Overview
An intimate 3-day encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park.
There are fewer than 1,000 mountain gorillas left on Earth — and this 3-day journey brings you face to face with them. Fly into Kigali, Rwanda's immaculate capital, and transfer northwest through terraced hillsides and eucalyptus forests to Volcanoes National Park, where the Virunga Mountains rise through the mist like green cathedrals. The next morning, join a small group of eight — the maximum allowed — and trek into the bamboo forest with expert trackers who have followed these gorilla families for decades. When you find them — and you will — you'll spend one extraordinary hour in the presence of silverbacks, mothers with infants, and playful juveniles. The encounter is profoundly moving: these gentle giants share 98% of our DNA, and meeting their gaze changes you. Return to your luxury lodge for a celebration dinner, then visit a local community project before departing. This experience is rare, regulated, and life-changing.
Package Highlights
Your Journey, Day by Day
Day 1
Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Arrive at Kigali International Airport where your guide meets you. If time permits, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial — a powerful and important experience that provides context for Rwanda's extraordinary rebirth. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer northwest through Rwanda's stunning 'Land of a Thousand Hills' — terraced green hillsides, vibrant villages, and eucalyptus-scented air. Arrive at your luxury lodge on the edge of Volcanoes National Park by late afternoon. Settle in, enjoy the mountain views, and join a briefing about tomorrow's gorilla trek over a candlelit dinner.
Overnight: Luxury lodge — Volcanoes National Park edgeMeals: Lunch, DinnerAirport meet-and-greetKigali Genocide Memorial (time permitting)Scenic transfer through Rwanda's hill countryGorilla trek briefing at lodgeDay 2
Mountain Gorilla Trek — Volcanoes National Park
The day you've been waiting for. After an early breakfast, drive to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for the pre-trek briefing and group assignment. Each gorilla family has a different personality and location — your trackers know exactly where they are. The trek itself ranges from 1 to 4 hours through bamboo forest and volcanic terrain, climbing between 2,500m and 3,000m altitude. When you reach the gorillas, the world stops. For one breathtaking hour, you sit among silverbacks weighing over 200kg, watch mothers nurse their infants, and observe juveniles play-fight in the undergrowth. The encounter is intimate, overwhelming, and deeply humbling. After the trek, return to your lodge for a celebration lunch, then spend the afternoon at a local community project — learning about how gorilla tourism directly funds schools, healthcare, and conservation.
Overnight: Luxury lodge — Volcanoes National Park edgeMeals: Breakfast, Packed lunch, Celebration dinnerGorilla trekking — 1-hour encounter with a gorilla familyBamboo forest and volcanic terrain trekkingCommunity visit — conservation-funded local projectCelebration dinner at the lodgeDay 3
Morning Leisure & Departure
A gentle final morning. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with views of the Virunga volcanoes, then take an optional short walk around the lodge grounds — the birdlife here is extraordinary, with over 200 species recorded in the area. Transfer back to Kigali, stopping at a local craft market for handmade gorilla carvings and Rwandan baskets. Arrive in Kigali in time for your departure flight, or extend your stay for a golden monkey trek, Lake Kivu visit, or Nyungwe Forest chimpanzee experience.
Overnight: No accommodation (departure day)Meals: BreakfastLeisurely breakfast with volcano viewsOptional birdwatching walkCraft market stopTransfer to Kigali for departure
What's Included
Included
- Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 pp — included in price)
- Kigali airport meet-and-greet and all road transfers
- Luxury lodge accommodation (2 nights)
- All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- English-speaking guide throughout
- Community cultural visit
- Drinking water and packed lunch on trek day
Not Included
- International flights to/from Kigali
- Rwanda tourist visa ($50)
- Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory)
- Tips for guides and lodge staff ($20–30/day recommended)
- Porter hire on gorilla trek ($20 — recommended, supports local livelihoods)
- Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
