This 4 Days Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu Tour is an exceptional excursion through one of Africa’s most compelling regions, delivering an unforgettable adventure into the heart of wildlife and natural beauty. This expertly crafted itinerary package takes you deep into Rwanda’s beautiful landscapes, where old volcanic mountains and rainforests protect some of the world’s most endangered primate species.
The journey explores the spectacular ecosystems of Volcanoes National Park, a pristine wilderness that exemplifies Rwanda’s dedication to conservation and environmental protection. Conclude your trip in Gisenyi town, where you will get to experience the vast beauty of Lake Kivu with a guided boat tour on the lake using a boat or a local canoe. Enjoy exploring the lake’s natural beauty and surroundings as you witness local fishing communities and stunning, lush island scenery.
4 Days Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu Tour
Day 1: Pick Up and Transfer to Ruhengeri. (Approximately 3 hours’ drive)
Day 2: Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: Hike to Dian Fossey Gravesite and Transfer to Lake Kivu-Gisenyi (About 1hour’s drive)
Day 4: Morning Boat Ride and Transfer Back to Kigali.
You will also have lunch depending on your time of arrival. After enjoying Kigali, you will then embark on a journey to your hotel nearer to Volcanoes National Park, the home of these endangered species to rest and prepare for the trek the next morning. This journey will be approximately 2 and a half hour from Kigali to Ruhengeri. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Day 2: Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park.
As early at 6 am, you will be expected to be up for breakfast and ready to set off for the trek. Our guide will meet you after having your breakfast and your lunches packed and he will take you to Kinigi Headquarters, where you are expected to be given a brief before starting the gorilla trek. This brief is done at 7 am. You are given guidelines during this brief before you are allowed to start the trek.
This gorilla trek can take anywhere from 2 hours to half a day as it’s unpredictable. When you finally find the gorillas, you will have to maintain a 6-meter distance and you are allowed one hour to admire and take photos of the gorillas.
After the trek, you will have lunch and taken back to your hotel as the night before to relax and reminisce on the experience. You can ask the guide in case you want to have another activity in the evening at your own cost and he will advise. You will later go for the Ibyi’wacu Cultural Visit. Dinner and overnight will be at the same hotel as the night before.
Day 3: Hike to Dian Fossey Gravesite and Transfer to Lake Kivu-Gisenyi (About 1hour’s drive)
After you have had breakfast in the morning, carry you packed lunch from your lodge and drive to the park briefing point where you will be briefed by the park head ranger. You will embark on a hike to Dian Fossey’s gravesite in Volcanoes National Park. This hike takes about 4-6 hours, depending on your hiking pace.
You will get an opportunity to see where Dian Fossey was laid to rest as well as visit her for research base at Karisoke Centre as you learn more about her research contribution to the conservation and habituation of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Have lunch and then meet up with your driver guide and transfer to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi, where you will check into your hotel and spend the rest of your evening relaxing at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at your accommodation.
Day 4: Morning Boat Ride and Transfer Back to Kigali. (About 3½)
On this day you will have breakfast and relax at your hotel. You will then check out and head out for a morning boat cruise on Lake Kivu as you explore the beautiful scenery and diverse birdlife, including Pelicans and fish eagles at the lake, as well as some of the lush islands on the lake. Have lunch and then drive back to Kigali, where your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport or any location you advise in Kigali.
End of your 4 Days Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu Tour!
