This is our most-booked gorilla trek, and the simplest way to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda. You don't need a lodge or a multi-day itinerary — just one long, unforgettable day from your Kigali hotel to Volcanoes National Park and back, with everything arranged.
Price: $2,000 per person
| RDB gorilla trekking permit | $1,500 |
|---|---|
| Service: private 4x4, driver-guide, breakfast, lunch, water, Wi-Fi | $500 |
| Total per person | $2,000 |
The vehicle is private to your party — whether that's one person or six — so you don't wait for or share with strangers. On the trek itself, all visitors join RDB groups of up to 8 people; that's a park rule for every operator.
Highlights
- One hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family
- Private 4x4 and driver-guide from your door, no shared seats
- The traditional welcome and briefing at Kinigi park headquarters
- Views of the Virunga volcanoes and terraced hills along the road north
- Back in Kigali the same evening — no lodge night needed
Itinerary
4:30 AM
Pickup from your Kigali hotel
Your driver-guide collects you. Breakfast is packed for the road. The drive north follows the main road through Rulindo and Gakenke districts; it's dark at first, then the terraced hills appear at sunrise. Sleep if you can.
~6:45 AM
Arrive at Kinigi
At the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, your guide registers you with RDB. There's coffee and tea, and usually a performance by a local dance troupe while the rangers prepare.
7:00 AM
Briefing and family assignment
Rangers explain the rules and assign each trekker to a gorilla family. If you've told us about fitness or mobility needs, your guide will have already spoken to the park team.
~8:00 AM
Drive to the trailhead and trek
A short drive takes you to the starting point for your family. Hire a porter, take a stick, and set off through farmland to the park wall and into the forest. The walk can take from about 30 minutes to several hours.
Late morning
One hour with the gorillas
The trackers lead you to the family. Bags stay with the porters; cameras come with you. For sixty minutes you watch them feed, rest and play at close range.
Early afternoon
Return, certificate and lunch
Walk out, collect your trekking certificate, and have lunch — packed or at a restaurant in Kinigi or Musanze depending on timing.
4:00–7:00 PM
Back to Kigali
Drive back south to your hotel or anywhere in Kigali you choose.
What's included
Included
- $1,500 RDB gorilla permit
- Private 4x4 with driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kigali
- Breakfast pack and lunch
- Drinking water
- Wi-Fi in the vehicle
- RDB ranger guide and trackers
Not included
- Porter fee (optional, recommended)
- Tips for guide, trackers and porter
- Accommodation in Kigali
- Drinks other than water
- Visa, insurance and flights
Is a day trip right for you?
It suits you if you're short on time, based in Kigali for business or a conference, on a tight itinerary, or simply don't want to pay for a lodge night. It is the most efficient way to see gorillas anywhere in Africa.
Consider staying near the park instead if you hate early starts, are travelling with older relatives, or want to add golden monkeys or a hike. Our 2-day safari and 3-day trip are built for that. On a tighter budget? The budget trek does the same day in a shared vehicle for $1,900.
Tip
Bring a light jacket for the drive: Kigali is mild before dawn, but Kinigi sits at around 2,400 metres and can be cold until the sun is up.
Day trip questions
Is a gorilla trekking day trip from Kigali worth it?
Yes, for most travellers. Volcanoes National Park is only about 2.5 hours from Kigali, so a day trip saves a lodge night and still gets you to the 7:00 AM briefing comfortably. The trade-off is an early start and a long day.
What time does the gorilla day trip leave Kigali?
We pick you up from your Kigali hotel at 4:30 AM. This leaves time for road conditions and gets you to Kinigi before the 7:00 AM briefing.
What time will I be back in Kigali?
Usually between 4:00 and 7:00 PM, depending on how long your trek takes. Don't book an international flight earlier than late evening on trek day.
What is included in the $2,000 price?
The $1,500 RDB gorilla permit, a private 4x4 with driver-guide from your Kigali hotel and back, breakfast pack, lunch, drinking water and Wi-Fi in the vehicle. Porters and tips are not included.
Can I do the day trip from the airport?
Only if you land the day before. Pickup from a Kigali hotel at 4:30 AM is the standard; we can also collect you from the airport on arrival day and take you to your hotel as an extra.
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