Experiencing the amazing 3 Days Staying at Virunga Lodge on upcoming visit in Rwanda on your ideal mission to track Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkey. Stay at Virunga Lodge, this magnificent Virunga Lodge, is the luxury gorilla experience in Rwanda and one of Africa’s finest and most renowned lodges. The lodge is perched high on a ridge with the finest views in Africa, overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze valley to the west and Lake Bulera and Ruhondo to the east.
This 3 Days Staying at Virunga Lodge is highly recommended. Get an amazing experience and get something extra to make your Rwanda Safari with us even more memorable by securing this 3 Days Staying at Virunga Lodge.
Explore more of Rwanda by visiting Akagera National Park situated and perched in the North East province of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. Akagera National Park is a beautiful place to enjoy peace in nature while viewing game animals and beautiful birds. There are probably not as many animals as some other game reserves but it’s still a very beautiful place to visit while in Rwanda.
Mountain Gorilla-Volcanoes National Park
Day 1: Kigali City Tour – Volcanoes National Park (02h30 drive) – Part of 3 Days Staying at Virunga Lodge
Upon arrival with a morning flight you will you will proceed on a city tour of Kigali that includes The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center and Inema arts center.
Highlight; Perhaps the city’s best known landmark, and with good reason, is the very insightful and moving Kigali Genocide Memorial standing amid beautiful rose gardens and fountains. The memorial sets out the history leading up to the genocide in Rwanda and also explains other genocides around the world. It includes poignant displays of victims’ photographs and belongings, bringing the realities of the atrocities to life. While it might seem an unusual tourist attraction and can be upsetting, it does help to put into context how and why the genocide happened and to better appreciate just how far the country has moved on together in the intervening years. It also plays a vital role in educating Rwanda’s new and future generations about the genocide.
Founded in 2012 by brothers and self-taught painters Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, Inema Arts Center spurs creativity for personal, social, and economic growth. Nkurunziza and Nkuranga started Inema to tap the untapped potential of art in Rwanda. Their objective is to use creative expression to bring the community and country alive. To provide exposure to creative people and create opportunities for Rwanda’s most undeserved to use creativity for a productive livelihood.
Have lunch at the RETREAT RESTAURANT and have leisurely drive to MUSANZE and VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. Arrive and check in at your hotel. Evening is spent on relaxation and sightseeing. Overnight stay at
VIRUNGA LODGE (HB I.e. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, laundry, community fees, a selection of drinks)
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park (Gorilla Trekking, People and Culture)
06h30: After an early breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the park headquarters in time for Gorilla Trek briefing at 07h00. We will then transfer you to the trail head of your guided walk that begins at 08h00.
Volcanoes National Park is the Rwandan section of the great volcanic massif called the Virunga Mountains that straddles the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. The massif covers a huge area of over 8,000km², encompassing six active and three extinct volcanoes.
There is no other wildlife experience quite like an encounter with mountain gorillas. That precious hour spent in their company – watching the group playing, sulking, teasing each other, eating, or dozing just like we do – is extraordinary. And the gorilla tracking safaris in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park are among the best in Africa.
Rwanda is now home to twelve habituated groups of mountain gorillas that are scattered all over Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking can be arduous – some of the groups wander high up the mountainsides – but it is always utterly rewarding. Volcanoes National Park also has a historic connection with gorilla conservation.
This afternoon at 14h30 you will visit the Iby’Iwacu village for a cultural experience. While most of the focus of Volcanoes National Park falls squarely onto the animals, this ‘cultural village’ puts the spotlight back onto the people. Visitors get to experience Rwandan village life by grinding seeds, firing bows and arrows, taking part in a traditional intore dance and even partaking in the marriage of a king to his queen. After this amazing experience, you will descend from the mountains.
Return to the lodge in the evening. Leisure. Dinner at the dining area, followed by overnight stay.
VIRUNGA LODGE (FB I.e. Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, laundry, community fees, a selection of drinks)
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park – Golden Monkey Trekking – Return to Kigali & Out
Today, you have an early breakfast then transfer to the park headquarters for Golden monkey trekking briefing which starts at 07h00. We will then transfer you to the trail head of your guided walk that begins at 08h00. The Tracking usually takes about 4 hrs. Once you come to the habituated families, you will spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life.
Visit the Golden Monkeys in Rwanda
Trekking to see the golden monkeys is another highlight of Volcanoes National Park. The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti) is a local subspecies of the widespread Sykes Monkey, also known as the “Blue Monkey” and is endemic to the high altitude forests. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive and often spend their time leaping from bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor. There are two habituated groups of Golden Monkey, one group comprises around 80 – 100 members and has its home at the foot of Mt Sabyinyo.
You will then be transferred back to Kigali and drop-off to the Airport in time to catch your outbound flight. End of our services, wishing you a pleasant tour.
Inclusions of 3 Days Staying at Virunga Lodge
- Airport transfers.
- Accommodation at all the lodges and hotels mentioned in itinerary
- Meals as shown (FB-Full board-Lunch, dinner, Bed and breakfast) and (BB-Bed and breakfast)
- Exclusive use of a Safari land cruiser 4×4 in Rwanda
- Services of a professional, experienced English speaking driver guide in Rwanda
- Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour
- 1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, trek – US$ 1500.-)
- 1 Golden monkey permit US$ 100.-
- All activities and extra meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Our assistance
Exclusions of 3 Days Staying at Virunga Lodge
- International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,
- Entry visa fees, optional extras whilst in Kigali
- Drinks throughout the trip,
- Tips and gratuities,
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.
Gorilla permit note: Once permit is bought, it cannot be refunded or inter-changed. Before confirming the tour, please ensure that you request for availability of permits based on the number of participants.
Passenger Information:-
– In case of non-availability, we may have to reroute and provide alternative accommodation at lodges of similar category.
– Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris as our vehicles have limited luggage space
– All the passengers must have Identification Card/Passport with them throughout their travel