The 5-Day Volcanoes National Park Tour – This 5-day Rwanda tour is a special primate adventure combined with a Dian Fossey tomb trek. Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri is the main destination for this trip, where you will enjoy activities like Volcanoes gorilla trekking, a hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb, golden monkey trekking, and a visit to the Iby’Iwacu cultural village.
Volcanoes National Park, also called Parc National des Volcans, is Rwanda’s oldest park, established in 1925. It covers an area of 160 square kilometers, featuring the steep slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, tropical rainforests, and bamboo forests.
5-Day Volcanoes National Park Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali City & Airport Transfer
- Day 2: City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 4: Dian Fossey Tomb Hike and Iby’Iwacu Village Visit
- Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking (Optional) and Departure
Detailed 5-Day Rwanda Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali City & Airport Transfer
After landing at Kigali International Airport, meet your driver/guide, who will brief you about your trip in Rwanda.
You will then transfer to your hotel, where you can relax, have dinner, and spend the night.
Day 2: City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, start the day with a tour of Kigali. Visit historical sites like the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where many victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide are buried. You will learn about the tragic events of the civil war.
Next, explore craft centers and local markets such as Kimironko Market. Have lunch at a local hotel, and then travel to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda.
The drive takes about 2-3 hours. Upon arrival, check into your pre-booked lodge for relaxation and overnight.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, head to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing on gorilla trekking. This adventure takes you into the bamboo forests to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
You will spend one hour with the gorillas, observing their behavior and taking photos. After the trek, return to the lodge to relax and share your unforgettable experience.
Day 4: Dian Fossey Tomb Hike and Iby’Iwacu Village Visit
Begin the day with a hike to Dian Fossey’s graveyard after a briefing at the park headquarters. The 2-4 hour trek takes you through lush vegetation to the site where Dian Fossey set up her research center.
Learn about her incredible work in conserving mountain gorillas and her 18 years of dedication to protecting them in the wild. Nearby, you will also see the grave of Digit, a silverback gorilla, and others.
After returning, enjoy lunch and later visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Here, you will experience authentic Rwandan culture through traditional dances, storytelling, and other activities.
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking (Optional) and Departure
Start the day with tea or coffee before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey trekking. Spend 2-3 hours tracking these playful primates, including one hour of close interaction with them.
After the trek, return to your lodge to check out. Then, transfer back to Kigali for your onward flight, marking the end of your safari.
End of 5-Day Volcanoes National Park Tour.
