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3 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali

Travel into Rwanda's Virunga foothills, spend 2 nights near Volcanoes National Park and join park rangers for a mountain gorilla trek.

Plan My Trek

3 Days / 2 Nights / Gorilla Permit Included / Kigali Return

Mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park / Mountain Gorillas
3 Days2 Lodge Nights
1 Gorilla TrekPermit Included
Kigali ReturnHotel or Airport Transfers
Private 4x4Dedicated Driver Guide
Your Journey at a Glance

From Kigali to the gorilla forest, with 2 nights near the park.

Arrive the day before trekking, return to the same lodge afterwards and travel back to Kigali on Day 3.

01 / DAY 1

Kigali to Volcanoes

Private road transfer through Musanze and a lodge evening.

02 / DAY 2

Gorilla Trekking

Kinigi briefing, ranger-guided trek and time to rest afterwards.

03 / DAY 3

Return to Kigali

Breakfast, the return drive and your agreed hotel or airport drop-off.

The Safari Experience

Give the gorilla trek its own day.

An evening in the Virunga foothills leaves your boots ready and the road journey behind you before trekking morning. With 2 nights near the park, there is time to settle in before the walk and return to the same room afterwards.

Your 3 day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari begins in Kigali, followed by a private drive north to Volcanoes National Park . Choose Wilderness Sabyinyo Lodge for a luxury stay or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge for the mid-range option.

Rangers lead the forest experience on Day 2. The gorillas' location shapes the walk, and the permitted viewing period is up to 1 hour once your family is found. The rest of the day stays flexible around your return.

The route suits travellers focused on 1 gorilla encounter within a short Rwanda holiday. For golden monkeys and Lake Kivu, compare our 5 day Rwanda gorilla and golden monkey safari . Our Rwanda safari collection includes other forest, wildlife and lakeside journeys.

Why Choose This Journey

Safari Highlights

01

Trek mountain gorillas with Volcanoes National Park rangers.

02

Spend up to 1 permitted hour observing the family once located.

03

Stay 2 nights near the park without a post-trek transfer to Kigali.

04

Have 1 Rwanda gorilla trekking permit arranged per trekking guest.

05

Select a luxury or mid-range lodge to suit your stay.

06

Travel privately between Kigali, your lodge and trekking departure points.

Mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas
Mountain scenery in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park
The Virunga Landscape
Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda
Into the Gorilla Forest
Your 3 Day Journey

Rwanda gorilla trekking, day by day.

Kigali arrival or hotel pickup, 2 nights near Volcanoes National Park and a return transfer after breakfast on Day 3.

01

Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Meet your BLS Safaris driver guide at Kigali International Airport or your Kigali hotel. Begin the road journey north through Rwanda's hills towards Musanze and the Volcanoes area.

Allow around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic, stops and your lodge location. Arrive, check in and settle into your room for 2 nights.

Keep the afternoon relaxed. A community visit can be requested when arrival time allows, but is not part of the standard included programme.

Before dinner, your guide confirms tomorrow's reporting time, breakfast and trekking preparations. Set aside your boots, rain jacket and daypack.

Luxury, Wilderness Sabyinyo Lodge Mid-range, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge Lunch and Dinner as Arrival Allows
Your arrival must allow the onward transfer before trekking day. A late Kigali arrival may require an extra night and revised dates.
02

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Have an early breakfast and travel to Kinigi for the park's morning registration and briefing. Your guide confirms the required reporting time before departure.

Meet the ranger team and receive your trekking allocation. Continue by vehicle to the assigned trailhead where needed, then begin the forest walk.

The route may pass through farmland approaches, bamboo and montane forest. Some outings are shorter, while others take several hours over steep, muddy ground. Let the ranger set the pace.

Once your gorilla family is located, spend up to 1 hour observing them. Watch feeding, resting and movement through the vegetation. Keep the required distance, avoid flash and follow the ranger's instructions.

Walk back to the trailhead and meet your driver. Return to the lodge for a meal and rest, with packed food arranged if the day's timing requires it.

Gorilla Guardians Village can be added if booked and the trek leaves enough time. Otherwise, enjoy the afternoon at your own pace.

