




2 Days Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Overview of 2 Days Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
The 2 Days Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park is one of the most rewarding short tours in Rwanda, designed for travelers who want to experience the unforgettable thrill of meeting the endangered mountain gorillas. Located in the Virunga Mountains, Volcanoes National Park is home to over a third of the world’s remaining gorillas, offering one of the best gorilla trekking experiences on the planet.
This safari begins with a scenic drive from Kigali through Rwanda’s breathtaking countryside to Musanze, the gateway town to Volcanoes National Park. The highlight of the tour is the gorilla trekking adventure, where you will hike through misty forests and volcanic slopes in search of a gorilla family. Spending an hour with these gentle giants in their natural habitat is an emotional and once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Beyond the trek, the itinerary includes time to explore Rwanda’s rolling hills, visit cultural sites, and enjoy the hospitality of local lodges. Perfect for visitors with limited time, this 2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari combines the adventure of trekking with comfort and relaxation, making it one of the most popular short safari options in Rwanda.
Day 1: Kigali Arrival – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Pickup from Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali by your professional driver-guide.
- Enjoy a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Musanze, passing through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside and terraced hillsides.
- Optional en-route visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial or the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for an introduction to Rwanda’s history and traditions.
- Arrive in Musanze and check in at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
- Dinner and overnight stay at your chosen lodge (Luxury, Mid-range, or Budget options available).
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Return to Kigali
- Early breakfast at your lodge before heading to Kinigi Park Headquarters.
- Attend a briefing session with park rangers about gorilla trekking rules and assignments of gorilla families.
- Begin your gorilla trekking adventure, which may last 2–6 hours depending on the gorilla family’s location.
- Spend a magical one hour with the gorillas, observing their behaviors, interactions, and the silverback’s dominance.
- After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch and refreshments.
- Drive back to Kigali, arriving in the evening for drop-off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport.
End of 2 Days Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Tour Inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person)
- Transport in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- 1 night accommodation near Volcanoes National Park (budget, mid-range, or luxury options)
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Bottled water throughout the safari
- Park entrance fees and ranger guidance
Tour Exclusions
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
- Optional cultural visits (can be arranged on request)
Starting from US $ 2,250 per person
Discounted prices per person as the number of people rises.
Note: The minimum age allowed for gorilla trekking is 16 years old.
| No of People | Up To | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | $ 2250 |
| 2 | – | $ 2180 |
| 3 | – | $ 2020 |
| 4 | – | $ 1940 |
| 5 | – | $ 1810 |
| 6 | – | $ 1760 |
| 7+ | – | $ 1700 |
Posted on Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
