Rwanda, Uganda · Trekking

4-Day Gorilla Trekking Tour in Volcanoes National Park from Kigali

4 Days Round trip from KN 5 Rd Moderate pace

Gorilla Tracking at Volcanoes National Park

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Hike through the gorgeous Volcanoes National Park
02 Get up close to the shy gorillas and observe their lifestyle
03 Participate in a community walk to the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village
04 Explore Kigali on a short city tour before heading to the park

Embark on this 4-day trek through the famous Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Track gorillas while trekking through the park's scenic landscapes and learn about the different animal species found here. You can also choose to join a community walk at the eco-tourist site of Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village to discover local culture.

You can also choose to join a community walk at the eco-tourist site of Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village to discover local culture.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kampala, Kigali, Volcanoes National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Kigali

On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel for the overnight stay. This journey leads into a unique experience: mountain gorilla tracking with one of the six habituated families, and the program can be arranged to start from Kampala or Kigali.

Accommodation:

Flame Tree Village Hotel
Mid-range hotel located in or near Kigali

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast (lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included

Day 02

Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, go on a short city tour of Rwanda's capital, Kigali.
After lunch, depart in the afternoon for Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes about 3 hours.
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel of your choice on a full-board basis.

Accommodation:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 03

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Have an early breakfast.
Set out for mountain gorilla trekking in the tropical rainforest of Volcanoes National Park.
After a briefing from the rangers of ORTPN (the Rwanda Park Authority), you will reach the starting point of your trek according to the gorilla family assigned to you. The park authority decides the distribution of permits on arrival. Carry a packed lunch and a light rain jacket, and wear trekking boots.
In the afternoon, you can go for a community walk at the eco-tourist site of Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village.
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel on a full-board basis.

Accommodation:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinks not included

Day 04

Return to Kigali

After breakfast, enjoy a free morning at the lodge.
In the afternoon, drive back to Kigali International Airport, or, if you prefer, stay an extra night in Kigali.

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast & lunch (dinner not included)
Drinks not included

Where this trip takes you

Volcanoes National Park rainforest, Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village community walk, Kigali city tour

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from KN 5 Rd 3 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park fees (for non-residents)
Gorilla permits (one per person, non-resident)
All activities (unless labelled as optional)
All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (unless labelled as optional)
All taxes/VAT
Round-trip airport transfer
Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What's Not Included

International flights (from/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline: USD 10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees)
Any government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks

What to bring

Packed lunch
Light rain jacket
Trekking boots

Know before you go

Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is not available to groups larger than 8 people.
Volcanoes National Park is the Rwanda section of the wider Virunga Conservation Area shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo DRC. Its territory is formed by a chain of nine volcanoes, including Karisimbi (4.507 m), Visoke, Sabinyo, and Muhavura. The altitude ranges from 2400 m to 4,000 m and is even higher on the peaks.
You can visit the families of the endangered golden monkeys. Mount Visoke hosts the tombs of the American primatologist Dian Fossey and the gorilla cemetery.

Logistics