6 Days Gorillas and Cultural Tour in Rwanda
On this 6 Days Gorillas and Cultural Tour in Rwanda, you will explore the beautiful history and culture of the Rwandan people by visiting Kigali—the modern city of Rwanda as well as the Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, showing the dark history of Rwanda.
On this Rwanda safari you will also visit the local markets, the King’s Palace reminiscent of the old Rwanda before colonialism, Ross Carr’s flower farm and orphanage, and Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Track mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and visit the locals in communities in Gisenyi.
Highlights of 6 Days Gorillas and Cultural Tours in Rwanda
- Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
- Day 2: Kigali – Nyanza – Huye
- Day 3: Gisenyi – Visit the Shores of Lake Kivu
- Day 4: Gorilla Tracking
Gorilla Tracking - Day 5: Karisoke Researcher Centre, Golden Monkeys, Cultural Experience
- Day 6: Travel to Kigali – Departure
Detailed itinerary of 6 Days Gorillas and Cultural Tour in Rwanda
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
To start your Rwanda Safari, you will be warmly welcomed by our driver-guide and be taken to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival, you will have a short Kigali City Tour visiting the local markets and the Genocide Memorial of Gisozi.
Accommodation: Des Mille Collines
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Kigali – Nyanza – Huye
After a delicious breakfast, check out of your lodge and transfer to Nyanza and visit the King’s Palace, seat of the former feudal monarch. The palace has been reconstructed to its 19th Century State using local traditional materials and is one of the most magnificent traditional structures in Africa today.
The resident cultural guide will take us through the cultural, political and social organization of society before the advent of Christianity and other recent religions in the area. Later, continue with the journey to Gisenyi through a beautiful rural countryside with village life.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Gisenyi – Visit the Shores of Lake Kivu
After a delicious breakfast, go for a visit to the shores of Lake Kivu, and later travel to Imbabazi Orphanage, founded by Mrs. Rosamond Halsey Carr in late 1944 at Mugongo where the genocide orphans reside. Rosamond Halsey was a young American Fashion Illustrator when she married an adventurous hunter-explorer, Kenneth Carr.
Together they journeyed to the then Belgian Congo—D.R.C. in 1949 but divorced later on. Kenneth left but Rosamond stayed in Congo until 1955. From there, she moved northwest of Rwanda, where she stayed for the next 50 years. There, she witnessed a big part of Rwanda’s historical events, including the 1994 civil war. The resident guide will give us a story about the life and times of this lady, her relationship with the local people and Dian Fossey, the famous gorilla conservationist.
For those who have watched the movie “Gorillas in the Mist,” note that some of the scenes were shot on the property. After visiting the orphanage, we continue to Musanze on the foothills of Volcanoes National Park.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking
After breakfast, head to the park for gorilla trekking. Join other trekkers at the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking and the right way to behave while in the presence of the gorillas.
With your armed rangers and guides and in groups of 8 people, head into the forest looking for a gorilla family. The trek takes approximately 2 to 4 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas and where they spent their previous night, once you locate your gorilla troop, you will observe these apes playing, picking fruits, and grooming each other and babies playing under the watchful gaze of a dominant silverback.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Karisoke Researcher Centre, Golden Monkeys, Cultural Experience
Today, we have various optional activities for you to do, including trekking golden monkeys and climbing Mount Bisoke or the Karisoke Research Center. In the afternoon, we continue exploring the cultural delights of this area and visit Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre for cultural dancing and an informative experience about traditional local medicine. This cultural group was formed by pygmies and ex-poachers and we shall listen to their side of the story after abandoning the illegal practice.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Travel to Kigali – Departure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast; later, check out and journey back to Kigali. Your guide will drop you off at the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination.
End of 6 Days Gorillas and Cultural Tour in Rwanda
Inclusions
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water on all days
- Camping Equipment
- Porterage
Exclusions
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline: US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Rescue Fee
- Climbing Gear
- Sleeping Bag
