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Day 1: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Our guide from Dav Safari will be at your hotel early morning or airport for pick-up to start your tour. After the briefing about the tour from the company guide, you will start with a tour of the city of Kigali which will include the renowned Gisozi genocide memorial site where you will learn how over 300,000 people lost their lives in 1994. You will visit the rest of Kigali, local markets, the king’s palace, and then have lunch. After lunch, you will begin the 2 hours journey to the Volcanoes National Park. The beautiful mountainous countryside along the way will remind you why Rwanda is often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”.

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Da Vinci Lodge

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village Tour

After yesterday’s early rest, you should now be ready for Gorilla tracking in Rwanda. Briefing for gorilla trekking is carried out by the head park guide at 7:00 am in the Kinigi park headquarters Musanze. All trekkers must be at the park by this time and must attend the briefing. A gorilla safari in Rwanda offers you, several families, to choose from – select one based on fitness. After being assigned a gorilla family and hiring a porter, it’s time to head out to the forest for gorilla tracking. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be challenging but the experience of watching mountain gorillas makes all the effort worthwhile. A family of mountain gorillas is amazing, and you could spend hours just watching the little ones roll around and play. Mountain Gorillas are playful but also curious about humans often coming close. 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek. Listen to instructions from your guide, stay calm, and desist from making sudden movements. After your one hour with the mountain gorillas, return to the starting point where you will meet the company guide. You will be driven back to your hotel for lunch and rest. In the evening, you will be taken for a visit to the Iby’iwacu cultural village located in Musanze which is near the Volcanoes National Park.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Da Vinci Lodge

Day 3: Transfer to re and Evening Boat Cruise

Wake up on a calm note, prepare for breakfast at your hotel and also prepare to check out of the hotel for your next destination. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head out to Kibuye. This is a 1 to 2-hour road transfer until you can check into your hotel in Kibuye. You will be welcomed and shown to your rooms for the night. Lunch will be served and you will later head out to Lake Kivu. You may take on a boat trip on Lake Kivu to enjoy the cool breeze or opt to relax at the shores reading a book or soaking your feet. You will connect back to your hotel for dinner and a night in Kibuye.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Midrange hotel

Day 4: Transfer Back to Kigali

This is the last day of your safari. You will wake up ready to end your trip. Have breakfast at your hotel and check out of your hotel headed for Kigali. You may take some time to pass by the Lake Kivu for another moment in case you have time and didn’t do this on the first day. You may alternatively pass by a tea plantation for the experience of seed-to-cup processing of tea. Connect further to Kigali for drop-off at your hotel or the Kigali International Airport for your flight back home as you will advise your driver-guide.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: No Accommodation

The best time to book 3 days gorilla trekking Rwanda with Lake Kivu is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. During these months, the weather is more predictable, and the trails are less muddy, making the trek easier and more enjoyable. However, gorilla trekking is possible year-round, and each season offers its own unique experiences.

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1,500 for foreign non-residents, and $300 for East African citizens and the Rest of Africa pays $500 per person. This fee includes entry into Volcanoes National Park, the services of experienced ranger guides, and an hour spent with the gorillas. The cost of the permit is higher as compared to Uganda, where the permit is $800 for foreign non-residents and $400-$500 for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda offers a discount on the permit (30% discount) to $1050 during the low season. However, this only works if you have booked a safari to either Akagera National Park or Nyungwe after the gorilla trek. 

By Road

Getting to the gorilla trekking site in Rwanda and Lake Kivu is relatively straightforward. Most visitors fly into Kigali International Airport, which is well-connected to major international hubs. From Kigali, it’s a scenic two-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park and later Lake Kivu. Many tour operators offer transportation as part of their Rwanda safari packages, making the journey hassle-free.

Yes, Gorilla trekking in Rwanda with a Lake Kivu visit is generally safe due to escorts from Rwanda Development Board Wildlife Rangers, strict regulations and well-maintained trails.  

As a tourist, you are cautioned not to undermine the rules and regulations during gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The mountain gorillas deserve maximum respect for their habitat as remain wild animals.

