Rwanda offers some of the world’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences especially for those eager to trek mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the primary destination for these treks. To help you plan, here are some of the standout gorilla trekking tours and experiences in Rwanda;
1-day gorilla trekking tour
This tour starts and ends in Kigali and you return on the same day. It involves an early morning departure, the gorilla trekking experience and then an evening return. For those with more time, adding an overnight stay in the nearby town of Musanze (Ruhengeri) is recommended.
To reach Volcanoes National Park on time, your driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel or residence in Kigali very early in the morning. The scenic drive may take about 2.5 hours and the road is tarmacked, winding through Rwanda’s rolling hills and green countryside.
On your way to Volcanoes National Park, you may see early-rising farmers, mist-covered valleys and distant views of the Virunga Mountains.
On arrival, start your trekking experience with a briefing led by an expert park ranger. In briefing, visitors are divided into groups of 8, each assigned to one of the 12 habituated gorilla families. Assignments are based on your fitness level and preferences (shorter/easier or longer/steeper hikes). Each group is accompanied by a lead guide, armed ranger and trekkers.
Gorilla families live at different altitudes, so hiking times can range from 30 minutes to 6 hours.
After the briefing, you will drive a short distance of about 10–45 minutes to your assigned trailhead depending on your group and gorilla family location. The trek goes through dense forest, bamboo groves and high-altitude mountain slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes. Porters are available for hire and they are very helpful not just for carrying your bag but also for navigating slippery or steep terrain.
Once your group reaches the gorilla family, the real magic begins. You are allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas. You will observe the gorilla’s behavior, feeding, playing, grooming, napping and even parenting. You free to take photograph as long as you are using no flash cameras.
After your hour is up, you will begin the trek back to the trailhead. The return hike is often shorter and downhill and porters remain helpful on tricky terrain.
Back at the Kinigi Headquarters, all trekkers receive a personalized gorilla trekking certificate as a souvenir and recognition of your contribution to conservation. Light snacks or packed lunch are usually eaten at the headquarters or en route. If you booked through a tour operator, lunch may be arranged at a nearby lodge such as Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge among others.
After a fulfilling day, your guide will drive you back to Kigali. Drop-off at your hotel or airport if you are catching an evening flight.
A 1-day gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda offers an unforgettable and deeply moving experience, surrounded by lush montane forests and the ancient volcanoes of the Virunga Massif. Though physically demanding and logistically intense, every step through the jungle is rewarded the moment you lock eyes with a mountain gorilla in its natural habitat.
2-day gorilla trekking tour
A 2 days Rwanda gorilla tour to Volcanoes national park is a life time adventure. It brings you face-to-face with the rare mountain gorillas in a tropical rainforest. The hike through the lush tropical rainforest and the spectacular scenery of the Albertine graben makes this trip worth undertaking by any travel enthusiast. This is arguably the most ideal gorilla tour option for those with a limited holiday period.
The 2 days Rwanda gorilla tour guarantees viewing the rare mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park. You will be allocated to trek one of the 12 habituated gorilla groups in the park and you will be guided by experienced and professional guides and rangers through the montane rainforest who ensure that you meet and interact with your gorilla group.
Your driver guide will pick you up from Kigali International Airport or from your hotel in Kigali, take you for a Kigali City Tour before transferring to Musanze province where Volcanoes National Park, the home to the mountain Gorillas is located. On arrival in the park, you will proceed to check-in at your lodge for lunch. Later in the evening, go for an Iby’Iwacu Cultural tour where you can interact with the locals. Learn about on how they survive and also know about their customs and norms. Return for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
On the 2nd day, after an early morning breakfast, you will transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing about the Gorilla trekking rules before starting the Gorilla trek through the bamboo forests. You may take between 1-5 hours to find the Gorillas and viewing may take another 1 hour before departing for Kigali where the guide will drop you off at your hotel or take you to the Airport for your late departure flight and this will mark the end of your 2-day gorilla tour.
