Gorilla Trekking Experience
An intimate 3-day encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park.
Duration
3 Days
Price From
$3,500 pp
Country
Rwanda
Difficulty
Moderate
One-hour encounter with a mountain gorilla family — only 8 visitors permitted
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.
What Makes This Safari Special
One-hour encounter with a mountain gorilla family — only 8 visitors permitted
Expert trackers who have followed these families for decades
Volcanoes National Park — Virunga Mountains and bamboo forest trekking
Luxury lodge on the edge of the national park
Community visit supporting conservation through tourism
Kigali city highlights — Genocide Memorial and local culture
Your Journey, Day by Day
3 carefully curated days across Volcanoes NP, Rwanda
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.
Day 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.
Day 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.
End of itinerary — 3 days, 2 nights
What's 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
What's Excluded
- 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
$3,500
per person sharing
Group Pricing
Secured by Inspiration Africa
African DMC
Professional destination management company operating across 7 African countries with dedicated teams, contracted suppliers, and local expertise in each market.
Based in Arusha, Tanzania