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that were almost extinct due to constant poaching from the locals, but with the coming and conservation ideas of Dian Fossey, gorillas survived. With the help of the government of Rwanda, some rules have been set up to continue conserving the natural habitat of the Mountain gorillas. The rules are to be followed by all who intend to go for a gorilla trek for your safety and the safety of the gorillas, and these include:

• Rwanda’s gorilla trekking age limit is 15 years, and no one below that age will be allowed to trek the gorillas.
• Feeding of the Mountain gorillas is prohibited.
• After locating the gorillas, the trekkers are allowed a maximum of an hour with the gorillas studying their behavioral patterns and taking photos and videos.
• You need to keep a distance of about 7 to 10 meters away from the gorillas.
• Gorillas are not used to flash photography, so make sure that you turn your camera flash off before taking photos.
• A maximum of 8 people is allowed to trek the assigned gorilla families.
• Holes 30 cm deep are to be dug and covered for hikers planning on using the toilet because there are no toilets within the national park.
• Avoid littering the national park with rubbish by leaving it the way you found it.
• Do not in any way get close to the gorillas to avoid passing on infections in case you are sick.
• No one can eat, smoke, or drink with the gorillas.
• Avoid staring at the gorillas in the eye, don’t put on sunglasses, and in cases where the gorillas approach you, follow the instructions given to you by the guides.

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years. This age restriction is set by the Rwanda Development Board to minimize the risk of disease transmission, physical fitness, behavioural understanding and quick adherence to gorilla trekking rules and ensure the safety and well-being of both trekkers and mountain gorillas.

However, there is no age limit to visit Lake Kivu but when travelling with children, ensure they are under a responsible adult’s watch. In Lake Mburo National Park, the children can easily wander into the Parks and be hurt by the wild animals.

In Lake Kivu, children may be lost or drawn in Lake so ensure they are always under your watch.

Depending on what you wish to achieve after the 3 days gorilla trekking Rwanda with Lake Kivu, here is why we believe it’s worth the cost:

Luxurious Stay: Rwanda offers a range of luxury lodges that provide comfort and proximity to Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu.

Easier Trek: The treks in Rwanda are generally less strenuous compared to Uganda, making it accessible for a wider range of travellers.

Maximizing Gorilla Viewing: Rwanda’s well-organized trekking system ensures that you spend quality time with the gorillas, maximizing your viewing experience.

• Camera to take photos and keep memories of this holiday experience.
• Safari hat with a large foldable brim to protect your head from buzzing insects.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the strong sunrays.
• Sunscreen to cover your body from Ultra Violet rays
• Backpack or rack sack to keep your belongings
• Some hard cash for on-ground purchases in case you wish to buy anything. Credit cards are not easy to use in Africa.
• Flip flops to change into after a long day
• Extra clothes to change into after a long day of activities
• Warm wear because it gets so sold very early morning and afternoon
• Beach wear to use for swimming in Lake Kivu or the swimming pool of your hotel
• Pair of stockings to tack in your trousers so that creeping insects do not get into them.
• Safari shoes are like a canvas to protect your feet.
• Some snacks to munch as breakfast is taken too early to last the entire day
• Extra batteries are fully charged in case one runs low on power.
• Charger and travel adapter in case you need to recharge
• Raincoat in case it falls as sometimes rains fall without warning.
• First aid kit for any emergency while on this African safari

Contact Us to plan your 3 days gorilla trekking Rwanda with Lake Kivu experience. Dav Safaris offers expertly guided tours, ensuring a safe and memorable adventure.

Note that the Rwanda Tourism Board prints only 86 permits per day, so it is important to book early for your trip. After purchasing your permit, expect to track gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, including the Hirwa gorilla family with 13 members, the Sabinyo gorilla family with eight members, Umubano with 11 gorillas, and Amahoro with 17 gorillas.

Whether you opt for a 3 days gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda or a longer itinerary, you need to book for the gorilla safari in advance because of the high demand for gorilla permits and easy planning. Contact Us to help you book the gorilla permit and organize your entire safari to Rwanda, depending on your budget. Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor to make the right decision.