5 Days Gorillas and Lake Kivu

The 5 Days Gorillas and Lake Kivu adventure explore Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu with rare innermost feelings of hanging with some of the rare earthly creatures and relaxing at the beach at Lake Kivu.

Tourism is once again a key contributor to the economy and the industry’s brightest star is the chance to track rare mountain gorillas through bamboo forests in the shadow of the Virunga volcanoes. These conical mountains are shrouded in equatorial jungles and helped earn Rwanda Tourism the well-deserved moniker of ‘Le Pays des Mille Collines’ (Land of a Thousand Hills).

The 5 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Lake Kivu Tour explore the renowned Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas and Lake Kivu. Bordering Congo and Uganda, the park encompasses 4,507m-tall Mt. Karisimbi and 4 other forested volcanoes. And Kigali, the nation’s sprawling capital has a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene.

Tour Itinerary of 5 days Gorillas and Lake Kivu

DAY 1: Arrival in Kigali (15 minutes)

Our 5-day Gorillas and Lake Kivu Tour starts after your flight‘s arrival at Kigali Airport where you will be welcomed by a Company Representative check into the hotel for refreshments before heading for a city tour in Kigali – visit the Kigali Memorial Centre.

The museum is built on a site where over 250,000 people are buried. The exhibits in the museum powerfully tell the story of Rwanda, its history, and the unfolding genocide. Included are touch screens that have on them the testimonials of some of the survivors present during this turbulent time.

Accommodation and Meals at Kigali Serena Hotel

DAY 2: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park (130kms / 3 hrs)

After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Volcanoes National Park arriving in time for lunch. You will then head to the Kinigi Cultural Centre or The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village where traditional dance groups will perform different types of dances, wearing colorful attire as they demonstrate their way of life in the communities.

Accommodation and Meals at Virunga Lodge

DAY 3: Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast (7:00 am) head to the park headquarters and go through the formalities of track preparation and your guide will brief you on the Rwanda gorilla trek etiquette.

Tracking the gorillas starts at 8:30 a.m. through the thick undergrowth can be a strenuous task, albeit in the end, a rewarding one. There can be a lot of steep gradients to conquer therefore you need to be relatively fit.

Led by a park ranger, the actual trek to the gorillas’ resting place can be between 4 – 8 hours or less. Once your assigned gorilla group has been located you will spend 1 hour in their company.

Accommodation and Meals at Virunga Lodge

DAY 4:  Volcanoes National Park to Lake Kivu 

After breakfast, transfer to Gisenyi – Lake Kivu. The lake supports a thriving marine life, you head out for a canoe or a kayak and go on a gentle row on the lake; those looking for leisure can opt for half-day rentals, while experienced canoers and kayakers might opt for guided trips over several days.

 Birders can connect with nature by spotting and listening to the calls of avian species that can be spotted around the Lake.

You will have the opportunity to interact with the fishermen as they go about their trade and to participate in the fishing. Later you will relax and explore the beachfront.  Spend the overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.

DAY 5: Lake Kivu  – Kigali – Departure (135 kms / 3 hrs)

After breakfast, you will end your 5 days on the Gorillas and Lake Kivu safari with a transfer to Kigali Airport for the flight back home.  Depending on the time of your international flight you may visit Kandt’s house or the Museum of Natural History where Dr. Richard Kandt the first German colonial resident of Rwanda resided and is now the Natural History Museum in honor of his work.  Thereafter be dropped at Kigali International Airport. (B-L)

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE 

Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Landcruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English-speaking driver/guide, Accommodation mentioned in the itinerary, Meals as shown (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), all Park Entrance Fees and a Gorilla Permit USD 1500 per person.

EXCLUDED IN THE PRICE

International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Rwanda Entry Visa Fees; Room service, Beverages, Laundry, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities.