10 daysGorillas & the Great Migration
Rwanda's Volcanoes & Kenya's Maasai Mara
- Gorilla trekking permit included
- Best Jul–Oct
From$9,800approx. ≈ £7,350approx. ≈ CA$13,450approx. ≈ A$14,900approx. ≈ €8,450per person sharing
East Africa
Rwanda
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Overview
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda is the place to meet mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Volcanoes National Park. Add chimpanzees in Nyungwe, Big Five safaris in Akagera, the shores of Lake Kivu and the clean, forward-looking capital, Kigali.
Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is small, green and remarkably easy to travel. Terraced hillsides roll to every horizon, tea plantations carpet the slopes of the southwest, and the Virunga volcanoes rise along the northern border. Most people come for the gorillas and leave talking about everything else, too.
Gorillas and golden monkeys
In Volcanoes National Park, habituated families of mountain gorillas live on the forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Treks led by expert trackers and guides can take anywhere from under an hour to several hours through dense forest, and the hour you spend with a gorilla family is among the most moving wildlife encounters anywhere.
Permits are limited and costly, and the fees help fund conservation and neighboring communities. The park also offers treks to see playful golden monkeys and a hike to the former research camp and grave of Dian Fossey, the primatologist who devoted her life to the gorillas.
Chimpanzees, savanna and lakes
Nyungwe National Park in the southwest protects an ancient montane rainforest, where chimpanzee tracking, a canopy walkway and large troops of colobus monkeys are the highlights. In the east, Akagera National Park has been transformed by conservation work; the reintroduction of lions and rhinos has made it a Big Five destination again.
Lake Kivu, along the western border, is perfect for downtime, kayaking and boat trips, and the Congo Nile Trail follows its shoreline for hikers and cyclists.
Kigali and Rwandan culture
Kigali is a clean, orderly capital with a growing café, art and restaurant scene. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is an essential and deeply moving introduction to the country's history and its path of reconciliation and renewal. Beyond the capital, coffee and tea tours, community visits and traditional dance performances offer a richer sense of Rwandan life.
How we plan Rwanda
Rwanda's compact size keeps drive times short: Volcanoes National Park is typically two to three hours from Kigali. We help you secure gorilla permits well in advance, advise on fitness and porters, and pair Rwanda with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, as on our Gorillas & the Great Migration journey, or with Akagera for an all-Rwanda trip.
Quick facts
- Capital
- Kigali
- Languages
- Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili
- Currency
- Rwandan franc (RWF)
- Plug types
- Type C, Type J
- Voltage
- 230V / 50Hz
- Drives on the
- right
Why visit Rwanda
What makes Rwanda special
Mountain gorilla trekking
Spend an unforgettable hour with a habituated gorilla family on the forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes.
Golden monkeys
Track troops of energetic golden monkeys, found only in the mountain forests of Africa's Albertine Rift.
Nyungwe Forest
Track chimpanzees and cross a canopy walkway high above an ancient montane rainforest.
Akagera National Park
Look for the Big Five on game drives and boat trips in a savanna park restored through dedicated conservation work.
Lake Kivu
Kayak, cycle or simply unwind on the shores of a vast lake framed by Rwanda's hills.
Kigali
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the colorful Kimironko Market and a thriving scene of galleries and cafés.
Where to go
Which part of Rwanda is right for you?
Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorillas in the Virunga volcanoes
Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda's share of the Virunga Mountains, home to habituated mountain gorilla families and golden monkeys. Trek through bamboo and montane forest for an hour you'll never forget.
Explore Volcanoes National Park
Kigali
Green hills, clean streets and a creative spirit
Kigali is a clean, green and remarkably orderly capital spread across rolling hills. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, browse colorful markets and galleries, and enjoy a growing café and dining scene before heading to the gorillas.
Explore Kigali
Featured journeys
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When to go
Best time to visit Rwanda
Best months
- ✓ Jan
- ✓ Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- ✓ Jun
- ✓ Jul
- ✓ Aug
- ✓ Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ✓ Dec
Rwanda can be visited year-round, and gorilla trekking runs in every month. Because the country lies just south of the equator and much of it sits at altitude, temperatures are pleasant throughout the year, though mountain nights are cool.
The long dry season, from about June to September, is the most popular time for gorilla trekking: trails are less muddy, and chimpanzee tracking and game viewing in Akagera are also at their best. A shorter dry spell, from about December to February, is another excellent window.
The long rains usually fall from March to May and the short rains in October and November. Treks can be wetter and more slippery, but the forests are lush, and permits and rooms can be easier to find. Whenever you go, pack a rain jacket, because in the mountains it can rain on any day.
Travel information
Everything you need to know
Money and tipping. Cards and mobile money are increasingly accepted in Kigali, but carry Rwandan francs for rural areas. Tipping guides, trackers, porters and drivers is customary, and we'll send current guidelines.
Dress and etiquette. Casual, modest clothing is the norm. For treks, wear long trousers, long sleeves, sturdy boots and gloves for grabbing vegetation. On the last Saturday morning of each month, Umuganda, the national community work day, can pause traffic and businesses for a few hours.
Photography. Ask before photographing people, and don't photograph government or military buildings. Photography isn't permitted inside some memorial exhibitions, and flash is never used around gorillas.
Plastic bags. Rwanda bans single-use plastic bags, and they may be confiscated on arrival.
Connectivity. 4G coverage is extensive, and local SIM cards are easy to buy.
Safety. Rwanda is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in Africa for visitors. Check official travel advice before you go, including any guidance on areas near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
For visas and health, see our entry requirements guidance and official sources.
Travel guides
Traveling Responsibly in Africa: A Practical Guide
Travel done well supports wildlife, conservation and local livelihoods. This practical guide covers choosing lodges and guides, ethical wildlife encounters, respectful community visits, shopping, plastic, flights and tipping.
The Safari Packing List We Actually Recommend
Pack less than you think, in a soft bag, with layers for cold mornings. Our practical safari packing list covers clothing, gorilla trekking gear, binoculars and cameras, documents, and the things to leave at home.
When to Visit East Africa: A Month-by-Month Guide
There's no single best month for an East African safari. Here's how the dry and rainy seasons, the Great Migration, gorilla trekking and Zanzibar's beach weather typically play out through the year, and how to choose.
Last updated September 25, 2026
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