6 Days Dian Fossey Grave Hike & Lake Kivu Safari

One of the highlights of Rwanda safari is hiking the Dian Fossey graveyard, this has become one of the top safari attractions in Volcanoes national park where Diana Fossey was murdered by unknown poachers in the park, Dian Fossey used to do her research in Volcanoes national park where up in the hills and this was one of the top research centres in East Africa for doing research on by then the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat north-west of the main capital Kigali.

Our 6 Days Diana Fossey grave hike & Lake Kivu safari will give you a classic safari experience where you will trek the mountain gorillas, trek the golden monkeys, hike to Karisoke research centre before heading to the sandy lakeshores of Lake Kivu for relaxation.

Safari highlights

• Gorilla trekking
• Golden monkey trekking
• Karisoke research centre
• Boat cruise on Lake Kivu

Safari itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Kigali to volcanoes national park

After morning breakfast at your lodge, you will be picked up by your guide and transfer to Kigali city for a city tour, this tour will take you to the Kigali genocide memorial before heading to the Belgian peace centre after you will head to Hotel Rwanda for lunch after lunch you will start your drive to Volcanoes national park this scenic drive will take you through the rolling hills of the volcanoes upon arrival you will check-in for relaxation and overnight.

Day 2: Hike to the Diana Fossey graveyard

After early morning breakfast well dressed in your hiking gear, you will drive to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing about the Diana Fossey grave hike, after the briefing, you will then transfer to the starting point for the hike, this incredible hike will take you through the rainforest as will be looking out for primates, birds and other wildlife, upon arrival at the grave the guide will give you an insider of the events that took place and later you will return to the endpoint and transfer to the lodge for relaxation.

Day 3: Golden monkey trekking experience

After an early morning breakfast full dressed in your trekking gear, you will transfer to the park headquarters in Kinigi for your golden monkey trekking experience, this is a much lighter hike as the golden monkeys live in the bamboo zone close to the park boundary, after locating the golden monkeys you will view them for 1 hour and later return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Day 4: Gorilla trekking experience and transfer to Lake Kivu

Yet another day of classic safari experience comes with an early morning breakfast full dressed in your gorilla trekking gear, your guide will transfer you to the park headquarters again for the briefing about the gorilla trekking, after the briefing you will transfer to the trailhead to start your trek into the rainforest after locating the gorillas you will spend 1 hour with them and later return to the lodge for refreshment after you will drive to Lake Kivu for relaxation and overnight.

Day 5: Full day relaxation on Lake Kivu

You will spend the day at your luxury lodge and later in the evening you will take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Kivu, this will give you an opportunity to see the local fishermen, sunset if the weather is clear and some beautiful water birds and later you will return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Day 6: Drive back to Kigali

After you’re lazily morning you will start your drive to Kigali, depending on your flight time upon arrival in the city you make do shopping for souvenirs and later your guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight or if you are staying overnight then the guide will transfer you to the lodge.

Trip includes

• Accommodation
• Vehicle, guide and Fuel
• Gorilla permit
• Golden monkey permit
• Kigali city tour fees
• Diana Fossey hiking fees
• Enroute meals and drinking water
• Sunset boat cruise on Lake Kivu
• Free airport transfers

Trip excludes

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Rwanda tourist Visa
• Pre and post-safari accommodation
• personal expenses like Alcoholic drinks, donations and shopping

When to book safari package

This package can be booked for 6 months to 1 year in order to secure the gorilla permit.

Best to visit Rwanda for a safari

Rwanda is an all-year destination but the best time to travel is from June to October and from December to February when hiking is easier and there is less rainfall.