4 Days Rwanda Safari package includes a combination of interesting activities in a short period of time. The main activities are gorilla trekking, relaxing by the beautiful lake Kivu, visiting the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, Visiting the Twin Lakes and golden monkey tracking at the volcanoes national park in Rwanda. The tour also includes touring the city of Kigali. Most of the activities are done within or close to the Volcanoes National Park. It is the most visited and popular national park in Rwanda. Known locally as The Parc National des Volcans (PNV), it covers an area that is more than 125 square kilometers. Much of it consists of swamps, heath, grasslands, bamboo forest and volcanoes. The five Volcanoes found in the park are Gahinga, Muhabura, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo and Bisoke.
The great primatologist Dian Fossey established a gorilla research center between Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke in the 1960’s. By the time of her death in the 1980’s Fossey had left a legacy behind and helped stop poaching activities in the park. What are the main attractions in the Volcanoes National Park? The main activities in the Volcanoes National Park are gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, visiting the tom of Dian Fossey, hiking one of the Virunga Volcanoes, Nature Walks and birding. That said, what brings most tourists to the park are the 350 mountain gorillas. The primates thrive here because of the cold weather, high altitude and plenty of food from the bamboo forests.
Gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park is generally considered less strenuous than in Uganda but the high altitude may present challenges for unprepared participants. The primates may also go higher up the mountains during the dry season and this may require some level of fitness.
Apart from observing the primates, this 4 days Lake Kivu and gorilla trekking tour also includes an opportunity to visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village. Now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village, the site is an excellent place to experience and learn about the culture of the people of Rwanda. While in Lake Kivu, you will go swimming, relaxing, canoeing and island hopping. We are convinced this tour package will allow you appreciate the natural beauty of Rwanda and her people.
Main Activities
- Touring Kigali city tour
- Tracking gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park
- Tracking Golden Monkeys
- Visiting the Iby’iwacu cultural village
- Visiting the Twin Lakes
- Visiting Lake Kivu for various activities
Full Itinerary
Day 1: City tour of Kigali – Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park Rwanda – Visit the Twin Lakes
In the morning, our company driver will appear to pick you up from the airport or your hotel to start the safari. After the briefing/familiarization, you will start with a tour of the small but relatively neat and organized city of Kigali. During the Kigali city tour, you will also visit the Gisozi genocide war memorial site where you will learn about what happened during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. You should also visit the former presidential palace, local craft shops and the main city market before going for lunch in the city.
After lunch, you will begin the 2 to 3 hours’ journey to the Volcanoes National Park. The route to the Volcanoes National Park rewards tourists with beautiful scenery consisting of tea and other plantations. You will know why Rwanda is often referred to as “The land of a thousand hills”. Once you arrive at the Volcanoes national park, rest and prepare for gorilla tracking the next day. If you arrive earlier and are still fresh, the driver will take you for a tour of the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Accommodation Options: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Middle-range) and The Garden Place Hotel (Standard).
Day 2: Tracking Gorillas – Tour the Iby’iwacu cultural village
After early morning breakfast, you will be taken to the park offices by 7:00 am to attend a briefing. The park officials will share important information about tracking mountain gorillas. The topics covered 
during the briefing include the history of the park, Dian Fossey, gorilla groups, gorilla trekking rules and what to expect. After the briefing, you will be assigned to one of the 10 habituated gorilla groups. The allocation of gorilla groups is based on age and overall physical fitness of trekkers. After knowing your group, you will also be given a chance to hire a porter if you have heavy equipment. The Rangers will lead you deep into the bamboo forests and mountain slopes in search of the primates. Gorilla trekking can be challenging but once you meet the group, you will realize that it was worth all the effort and expenses.
While observing the gorilla family, listen to instructions from the Rangers and avoid doing things that might alert the primates. You are only allowed one hour to observe the primates. After the one hour, you will return to the starting point where our driver would be waiting for you. Once at the lodge, you will have lunch, shower and rest as you wait to be taken to the Gorilla Guardians Village in Musanze. Formerly known as the Iby’iwacu Cultural village, the site is the best place to experience all that is great about the Kinyarwanda and Batwa culture. Expect to be entertained by cultural dancers after taking a tour of the facility.
Accommodation Options: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Middle -range) and The Garden Place Hotel (Standard).
