Overview
This 1-day gorilla trekking safari offers travelers the opportunity to experience one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife encounters within a short time frame. The trip begins early in Kigali and heads north to Volcanoes National Park, the home of Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains.
Although it is a single-day adventure, the experience is unforgettable. Visitors trek through lush rainforest with experienced rangers in search of a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Tour Highlights
- Early Morning: Pick up from Kigali – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Morning: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Afternoon: Return to Kigali
Early Morning Pick Up – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your safari guide will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel in Kigali or Kigali International Airport. The drive to Volcanoes National Park takes approximately 2–3 hours through Rwanda’s scenic countryside often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Upon arrival at Kinigi Park Headquarters, you will join other trekkers for a briefing conducted by Rwanda Development Board rangers. During the briefing, visitors are informed about gorilla trekking guidelines, safety procedures, and the expected conduct while observing the gorillas.
After the briefing, visitors are divided into small groups and assigned a specific gorilla family to track.
Gorilla Trekking Experience
Accompanied by experienced park rangers and trackers, you will trek into the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla group. The trek can take between one to several hours depending on the location of the gorillas, since they move freely through the forest.
Once the gorillas are located, visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour observing them. During this time you can watch them feed, groom, and interact within their family groups while enjoying one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences.
After the encounter, return to the park headquarters to meet your driver-guide.
Return to Kigali
After the trekking experience, begin the return journey to Kigali. Lunch can be arranged in Musanze town or along the way depending on your schedule.
Arrival in Kigali is expected in the late afternoon where you will be dropped off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport, marking the end of the safari.