




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 Tripadvisor patty eVerified 100% recommended I was originally in Tanzania for a safari but decided to add the gorilla trek at the end of my trip because the flight was too long to fly to Africa from California again at my age. I booked through Viator. From the beginning, communication with Universal Adventures was positive. They were prompt to answer any questions. And a few days before the excursion, they sent me my driver's name and WhatsApp number. His name is Christian.We communicated through WhatsApp, and he was very prompt to reply back. He was early to pick me up at 4:30am. I had another person in the car. The car was clean. Its a long drive to the meeting place. We stopped for breakfast pastries at a local shop( they take credit cards and had a clean breakfast. We then drove to the meeting place where we met up with our group. There they had hot drinks like coffees, lattes, teas, etc. We then had to drive to the beginning of the mountain. It was a long drive as the roads are not paved. My group was assigned the Isimbi gorilla family and our guide was Jolie. My porter was Adolf. I was the least active one in the group but the crew never made me feel bad. After what I thought was a 4 hr hike (it was really 1 hr and 26 minutes) we found our gorilla family. We had plenty of time to take pictures with them. After we were done, Christian took us to a rooftop restaurant. The food was delicious! I recommend this excursion 100%. The company is awesome and very professional.Posted on Tripadvisor Juliet KVerified Gorilla Experience in Rwanda! Easy ride, the trip was one in a life time experience. The driver (Christian) was very nice and kind and made the trip smooth! Everything was great.Posted on Tripadvisor zoe457Verified Amazing experience seeing the gorillas of Rwanda! Amazing experience seeing the gorillas. Dodos picked me up in Kigali and was very helpful through the whole process. He even had cold drinks when I finished the gorilla trekking. Highly recommend!Posted on Tripadvisor Trevor BVerified Great way to see Kigali! Our guide Christian was knowledgeable and kind. He showed us all the highlights including the moving Genocide Memorial. His personal stories and insights into Rwandan society were invaluable. It was truly a pleasure to spend the day with him in Kigali.Posted on Tripadvisor Destination709424Verified Gorilla Trekking Me and my partner have always dreamed of doing gorilla trekking so when Christian helped this come to life it was surreal! As tourists we felt incredibly safe and welcomed with Christian he was super knowledgable and happy to share lots of description and reasoning with all our questions to help us learn and understand the culture. We also did a cultural village visit, Golden Monkey Trek, Diane Fossey Museum and women’s centre. All suggested and planned with Christian from Universal Ventures Rawanda. Any requests we had were never too much for Christian he was always happy to help. I would 110% recommend Christian to all my friends and family who I know want to come to Rawanda. Thankyou for making our dreams come true!Posted on Tripadvisor Geti LVerified 100% would recommend Amazing team and guide. I didn’t have to think about anything since they planned everything from airport pick up till drop off. Best value for buck but also great attitude and support. Got permission to visit the Pablo family thanks to our guide!Posted on Tripadvisor Yanis RVerified Thanks Kim for that wonderful day Kim was my guide for my experience with the gorillas. He made the day so comfortable. Everything was perfect! We also had many conversations about everything. I definitely recommend traveling with him!!Posted on Tripadvisor Aglaia OVerified Amazing Rwanda gorilla trek! Playful babies, calm silverback, great guides. Book permits well in advance. My gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda was absolutely incredible. We found the gorillas within about an hour of hiking, and seeing them up close was unforgettable. The baby gorillas were especially playful and entertaining to watch, constantly moving around and interacting with each other. In contrast, the silverback was calm, quiet, and completely self-focused — somehow both powerful and peaceful at the same time. The gorillas were not scary at all, and we never felt threatened during the experience. The guides were fantastic: experienced, knowledgeable, and very entertaining throughout the trek. One of our guides even shared stories about crossing paths with Dian Fossey, which made the experience feel even more special and connected to Rwanda’s conservation history. One important tip: make sure to secure your trekking permit well in advance, as spots are limited and can sell out quickly. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would highly recommend.Posted on Tripadvisor MARCELLE EVerified Gorilles Kigali Nous avons choisis la parcours long mais ca valait le coup. Nous en avons pris pleins les yeux les guides étaient top le trajet depuis Kigali pas trop long avec le chauffeur de l'agence , NEZA qui a vraiment été super du début à la fin . Il nous été d’une grande aide.le responsable de l’agence et était super et disponible il nous a aidé pour toutes les démarches.Posted on Tripadvisor Teresa BVerified The trek was perfect! We saw a beautiful family of gorillas including two Silverbacks! The best experience of my life! Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat was incredible! A truly serene experience. The tour was well planned and could not have been more perfect. The entire team guided with professionalism and love. My porter, Jacqueline, was wonderful and took great care of me. My personal guide/driver, Kim, was a delight! I learned much about Rwanda from him on the drive. I was surprised he greeted me with champagne toast! The day could not have been better.