Luxury, Wilderness Sabyinyo Lodge Mid-range, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 1 Gorilla Permit Included
The minimum trekking age is 15 years. Porter hire and optional cultural visits cost extra unless included in your quotation.
03

Return to Kigali and Departure

Have breakfast and check out before the drive back to Kigali. Allow around 2.5 to 3 hours, with extra time for stops, traffic and airport check-in.

If requested in advance and your flight schedule allows, a Kigali Genocide Memorial visit can be arranged. Leave time for a respectful, unhurried visit.

Continue to your Kigali hotel or Kigali International Airport for the agreed drop-off. Your safari ends on arrival.

Travellers extending their stay can add savannah wildlife with our 3 day Akagera safari or discuss another route from our Rwanda safaris .

Breakfast Kigali Hotel or Airport Drop-Off No Overnight Included
Share your flight details before booking. Early departures require a revised transfer or a Kigali overnight. Lunch and sightseeing on Day 3 are included only when quoted.
Your Safari, Clearly Explained

Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

What's Included

  • 1 Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per participating guest.
  • Park ranger services for the gorilla trek.
  • Park fees required for the included trekking activity.
  • 2 nights at the lodge category confirmed in your quotation.
  • Lodge meals as stated in the confirmed booking.
  • Private 4x4 road transport for the scheduled route.
  • English-speaking driver guide.
  • Kigali airport or hotel pickup and drop-off as agreed.
  • Transfers between your lodge, headquarters and assigned trailhead.
  • Bottled drinking water during road transfers.
  • BLS Safaris support during the journey.

What's Not Included

  • International flights.
  • Rwanda visa fees where applicable.
  • Travel and medical insurance.
  • Gorilla trekking porter hire.
  • Tips for guides, rangers, porters and lodge staff.
  • Drinks outside the selected lodge's included meal plan.
  • Gorilla Guardians Village unless specifically quoted.
  • Optional Kigali sightseeing and associated services.
  • Golden monkey tracking and other additional park activities.
  • Laundry, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
  • Accommodation before or after the safari.
  • Services outside the confirmed quotation.
Before You Travel

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers about permits, accommodation, trekking and your Kigali transfers.

1. Is the Rwanda gorilla permit included?
Yes. The package includes 1 permit per participating trekking guest for the confirmed date. Permit availability is checked before the lodge and travel arrangements are finalised.
2. Why are there 2 nights near Volcanoes National Park?
Arrive before trekking day and return to the same lodge afterwards. The second night avoids a drive back to Kigali immediately after a potentially long forest outing.
3. Which accommodation options are available?
Wilderness Sabyinyo Lodge is the luxury option, while Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge is the mid-range option. Your quotation confirms room availability, meal arrangements and the selected property.
4. How difficult is the trek, and how long does it take?
Expect uneven ground, mud and potentially steep slopes. The walk can take several hours, depending on gorilla movements and the route. Tell us about mobility concerns before booking so the demands can be discussed.
5. How much time do we spend with the gorillas?
Once the family is reached, the permitted viewing period is up to 1 hour. Searching and walking back take additional time. Rangers guide your position and behaviour throughout the visit.
6. What is the minimum age, and what should I pack?
The minimum age is 15 years. Bring hiking boots with grip, long trousers, a rain jacket, warm layers and a small daypack. Protect cameras from rain and avoid flash photography. A porter can assist at extra cost.
7. Are golden monkeys, the cultural visit and Kigali sightseeing included?
No. They are additional arrangements. Golden monkey tracking needs another permit and a suitable activity slot. Our 5 day Rwanda safari combines gorillas, golden monkeys and Lake Kivu.
8. Is the gorilla trek private?
Your road transfers are private to your booking. The standard gorilla trek follows park group arrangements and may include other visitors. Any request for an exclusive trekking arrangement must be discussed before booking.
Your Rwanda Gorilla Journey Starts Here

Make time for the mountain gorillas.

Share your dates, group size and preferred lodge standard. BLS Safaris will arrange your permit, 2 lodge nights and private Kigali transfers.

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BLS Safaris Ltd