2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tour and Mount Bisoke Hike takes you to the most visited national park in Rwanda. The Volcanoes National park is one of the few places where one can track wild gorillas. The park lies in the north-eastern part of Rwanda, close to the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is mountainous but also covered with montane and bamboo forests which mountain gorillas love.
The Volcanoes National Park has almost a third of the total population of the mountain gorillas (About 320) remaining on earth. This number continues to grow as there are now about 1,000 mountains gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. The growing number of the critically endangered mountain gorillas is attributed to the initial work of Dian Fossey between the 1960’s and 80’s. Fossey was an American primatologist who settled in the Volcanoes National park after opening up a research centre between Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke. Dian Fossey discovered many things about mountain gorillas. She found that in order to gain the acceptance of a group, one needed to focus on winning over the dominant silverback. Once that was done, other group members would warm up. When she realized that gorilla numbers were reducing, she starting to actively fight poaching and animal trafficking. This brought her in direct confrontation with influential people who were benefiting from animal trafficking. Her brutal murder is believed to have been orchestrated by people who were benefiting from poaching. Her work was not in vain because her Karisoke Research Centre has grown into what we now know as the Dian Fossey Foundation. It is possible to visit her former research Centre and tomb where she is buried with some of her favorite gorillas like Digit.
The Volcanoes National park has 12 habituated gorilla families open to travelers. Each gorilla family comprises of between 6 to 30 individuals. The Volcanoes national park is not only home to mountain gorillas but also other species of animals and plants. Among the animals found in the park include golden monkeys (the second most popular attraction), forest buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, duikers, red tailed monkeys, De brazza monkeys, hyenas, black and white colobus monkeys. The Volcanoes National Park is home to over 250 species of birds, many of which are endemic to the Rwenzori region and the Albertine rift.
The Volcanoes national park has five of the eight volcanoes found in the Virunga volcanoes. There is Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Sabinyo and Gahinga. The last three mentioned are shared with Uganda. This 2 days tour will allow you to climb Mount Bisoke before observing the gorillas next. Mount Bisoke is dormant volcano and 3711 metres high. Reaching its summit takes only one day and the rewards are many. One will get an aerial view of the other mountains, the vast Virunga rangers, Lake Kivu, Goma town in Congo, national parks in Uganda and Rwanda. This tour requires one to be fit and in good shape.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Volcanoes national park – Hiking Mount Bisoke
The Driver will pick you up from Kigali at 4:00am and start the 3-hour journey to the Volcanoes National Park. On reaching the park, you will be taken straight to the offices for briefing. The briefing is all about what to expect, what to put on and how to prepare mentally. After the briefing, you will be taken to the starting point where you will find porters available for hire. Porters are very important if you have heavy luggage or a camera. They can also be very helpful when hiking difficult parts of the mountain. It takes between 4 to 6 hours to ascend and descend Mountain Bisoke.
Much of the lower part of the mountain is covered with green vegetation. Expect to spot birds, primates and mammals before reaching the higher sections. Mount Bisoke has a crater lake at the summit but most hikers spend their time admiring the beautiful scenery of the Volcanoes National Park, other Virunga volcanoes, Lake Kivu, national parks in Uganda and Congo. After marveling at the beautiful scenery and views, you will descend down and head to the lodge for shower, refreshment and relations.
Accommodation: The Garden Place hotel (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range). The Luxury hotels will be 5 Volcanoes Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking – Departure to Kigali
After resting early yesterday, you should wake up refreshed and ready for gorilla trekking. The driver will pick you up after having tea and take you for another briefing. This time it will be all about mountain gorillas. 
The Park officials will share information about the gorilla groups, what to expect and the gorilla tracking rules. It is during the briefing that gorilla permits will be verified and gorilla groups assigned. After finding out your gorilla group, the Park Rangers will lead you to the starting point. Tracking gorillas involves hiking through dense forest where you will encounter smaller primates, birds and different species of vegetation. Enjoy the moment and use the opportunity to ask as many questions as possible. After about one hour of hiking, you will be greeted with sudden grunts of the silverback and other members of the group. Maintain a distance and do not forget the gorilla trekking rules.
The silverback will be observing your every move to find out if you are a threat to his family. The park Rangers will let you know what to do in every situation. Remember to maintain a 7 meter gap between 
you and the nearest gorilla and avoid unnecessary movements that could alert the primates. When the primates get familiar with your group, you can start taking pictures and videos. Do not get to carried away or attempt to touch any of the primates. Take time to also observe group interaction and the character of each individual. You will notice many amazing things about the primates if you take time to observe. Gorillas show great compassion for one another and you will be amazed by the amount of care shown to the young. After an hour of interacting with the gorillas, you will return back to the starting point where you will meet the guide to take you back to Kigali town or the airport.
End of trip
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
The cost of this 2 days Mount Bisoke and gorilla trekking tour will include: –
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Ground transportation including fuel
- A Driver who also acts as a Guide
- Bisoke hiking fees
- Park ranger fees
- Water and lunch when traveling
- Accommodation with meals for one night
Exclusions: Tips and souvenirs, Air tickets, Visa fees and travel insurance.
Additional Information
Remember to prepare mentally for the hike and gorilla trekking even if you are physically fit. We have known many who failed to complete the Bisoke hike simply because they were not mentally prepared. 
For the best gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda you need to consider packing sturdy hiking boots, a hiking stick, a cap, hand gloves, warm jacket, snakes and drinking water. Porters are available for hire at the starting point and will cost you about $15. We also recommend that you have all the travel documents in check like the visa, ticket and passport. Make sure you are immunized against yellow fever and have the card before arriving in the country. Remember to travel with any personal medication that your doctor recommended for you. Other things to consider include an insect repellent, anti-malarial and cold tablets.
Accommodation
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge: This beautiful luxury lodge is located at the base of one of the Virunga Volcanoes. It is very close to the park offices and the starting point for gorilla trekking. The lodge has one family cottage, two executive suites and six standard cottages. All cottages are very spacious with 
large beds, a meeting lobby, sofas, modern showers, flush toilet and many other luxury items. Outside the rooms, the lodge has a dining hall, a lobby, a room for showcasing responsible tourism and a library with travel related books. The environment and scenery around the lodge is amazing for lack of a better word. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge works closely with the local community to improve their economic well-being through its Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA) project. Choose this lodge if you are looking for a high quality accommodation facility which channels some of its profit to local development initiatives.
The Garden Place Hotel: This budget lodge is located at the foot of Mount Bisoke and is therefore an excellent place to stay in if you are a budget traveler interested in Mount Bisoke. The Garden palace is not necessarily a budget hotel because it also has rooms for mid-range and luxury travelers. All rooms are self-contained with running water, satellite television, a study desk, room service, phones, very comfortable beds and modern bathrooms. Outside the rooms, there is a bar and restaurant serving all types of meals. If you are in need of meeting rooms during your tour, you might want to know that the hotel has spacious conference facilities with the capacity to accommodate over 100 people. The gardens are excellent for relaxation with green grass, trees and fresh air.
Villa Gorilla: This lodge is an excellent choice for backpackers and those who are looking for budget friendly but quality facilities. Though considered basic, the rooms are self-contained with showers, flush toilet and other items. The dining area is shared with all other visitors but one can also order for meals from the rooms. Villa Gorilla stands our because the rates are very attractive and pocket friendly. Moreover, the lodge rooms are comfortable enough for one not to worry too much.
