See Mountain Gorillas on a Day Trip from Kigali
Short on time in Rwanda? This private day tour takes you to the mountain gorillas and back without an overnight stay. Your driver/guide picks you up from your Kigali hotel at 4:30 AM for the drive north to Volcanoes National Park, about two and a half hours away, arriving in time for the morning briefing at park headquarters.
Rangers then lead your group into the forest to find a habituated gorilla family, and you’ll spend one hour watching them before walking back out. After lunch and the presentation of your gorilla trekking certificate, you’ll drive back to Kigali, reaching your hotel by early evening.
Why You’ll Love This Safari
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Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
1 Solo: $1,960 2 Pax Sharing: $1,830 3 Pax Sharing: $1,768 4 Pax Sharing: $1,730 5 Pax Sharing: $1,705 6 Pax Sharing: $1,692
Meeting point
Your hotel in Kigali (4:30 AM pickup)
Availability
Year-round, 7 days a week
Duration
1 day
Group size
Min. 1 person
Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- A professional driver/guide
- Private vehicle (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser or safari van, depending on group size) with hotel pickup and drop-off in Kigali
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All taxes/VAT
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water
- Gorilla permits (one per person, non-resident)
Not included
- International flights (from/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer (can be arranged at an extra cost)
- Accommodation in Kigali before and after the tour
- Tips
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Porter fees
What to bring
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm jacket (early mornings can be cold)
- Neutral-colored clothing (avoid bright colors)
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Long pants
- Good hiking shoes
- Gaiters (for mud and nettles)
- Hat
- Gloves
- Light backpack
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Light face mask
Participation requirements
Min. age of 15 years old required to participate in this tour. Expect a long day: a 4:30 AM pickup, about five hours of driving in total, and a trek of two to six hours.
About your guide
Your safari will be led by an experienced local guide who will share facts about the wildlife, landscapes, and culture. Your guide is dedicated to ensuring your safari is safe, informative, and tailored to your interests.
What You’ll See & Do
Day 1: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for Gorilla Trekking
Your driver/guide will pick you up from your Kigali hotel at 4:30 AM for the drive north to Volcanoes National Park. You’ll reach park headquarters by 7:00 AM for the pre-trek briefing, where your group is assigned a gorilla family.
The trek starts at around 8:30 AM. Depending on where the gorillas are, it can take two to six hours in total, on trails that are often steep and muddy. Once you find the family, you’ll have one hour to watch them feed, rest and interact at close range.
Once the hour is up, you’ll hike back down to the trailhead to meet your driver. Enjoy lunch and collect your gorilla trekking certificate, then drive back to Kigali, arriving at your hotel by early evening.
Meals Included: Lunch
Frequently Asked Questions
It suits travelers with limited time, such as people in Kigali for business or a conference, or anyone adding gorillas to a longer East Africa trip. It is a long day, with a 4:30 AM pickup, about five hours on the road in total and a trek of two to six hours. If you’d prefer a slower pace, our 2-day and 3-day gorilla tours include nights near the park.
Plan for a moderate to challenging hike in mountain forest, often on steep, muddy ground. The total time ranges from two to six hours, depending on where your assigned gorilla family is that morning. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Local porters can carry your bag and help you on steep sections; porter fees are not included, so bring some cash.
Your price includes the $1,500 Rwanda gorilla permit, park fees for non-residents, your driver/guide and vehicle for the round trip from your Kigali hotel, lunch and drinking water. Airport transfers and accommodation in Kigali are not included, so plan to stay in the city the night before and the night after your trek. For how gorilla permits are priced and booked, see our gorilla trekking permit cost guide and our guide to the full cost of a gorilla trek.
Book as early as you can, because only a limited number of gorilla permits are issued for each day. For July and August, the busiest months for gorilla trekking, we recommend booking about six months ahead. A 50% deposit confirms your booking. Our guide to the best time for gorilla trekking compares the dry and rainy months.
Yes. Because this is a private tour, we can build on it. Many travelers stay a night near the park and add a golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park the next morning, or continue to Akagera National Park for game drives or Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee trekking. Send us your dates and we’ll suggest the best fit.
