Rwanda Safari
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda
Trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park with time in Kigali and a cultural visit.
Itinerary overview
This three-day itinerary combines a short introduction to Kigali with a morning among mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. You begin with a respectful visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and a tour of the capital, which gives helpful context for the country you are about to explore.
You then travel north to Musanze, where the Virunga volcanoes rise above terraced fields. After the 7:00 briefing at Kinigi, you trek with a ranger guide and trackers to a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with them, watching adults feed and young gorillas play.
The final morning is relaxed, with a scenic drive back to Kigali in time for lunch or your onward flight. Permits are limited and should be booked early, and the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15.
Safari highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Kigali sightseeing including the Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Visit to a local cultural village or craft market
- Volcano scenery in the northern highlands
- Comfortable pace with an overnight near the park
Itinerary route map
- Kigali
- Volcanoes National Park
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1 Kigali city tour and drive to Musanze
Begin the day with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which honours the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and tells the story of Rwanda's history and recovery. The visit is sombre but important, and it gives context for the country you are about to explore. Allow about two hours.
After the memorial, you take a short city tour that may include the Kimironko Market, the Kigali Convention Centre and viewpoints over the city's hills. Kigali is known for being clean, safe and green, and the tour shows modern life in the capital. You can then stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you drive north to Musanze, a journey of about two hours through scenic hill country. You check in at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park, where you can relax and enjoy the views of the volcanoes. Your guide briefs you on tomorrow's gorilla trekking arrangements before dinner.
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Day 2 Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, you drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi for the 7:00 briefing. Rangers explain the rules of gorilla trekking and assign each group to a habituated family, taking into account fitness levels. Traditional dancers often welcome visitors, and it is a good time to take photographs before you set off.
The trek begins across farmland and enters the bamboo and montane forest on the volcano slopes. The hike lasts from one to several hours depending on the location of the gorillas, and the terrain can be steep and muddy. Porters are available to carry your bag and assist you on difficult sections.
When you reach the gorillas, you spend one hour observing them from a short distance, watching the silverback, females and playful young. After returning to the park office, you receive a trekking certificate. The rest of the day is free to relax at the lodge or to enjoy a short cultural visit nearby.
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Day 3 Musanze to Kigali
After a relaxed breakfast, you may take a morning to enjoy the area around your lodge, perhaps with a short walk through the farmland or a visit to a local village. The views of the volcanoes are often clearest in the early morning, which makes it a good time for photographs.
You then check out and drive south to Kigali, which takes about two hours. Your guide can stop at a viewpoint, a roadside market or a craft shop on the way. The scenery is a patchwork of terraced fields, eucalyptus trees and small villages, and shows everyday Rwandan life. The drive is easy and a good chance to reflect on your trek and the memories you have made.
You arrive in Kigali in the late morning or early afternoon, in time for lunch or for your onward flight. Your driver-guide drops you at your hotel or the airport and helps with luggage. The safari ends here, and you leave with memories of the mountain gorillas. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Rwanda soon.
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