Rwanda · Primate Tours

4-Day Gorilla Safari in Volcanoes National Park with Dian Fossey Hike

4 Days Round trip from kinigi Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek through Volcanoes National Park to track gorillas in their forest habitat
02 Visit the grave of Dian Fossey at the former Karisoke Research Center
03 Hike through thick bamboo forest and afro-montane habitats between Karisimbi and Bisoke
04 Explore Kigali's Genocide Memorial sites, including Gisozi, Nyamata, and Ntarama

Go on a 4-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Rwanda. Trek through the forest to track gorillas and spend time with them before hiking to the graveyard of Dian Fossey, the American naturalist and primatologist who lost her life protecting mountain gorillas that were on the verge of extinction. Depending on your flight timing, you can also explore Kigali's Genocide Memorial sites, including Gisozi, Nyamata, and Ntarama, before your departure.

Enjoy the trek to the site, which is quite spectacular, as you pass through thick bamboo forest and afro-montane habitats, with crisscrossed trails marked by forest buffaloes and elephants.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Ruhengeri, Kigali, Volcanoes National Park

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Kinigi

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, meet your tour guide, and transfer to Kinigi.
Drive through the majestic hills of Rwanda and arrive at Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Day 02

Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Have an early morning breakfast and drive to the park headquarters with packed lunch and water. Attend a briefing by the park warden on the 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' while with gorillas.
Start gorilla trekking through the steep and slippery Virunga slopes of Volcanoes National Park. It can take around 2-8 hours, depending on the gorillas' movements. At least an hour is allocated to visitors in the presence of the gorilla group.
Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 03

Hike to Dian Fossey's Graveyard

Have an early morning breakfast and begin the hike to the Dian Fossey graveyard, situated at the former Karisoke Research Center. This is where Dian, the American naturalist, spent about 20 years of her life studying the mountain gorillas.
Enjoy the trek to the site, which is quite spectacular, as you pass through thick bamboo forest and afro-montane habitats, with crisscrossed trails marked by forest buffaloes and elephants. Expect to see all sorts of wildlife on your way up and down to the graves, nestled between the beautiful volcanic peaks of Karisimbi and Bisoke.

Overnight stay at Kinigi Guest House or Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Day 04

Return to Kigali and Departure

Depart for Kigali after breakfast.
Depending on your flight timing, you can go for a city tour with visits to the Genocide Memorial sites, such as Gisozi, Nyamata, and Ntarama.
Have lunch in Kigali and then transfer to the airport, where the tour ends.