
3-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking from Kigali
A short trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for an hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
About this safari
A short trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for an hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family. Easy to add after a Tanzania safari with a flight from Kilimanjaro to Kigali.
This 3 days private safari starts in Kigali and takes you to One hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family, Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga mountains, Kigali Genocide Memorial on the way in, Private driver-guide throughout. Your own vehicle and guide set the pace, and every stay and transfer is confirmed around your dates.
Safari snapshot
A quick look at the route, day by day.
| Day | Place | Highlights | Hotel options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kigali to the Volcanoes | Game drives with your private guide | Lodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park |
| Day 2 | Gorilla trekking day | Game drives with your private guide | Lodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park |
| Day 3 | Back to Kigali | Game drives with your private guide | Departure |
Ways to customise this trip
- Add a night in the bush, a cultural visit or a balloon flight
- Upgrade your stays or finish with beach time in Zanzibar
Route
- Day 1Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2Volcanoes National Park
- Day 3Kigali
Day by day
Here is how the days run. We can adjust the route around your dates and the pace you want.
1Day 1Kigali to the VolcanoesLodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park / Lunch, Dinner

Your driver meets you at Kigali airport. After a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, drive about two and a half hours north-west through terraced hills to Musanze, at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, for a quiet evening at your lodge. You return to your lodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park as the sun drops, with time to rest before dinner. Lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Volcanoes National Park
- Accommodation
- Lodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
2Day 2Gorilla trekking dayLodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Report to the park headquarters at Kinigi at 7 am for the briefing and your gorilla family assignment. Treks take from one to several hours through bamboo and forest; once the trackers find the family you spend one unforgettable hour with them. Back at the lodge for a late lunch and a rest — or a village walk in the afternoon. In the late afternoon you check in at your lodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park, with time to freshen up before dinner and a briefing from your guide about tomorrow. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Volcanoes National Park
- Accommodation
- Lodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3Day 3Back to KigaliBreakfast
A slow breakfast with the volcanoes in view, then the drive back to Kigali for your onward flight. In the afternoon your guide drives you back for your drop-off — your hotel, the airport for your onward flight, or a connection to Zanzibar. We can add an extra night or a beach stay if you would like more time.
- Main stop
- Kigali
- Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Where you stay on this trip. We can move the comfort level up or down when we plan your dates.
Days 1, 2Lodge near Kinigi, Volcanoes National ParkTour rates
Your price depends on your dates, group size and the stays you choose. We confirm it in writing once we have checked availability.
Prices are per person and assume shared rooms. Season, park fees, group size, flights and lodge availability all affect the final quote.
Get my exact quoteWhat’s included
Included
- Gorilla trekking permit for Volcanoes National Park
- Private 4x4 vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed, or similar
- Meals as listed and drinking water
- Kigali airport transfers
Not included
- International and regional flights
- Rwanda visa
- Travel insurance
- Porter fee on the trek (recommended)
- Tips and personal expenses
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Read guideFrequently asked questions
Can this 3 days itinerary be changed?
Yes. We can review your dates, daily pace, room preferences and interests, then build a specific proposal. Changes to flights, activities or park nights may affect cost and availability.
Which accommodation will I stay in?
Your proposal will name the properties and room categories for each night. Any stays shown here are planning options and remain subject to availability; alternative properties are agreed before confirmation.
What wildlife will we see?
Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather and the animals themselves. Your guide plans around local conditions, but particular species, migration movements and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Can I change the route and accommodation?
Yes. The published routes are starting points. Tell us your dates, interests and preferred comfort level so we can adjust nights, transfers and activities before quoting.
What determines the final price?
The travel season, number of travellers sharing a vehicle, park fees, room arrangements, lodge availability and domestic flights all affect cost. Your written proposal will identify inclusions and optional extras.
Can the safari finish in Zanzibar?
A mainland safari can connect with Zanzibar by a separately arranged domestic flight. Leave enough time for the transfer and confirm baggage allowances before booking flights.
When is the best time to do this safari?
Wildlife can be seen all year. June to October is dry, with animals gathering near water. January to March brings the calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May are the long rains: greener, quieter and often better value. We match the parks and camps to the month you travel.
How many days do I need?
Two or three days suit Tarangire and Ngorongoro. Four to six days let you add the Serengeti without rushing, and seven or more give time for extra parks, a cultural visit or the coast. Fewer long drives usually means a better trip.
Is the safari private?
Our tailor-made safaris are private: your own vehicle and guide, and a daily pace set around your group. Shared departures can sometimes be arranged for solo travellers — ask us and we’ll explain the options.
What vehicle will we travel in?
Game drives are in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for viewing and photography. Your proposal confirms the vehicle and seating for your group size.
Is a safari suitable for children?
Yes, with the right planning. We keep drives shorter, choose family-friendly rooms and build in rest time. Some camps and activities have minimum ages, so please share each child’s age when you enquire.
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Most lodges and camps can prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other meals with notice. Tell us about allergies or requirements when you enquire and we’ll pass them to every property on your route.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
Requirements depend on your nationality and recent travel, and a yellow fever certificate may be needed if you arrive from certain countries. Malaria precautions are generally advised. Please check with a travel health clinic before you go.
What should I budget for tips?
Tipping is not compulsory but is customary for guides and lodge staff. We include current guidance with your proposal so you can plan for it in advance.
Will there be Wi-Fi and charging?
Many lodges and camps offer charging points and some Wi-Fi, but the connection can be slow or limited to main areas in remote parks. A spare power bank is useful on game drives.
How far in advance should I book?
For July to October and the holiday season, three to nine months ahead gives the best choice of camps. Shorter notice is often possible — send us your dates and we’ll check availability.
Photography credits
Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, resized and converted to WebP. Display crops adapt to the screen.
- A mountain gorilla feeding in the forest — Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- A female mountain gorilla resting among the leaves — Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- A mountain gorilla mother with her baby — Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A few details.
A good beginning.
Tell us who is coming and what you would love to find here. We’ll send back a route you can read, question and make your own.
- Planned around your dates and interests
- Midrange or luxury, at your pace
- A personal conversation with our local team
