Safari Packages · Volcanoes National Park
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari
A short, focused journey to spend an hour with a mountain gorilla family in the misty Virunga volcanoes.
Duration
3 days · 2 nights
Best season
Jun–Sep · Dec–Feb
Style
Private journey · Mid-range lodges
From
$2,650 per person
Overview
Volcanoes National Park
The simplest way to meet Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. You drive from Kigali to the foot of the Virunga volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park, spend a morning trekking through bamboo and cloud forest to find a habituated gorilla family, and share one quiet hour in their company. It’s ideal for short stays, or as the start of a longer journey such as our 5 Days Gorillas & Chimpanzees or 6 Days Double Gorilla & Golden Monkey Safari. Your gorilla permit is included, and we secure it as soon as you book. New to trekking? Our gorilla trekking guide explains permits, fitness and what to pack.
Highlights
- One hour with a mountain gorilla family
- The scenic drive through Rwanda's terraced hills
- Optional golden monkey tracking or a community visit
- A private driver-guide from arrival to departure
Every journey is private and can be adjusted to your dates, pace and preferred lodges. Share your plans with us and we will shape the details around you.
From
$2,650
per person · 3 days · 2 nights
| Solo | 2 sharing | 4 sharing |
|---|---|---|
| $3,350 | $2,650 | $2,450 |
Price per person based on 2 people sharing, mid-range lodges, gorilla and chimpanzee permits included where listed. Solo travellers, larger groups and luxury lodges priced on request. Permit prices are set by the Rwanda Development Board and may change.
Itinerary
Day by day
Your guide meets you at Kigali International Airport or your Kigali hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, then drive north (about 2.5 hours) through terraced hills, with the volcanoes rising ahead. Spend a quiet evening at your lodge.
Meals Dinner
Stay Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or similar
After an early breakfast, you drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi for a 7am briefing. The rangers assign you to a gorilla family, and you trek with a guide and trackers through farmland, bamboo and forest. The walk can take from one to several hours. When you reach the family, you spend one hour watching them feed, play and rest. Return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you can visit the Iby’Iwacu cultural village, now often called the Gorilla Guardians Village.
Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or similar
Optional: golden monkey tracking in the morning (+$100). After breakfast, drive back to Kigali for your flight or hotel.
Meals Breakfast
What's included
- One gorilla trekking permit per person ($1,500)
- Iby'Iwacu cultural village visit
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide, fuel included
- Airport or Kigali hotel pickup and drop-off
- Accommodation as listed, sharing a double or twin room
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry fees for the activities listed
- Booking and securing your permits through the Rwanda Development Board
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
What's not included
- International flights
- Rwanda visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Drinks other than water
- Tips for guides, porters and lodge staff (guideline: $20 per guide per day)
- Porters on treks (about $15–20 plus a tip, paid locally)
- Optional activities and personal expenses
Optional extras
- Golden monkey tracking (+$100)
- Dian Fossey tomb hike (about $75)
Good to know
- Best season is June–September and December–February, but trekking runs all year.
- The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15.
- Bring waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, long sleeves and gardening gloves.
- Guide: the best time to visit Rwanda
- Guide: how much a Rwanda safari costs
- Guide: Rwanda visa and entry requirements
Questions
Before you book
Is the gorilla permit included in the price?
Yes. One gorilla trekking permit per person (US$1,500) is included. We secure it through the Rwanda Development Board as soon as you confirm, and tell you straight away if your dates are tight. Permit prices are set by the RDB and may change.
How fit do I need to be?
Moderate fitness is enough for most travellers. Treks range from under an hour to most of the morning on steep, often muddy ground, and the park team tries to match your group with a suitable gorilla family. A porter (about US$15–20 plus a tip, paid locally) and a walking pole help a great deal. Our gorilla trekking guide covers what to expect and what to pack.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15. Golden monkey tracking, an optional extra on day 3, has a minimum age of 12.
Can I stay at a luxury lodge instead?
Yes. This price is based on mid-range lodges such as Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. Luxury lodges near the park, such as Bisate, Singita Kwitonda or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, are quoted on request. For a fully luxury journey, see our 5 Days Meet the Legends luxury gorilla safari.
What happens if permits are not available on my dates?
We check availability before you book and tell you straight away if your dates are tight, so you can adjust.
Can I extend this trip?
Yes. Many travellers add chimpanzees in Nyungwe with our 5 Days Gorillas & Chimpanzees, or a second gorilla trek with our 6 Days Double Gorilla & Golden Monkey Safari. Every journey is private, so we can shape it around your dates.
Ready when you are
Plan this journey with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and a Rwanda specialist will shape this itinerary around you.