3 Days Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trekking Safari
3-day Volcanoes gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park
Overview
3-day Volcanoes gorilla trekking
A 3-day Volcanoes gorilla trekking safari takes you from Kigali to the rainforest slopes where the endangered mountain gorillas live.
Come and enjoy a lifetime experience of tracking the endangered Silver-back Gorillas. This trek will take place in Volcanoes National Park through the tropical rainforest in search for some of the only mountain gorillas that are left in the whole world. This national park is also outstanding for great sight views and you will enjoy the environment along with the wealth of bird life which adds to the beauty of the forest.
Travel logistics
Start / Finish
Start
- Kigali
- KGLKigali International Airport
Finish
- Kigali
- KGLKigali International Airport
Highlights
What Makes This Safari Special
Trek to mountain gorillas
Wildlife viewing by boat
Explore Volcanoes National Park
Handpicked lodges & camps
3 days fully guided
Day by Day
3-day Volcanoes gorilla trekking itinerary
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by our tours representative, outside the airport arrivals section. After a short briefing, you will embark on your safari. Enjoy a City Tour of Kigali. (Cost of city tour included)
The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare.
Visit the old Kigali and the craft centres then visit the genocide memorial site. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience.
Lunch in Kigali. Later, depart Kigali and drive to Ruhengeri.
Ruhengeri is the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town is located only 25km from Uganda boarder and approcimately 2.5 Hours from Kigali City. It is relatively a small town of about 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The Town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here.
Breakfast at the lodge.
0700 hrs: Registration is a simple process where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 96 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group.
Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point.
Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way.
After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide for a transfer to your lodge for lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure, visit the magical twin lakes Ruhondo & Burera or interact with culture and history at the cultural Ibyiwacu Village (Cost not included)
After breakfast at the lodge, depart from foothills of the volcanoes and drive on a scenic drive to Kigali. Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly - land of a thousand fertile green hills. (2.5hrs).
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Flights after 1300Hrs recommended (Cost of flight not included)
Gallery
Photographs
Where You Stay
Handpicked
Retreats
Every lodge and camp is chosen for its location, character and comfort, so the place you rest is as memorable as the adventure itself.
What's Included
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Drinking water on all days
Not Included
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- International flights (from/to home)
- Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Services not mentioned in the program
- Items of a personal nature
Questions
Frequently Asked
The price covers all activities (unless labeled as optional); all accommodation as stated in the itinerary; a professional driver/guide; all transportation (unless labeled as optional); roundtrip airport transfer. Budget separately for all Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section); international flights (from/to home); tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day). Your personalized quote confirms the full breakdown line by line.
This safari runs year-round. Rwanda shifts between dry and green seasons, each with its own advantages for wildlife viewing. Share your travel window and our experts will advise on conditions.
This is a private, tailor-made safari for your own party of 2 to 12 guests. You won't be grouped with strangers. The itinerary, vehicle and guide are yours alone.
You'll stay at Virunga Lodge / Sabinyo Silverback Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, as laid out in the day-by-day itinerary. If availability requires it, we substitute properties of a similar or better standard and always confirm before you travel.
Send an inquiry through the form on this page and our safari experts will come back with a personalized quote within 24 hours, free and with no obligation. Once the plan feels right, we lock in your dates and lodges.
Absolutely. Treat the 3-day program as a starting point. We can adjust the pace, upgrade or change lodges, add days, or combine it with other destinations. Tell us what your ideal trip looks like and we'll shape it around you.
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