3-day gorilla tour (gorilla trekking, golden monkey, visiting Dian Fossey tomb and Karisoke research center)
Here is a detailed 3-day itinerary for a gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda including gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking and a visit to the Dian Fossey Tomb and Karisoke Research Center. This sample includes travel logistics, activities, accommodation suggestions and cultural highlights.
On day one, arrive at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda’s main gateway. Depending on your arrival time, you may start the day with a brief Kigali city tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a sobering and educational site that commemorates the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. This is an important historical stop and offers deep insight into Rwanda’s past and recovery.
Drive around the city: Kigali is one of Africa’s cleanest and safest cities. A short tour of the capital gives a glimpse into modern Rwanda, visiting sites such as Kimironko Market, the Campaign Against Genocide Museum or the Inema Arts Center.
In the afternoon, drive to Volcanoes National Park. After lunch, your driver-guide will begin the scenic drive to Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri), the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views of Rwanda’s famous rolling hills and rural countryside.
Upon arrival, check into your lodge near the park. After having some refreshment, you can go for an optional cultural experience in the Iby’Iwacu village to learn about people’s traditions. Just outside the park, this village offers cultural performances, traditional dances, and the opportunity to learn about Rwandan rural life, hunting techniques of former poachers and traditional medicine.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options include; Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge,
La Locanda, Kinigi Guesthouse among others.
On day 2, wake up early for breakfast. After breakfast, report to the Kinigi Park Headquarters for a briefing from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) staff and park rangers.
In the briefing, you will be grouped into small groups of 8 people and assigned one of the 12 habituated gorilla families. Rangers will brief you on the dos and don’ts during the trek.
After briefing, then you can set off into the forest to start the trek. The trekking duration varies depending on gorilla group location. When going for gorilla trekking experience, trekkers should at least come with hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof jacket, gloves, gaiters, insect repellent, camera (no flash), daypack and at least 2 liters of water.
Once the gorilla family is located, you are allowed one hour to observe and photograph them. It is a magical and emotional experience seeing these magnificent creatures up close in their natural habitat and this is often described as life-changing. Within this one hour, observe how they interact, feed, groom each other and play. Listen to the sounds of the forest and the gentle communication among gorillas. Keep a respectful distance of about 7 meters but be prepared as they may come closer.
After the trek, return to the park headquarters for a certificate of participation, then transfer back to your lodge for a hot lunch or late afternoon meal. Use the rest of the afternoon to relax and reflect. You may also enjoy a massage if your lodge offers spa services, relax around the fireplace especially in cooler mountain evenings or enjoy drinks with fellow travelers.
Enjoy your second night and dinner in the Volcanoes region.
On the last day of your gorilla tour, wake up very early for breakfast and then drive back to Kinigi Park Headquarters for your golden monkey trekking permit and briefing.
Golden monkeys are an endangered primate species unique to the Albertine Rift region. Known for their vibrant golden-orange coloring and social behavior, they live in the bamboo forests at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes. In the briefing, you can be grouped in group size of up to 16 people. As soon as the briefing is done, then start the trek.
During the excursion, you will see the monkeys leaping between bamboo, feeding on shoots and insects and occasionally posing for photos. They are curious and relatively tolerant of humans.
Once you are done with the experience, return to your lodge to freshen up, have a quick snack or early lunch, then get ready for the next activity.
Late morning to early afternoon, embark on your visit to Dian Fossey Tomb and Karisoke Research Center. Dr. Dian Fossey was a renowned American primatologist who dedicated her life to the protection of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. She established the Karisoke Research Center in 1967 between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. Her work brought global awareness to the plight of mountain gorillas and her life was dramatized in the film Gorillas in the Mist.
The visit starts at the base of Mount Bisoke. Trek to the tomb site takes about 2 to 3 hours one way, through lush rainforest. Along the way, you may see forest elephants, birds and small primates.
Visit Dian Fossey’s tomb and the graves of several gorillas she studied including Digit, her favorite silverback. You will also see remnants of the original Karisoke Research Camp. This experience offers more than just a hike; it is a journey through conservation history. The guides often share stories about Fossey’s life, challenges with poachers and the transformation of gorilla tourism in Rwanda.
