Rwanda · Up-Close Animal Experiences

3-Day Gorilla Trekking Tour in Volcanoes National Park with Kigali

3 Days Round trip from Kigali Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park's verdant jungle
02 Watch mountain gorilla families as mothers care for their young and juveniles play
03 Explore Kigali's Genocide Memorial Centre and National Museum
04 Drive through Rwanda's beautiful terraced hills to a lodge overlooking the volcanoes
05 Add an optional golden monkey trekking experience before returning to Kigali

Get up close with mountain gorillas in the stunning Afromontane forest of Volcanoes National Park with the help of park rangers. This 3-day experience also introduces you to Kigali, the land of "a Thousand Hills," with visits to the Genocide Memorial Centre and the National Museum. Travel through beautiful terraced hills to the gorillas' habitat, relax at a lodge overlooking the volcanoes, and, if you wish, add an optional golden monkey trekking experience before returning to Kigali.

The experience is demanding but deeply impressive when you finally come face to face with these mountain gorillas.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Kigali, Volcanoes National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

On your arrival at Kanombe Airport in Kigali, you will be picked up by your driver, who will then take you on a fun and lovable city tour in the heart of Rwanda, Kigali. You are sure to be surprised by the splendor of Rwanda, the land of "a Thousand Hills." The city is very spotless, and the people are hospitable and friendly.
Visit the Genocide Memorial Centre, which will provide you with information on the genesis of the genocide.
Head to the National Museum and see many other eye-catching places within and around the city.
Enjoy a thrilling drive through the beautiful terraced hills as you head to Volcanoes National Park, a well-known habitat of the mountain gorillas.
Reach your destination late in the evening and check in to your lodge overlooking the volcanoes. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 02

Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Lodge Relaxation

Following breakfast, you will proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers regarding gorilla trekking.
Hike through the verdant jungle in search of mountain gorillas. Some level of physical fitness is needed for this activity, as it involves climbing hills. The experience is demanding but deeply impressive when you finally come face to face with these mountain gorillas. You will see them in families as they go about their day-to-day routine activities - mothers caring for the young, juveniles playing, and others feeding. You are required to maintain a good distance while watching them, and be sure to turn off your camera flash as you capture images. Gorilla trekking takes approximately two to six hours.
Right after trekking, head back to the lodge for relaxation. Depending on the time and your energy levels, you will do a nature walk to see the beautiful twin lakes, as well as a cultural walk to interact with the local people. You will be entertained by these local people through their traditional dances and songs.
Later in the evening, you will dine and then spend the night back at your lodge.

Day 03

Optional Golden Monkey Trekking and Return to Kigali

After an early breakfast, you have the option to go for golden monkey trekking. Before meeting these primates, you will see other monkeys, wildlife, and plants. Eventually, you will come face to face with the golden monkeys. You will observe them play and hop from one branch to another; it is such an amazing and memorable encounter.
Drive back to Kigali, and if time allows, stop at craft shops to buy souvenirs.
Proceed to the airport for your departure flight.

Where this trip takes you

Volcanoes National Park, mountain gorillas, terraced hills

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Kigali 2 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Airport transfers, along with meet-and-greet services by our local representatives at Kigali International Airport
All accommodation in standard rooms
Meals on a full-board basis
1-litre bottled mineral water per person per day while on safari
Ground transportation by 4x4 jeep Land Cruiser
Gorilla permit: USD 1500
Services of a professional Rwandan English-speaking driver

What's Not Included

Items of a personal nature, i.e. laundry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, etc.
Tips

Know before you go

The lodging facilities range from budget, mid-range to luxury, and the choice remains entirely up to you.
- Luxury accommodation: Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.
- Modest accommodation: Ingagi Park View Lodge.
- Budget accommodation: Muhabura Hotel, Villa Gorilla.
Volcanoes National Park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The park has 10 habituated gorilla groups, and only 8 people are permitted to track different families in a day. You are strictly given one hour in the presence of these gorillas, which is worth your time and money. The walk through the forest or thick vegetation is quite challenging depending on the weather; it is sometimes muddy, wet, and steep as you search for the gorillas. Some level of physical fitness is also required to help you achieve your dream of spotting gorillas. You are requested to move at the same pace so that no one is left lagging behind. Stopovers are allowed so you can catch your breath. In case you fail to make it, you can hire a porter for a small fee. Children below the age of 15 years are not allowed to track gorillas.
One thing you must know is that gorillas are accustomed to human beings. If you are lucky, they may come closer to you and even touch you. If this happens, you should stay calm and not panic, because it would not bring you any harm. Follow closely what your guide tells you while in the presence of these gorillas to enable you to take pleasure in every moment with them. You may wish to track gorillas twice, but this will depend on how much money you are willing to spend.
A permit in Rwanda costs USD 1500, and you are requested to book months in advance because permits are always in short supply. Last-minute reservations are not recommended. Take time as you plan for your gorilla safari in Rwanda.