You are planning or have already booked your gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda and wonder what other activity you can do in the area?
Well there are plenty of activities for you to do without moving far away from Volcanoes National Park where the gorilla trek takes place. However note that you should not plan to do any other activity on the day of the gorilla tour. This is because the time taken to find the gorillas is never predictable hence the gorilla experience could take a whole day. Also, even if you return from the gorilla trek early enough, you may be too tired to do another activity, so it is better to relax away the rest of the day as you cherish the memory of the gorilla encounter.
You would therefore need to plan for an extra day after the gorilla trek, or have a day before the gorilla trekking day.
Canoe trip on River Mukungwa
The canoe trip on River Mukungwa is one of the must do activities before your gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. The canoe ride through the foothills of the Virunga mountains gives you a beautiful experience through rural Rwanda, as you view the beautiful hills, watch the local people in the countryside, and enjoy the thrill of riding down the fast waters.
The canoe trip is a 4 hour half day experience. You can plan to do this in the afternoon on the day of transfer from Kigali.
Gorilla guardians cultural village
Gorilla Guardians cultural village in Kinigi is very close to park volcanoes national park. The cultural center offers a short cultural experience which includes presentations of different Rwandan cultures and traditions such as royal wedding, traditional dance, hunting, etc…
You need at least one hour for the Gorilla Guardians Cultural Village, so this is one activity one can easily include on your gorilla trip. This can also be done on the same day with gorilla trek, later after returning from the mountains.
Golden monkey tracking in volcanoes
Golden monkey tracking is another nice trek in Volcanoes National Park you can add to the gorilla tracking. It is ideal activity to do in the park because it is light, unlike other treks in the park. The monkeys live in the bamboo forests at the base of the mountains and are easy to find. The monkey trek in the park is done in the morning and therefore cannot be done on the same day as the gorilla trek. One would need to plan extra morning, perhaps the morning before flying out in the evening.
Visit Ellen DeGeneres campus
A visit to this amazing facility funded by Ellen DeGeneres in honor of Dian Fossey, should be on your to do list before the gorilla trek. The visit to the campus offers you an insight into the works of Dian Fossey in studying and conserving the gorillas. The campus aims are bringing up the next Dian Fosseys.
You can visit the campus in the afternoon of the day before the gorilla trek.
Visit local markets in Musanze/Ruhengeri town
The local markets tour in Musanze town is exciting as you get to see typical items sold in an African market, as well as other economic activities. One exciting activity at the market is to visit the local tailor and have African attire sewn for you there and then.
Twin lakes tour
The Twin Lakes are two beautiful lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains near the border with Uganda. If you would like to enjoy surreal scenery and great views of the Virungas you can visit the twin lakes and take a boat ride on Lake Burera or Ruhonda. Have picnic lunch and take in the amazing scenery as you relax before your trek in the volcanoes.
Musanze caves tour
The Musanze caves tour is a thing for thrill seekers as it takes you through the “under world” formed centuries ago from the volcanic activity. They are 1.25 mile long caves and as you hike through the hair raising environment you are given lessons on their formation, historical uses and traditional and cultural significance to Rwandans.
Biking
Best way to discover rural Rwanda and see how the communities live as well as explore the landscape, is by taking a biking trip. You can bike to wonderful view points, check out the farmlands, villages, wetlands, twin lakes, etc…
Lake Kivu retreat and water adventure
At the end of the gorilla trek, you can transfer to Lake Kivu which is 1.5hrs drive from Volcanoes National Park and enjoy a relaxation retreat at one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Africa.
Unlike the activities above, Lake Kivu is a little far away from Volcanoes National Park and would therefore require at least a day or more to be added after the gorilla trekking.