In the late afternoon, return to the lodge for refreshment and later drive back to Kigali hence marking the end of your tour.
4-day double gorilla trekking tour
This 4-day Gorilla trek tour in Rwanda allows you to see two different Gorilla Families in an Amazing Four-day double gorilla trekking trail.
On day 1, the driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel or from Kigali International Airport for your transfer to Volcanoes National Park in the Musanze province. Volcanoes national park is home to over 360 mountain gorillas with several habituated groups available for visitors to trek. On arrival in the park, you will check-in to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options include; Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le bamboo gorilla lodge, Muhabura Hotel among others.
On day 2, wake up very early for breakfast and then transfer to Kinigi park headquarters for a briefing by the park warden. After which you will be allocated a gorilla group to trek. After briefing, all tourists will transfer to various starting points for gorilla trekking. The gorilla trek lasts between 1 to 6 hours (this duration varies depending on the location of the gorilla group) before you finally catchup with the mountain gorillas which are constantly moving about.
Upon spotting them, you are free to stay in their presence taking photographs for a maximum of 1 hour. Then return to the point where your vehicle is stationed so as to transfer you to the next available program. After your lunch, you will have an optional opportunity to visit the Iby’Iwacu cultural village after which you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Just like the previous day, today after having your breakfast, you will go for another gorilla trek but this time around you will see a different mountain gorilla family. In the afternoon after having lunch and the experience is done; you can opt to visit the twin lakes or Musanze caves or stay at the hotel relaxing.
On your last day of the trip, wake up at your own pace, have a heavy breakfast and then transfer back to Kigali. Your tour guide may take you around the city, visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site, the local handicrafts market or any other place of your interest within the city and then proceed to the airport for scheduled flight back home.
5-day gorillas and chimpanzee tour
Your adventure begins the moment you land in Rwanda’s vibrant capital, Kigali, known for its cleanliness, order, and hospitality.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver-guide who will accompany you throughout the journey. After a warm meet-and-greet, you will receive a short briefing about the tour, expectations, safety and conservation efforts tied to primate tourism in Rwanda.
Before heading to the forests, you will explore Kigali to gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and recovery. Some of the city attractions you may visit include; Kigali Genocide Memorial (a moving tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide. This museum documents the atrocities while emphasizing unity and reconciliation), Caplaki Craft Village or Kimironko Market (here, you can interact with local artisans, explore crafts and purchase souvenirs). You can also have an optional stopover at Inema Arts Center or Nyamirambo Women’s Center.
In the afternoon after having lunch in Kigali, you embark on a 2.5 to 3-hour scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern district of Musanze. As you travel, the terrain becomes increasingly mountainous, offering incredible views of terraced hills and rural life.
On arrival, check-in at your lodge for relaxation. Depending on your preference, accommodations range from luxury (Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge) to mid-range (Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel).
Enjoy a hearty meal at the lodge while your guide briefs you about the gorilla trek scheduled for the next day.
This second day is the most anticipated day of the tour where you will have a close encounter with endangered mountain gorillas, one of the world’s most moving wildlife experiences. Wake up early for a full breakfast and be transferred to Kinigi Park Headquarters for briefing about the guidelines followed while trekking.
At the headquarters, you will be briefed by park rangers and assigned to one of the 12 habituated gorilla families based on your fitness level and group size. Trekkers are grouped into small teams of 8 people per gorilla group.
The trek can take 1 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. When you find your designated gorilla family, you are allowed one hour to observe them. You will see them feeding, playing, grooming or napping, an experience that is awe-inspiring and emotional. Silence, respect and no flash photography are essential.
After the experience, return to the lodge for lunch and rest. Many visitors find the need for a nap or quiet reflection after the moving encounter with gorillas.
Later in the day, you may opt to visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, now rebranded as the Gorilla Guardians Village. This is an engaging cultural experience where former poachers now earn a living as cultural performers and guides. Activities engaged in while in this village include;
traditional dance and drumming, visiting a traditional healer and learning about Rwandan customs and food.
