3 days Itinerary- Gorilla trekking at Virunga National Park.
The 3 days gorilla safari gives you an unforgettable experience in your life time, the safari will give you an opportunity to encounter these giants that are just like humans. The safari will start and end in Kigali Rwanda’s capital.
Day 1: Travel to Kisoro in Uganda- from Kigali
In the early morning, you are picked up by your guide and have a city tour in Kigali. It entails a visit to the Gisozi genocide memorial centre; while here you will listen and get to know more about the history and background of Rwanda especially about the 1994 genocide. You will be able to see the video clips, art crafts and some photographs of the genocide.
Have lunch in Kigali, and there after head to Kisoro in Uganda, when you arrive in Kisoro your driver will take you to check-in at the lodge. Have dinner and spend a night.
Accommodation: Countryside guest house (Budget travelers), Kisoro Traveler’s Rest (Midrange), Kisoro tourist hotel (Up market/Luxury)
Meal plan: Full Board.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo- Virunga National Park
Have a morning breakfast; this will need you to be really early since Gorilla tracking starts in morning hours. Head to the crossing point at the DR Congo border which is approximately 9km then continue with more 6km to the park headquarters. When you arrive you will be briefed by park rangers on the rules to be followed while in the park together with other trekkers, this is usually from 7:30am to 8am.
After start trekking in narrow paths at Bukima which is the gorilla trekking starting point. As you trek in about 1-3 hours you will get closer to the mountain gorillas this is dependent on their movements, you will spend 1 hour with the gorillas but you need to be wearing surgical masks while in the presence of gorillas which are provided to you. This is an amazing experience seeing the female gorillas feed the young ones, the juveniles playing, and them doing their day to day activities, something you wouldn’t want to miss out on. You are free to photograph them.
After this great encounter head back to the starting point. Drive to the lodge, relax and have diner.
Please Note: You can either leave the lodge with packed lunch from the lodge or may be having your lunch when you are back from trekking but this is dependent on the hours you will spend trekking gorillas.
Day 3: To Kigali –Rwanda
Have breakfast, check-out and drive back to Kigali. On your way you will go through beautiful landscapes that are hill with a lot of tea plantations, also you will meet many Rwandese doing their daily work along the way.
Arrive in Kigali, have lunch if you are still on time your driver can take you to buy crafts in nearby craft shops. Later head to Kigali international air port also known as Kanombe air port for your flight.