2-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience

Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Musanze – A Journey Through Memory and Hope

Your unforgettable 2-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari journey with Terenga Safaris begins with a morning pick-up at your hotel in Kigali or from Kigali International Airport by your professional English-speaking driver-guide. You will immediately embark on a city tour that provides deep insight into Rwanda’s multifaceted history, culture, and resilience.

The first part of your 2-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari includes a visit to Kigali Solaire and the Stade Régional, significant landmarks representing Kigali’s modernization and community pride. You will then proceed to the somber yet essential Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, where more than 259,000 victims of the 1994 genocide are interred. This site serves not only as a memorial but also as an educational center, dedicated to fostering peace and learning from the horrors of the past. Walking through its exhibition halls filled with photographs, personal stories, and historic artifacts is a deeply emotional and eye-opening experience.

Next, you’ll visit the Dr. Richard Kandt Museum, housed in the former residence of the first German colonial resident of Rwanda. This museum presents Kigali’s history during colonial times and gives you a feel for how the city began. A short stop at the Belgian Peacekeepers’ Memorial (Belgian Camp) provides further historical context. It was here that ten Belgian UN soldiers lost their lives trying to protect Rwanda’s moderate prime minister during the early hours of the genocide.

In the afternoon, after lunch, your journey continues to Bugesera District, a location renowned for its role in Rwanda’s peace and reconciliation efforts. You will visit the Reconciliation Village, where survivors of the genocide live peacefully alongside former perpetrators who have asked for forgiveness. Their shared stories of pain, healing, and coexistence will touch your heart and deepen your appreciation for Rwanda’s incredible journey toward peace.

Before departing for Musanze, visit the haunting Nyamata and Ntarama Churches—two genocide memorial sites that tell harrowing stories of those who sought sanctuary within their sacred walls but were ultimately killed. These sites are preserved as they were found, with blood-stained clothing, makeshift weapons, and haunting silence—a powerful reminder of Rwanda’s darkest hour.

As evening approaches, your 2-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari journey to Musanze begins. Located near the foothills of Volcanoes National Park, Musanze is a scenic town surrounded by terraced hills and volcanic peaks. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at the Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, a charming mid-range accommodation with comfortable rooms and warm hospitality.

• Main Destination: Musanze (Gateway to Volcanoes National Park)
• Accommodation: Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range lodge)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast (Lunch and dinner at own expense)
• Beverages: Drinks not included

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Return to Kigali – The Pinnacle of African Wildlife Encounters

Day two marks the thrilling climax of your 2-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: tracking the rare mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast at the lodge, your driver-guide will transfer you to the Kinigi Park Headquarters. Here, you’ll join other trekkers for a detailed orientation conducted by Rwanda Development Board rangers. This session includes crucial information about gorilla behavior, safety rules, and trekking etiquette.

You will then be assigned a gorilla family group to track—based on your fitness level and trekking preferences. Gorilla trekking can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorilla family’s location, terrain, and weather. Accompanied by armed rangers and skilled trackers, you will hike through bamboo forests, open clearings, and muddy trails. The lush, dense vegetation is home not just to gorillas but also golden monkeys, forest elephants, and hundreds of bird species.

The moment you lock eyes with a silverback, time seems to stand still. You’ll spend a magical hour in close proximity to the gorilla family—watching the young ones tumble playfully, mothers nurture their infants, and dominant males keeping watch. This one hour is strictly regulated to ensure the gorillas remain safe and undisturbed. The silence shared between human and primate is spiritual—often leaving visitors speechless or in tears.

After the trek, return to the lodge to freshen up and have lunch. Later in the afternoon, you will begin your drive back to Kigali, arriving in the early evening. Depending on your travel schedule, you may be dropped off at your hotel or directly at Kigali International Airport.

• Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorilla Trekking)
• Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch included (Dinner not included)
• Beverages: Drinks not included