The gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place in the Virunga mountains and therefore involves hiking steep mountain terrain to find the gorillas, a physically demanding adventure. After the trek you would want a perfect place to relax a bit and Lake Kivu will give you just that. One of the most beautiful lakes in Central Africa that is located along the Rwanda – Congo border, Lake Kivu sits in the shadow of the Virunga mountains and therefore conveniently located to visit after the amazing gorilla tour in Volcanoes National Park, home of a third of the mountain gorillas and the striking golden monkeys.

Rwanda gorillas and Lake Kivu 4-day tour itinerary

Day 1 – transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Today you will be picked up from Kigali at 8am and leave for Volcanoes National Park in the north of Rwanda. The drive is about two and half hours, going through scenic winding hilly landscape and occasionally stopping at nice view points to take in the breathtaking scenery!

You will spend the rest of the day at your lodge at leisure

Optional activities to do

You have about a half a day free and you can do one of the following activities

• Kigali city tour

You can have the first half of the day experiencing Kigali City visiting interesting historic, commercial sites as you explore the cleanest and most organized city in Sub-Sahara Africa.

• canoe ride on river Mukungwa in Musanze

You can go on a half day afternoon canoe ride on River Mukungwa which flows through the lush countryside in the foothills of the Virunga mountains. You will have a wonderful adventure while enjoying the incredible views of the rolling landscape, see the village life in Rwanda, watch wildlife as row along

Day 2 – gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Early rise, have breakfast at 6am and by 7am transfer to the park office in Kinigi where you will be allocated to one of the more than 10 habituated mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. You will briefed about gorillas and the trekking rules and thereafter transfer to the park for the gorilla trek. After a marvelous time with the gorillas and trekking adventure in the Virunga mountains you will return to the lodge to relax.

Day 3 – transfer to Lake Kivu

Today you will transfer to the Lake Kivu and check into your hotel at the shore of one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes. This is a wonderful place to relax. Later in the day you can do a boat ride on the lake and explore the beautiful scenery!

Optional activity:

In the morning you can go back to Volcanoes National Park for the golden monkey tracking adventure. Unlike the gorilla trek which can be unpredictably a difficult hike, the trek to see the golden monkeys is light as the monkeys live in bamboo forests at the base of the volcanoes. These beautiful monkeys are found only in the Virunga mountains which makes seeing them special!

Day 4 – Drive back to Kigali

You will wake up at leisure with lovely views of Lake Kivu, have breakfast and leave for Kigali, approximately 4 hours drive.