2-Day Gorilla Trekking and Hiking Mount Bisoke
per person
The 2-day gorilla trekking and Mount Bisoke Hiking package is for those interested in a short safari in Rwanda. It includes tracking mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park and hiking Mount Bisoke. This park is the most popular in Rwanda, covering 160 square kilometers and home to mountain gorillas, hyenas, buffaloes, warthogs, forest elephants, and many bird species. Diane Fossey, a famous primatologist, worked in the park for 18 years, highlighting the need to protect mountain gorillas. Popular activities in the park are gorilla trekking, visiting Fossey’s grave, tracking golden monkeys, and climbing its five volcanoes.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a popular activity because Mountain gorillas are fascinating and cannot live long in captivity. These endangered animals are found only in Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda, with Rwanda hosting about 30 percent of their population. The park is home to eight habituated gorilla families and five volcanoes: Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. Mount Karisimbi is the tallest, while Mount Bisoke is known for its beautiful crater lakes. At 3,711 meters high, Bisoke has lush green vegetation, including bamboo and Hagenia. Hiking this volcano provides stunning views of the crater lake. There is a 2-Day Gorilla Trekking and Hiking Mount Bisoke tour that starts in Kigali and includes a visit to the Gisozi genocide memorial site. For a more relaxed experience, there is also a 3-Day gorilla safari and Mount Bisoke hiking package available.
Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival from Kigali and Transfer to Kinigi – One-day Bisoke hike
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking at the Volcanoes National Park – Departure.
Day 1: Arrival from Kigali and Transfer to Kinigi – One-day Bisoke hike
Our guide from Ganda Cultural safaris will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am and give you a briefing about the tour. The journey to Volcanoes National Park takes 2-3 hours through Rwanda’s beautiful mountainous countryside, also known as “the Land of a Thousand Hills.” You will arrive at the Kinigi offices by 7:30 am for a briefing. Hiking Mount Bisoke lasts 4-6 hours and typically starts at 8:00 am. Consider hiring a porter for your extra luggage and equipment. After enjoying the crater lake and surrounding scenery, you will return to your lodge for lunch and rest.
Accommodation:
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury),
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range),
The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking at the Volcanoes National Park Departure.
After yesterday’s mountain hike, you should rest for today’s activity. Wake up early, have breakfast, and go for a briefing on gorilla trekking at 7:00 am. The head guide will inform you about what to expect and how to behave around the gorillas. You will be assigned a gorilla group based on your fitness level, and you’ll have the option to hire a porter. There are 10 habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda; some are closer to the park offices, while others require more effort to reach. Observing a gorilla family up close for one hour is a memorable experience. Follow your guide’s instructions and remain calm. Avoid sudden movements that may irritate the gorillas. After one hour with the gorilla family, you will return to the starting point to meet your guide from Ganda Cultural Expeditions. They will take you back to your hotel for lunch. If you haven’t explored Kigali or the Gisozi genocide memorial, you can do so that day before departing.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
2-Day Gorilla Trekking and Hiking Mount Bisoke includes & Excludes
Includes:- 1 Gorilla trekking permit per person
- All ground transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel for 2 days
- Accommodation for 1 day as specified in the itinerary
- Lunch and bottled drinking water for 2 days
- A Private experienced English-speaking Tour driver/guide
- Park entrance fees
- Park Ranger and guiding fees
- Mount Bisoke hiking fees
- The Bisoke package, which includes porters, a chef, tents, and meals, while on top of the mountain
Exclusions:
- Personal insurance
- Travel tickets
- Domestic and international flights
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such as wine, juice, soda, etc.
- Personal expenses such as tips, gifts, laundry services, souvenirs, etc