Rwanda

04:30 – Early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kigali. Begin the scenic drive north toward Volcanoes National Park (approx. 2½ hours). As the city fades behind you, Rwanda’s countryside unfolds—rolling green hills, terraced farms, and quiet villages gradually coming to life.

07:00 – Arrive at the park headquarters in Kinigi where you will check in and meet the ranger team. Over a warm cup of coffee, park officials will provide a briefing on trekking procedures, safety guidelines, and gorilla conservation before assigning each group to a specific gorilla family.

08:00 – Your guided trek into the forest begins. The trek may take anywhere from one to several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family, but the journey through bamboo forest and volcanic slopes is part of the adventure.

Once the gorillas are located, you will spend a precious hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching a silverback guard his family, juveniles playing among the vegetation, and mothers caring for their young is a profoundly moving wildlife encounter and one of the rarest experiences in the world.

Volcanoes National Park is internationally known for its role in mountain gorilla conservation and for the pioneering work of Dian Fossey, whose research helped bring global attention to the protection of these remarkable animals.

13:00 –  After the trek, enjoy a relaxing lunch at a select restaurant, where you can reflect on the morning’s extraordinary experience while taking in views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.

Optional Visit – Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
If time allows, you may visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a modern conservation center dedicated to gorilla research, education, and the legacy of Dian Fossey.

16:00 –  Begin the drive back to Kigali. Arrival in the evening with drop-off at your hotel or at Kigali International Airport depending on your onward plans.