A unique opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas as we follow Dian Fossey’s Conservation work in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda twice. Led by experienced gorilla trackers and guides, this safari will take you face to face with several habituated gorilla families, giving you the chance to observe the behavior of these captivating creatures in their natural environment. Continue your primate odyssey by tracking golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kigali
Upon arrival you will be met by your private Nyumbu Beyond Journeys guide and driven to your lodge in Kigali. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and start thinking about the adventures that lay before you.
The Kigali City is perfect for an overnight stop either before or after visiting Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking.
Day 2: Kigali City tour & transfer to Volcanoes National Park
This morning, you have the chance to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. After lunch, you travel north 2.5 hours to Ruhengeri and the Volcanoes National Park. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a talk with the Gorilla Doctors.
After a day of exhilarating mountain gorilla tracking, guests can find respite in the warm embrace of open fireplaces in the lounge and dining room.
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla trekking in the Virunga Massif
Embark on the special day of gorilla tracking as you are accompanied by experienced ranger guides. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to either one of ten habituated family groups. An early breakfast and you’re off to the park headquarters at Kinigi to register and be allocated your gorilla family for today. Having a member of the gorilla trackers on your trek will allow you to learn more about their everyday experiences and challenges as the work to protect the mountain gorillas. In the afternoon, if time and weather permits, you will be able to visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, or the local markets in the town of Musanze.
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trek and Visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Golden monkeys, also known as blue monkeys, are a local subspecies of the Sykes monkey, endemic to Volcanoes National Park and known for being cheeky, playful and inquisitive. After your trek, in the afternoon, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Centre in Musanze.
Day 5: Hike to the Dian Fossey Grave and follow her trail
An early start to make your way to the park headquarters where you are assigned a ranger and hike to Dian Fossey’s original Karisoke Research Camp in Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll be able to imagine what it must have been like for Dian when she arrived in Rwanda to set up her research camp to study and protect the endangered mountain gorillas back in 1967, and have the chance to pay respects at the gravesite of Dian Fossey and her favorite gorilla friend, Digit.
Return to the lodge later in the afternoon to relax, have a hot shower or massage and reflect on the day’s activities.
Day 6: Transfer to Kigali & Airport drop off
Enjoy breakfast and spend your morning at leisure at your lodge. Following lunch, drive back to Kigali and transfer to Kigali International Airport in time to check in for your flight home. End of 6 Days Adventure with Dian Fossey Gorilla Conservation Safari