Rwanda has turned gorilla tourism into a model of high-value, low-impact travel. Permits are limited and expensive, the treks are shorter and less punishing than in Uganda, and the drive from Kigali to the trailhead is under three hours on good tarmac. That makes this the choice for travellers who want the encounter without a long expedition.
The trip opens in Kigali – the Genocide Memorial, the craft cooperatives and a genuinely thriving food scene – before two nights near Volcanoes National Park for the trek itself and an afternoon with a former-poacher-led community project.
Trip facts
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Kigali
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June to September, December to February
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Lodge near the park, hotel in Kigali
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Private 4x4 with driver-guide
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2 to 8 guests
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Challenging
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Full board near the park
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Gorilla trekking
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12
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65
Overview
Rwanda has turned gorilla tourism into a model of high-value, low-impact travel. Permits are limited and expensive, the treks are shorter and less punishing than in Uganda, and the drive from Kigali to the trailhead is under three hours on good tarmac. That makes this the choice for travellers who want the encounter without a long expedition.
The trip opens in Kigali – the Genocide Memorial, the craft cooperatives and a genuinely thriving food scene – before two nights near Volcanoes National Park for the trek itself and an afternoon with a former-poacher-led community project.
Highlights
- Gorilla permit included for a habituated family in Volcanoes National Park
- Volcano scenery on the Virunga chain, shared with Uganda and DR Congo
- Kigali Genocide Memorial and a guided city walk
- Community visit with the Gorilla Guardians, former poachers, at Musanze
- Optional add-ons: golden monkeys or the Dian Fossey tomb hike
