4-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Dian Fossey Hike

This 4-day Rwanda tour adds the Dian Fossey hike to her grave at Karisoke to a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, an Iby'Iwacu cultural visit and Kigali.Over viewThis 4 days Rwanda Gorilla tour takes you through Volcanoes National Park…

Duration4 days, 3 nights

DestinationRwanda

HighlightGorilla trek

Starts inEntebbe / Kampala

StylePrivate, tailor-made

On this routeVolcanoes

4-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Dian Fossey Hike: overview

This 4-day Rwanda tour adds the Dian Fossey hike to her grave at Karisoke to a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, an Iby'Iwacu cultural visit and Kigali.

Over view

This 4 days Rwanda Gorilla tour takes you through Volcanoes National Park, Kigali city and Dian Fossey’s Grave, it includes trekking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park as well as visiting the Dian Fossey tomb in the park. There are 12 habituated guerilla groups in Volcanoes national park that are visited by trekker’s every day. These include Agashya, Karisimbi, Kwitonda, Amahoro, Sabyinyo, Susa, Umubano, among others.

Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who lived in the Virunga Mountains from the 1960s to 1985 when she was murdered by poachers. During this time, Fossey was carrying her research about gorillas as well as safeguarding them from poachers. Her tomb is situated at Karisoke Research Centre which she established within Volcanoes national park.

Trip Summary

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Rwanda & transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our professional guide at the Airport or in your Hotel who will brief you about you are 4 Days Gorilla tour and transfer you to Volcanoes National Park, Kinigi, for an overnight. The journey goes through the beautiful rolling/majestic hills of Rwanda. Dinner will be served and overnight at Kinigi cottages

Day 2Gorilla Tracking and IbyIwacu cultural village

Take an early morning breakfast and drive to the park headquarters with packed lunch and water. Attend to a briefing by senior park warden on the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ while with gorillas.

Gorilla Trekking through steep and slippery Virunga slopes is so strenuous and takes 2-8 hours depending on gorillas’ movements. At least an hour is allocated to the visitors in the presence of the gorilla group. If on return to the lodge, you still have free time, Iby’iwachu cultural visit is worth a visit.

Day 3Hike to Diana Fossey’s Graves

Early morning breakfast is followed by a hike to Dian Fossey graveyard situated at the former Karisoke Research Center. This is where Dian spent about 20 years studying the Mountain Gorillas. The trek to the site is quite spectacular, as you pass through thick bamboo forest and afro-montane habitats, with criss-crossed trails of tracks of forest buffalo and elephant! Expect to see all sorts of wildlife on your way up and down to the graves, nestled between the beautiful volcanic peaks of Karismbi and Bisoke. Overnight at Kinigi cottages

Day 4Departure

After breakfast transfer to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight, you can go for a city tour with visits to Genocide Menorial sites like Gisozi, Nyamata and Ntarama, lunch in Kigali and later transfer to the Airport where the tour ends.

Good to know

Included in the Package

Gorilla permits

All activities

Meals

Drinking water

All accommodation

Round-trip airport transfer

A professional driver/guide

All transportation

All Taxes/VAT

Excluded in the Package

International flights

(From/to home)

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Tips

Personal items

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Questions about this tour

Can this itinerary be changed?

Yes. Every Fuga safari is private, so we can add or remove days, change lodges or combine this tour with another park. Tell us what you'd like when you enquire.

When should I book the gorilla permit?

As early as possible: permits are limited each day. Uganda permits cost US$800 and Rwanda permits US$1,500. See our gorilla permits guide.

Which comfort levels are available?

We can run this tour at budget, mid-range or luxury level. The lodges change, the route stays the same, and we quote each level separately.

How do I book?

Send an enquiry with your dates. We check permit availability, send a costed itinerary, and confirm once you pay the deposit. See how to book.