Rwanda · Primate Tours

3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda with Volcanoes National Park

3 Days Round trip from Kigali Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek through Volcanoes National Park in search of elusive mountain gorillas
02 Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime, intimate encounter with these magnificent creatures
03 Stay at the eco-friendly Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, crafted from local materials
04 Immerse yourself in the lush landscapes and rich biodiversity of Rwanda's rainforest

Experience the adventure of a lifetime on this 3-day Gorilla Safari in Rwanda, trekking through Volcanoes National Park to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Stay at the sustainable Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, built from environmentally friendly local materials, and immerse yourself in the lush surroundings of Rwanda's rainforest.

Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Kigali, Volcanoes National Park

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Get picked up by your tour guide from Kigali Airport or the hotel where you are staying in Kigali.
After only 2 hours of driving, you will reach the lodge. The lodge has been built using environmentally friendly local materials such as bamboo, fitted by local community craftsmen.

Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Meal plan: Lunch, dinner and drinking water

Day 02

Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Start early and track one of the habituated gorilla groups that can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. The time to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour or as much as 8 hours.
Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas' current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda's own 'Gorillas in the Mist'.

Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Meal plan: All meals and drinking water

Day 03

Return Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast and lunch, drive back to Kigali Airport, ensuring you check in 2 hours before departure time.

Where this trip takes you

Volcanoes National Park rainforest, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Kigali

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

Park fees (for non-residents)
Gorilla permits (one per person, non-resident)
All activities (unless labelled as optional)
All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
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)
Drinking water (on all days)

What's Not Included

International flights (from/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

What to bring

Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support and grip (to avoid any nasty blisters, ensure you have good walking socks and have worn them before you depart).
Light, breathable, waterproof jackets and trousers, and long-sleeved shirts. Wearing long sleeves and trousers will protect you from insect bites and keep you warm if the weather turns.
Hat and sunglasses.
A lightweight backpack with enough room for lunch, a reusable water bottle, extra layers, snacks, and essentials like sun cream, insect repellent, after-sun, bite relief cream, and lip balm.
Binoculars to spot other wildlife, such as birds and monkeys, from a distance.
Camera with spare batteries and waterproof covering.