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking – Transfer to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi – Swimming, canoeing, island hopping and Relaxation
Wake up early and go for another early morning briefing on golden monkeys. Like gorillas, golden monkeys are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are very cute and playful primates with golden coats. Tracking them doesn’t take so long when compared to gorillas and you should expect to be back at the lodge at midday. You will check out of the lodge and get ready to leave the volcanoes national park for Lake Kivu in Gisenyi.
Lake Kivu is the largest fresh water lake in Rwanda. It spreads all the way to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Lake contains hidden methane gas beneath its surface but is currently not dangerous to swimmers. The lake is popular with tourists because of its natural beauty and amazing activities. Once you arrive, you will check in to your hotel room and have lunch overlooking the lake. After lunch, you can go for swimming, relaxation by the lakeside, canoeing or visiting the different islands/fishing villages.
Accommodation Options: Lake Kivu Serena hotel (Upmarket), Paradise Marahide (Middle -range) and Palm Resort Gardens (Standard).
Day 4: Complete activities in Lake Kivu – Transfer back Kigali
Wake up at your own time, take breakfast and go to the lake to complete any activity that you might have missed the previous day. Once you have completed all activities, the driver will start the journey back to Kigali. In case you missed touring the city of Kigali on day 1 (because you arrived in the country late), this will be the day to visit all the sites mentioned earlier. Our driver will take you to the airport for departure or to your hotel in Kigali. We hope that you would have a great time with the gorillas, golden monkeys and the other sights.
End of Tour
Practical Guide
For the best experience while tracking mountain gorillas, pack good hiking boots, a thick cotton glove, a thin raincoat, light snacks and mineral water. Porters are available for hire for those with heavy bags and cameras. Remember that you need to be in good condition to have the best experience tracking gorillas though it is not a requirement as you will learn from our article about gorilla trekking for the elderly. Remember that it is good thing to tip the Park Rangers if you have loose change and are satisfied with their extra efforts.
This 4 days’ gorilla tour and Lake Kivu visit does not include meals/dinner a day before the tour but can be included on request. Only individuals who are 15 years and above are allowed to track gorillas. Before traveling, ensure that you have taken your yellow fever shots. Visas can be acquired on arrival at the airport or online before showing up.
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
The 4 days gorilla safari and Lake Kivu tour includes: –
- A private 4X4 safari vehicle
- A private Driver/Guide
- Fuel for the whole tour
- Gorilla tracking permits
- Golden Monkey permits
- Drinking water throughout the trip
- Pickup and drop-off in Kigali
- Boat ride in Lake Kivu
- Visiting the Twin Lakes
- Cultural visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Tour of Kigali city
The safari excludes: International flights, visas, personal expenses and insurance.
Hotels and Lodges
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge: This luxury lodge is built 15km away from the town of Musanze and at the foot of Mount Karisimbi. Apart from its strategic location, the lodge offers amazing views of all the Virunga Volcanoes and the national park. The lodge offers 32 self-contained chalets which are surrounded by well-manicured gardens and paved walkways. Each chalet has its own fireplace and guest can choose one with a twin or king-sized bed. Room decorations have been made simple but with unique Rwandan art. Other amenities include an in-house restaurant, a bar and swimming pool. In the evening guests are entertained by traditional Kinyarwanda dancing groups.
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel: This is without doubt the best accommodation facility within lake Kivu. Like its other sister properties around the world, Lake Kivu Serena offers 5-star services and is located 
on the beautiful white sand beaches of the lake. It is a large hotel and built in an excellent location. The 66 self-contained rooms are world class and offer all the comfort and luxury one would need while on a Rwanda safari. In each room, you will find a safe, telephone, Satellite Television, hairdryers and free internet. Lake Kivu is very close to the Kigali and the Volcanoes National Park and because of that can be used as a base for touring different tourism destinations in the country. What amenities does the hotel offer? Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offers a restaurant, bars, a swimming pool, a gym, a health Centre and beautiful beach among many other amenities.
Paradise Malahide: This has to be the best mid-range lodge close to Lake Kivu. It is built in Rubona Village – seven kilometers away from Gisenyi Centre. It offers beautiful views of the lake but also 10 very comfortable self-contained rooms. The hotel is owned by a family with deep passion for the hospitality business. The food is great and served accompanies by tasty local fruits. If you are looking for a good mid-range hotel to use as a base for exploring Lake Kivu and that also offers excellent value for money, then consider Paradise Malahide. The lodge also organizes boat trips, kayaking and other water-sports.
