Itinerary
- Day 1
Kigali to Musanze
Start by driving from Kigali to Musanze, which serves as the main base for gorilla trekking in this region. Once you arrive, you'll check in at Red Rocks Campsite and get a rundown of their cultural initiatives and community projects. The staff will walk through different local programs, and you'll have the chance to get involved with some of these efforts during your stay.
- Start point
- Kigali, Rwanda (Kigali International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Red Rocks cultural initiatives and projects
- Community involvement activities
- Day 2
Musanze to Mgahinga
After breakfast, the drive takes you to the Rwanda-Uganda border where you'll handle crossing formalities and enter Uganda. From there, head to Mgahinga National Park for a briefing with the park warden about what to expect. The mountain gorilla trekking itself can run up to six hours depending on where the groups are located, followed by an hour watching these primates in their natural setting. Later, you'll climb through the volcanoes before heading back to the lodge for lunch. Spend the afternoon at Lake Mutanda, a nice spot for birding and taking in the surrounding landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park
- Trekking briefing from park warden
- Volcano ascent
- Lake Mutanda visit
Landmarks Mgahinga National Park Lake Mutanda - Day 3
Mgahinga to Musanze
Following breakfast, drive to the park headquarters and enter the forest to trek golden monkeys, a related species to blue monkeys that only inhabit the Virunga massif. The trek runs through the morning until around midday. After lunch, you'll drive back toward Kisoro town and cross back into Rwanda at the border. From there, return to Red Rocks Campsite for the rest of the day and evening to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park
Landmarks Mgahinga National Park - Day 4
Musanze to Kigali
After eating, drive to Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, two twin lakes situated near the volcanoes. You can take a boat across the water to see the scenery or join local fishermen in their traditional canoes. There's an island community to visit, and climbing to the highest point gives you solid volcano photos if the weather cooperates. Head back to Red Rocks for lunch where traditional dancers will perform before saying goodbye to guests. That evening, drive back to Kigali to wrap up the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Boat exploration of Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo
- Island community visit
- Highest point visit for volcano photography
- Local traditional dance performance at Red Rocks
Optional Activities
- Join local fishermen in traditional canoes
Landmarks Lake Bulera Lake Ruhondo
