANSFER BACK TO KIGALI
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and embark on the journey back to Kigali as you cross through the Cyangugu border. After reaching Kigali late in the afternoon, you will be dropped off at your hotel or airport for your flight.
5 days Rwanda and Congo gorilla safari Includes
Gorilla trekking permit
Park entrance fees
Accommodation and meals
Transportation in a 4*4 safari vehicle
5 days Rwanda and Congo gorilla safari Excludes
Personal insurance
Personal expenses
Visa fees