Mountain Gorilla Safari Rwanda: Trek Volcanoes Park

Volcanoes National Park: two days tracking endangered mountain gorillas through the jungle

A 2-day mountain gorilla safari from Kigali combines a guided city tour and the Kigali Genocide Memorial on day one with a full-day gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park on day two. Private transport, a live guide in English or French, park entry, porters and rangers are included. The gorilla permit is an optional add-on at checkout. Children must be at least 15 years old to trek.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Kigali city tour and transfer to park

• Pickup from hotel or airport
• Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial
• Drive to Volcanoes National Park
• Check in at lodge and rest

Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking experience

• Attend gorilla trekking briefing
• Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

The experience

Volcanoes National Park sits about two hours' drive from Kigali, and the safari opens with an early morning pickup from your hotel or the airport. The first day weaves a Kigali city tour through the journey: you'll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where over 250,000 remains are interred and a visitor centre documents the 1994 events, before the drive north takes you through Rwanda's rolling hills toward Musanze province. On arrival at the park, you check into your lodge (budget, midrange or luxury options are available), and rest before the trek.

Day two is the gorilla trek itself. You'll spend the full day searching for mountain gorillas deep in the jungle, moving through their natural habitat to find the family groups that live there. Each group is led by a dominant silverback. Some groups hold more than one silverback, a hierarchy that shapes their social structure. Before you enter the forest, guides brief you on trekking rules: maintain seven meters' distance from the gorillas, keep your group together, speak quietly, avoid direct eye contact and do not use flash photography. The encounter is the reason people plan for years to come here.

Your guide speaks English or French throughout. Porters and rangers accompany the trek to support the walk and protect both you and the gorillas. Private transport, fuel and all park fees are covered. Meals and alcohol are not included in the price.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Kigali.
• early morning hotel or airport pickup.
• full-day Kigali city tour including the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
• transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
• park entry.
• professional guides in English or French.
• porters and rangers for the gorilla trek.
• driver and fuel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (16 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 1,500

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by African Travellers Ltd

Is this one for you?The trek demands a full day of walking through dense jungle terrain, so it suits travelers comfortable with sustained physical effort and early starts. The two-day structure gives you time to visit Kigali's memorial sites before the trek, rather than rushing straight to the park.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 17 years); Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

How far is Volcanoes National Park from Kigali, and how does the drive fit into the first day?

Volcanoes National Park is about two hours' drive from Kigali. Day one includes an early morning pickup, a Kigali city tour that stops at the Genocide Memorial, and the full drive to the park, so you arrive in the afternoon and check into your lodge for the night.

What exactly happens during the mountain gorilla trek on day two?

The gorilla trek is a full-day search through the jungle for mountain gorilla family groups in their natural habitat. You trek with a guide, porters and rangers, moving through the forest until you locate a group. The encounter lets you watch these endangered animals up close while following strict safety rules (seven meters' distance, low voices, no flash photography) that protect both the gorillas and trekkers.

Are there age restrictions for the gorilla trekking part of this safari?

Children must be at least 15 years old to participate in the gorilla trek. Younger children can join the Kigali city tour and travel to the park but cannot trek.

Does the gorilla permit come included, or is it an extra cost?

The gorilla permit is optional and added at checkout if you want it. It is not included in the base price.

What meals and drinks are covered by this safari?

Breakfast, supper and alcohol are not included in the tour price. Lunch and other meals are your responsibility, though your lodge can arrange them.