Day 1: Arrival and Cultural Experience

Your guide will meet you at the Cyanika border and assist with immigration. From here, you’ll take a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Musanze City, nestled near Volcanoes National Park.

Stop 1: Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Fund

Your first stop is the Ellen Campus, a conservation center dedicated to gorilla research and education. Here, you’ll explore:

• Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery – Showcasing the history of mountain gorilla research and conservation.
• Augmented Reality Gorilla Tracking – A virtual experience mimicking real-life gorilla behavior.
• Sandy and Harold Price Research Center – A hub for scientific research on gorilla genetics and health.
• Rob and Melani Walton Education Center – An interactive space teaching about co-existence with gorillas.

Stop 2: Gorilla Guardians Village

This village is a cultural project run by former poachers who turned to conservation. Here, you’ll:

• Learn about Rwandan traditions through interactive displays in traditional huts.
• Participate in cultural activities like banana beer brewing, butter churning, and iron smelting.
• Experience a traditional Rwandan wedding ceremony.
• Enjoy energetic dance and drumming performances from local artists.

After this immersive cultural tour, you will check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Leisure

Wake up early and head to Volcanoes National Park headquarters by 7:00 AM for a briefing on gorilla trekking. After being assigned a gorilla family, you will begin your trek through dense bamboo forests.

The Gorilla Trekking Experience

• Trek duration varies from 1-4 hours, depending on the gorilla family's location.
• Porters are available to assist with carrying bags and provide support on steep terrain.
• Once you find the gorillas, you’ll have one magical hour to observe them in their natural habitat.
• Watch them play, feed, and interact under the guidance of expert trackers and rangers.

Afternoon at Leisure

After your trek, return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest. Many lodges offer complimentary massages to soothe sore muscles. If you’re feeling adventurous, take an optional stroll through Musanze City to interact with locals and explore craft markets.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Departure

Wake up early for a morning golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park.

Golden Monkey Trekking

• Unlike gorillas, golden monkeys are agile and often leap from bamboo trees.
• The trek is relatively easy, as they stay in lower altitudes of the park.
• Along the way, you might spot other wildlife like duikers, bush pigs, and colobus monkeys.
• After the trek, return to the lodge for a meal and freshen up before embarking on a scenic 3-hour drive to Kigali for your international departure. End of Safari.