Rwanda Gorillas 3-Day Safari

This trip is for travellers who want gorilla trekking with the shortest possible travel time and are comfortable paying more for it. Volcanoes National Park sits about 2 to 3 hours from Kigali International Airport, one of the shortest airport-to-trek transfers of any gorilla destination in the region. It suits people on a tight schedule, or those adding gorillas onto a Rwanda-focused trip rather than a wider East Africa loop.

Day-by-day

Day 1: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. Pick-up from Kigali airport or your hotel, drive north west to the Musanze area on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, roughly 2 to 3 hours on good tarmac road, one of the more comfortable drives on any of our itineraries. Check in, briefing on the next day’s trek, rest of the day free to settle in and take in the volcano views.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking. Early start, briefing at park headquarters around 7am, including traditional dance performances while groups are allocated to gorilla families. Trekking time varies by family location, sometimes under an hour, sometimes several hours on steep volcanic slopes. You get one hour with the gorillas once found. Afternoon free, with an optional Iby’Iwacu cultural village visit available locally if you want to add it.

Day 3: Return to Kigali. Morning departure back to Kigali, arriving in time for a city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, before your onward flight, or simply a direct transfer to the airport depending on your schedule.

What is included

• Road transport with driver-guide throughout
• 2 nights accommodation, mid-range lodge, full board
• One gorilla trekking permit (USD 1,500)
• Ranger guide and park fees for the trek
• Bottled water during transfers and trekking

What is not included

• International flights and Rwanda visa or East African Tourist Visa (USD 100, valid for Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda but not on its own for Rwanda-only trips, check with us on current entry rules)
• Porter fees on trek day (roughly USD 15 to 20, paid locally, well worth it on steep terrain)
• Tips for driver-guide, trackers and lodge staff
• Alcoholic drinks and items of a personal nature
• Kigali Genocide Memorial entry is free but a guided tour donation is customary
• Travel and medical evacuation insurance

Best time to go

June to September and December to February are the driest months, with firmer trails on the volcanic slopes. Rwanda’s rainy seasons, March to May and October to November, still allow trekking, the forest simply gets muddier and trails more slippery. Volcanoes National Park sits at altitude, so mornings and evenings are cool year round, pack layers regardless of season.

How fit do you need to be

Moderate to demanding, depending on which gorilla family you are allocated. Volcanoes National Park has some of the steeper terrain among the region’s gorilla parks, given its volcanic slopes, and trekking can involve real elevation gain. Porters are strongly recommended even for fit travellers. We ask about mobility and general health when you enquire so we can flag anything relevant to the park authority in advance.

FAQs

Why is the Rwanda permit so much more expensive than Uganda’s? Rwanda prices its gorilla permits at USD 1,500 per person, against Uganda’s standard USD 800, as part of a deliberate low-volume, higher-price conservation strategy. Rwanda also does not currently offer a discounted low season permit the way Uganda does with its USD 600 April, May and November rate.

Is the shorter drive from Kigali worth the higher permit cost compared with Uganda? That depends on your priorities. If minimising travel time matters most, Rwanda’s 2 to 3 hour transfer is hard to beat. If budget matters more, Uganda’s Bwindi trip costs less overall even with a longer drive or a fly-in option. We are happy to talk through both honestly when you enquire.

Can we combine this with a Kigali city day or genocide memorial visit? Yes, most travellers add a half day in Kigali on arrival or departure. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a sobering but important stop for understanding the country, and we can build in time for it either side of your trek.

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