Four days is all it takes to stand face to face with mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and to understand why this is considered one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on Earth.
A Safari That Stays With You Forever
Beginning with a Kigali city tour and ending with a golden monkey trek, this compact but richly rewarding safari takes you into the heart of the Virunga Mountains, where just twelve habituated gorilla families roam through bamboo forest and ancient Afromontane woodland. Rwanda has invested more in gorilla conservation than any other country in the world, and the quality of the experience here shows in every detail.
Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, face to face with mountain gorillas.
- Golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains.
- Kigali city tour including the Genocide Memorial and local markets.
- Starts and ends at Kigali International Airport.
- Rwanda gorilla permit included (USD 1,500 per person).
4 Days Mountain Gorilla Trek Safari
Rwanda has a way of getting under your skin. Let’s explore your 4-day mountain gorilla trek safari across Rwanda.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, our driver guide will warmly welcome you. After completing immigration procedures, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kigali for check-in. Enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner and an overnight stay.
Day Itinerary:
Proposed arrival flight time in Kigali
Complete immigration procedures
Transfer to the hotel (20-minute drive)
Check in at the hotel
Dinner and overnight stay
Meal Plan: Dinner.
Driving Time: 20 Minutes.
Stay:
Kigali Marriott – Luxury.
Hotel des Mille Collins – Mid-Range
Chez Lando Hotel– Standard
Start the day with a morning breakfast before setting out on a half-day Kigali City Tour. First, visit the Belgium Museum to learn about the 10 Belgian UN peacekeepers who lost their lives during the war. Continue to Nyamirambo, Kigali’s oldest neighbourhood, known for its vibrant culture and rich history. Stroll through the area and experience the local atmosphere.
Next, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Through exhibits, survivor testimonies, and memorials, gain a deeper understanding of this tragic event in Rwanda’s history.
Enjoy lunch at Khana Kazana restaurant before departing for Volcanoes National Park. This park in the Virunga Mountains is home to rare mountain gorillas. Visitors come here for guided treks that offer a once-in-a-lifetime chance to observe gorillas in their natural habitat.
Later, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a conservation hub dedicated to protecting mountain gorillas and engaging scientists, tourists, and local communities in conservation efforts.
Day Itinerary:
07:30 – Morning breakfast
08:40 – Depart for Kigali Genocide Memorial
09:00 – Half-day Kigali City Tour
12:30 – Lunch at Khana Kazana Restaurant
13:30 – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park (2.5-hour drive)
16:30 – Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus
18:00 – Arrive at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Driving Time: 2.30 hrs.
Helicopter flight: 30 minutes.
Stay:
Virunga INN – Luxury
Five Volcanoes Hotel – Mid-Range
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – Standard
Start the day with an early breakfast before heading to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. After enjoying a cup of coffee, you will be assigned to one of the 10 habituated gorilla families, with groups limited to eight people based on physical ability.
Accompanied by a guide and two scouts, set off on the trek, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the gorilla family's location. Spending an hour with these magnificent primates in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience.
In the afternoon, visit Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, a traditional Rwandan village that has coexisted with mountain gorillas for centuries.
The community welcomes visitors with songs, dances, and demonstrations of their daily lives, offering a deep insight into Rwandan traditions. This immersive experience lets you connect with local people and learn about their unique heritage.
Day Itinerary:
06:00 – Morning breakfast
06:30 – Transfer to park headquarters for briefing
08:00 – Start gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Noon – Estimated return from the jungle
12:30 – Transfer back to the lodge
13:00 – Lunch at the lodge
15:00 – Visit Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village
18:00 – Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Stay:
Virunga INN – Luxury
Five Volcanoes Hotel – Mid-Range
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – Standard
Start the day with an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on Golden Monkey Trekking. These rare primates, known for their striking orange fur and lively nature, inhabit the dense rainforests of the Virunga Mountains. Tracking them offers a unique wildlife experience, as they move in large, energetic groups of up to 30 individuals. Their vibrant colours against the lush green forest make them a photographer’s dream.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch before setting off on a scenic drive back to Kigali International Airport for your departure.
Day Itinerary:
06:00 – Morning breakfast
06:30 – Transfer to park headquarters for briefing
08:00 – Start Golden Monkey trek
11:30 – Estimated return from the jungle
Noon – Lunch at the lodge
13:30 – Drive back to Kigali
17:00 – Arrival in Kigali and airport transfer
18:00 – End of service
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch.
Driving Time: 2.30 hrs.
Helicopter flight: 30 minutes.
INCLUDED/EXCLUDED
INCLUDED
- All accommodation (3 nights full board)
- Rwanda mountain gorilla permit (USD 1,500 pp)
- Golden monkey trekking permit (USD 100 pp)
- Kigali city tour
- Transportation in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- All park and entrance fees
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village visit
EXCLUDED
- International flights and visa fees
- All items of a personal nature
- Optional activities not in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal drinks and laundry
Frequently Asked Questions
Treks can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a full day, depending on where the gorillas are in the forest. The terrain is steep and can be muddy, so a reasonable level of fitness is expected. Porters are available at the trailhead at a small fee and are highly recommended; they carry bags, provide support on difficult sections, and contribute directly to the local community.
Rwanda’s gorilla trekking permits are available year-round, but the dry seasons, June to September and December to February, offer easier trekking conditions with drier trails and better visibility. The wet season brings lush, photogenic scenery and fewer tourists, though trails can be slippery.
The Rwanda Development Board issues Rwanda gorilla permits (USD 1,500 per person) and must be booked at least 6 months in advance, as they sell out quickly. La Pisada Africa Safaris handles all permit bookings as part of your package.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years. Children younger than 15 are not permitted on the trek. The golden monkey trek has a lower minimum age, making it a good alternative for younger family members.
Pack long-sleeved shirts and trousers in neutral colours, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, a light rain jacket, garden gloves (to grab vegetation on steep slopes), and insect repellent. A small daypack, water, energy snacks, and a camera without a flash are also essential.
