Rwanda

This 1-day gorilla trekking safari offers an intense, unforgettable encounter with Rwanda's endangered mountain gorillas. Departing from Kigali at dawn, you'll trek through misty bamboo forests in Volcanoes National Park for a magical hour with a gorilla family.

What to Expect

• 🦍 1-hour gorilla encounter with a habituated family
• 🌿 2-8 hour trek through volcanic rainforests
• 🏔️ Stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes
• 📸 Photo opportunities (no flash)
• 🚐 Round-trip transfers from Kigali

Key Notes

✔️ Best Time: June–September or December–February (dry seasons)
✔️ Fitness Level: Moderate (trekking at 2,500–4,000m altitude)
✔️ Packing Essentials:

• Waterproof hiking boots
• Rain jacket & layers
• Gardening gloves (for vegetation)
• Camera + extra batteries

Itinerary at a Glance

Pre-Dawn: Departure from Kigali

• 4:30 AM pickup from your hotel
• 116km drive (2.5–3 hours) through rural Rwanda
• Scenic stops: View tea plantations and Virunga volcanoes

Your guide will collect you before dawn with packed breakfast. Watch the sunrise over Rwanda's "Land of a Thousand Hills" en route to Volcanoes National Park.

Morning: Gorilla Trekking

• 7:30 AM: Park registration & briefing
• Group assignment: 8 trekkers per gorilla family
• Trek duration: 30 mins–8 hours (average 2–4 hours)

After a safety briefing, you'll join a small group led by expert trackers. Trek through bamboo forests, listening for gorilla calls and following fresh tracks. The difficulty varies by gorilla family location.

Pro Tip: Hire a porter ($10–$15) to carry your backpack—it supports local communities and makes the trek easier.

Midday: Gorilla Encounter

• 1 magical hour with the gorillas
• Observe: Silverbacks, mothers with babies, juveniles playing
• Rules:
  • Maintain 7m distance
  • No flash photography
  • Speak softly

When you find the gorillas, time stands still. Watch infants tumble, silverbacks chew bamboo, and mothers groom their young—all just arm's length away.

Afternoon: Return to Kigali

• Trek back to park headquarters
• Receive certificate: Official gorilla trekking diploma
• 3-hour drive to Kigali (arrive by 4–6 PM)

Celebrate your achievement with fellow trekkers over lunch (own expense) before returning to Kigali in time for evening flights.

✅ Included

• Gorilla permit
• Accommodation
• Full-time English speaking guide
• Full board Accommodation
• Transportation
• Visits to the Batwa and local community
• Bottled drinking water.

❌ Excluded

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Drinks / alcoholic drinks / additional meals
• Tips
• Activities not part of the described program
• International travel insurance
• Items of personal nature / souvenirs

PLEASE NOTE

The safari indicated here is essentially an offer. Changes in the course of the journey, the duration of your tour, the number of travelers, as well as the choice of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavor to stick as closely as possible to this program. For the majority of itineraries, we can offer luxury, mid range or budget versions of this safari upon request.

Sometimes it is not possible to adhere to the travel plan as described in this itinerary, due to weather and road conditions, authority regulations, organizational requirements, etc. Occasionally, the planned route of the tour has to change according to the situation on the ground. We must therefore explicitly refuse liability for adherence to the journey plan.