2 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

2 Days Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Rwanda

Our 2-Day Gorilla Trekking Adventure is tailored for visitors with limited time in Rwanda, such as transit passengers with long layovers or those attending business conferences. In just 2 days, you can have an unforgettable experience and trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. If there are changes to your original plans, we can arrange pre and post-accommodation options upon request.

The journey commences in Kigali, Rwanda’s largest capital city. You’ll explore Kigali City, visit cultural villages, the Kigali Genocide Memorial (a poignant site commemorating the 1994 genocide’s victims), local markets, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, you’ll head to Volcanoes National Park in preparation for your Gorilla Trek the following day. Located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, the park is renowned for Gorilla tracking and also hosts other wildlife like Golden monkeys and over 200 bird species. The park is home to 12 habituated gorilla families, each with its own name, such as Bwenge, Hirwa, Ugyenda, Sabyinyo, Umubano, Karisimbi, Susa, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, and Igisha, Muhoza. Please note that only a maximum of 96 people can visit the gorillas in a single day, so it’s crucial to secure your tracking permit well in advance.

The day starts at 7:00 AM local time with a briefing by park authorities at Kinigi park headquarters before commencing the hike. The duration of the hike will vary depending on the gorilla family allocated to you, ranging from 30 minutes to 5 hours, with altitudes ranging from 2500m to 4000m. Once you meet the gorillas, you’ll have the privilege of spending up to one hour with them. Hiring porters is highly recommended, as they not only help carry your extra baggage during the hike but also contribute to supporting the local community.

Following the Rwanda Gorilla Trek, your guide will be available to transfer you back to Kigali, where you can be dropped off at your hotel or the airport.

For more detailed information and additional activity suggestions or accommodation options, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Safari Highlights

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
Explore Kigali’s’ Cultural Scene
Scenic Drive Across Rwanda to the Virunga Mountains

Full Itinerary

Detailed Rwanda Gorilla Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Kigali and Journey to Volcanoes National Park

Start the 2 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Kigali or at the airport, accompanied by our knowledgeable driver guide. Embark on a half-day tour of Kigali city, which includes a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and Museum to learn about the tragic events of the 1994 genocide era. You’ll also explore Nyamata genocide Church, local markets, and more. Afterward, enjoy a satisfying lunch before setting off for Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the mountainous and lush countryside that earned Rwanda its nickname, “The Land of a Thousand Hills.” Your day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at your chosen lodge.

Accommodation Options:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Davinci Lodge (Budget)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Five Volcanoes Lodge / Ingagi Park View Lodge (Midrange)
Bisate Lodge / One & Only Gorilla Nest / Bishop’s House / Virunga Lodge / Sabinyo Lodge (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Departure

On this morning, after a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transported from your lodge to the park headquarters for a briefing on the day’s gorilla trekking activity. It’s a good idea to pack a lunch, some drinking water, and consider hiring porters as the time spent in the jungle can vary.

After receiving instructions from the Park rangers, you’ll be assigned to your Gorilla family and trek into the forest to visit Africa’s endangered mountain gorillas. The duration of the trek can range from a few hours to an entire day, depending on where the gorillas were last spotted the previous night. While physical fitness is recommended, there’s an option for less physically fit individuals to hire “human helicopters” (sedan chairs) for assistance. When you encounter the gorillas, you’ll have a maximum of one hour to observe and capture videos and photographs of them.

Afterward, return to your lodge for lunch before commencing your journey back to Kigali. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your 2 Days Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Rwanda. Breakfast and lunch are included.

This itinerary offers an overview of your two-day adventure, with options for accommodations catering to different budgets.

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