Volcanoes National Park Mountain Gorilla Trekking Encounter

A morning watching gorilla families play, rest and interact in the misty forest.

This full-day tour takes you into Volcanoes National Park to trek through lush jungle trails and spend an hour observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat on Rwanda's Virunga Mountain slopes. Your English-speaking driver-guide leads the trek, shares the park's history and wildlife stories, and the gorilla permit (which includes the briefing, guide and trek itself) is included in the price. After descending, you'll have lunch at the Migali Hotel. Optional add-ons include Mount Bisoke's crater lake, the Dian Fossey tomb, or the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund for an additional fee.

Step-by-step itinerary

Gorilla trekking and park exploration

• Travel to Volcanoes National Park
• Guided trek through jungle trails
• Observe mountain gorillas for one hour
• Optional visit to Dian Fossey tomb and Karisoke Centre
• Optional hike to Mount Bisoke crater lake
• Optional visit to Ellen DeGeneres Campus
• Lunch at Migali Hotel

The experience

The trek itself is the heart of the day. You'll walk through lush forest trails on the misty slopes of the Virunga Mountains, where a licensed, experienced guide leads you to gorilla families in their natural habitat. The hour you spend observing them (watching them play, rest and interact) is the centerpiece of the tour. Your driver-guide enriches the experience with in-depth stories about the park's history and the gorillas themselves, so you're not just watching. You're learning why these encounters matter for conservation.

The full day runs 10 to 16 hours depending on how far the gorillas have moved and which optional stops you choose. Beyond the gorillas, the park offers scenic hikes to Mount Bisoke's crater lake, or you can visit the Dian Fossey tomb and Karisoke Research Centre to learn about Fossey's groundbreaking conservation work. If you want to go deeper into that story, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is available as an optional add-on for USD 35 per person. The tour ends with lunch at the Migali Hotel, where you can reflect on the day before heading back.

Your driver-guide speaks English and stays with you throughout, handling all the logistics so you focus on the experience. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the gorilla permit itself (which covers the briefing at RDB offices, the guide and the trek), bottled water in the vehicle, and lunch. You'll travel in a private, modern custom-made safari landcruiser with WiFi where reception allows. A moderate level of physical fitness is needed for the forest trek and the altitude of the Virunga slopes.

What’s included

• Hotel or residence pickup and drop-off.
• the gorilla permit per person, which includes the briefing at RDB offices, your guide and the trek.
• services of a licensed, professional English-speaking driver-guide.
• private use of a modern custom-made safari landcruiser with WiFi where reception allows.
• bottled mineral water during the tour.
• lunch at the Migali Hotel.
• emergency medical evacuation services.
• and assistance from start to end of tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendly

Operated by Gorille Africain Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout, so you can follow every detail of the gorilla behavior and the park's conservation story without translation. If you want the optional sites (Mount Bisoke, the Dian Fossey tomb, or the Ellen DeGeneres Campus), you can add them during the day. The fixed gorilla permit and guide are what make the core trek possible, and the optional stops let you shape the rest around your interests and energy.

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Top questions

What exactly happens during the hour with the gorillas?

You'll observe gorilla families in their natural habitat on the forest trails, watching them play, rest and interact with each other. Your guide leads the trek and shares insights about their behavior and the conservation efforts protecting them.

Is the gorilla permit really included in the price?

Yes, the gorilla permit is included. It covers the briefing at RDB offices, your guide and the trek itself. The permit normally costs USD 1,500 per person and is one of the largest inclusions in the tour price.

How long is the full day, and what time does it start?

The tour runs 10 to 16 hours depending on gorilla location and which optional stops you choose. Your hotel pickup is included, so the timing is arranged around your location and the park's schedule.

Can I visit Mount Bisoke or the Dian Fossey sites on the same day?

Yes, both are optional. Mount Bisoke's crater lake and the Dian Fossey tomb and Karisoke Research Centre are available as scenic hikes or visits during the day. The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is an additional USD 35 per person if you want to explore Fossey's conservation legacy in depth.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

Included are hotel pickup and drop-off, the gorilla permit with briefing and guide, lunch at the Migali Hotel, bottled water, and the services of your English-speaking driver-guide in a private safari vehicle. Porters at the park cost USD 20 per person if you want one, and tips are separate. Optional activities like the Dian Fossey Campus add to the cost.

Do I need to be very fit to do this trek?

You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The trek involves walking through lush forest trails on the misty slopes of the Virunga Mountains at altitude, so some stamina and comfort with uneven terrain are necessary.