This gorilla safari will start with a city drive in Kigali and still end in Kigali. It will later take you to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking.
Kigali is a relatively small city but one of the cleanest in the continent of Africa. The roads are smooth and free of potholes. The driver will take you to do any money exchange before taking you to the check out some of the architectural marvels of Kigali.
You will visit the Gisozi genocide memorial Centre were thousands who were brutally murdered are buried. You will watch brief documentaries and learn about how the tragic event unfolded.
The tour also takes you to the place of the former president Habyarimana. Habyarimana’s plane was shot down in front of the presidential palace sparking off a genocide which killed about 1,000,000 people.
The driver will also take you to visit the city market and some artisan shops. After the tour, you will take lunch and then start the 3-hour journey to the Volcanoes National Park. The drive to the park will be engaging as look at hundreds of rolling hills and beautiful green landscape in the countryside.
Once you arrive at your lodge, your will check in and take a shower in preparation for a visit to the nearby Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Also known as the gorilla guardian’s village, the Centre is the best place to experience the culture of the people of Rwanda who were gorilla hunters and now eco – warriors.
It began as a centre where former poachers would sell souvenirs to tourists but has now grown into a high-quality cultural establishment.
The Volcanoes National Park is situated on the north-western part of the country. It has about 360 of the 1006 mountain gorillas remaining on earth. The Volcanoes National Park stands out from other gorilla national parks because it is more accessible and things are done more professionally.
The park became known globally in 1967 when the American primatologist Dian Fossey resided there with the mission to save the then decreasing number of the mountain gorillas. She established her research centre between Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi where she carried out research on the social behaviour and biology of the mountain gorillas.
Fossey loved her work with the gorillas that she later set up the Dian Fossey gorilla fund which was formerly known as the Digit Fund to solicit funds to stop their extinction.
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has carried on even after Fossey died and is still doing a tremendous raising fund for gorilla conservation and informing the world about their importance to the ecosystem. The number of mountain gorillas continues to increase year after year.
Volcanoes National Park is also home to golden monkeys, hyenas, forest buffaloes, elephants, forest hogs, and different species of trees and over 200 species of birds. These are not given much attention but they are always a complement to the gorilla trekking experience. Some of these creatures can be encountered while tracking the gorillas in the jungle.
It is also important to note that the Volcanoes National Park is home to five volcanoes which are open to hikers. They include Bisoke, Gahinga, Karisimbi, Muhabura and Sabyinyo. After all this, you will head back to Kigali for your booked flight.
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