In the evening return to the lodge for sleepovers. Dinner at the lodge with stories exchanged at the fireplace and early rest in preparation for a long journey the next day.
Today, transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park via Lake Kivu. This day is primarily a scenic travel day moving from the Virunga Mountains in the north to the rain-forests of the south. After breakfast, check out from your lodge and begin the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park and this may be a 6–7 hour journey with scenic stopovers.
Your first major stop will be at Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and among the most beautiful in Rwanda. In Karongi, enjoy a lakeside lunch with panoramic views, optional boat ride to Napoleon Island and short walks along the lake-shore or relaxation by the beach
From Karongi, continue the drive to Nyungwe. The route winds through tea plantations and rolling hills. You will often see locals working in terraced fields or riding bicycles along forest-lined roads.
Arrive in Nyungwe National Park in the evening and check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options include; One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House among others.
This 4th day combines two of Nyungwe signature experiences: chimpanzee trekking and the breathtaking canopy walk. Early Morning, depart lodge for briefing at Uwinka or Cyamudongo.
Nyungwe Forest is home to over 500 chimpanzees but only a few groups are habituated to human visitors. The trek can take about 2–5 hours and trails can be muddy and steep.
Once you locate a chimpanzee group, you will spend one hour with them. Compared to gorillas, chimps are more energetic and vocal. You will hear them hooting, screeching and playing in the trees. They are also more mobile, so be ready to move as they do. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast or early lunch. Rest and freshen up.
In the afternoon, go for a canopy walk experience. The experience begins around 2:00 PM at the Uwinka Visitor Center. Walk across a 90-meter-long suspension bridge hanging 70 meters above the forest floor. Enjoy excellent views of the rainforest, birds and monkeys. This canopy walk is a highlight for birdwatchers and nature photographers. The walk takes about 1–2 hours round trip and is moderately easy.
Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening. Share stories, enjoy your final dinner in the forest and listen to the sounds of Nyungwe’s rich biodiversity.
The final day of your tour involves a return to Kigali with an enriching cultural detour. After breakfast, begin the return journey to Kigali. It is a 5–6 hours’ drive with notable stops along the way to break up the journey.
Your first stop is the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, once the seat of Rwanda’s monarchs. This museum offers a reconstruction of a traditional thatched palace, historical narratives of pre-colonial and post-colonial Rwanda and royal cattle farm with Inyambo cows, known for their majestic horns.
If time allows, you can also visit the National Museum in Huye (Butare), Rwanda’s finest ethnographic museum, showcasing traditional arts, music, history and culture.
Enjoy your lunch in Huye or another local restaurant en route. In the afternoon, continue the drive to Kigali with an expected arrival in the late afternoon.
Drop-off at the hotel or Kigali International Airport, depending on your flight schedule.
7-day gorilla tour with chimpanzee trekking and visit to Lake Kivu
This tour focuses on an exploration of Rwanda’s incredible primate experiences including gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest and relaxation on the shores of Lake Kivu. The trip also includes cultural experiences and scenic drives through the Rwandan countryside.
On day 1, the company guide will pick you up very early in the morning from your hotel or airport to start the long journey to Nyungwe forest on the south western part of Rwanda. Before beginning the journey, you should get a briefing on what to expect and the time-frame for each activity. The journey takes about 5 hours and allows you to enjoy beautiful views of the Rwandan countryside. Once you reach the forest, you will go straight to the lodge for check-in, refreshments and relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at your booked lodge in Nyungwe.
