Rwanda · Trekking

3-Day Gorilla Trekking Tour in Rwanda with Kigali and Iby'Iwachu

3 Days Round trip from Kigali Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Kigali's history with a visit to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial
02 Track one of the 12 habituated mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park
03 Spend an hour observing, photographing, and filming mountain gorillas
04 Immerse yourself in Rwandese culture at Iby'Iwachu village
05 Enjoy spectacular views of Rwanda's hills and misty valleys en route

Embark on a 3-day adventure in Rwanda, beginning with a city tour of Kigali and its rich history before continuing to Volcanoes National Park for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. Spend time with one of the park's habituated mountain gorilla families, then immerse yourself in Rwandese culture at Iby'Iwachu village. Along the way, enjoy spectacular views of hills and misty valleys, local cuisine, and vibrant traditional performances.

You will spend an hour in their presence, during which you can observe, photograph, and film them.

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

In the morning, you shall be picked up from your hotel to start your day with a city tour of Kigali, the heart of Rwanda. This will be an account of history and how it has shaped present-day Rwanda.
You will visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial.
You will also visit a local produce and crafts market in Kigali.
After lunch, you will begin your journey to Volcanoes National Park.
Enjoy the spectacular views of hills and misty valleys on your way.
Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation options

Budget: Hotel Lapalme

Meal plan: Lunch and dinner.

Day 02

Gorilla Trekking and Iby'Iwachu Cultural Village Visit

Early in the morning, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for clearance, briefing, and allocation of a gorilla family to track.
After the briefing, you will be led by experienced ranger guides on the hike to visit one of the 12 habituated mountain gorilla families in the park.
You will spend an hour in their presence, during which you can observe, photograph, and film them.
After tracking, exit the forest and return to your accommodation.
In the evening, you shall tour the Iby'Iwachu cultural village to immerse yourself in Rwandese culture.
Learn to prepare local cuisine, tend to animals, and dress like Rwandese.
You will enjoy a traditional dance performance and purchase crafts if you wish, before returning to your lodge.

Accommodation options

Budget: Hotel Lapalme

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 03

Scenic Return to Kigali and Airport Transfer

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and start your journey to Kigali.
Enjoy a few stops for photography along the way.
You shall be transferred to the airport in the evening to catch your flight to your next destination.

Accommodation: None

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch.

Where this trip takes you

Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park, Gisozi Genocide Memorial, hills and misty valleys

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

Accommodation in the mentioned lodges
An experienced English-speaking safari guide
1 gorilla tracking permit per person in Volcanoes National Park for a foreign national
Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle
Transportation to and from the areas indicated
Fuel and meals as indicated on the respective days
All entrance fees and relevant government tax
Mineral water throughout the entire safari
Administration fees

What's Not Included

Drinks, tips, souvenirs, and any personal purchases
All activities indicated as optional in the itinerary
Visa fees and international flight tickets
All forms of insurance

What to bring

We strongly recommend the following:

Rain poncho (lightweight)
Long-sleeved shirt
Waterproof trousers
Sturdy hiking boots
Leather gardening-type gloves
Sunscreen
Insect repellent and any necessary medications must be brought from your hometown or Kampala.
Still cameras and camcorders are allowed.

Know before you go

Notes on Gorilla tracking

Gorilla trekking is a strenuous activity, and one should be physically fit to enjoy this tour.
The minimum gorilla tracking age is 15 years.
Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will not be allowed to track.
While possessing a gorilla permit guarantees trekking and sighting the gorillas, the quality of the gorilla trekking experience cannot be guaranteed.
The maximum time allowed with the gorillas will not exceed one hour.

Kindly note that booking gorilla permits is subject to availability and payment. In cases where a requested gorilla group is unavailable, we shall suggest an alternative and communicate any changes in the program.

Logistics