8 daysKenya Safari Adventure
Amboseli & the Maasai Mara
- Fly-in stay in a Maasai Mara conservancy
- Best Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct
From$5,600approx. ≈ £4,200approx. ≈ CA$7,650approx. ≈ A$8,500approx. ≈ €4,800per person sharing
Add-on · Customizable Journey
Rwanda Gorilla Trek
An hour with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Trip length
- 3 days
- Countries
- Rwanda
- Ideal for
- Couples, Solo Travelers, Groups
- Style
- Safari & Wildlife, Adventure
A three-day add-on from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for a guided trek to a habituated family of mountain gorillas, with two nights at a lodge beneath the Virunga volcanoes. Permit included and fitted around your safari.
Sitting quietly on a forested slope while a family of mountain gorillas feeds, plays and dozes a few meters away is one of the most moving wildlife experiences on Earth. Rwanda makes it remarkably accessible: Volcanoes National Park is only a few hours' drive from Kigali, so a gorilla trek can be added to a Kenya or Tanzania safari with just a short regional flight.
This add-on keeps things simple and well paced. A private driver-guide meets you in Kigali and drives you through green, terraced hills to a lodge near Volcanoes National Park. The next morning, rangers brief you at park headquarters and assign your group to a gorilla family. Treks vary from under an hour to several hours each way through farmland, bamboo and forest, depending on where the gorillas are that day. Once you find them, you spend up to an hour in their company, guided by trackers who know each individual.
On your final morning, you can join an optional trek to see the playful golden monkeys, or simply enjoy the view of the volcanoes before returning to Kigali.
A few practical notes. Permits are limited and are usually the first thing we secure, so let us know your dates early. A reasonable level of fitness helps, and local porters can carry your bag and lend a hand on steep ground. The minimum trekking age is currently 15, set by the park authority.
Make it yours
Every trip is customizable. We'll tailor the dates, lodge, activities and pace around your main journey. Add a second gorilla trek, a day exploring Kigali, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest or a stay at a luxury lodge. You'll approve the final plan and quote before paying anything.
Every journey is customizable. Use our featured journeys as inspiration. We'll tailor the dates, hotels, activities, pace and budget around you.
Highlights
Up to an hour with mountain gorillas
Trek with rangers and trackers to a habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.
Permit included
We secure your gorilla trekking permit as part of your approved plan.
A lodge beneath the volcanoes
Two nights close to the park, so trek morning starts without a long drive.
Optional golden monkey trek
A lighter second trek among the bamboo, home to lively golden monkeys.
Suggested day-by-day
A starting point, not a fixed schedule — we adjust every day to suit you.
- 1
Day 1Kigali to the VirungasKigali and Musanze
Arrive in Kigali, or connect from your safari, and drive about two and a half hours northwest through terraced hills to your lodge near Volcanoes National Park. If time allows, stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial on the way out of the city.
- Meet your driver-guide in Kigali
- Optional visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Scenic drive to the Volcanoes area
Upscale mountain lodge or similar · Near Volcanoes National ParkDinner - 2
Day 2Gorilla trekVolcanoes National Park
Meet the rangers at park headquarters early for your briefing and group assignment. Treks can take from under an hour to several hours each way, and once you reach the gorillas you spend up to an hour with them. Return to the lodge for a hot shower and a well-earned rest.
- Briefing at park headquarters
- Guided gorilla trek with rangers and trackers
- Up to one hour with a habituated gorilla family
Upscale mountain lodge or similar · Near Volcanoes National ParkBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner - 3
Day 3Golden monkeys and back to KigaliVolcanoes National Park and Kigali
Join an optional morning trek to see golden monkeys, or sleep in and enjoy the view of the volcanoes. After lunch, drive back to Kigali for your onward flight.
- Optional golden monkey trek (extra permit)
- Drive back to Kigali
- Transfer to the airport
Breakfast, Lunch
Make it yours
A few of the ways travelers tailor this journey:
Trek twice
Add a night and a second permit to visit a different gorilla family, subject to availability.
Upgrade your lodge
Choose a luxury lodge with fireplaces, spa treatments and sweeping volcano views.
Add a day in Kigali
Explore art centers, markets and the food scene of a calm, creative capital.
Add chimpanzees or a savanna safari
Continue to Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee tracking, or to Akagera National Park.
Hike to a crater lake
Fit walkers can add a full-day guided hike up Mount Bisoke to its summit crater lake.
Typically included
- Two nights at a lodge near Volcanoes National Park, based on two people sharing
- Full board at the lodge
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- Private vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide from Kigali and back
- Airport transfers in Kigali
- Packed lunch and drinking water on trek day
Not usually included
- International and regional flights
- Visas, if required for your nationality
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
- Porters (optional, paid locally) and the golden monkey permit
- Drinks and personal expenses
Best months
- ✓ Jan
- ✓ Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- ✓ Jun
- ✓ Jul
- ✓ Aug
- ✓ Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ✓ Dec
Pairs well with
8 days
10 daysSerengeti + Zanzibar
Wildlife & Beach Escape
- Paced for a first safari
- Best Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct
From$6,900approx. ≈ £5,200approx. ≈ CA$9,450approx. ≈ A$10,500approx. ≈ €5,950per person sharing
Love this journey? Let’s make it yours.
Tell us your dates, who is traveling and how you like to travel. We’ll adapt this itinerary — or design something completely new.