Rwanda
1 Day Rwanda Ultimate Gorilla trekking Safari Volcanoes National Park
Diverse Beauty
From
$2,200 PP
Duration
Full-Day Experience
Pickup
Kigali
Best Time
1 january to 28 February
Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face to face encounter with these intriguing creatures. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorilla’s are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke.
Highlights
- Experience a life-changing encounter with wild mountain gorillas during a guided trek through Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
- Learn about the legacy of Dian Fossey with an optional visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a world-class gorilla conservation center.
- Enjoy scenic views of the Virunga Mountains, a hot lunch at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, and seamless round-trip transfers from Kigali.
ITINERARY
04:30 – Depart Kigali for Volcanoes National Park (2h30 drive) We’ll pick you up early from Onomo Hotel and begin the scenic 2.5-hour drive to Rwanda’s legendary Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, enjoy views of misty hills, rural life, and the vibrant countryside waking up to a new day.
07:00 – Gorilla Trek Briefing at Kinigi Headquarters Upon arrival, you’ll check in at the park HQ for a short orientation and coffee. The expert rangers will brief you on safety, the trekking routes, and gorilla behavior before assigning you to a specific group.
08:00 – Begin Gorilla Trekking Experience Your guided trek starts. Depending on the group assigned, the trek can range from easy to more challenging, but every step is worth it. Within the forested slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, you’ll track one of Rwanda’s 12 habituated gorilla families.
Your encounter: Spending a full hour with the mountain gorillas—watching them play, nap, forage, and interact—is humbling, heart-pounding, and deeply moving. It’s one of the rarest wildlife experiences on Earth, and Rwanda is the best place to do it.“There’s nothing like locking eyes with a silverback in the wild—it changes you.”
Volcanoes National Park is more than just stunning; it’s iconic. It was here that Dian Fossey conducted her pioneering conservation work, as portrayed in Gorillas in the Mist.
13:00 – Lunch at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge After your trek, unwind and share stories over a delicious lunch at your resort, surrounded by views of the mist-covered mountains.
Optional Afternoon Visit: If time permits, enjoy a self guided visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This inspiring center showcases the legacy of gorilla conservation in Rwanda and offers a modern, interactive experience.
16:00 – Return to Kigali (2h30 drive) Drive back to Kigali, arriving by early evening. Drop-off at your hotel or directly at Kigali International Airport, depending on your travel plans.
Tour Pricing (Per Person in USD)/ 2025
What's Included
- Inter resort transfers from start to end of tour
- Meals as shown in itinerary (Lunch with a soft drink at MGVL)
- Private use of modern custom made safari vehicle with WI-FI where there is reception
- Services of a professional , experienced English speaking driver guide
- Bottled mineral water in the vehicles during the tour and for hike
- 1 porter (US$ 20) and gaiters
- 1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, trek – US$ 1500.- )
- Low season permit discounts for African and EAC Nationals available Jan – May & November – December 2025
- Emergency Medical Evacuation Services ,
- Our assistance from start to end of tour
What's Excluded
- International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,
- entry visa fees,
- optional extras whilst in Rwanda not mentioned in the itinerary
- tips and gratuities,
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.
Travel Information – Kenya & Rwanda
Passenger Information:
- In case of non-availability, we may have to reroute and provide alternative accommodation at lodges of similar category.
- At the moment, gorilla permit rates have not increased. Should they do so in 2026, the cost will be passed on to the guest after informing the agent with a formal communication from Rwanda Development Board.
- Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris as our vehicles have limited luggage space
- All the passengers must have Identification Card/Passport with them throughout their travel.
Tipping:
Tipping is not compulsory but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service and would like to tip. There are no set percentages for tips. Local culture believes the level of tips should be at the discretion of the client and any token of appreciation is gladly received. These are our suggestions: We recommend that you tip your guide direct at the end of your stay in camp; as a rough guideline you might
want to tip from US$5-10 per person/ day.
Photography:
- A good camera with zoom function. 300 mm lenses are adequate for wildlife photography.