On the second day, you will wake up early and have breakfast at your hotel before going for the briefing on chimpanzee trekking at the Nyungwe forest offices. The guides know where to find the chimpanzees and all you need to do is follow them deep into the forest. Once you locate the chimpanzee, take enough photos and take the time to observe the behavior of the primates. Remember to always follow instructions from the rangers. Chimpanzees are very mobile and will quickly disappear if they feel threatened by your actions and you are also advised to be far from them since they are wild. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park is special because it gives visitors an opportunity to spot about 12 other species of primates, butterflies and birds. You may even follow the route with waterfalls and beautiful rocky escarpments. After the chimpanzee trekking adventure, you should go back for lunch at your lodge and prepare to be taken for the canopy walk. The canopy walk is one of the top attractions in Nyungwe National Park. It allows you get an aerial view of the park and watch more of the monkeys and birds but from a different angle. After the amazing canopy walk, the driver will take you back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
On the 3rd day, you will wake up at your own pace, take breakfast and checkout of the hotel as you wait for the guide to pick you up and start the journey to Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is the largest fresh water lake in Rwanda and goes all the way to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lake is world famous for the boiling Methane gas that comes out from underneath. On arrival at your new hotel in Kivu, you will have lunch overlooking the Lake. In the afternoon, you will be taken for a boat ride to visit some of the islands. Once you are done with the boat ride, you should come back to hotel and prepare to go swimming in the lake. Those not interested in swimming, can simply relax by the lake and admire the beautiful scenery and local people going about with their lives. Dinner and overnight near accommodation near Lake Kivu such as Lake Kivu Serena hotel, Paradise Marahide, Palm Resort Gardens among others.
On the 4th day, you will wake up at your own time, take breakfast and prepare to go for a tour around Lake Kivu sites including the fishing villages. For bird watchers, this is the perfect time to spot several resident and migratory species of birds. You will also spot several primates that live in forest on the islands and lake shores. You will also have a chance to encounter with the locals as they go about with their daily activities. After exploring the lake, you will set off for the Volcanoes National Park in Musanze. On arrival in Musanze, check in to your room and enjoy the beautiful views of the Virunga volcanoes before sleeping. Dinner and overnight stay in Musanze (Volcanoes National Park).
On the 5th day, wake up very early to sumptuous breakfast at your hotel and head to the Kinigi park headquarters for the briefing at 7:00 am. The head guide and rangers will let you know what you need to bring along during the trek and how to act around the gorillas. Afterwards, you will be allocated a gorilla family and offered a chance to hire a porter if you have any heavy luggage. A gorilla safari in Rwanda offers travelers a chance to trek one of the habituated gorilla groups. Choosing your gorilla group depends on your preferences, age and overall fitness.
Gorilla trekking in the volcanoes national park can be challenging but the excitement and thrill as you approach the gorilla family makes it worthwhile. Once you locate the gorilla family, follow instructions from your guide. Mountain gorillas are very peaceful and calm creatures compared to other large wild animals. They rarely attack humans unless extremely provoked. You will have one hour with the gorillas, so use it to take as many photos and videos as possible.
Once done watching mountain gorillas, you should head back to the starting point to meet the guide who will take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest. After resting, you will be taken to visit the Iby’Iwacu cultural village located near the volcanoes national park. Now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village, the Centre started as a place where former poachers could sell art and crafts to tourists. This center is one of the leading places to learn about the culture of the people of Rwanda. While in the village, you will be entertained to cultural dances and get to learn more about the local Kinyarwanda culture. Expect to be involved in the performances while also getting a chance to buy souvenirs.
On the 6th day, once again wake up early and take your breakfast before heading to the Volcanoes national park offices for a briefing on golden monkey trekking. After the briefing, you can hire a porter to help you with your backpack or any other heavy equipment so that you can comfortably trek the golden monkeys. The park guide will lead you into the forest where you will finally spot the monkeys on top of the trees and on the ground feeding. Golden monkeys are a rare and endangered species of primates. They look very cute and you should take as many photos for your collection given that you are allowed to use no flash cameras. Once done, you will head back to the park for lunch and rest. Later in the evening, our guide will take you for an evening drive to visit the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
On this last day of your tour, wake up at your own leisure and prepare for the journey back to Kigali. In case you missed the tour of Kigali on your arrival day because of time and flight constraints, this is the day that you will go for it. You will visit the city market, the former presidential palace, artisan shops and the Gisozi genocide memorial site. During the city tour, you will have another chance to buy local art pieces as gifts for family and friends back at home. Afterwards, our guide will take you back to the airport for departure or to your hotel if you are living in Kigali and that will mark the end of your 7-day gorilla tour in Rwanda.
