Our 3 days Gorilla Trekking and Dian Fossey Hike offers a unique opportunity to witness the endangered mountain gorillas and pay homage to Dian Fossey at the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Renowned as Rwanda’s most frequented national park, it shelters the second-largest population of mountain gorillas globally. Dian Fossey, the eminent primatologist, chose this park as her research base to delve into the lives of mountain gorillas, dedicating a significant portion of her life to their study and protection from poachers and traffickers.

The park boasts 10 habituated gorilla groups accessible to tourists year-round. Dian Fossey pioneered many insights into mountain gorillas, including methods to acclimate them to human presence. She emphasized the importance of earning the trust of the dominant silverback by mimicking gorilla sounds, ultimately transforming her focus from pure research to active gorilla conservation. Unfortunately, her commitment led to adversaries, and she met a tragic end, brutally murdered in her cabin between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke, allegedly by individuals hired by poachers and traffickers.

Detailed 3 Days Gorilla Trekking and Dian Fossey Hike

Day 1: Arrival and Pickup from Kigali – City Tour – Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park

Your Driver/Guide will pick you up from the airport or your Kigali hotel. After a briefing on the tour and necessary information, embark on a half-day city tour. Visit the genocide memorial site, former presidential palace, main city markets, and souvenir shops. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery or hotel. Afterward, the Guide/Driver will drive you to Volcanoes National Park, a two-hour journey. Check-in and refresh at your lodge by 4 pm. In the evening, you can explore Lake Ruhondo and Burera or visit Musanze town before returning for dinner.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking – Visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village

Wake up early, have breakfast, and head to the park offices for a briefing. Prepare light snacks with the help of your hotel staff for the gorilla trek. Meet park wardens, rangers, and other officials, and get briefed on mountain gorillas, trekking expectations, and behavior guidelines. You’ll be assigned a gorilla family based on fitness and personal preference. Gorilla trekking duration varies (1 to 6 hours), depending on the assigned group. Follow ranger instructions, maintain distance, and avoid flash photography. After spending an hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point. The Driver/Guide will take you to relax at the park offices.

Later, visit the Gorilla Guardian Village (formerly Iby’iwacu cultural village) in the afternoon or evening. Experience the culture of three Rwandan tribes, buy souvenirs, and learn about traditional medicine..

Day 3: Visit Dian Fossey Tomb and the former Karisoke Research Centre – Departure to Kigali

Wake up early, have breakfast, and wait for the Guide to take you to the park offices for another briefing. Follow the path Dian Fossey walked during her monthly hikes. Rangers will share information about Dian Fossey, her gorilla research, foundation, and legacy. Meet former porters for insights into working with her. Visit Dian Fossey’s tomb, her former work station, and the dilapidated Karisoke Research Centre. After the hike, return to the hotel, check out, and begin your journey back to Kigali.