- We recommend you bring plenty of memory cards/film and batteries.
- A dustproof bag ensures your camera is safe from the dust whilst on safari.
- A pair of binoculars will enhance your game viewing experience and although your guide will have pairs available to use, you may wish to bring your own.
- Please don’t forget to ask permission before taking a photograph of any Rwandan resident. There could be a charge for this.
- A small flashlight – although flashlights are available at each property.
Safety:
Most areas are as safe as any other destination in the world, however, basic common-sense precautions should be used:
- Ask the concierge at your hotel which areas are safe to walk around in and when
- Travel in groups or pairs and always choose well-lit areas
- Carry only as much cash as necessary
- Don’t leave your property unattended
- Don’t draw attention to yourself by flaunting valuables around openly or counting your cash at the ATM
- Carry a copy of your passport/ ID in a separate section of your luggage
- Clothing:
- Subdued safari colors such as khaki, green, beige and neutral colors (dark blue and black clothing is not practical during game drives/treks but can be worn at the lodges)
- Shirts with long sleeves
- (Safari) trousers
- A fleece or thick sweater is recommended for early mornings
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes sturdy shoes for hiking, (running/tennis shoes are fine).
- Jackets or ties are not required nor any special dress code when dining in lodges & restaurants.
- Swimwear is fine on the beach or around the pool, but not appropriate in town. Topless sunbathing is prohibited.
What to Bring on Safari:
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries, personal medication
- Insect repellent
- Sunglasses
- Camera (with extra memory card and batteries)
- Binoculars
- Lip balm
- Hand wipes
- Wildlife checklist (or just paper) & a pen
Please use the form below for bookings or questions
Voices of the Journey: Gorilla African Tours Reviews
Dale C2024-12-17Verified Gorrile Africain Tours We contacted Gorille Africain Tours about a safari to Tanzania in October. After a few emails we had a phone conversation with one of their representatives that we felt was very benificial.Gorille put a perfect 10 day tour of Tanzania, Zanzibar and Mafia Island together for us Our Guide Albert picked us up at the airport in Kilimanjaro and we toured Tarangire,Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater all very unique from each other National parks.Be prepared for rough roads ( called an African Massage). We found standing up in the Landcruiser and holding on to the handrails the most comfortable way to ride and view wildlife. A good pair of binoculars is a must. We went in December which is the slow season a sometimes we were the only guests at some of the lodges. This meant less traffic and uncrowded roads and if we did get rain it didnt last for long. The Landcruiser can hold 7 passengers but we felt 2 or 4 is the best for viewing and communication. Our guide Albert was amazing, competent, knowledgeable and fun to be with. We flew to Zanzibar for our last 3 days, lots of history of the Spice trades and excellent museum on the history of the slave trade. We stayed one night in Stone town and toured and then were driven to the NE side for 2 nights. Long beaches, amazing sand. Beach shoes are a must as the shallow pool between the beach and the reef is full of urchins. No swimming but wading in the incredible warm water There are Snorkel and Scuba trips available right from the beach.. We flew to a remote island called Mafia one day and after a few hours of searching ( no guarantees) we found a pod of 6 Whale Sharks and were able to snorkel amongst them for over an hour,an amazing experience! We can’t thank Goriile enough for arranging such an amazing trip for us and we wouldn’t have changed a thing.We travelled to Africa to find adventure and we found it and a whole lot more! sally2024-12-15Verified Legends Safari. We went into the Kruger with Legends Safari and we had so many amazing sightings all up close. Within 2 hours we had seen the Big 5. Our guide Bradley was outstanding....highly recommend Kdot Innocent2024-12-12Verified Gorilla Trekking Experience On Sept 28 I went gorilla trekking with my friend, and it was an incredible experience! Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat was absolutely breathtaking. The team from Gorille Africain Tours went above and beyond to make our trip unforgettable. Everything was well-organized, and our driver was fantastic so friendly and professional. I’d highly recommend them to anyone planning a gorilla trekking adventure!
Embark on a journey with Gorille Africain Tours to discover the hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes of Africa.
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