Gorilla Trekking from Kigali
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10 best Gorilla Trekking tour packages from Kigali
Compiled by
MelissaKigali travel expert at TourRadar
- 3 Day Gorilla Trek Mgahinga Gorilla NP Uganda via Rwanda
- Experience Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
- 4 Day Gorillas, Wildlife and Chimp Trek at Kalinzu Forest
- Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
- 4 Day Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour Experience
- Tailor-Made Private Rwanda Gorilla Trip with Daily Departure
- Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Tour
- Express Gorilla Safari in Uganda
- The Gorilla Stop
- Gorilla Express - 4 days
The powerful Kigali Genocide Museum sets the stage before heading to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for close encounters with gorillas. Professional guides conduct briefings at park headquarters before dawn treks. Travelers Rest Hotel serves as your nightly refuge, with seamless transfers between Rwanda and Uganda included.
Duration 3 days Destinations Kigali, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, Italian, French Operator Safari 2 Gorilla Tours (U) Ltd From
- NZ$3,706
Experience Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodation we stayed in was incredible - all very cute lodges with stunning views and great restaurants.”
Georgina, traveled in August
Rare gorilla encounters await in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, reached from Kigali. Traditional Batwa culture enriches post-trek experiences, followed by relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort. The journey includes transfers through Rwanda's scenic highlands with expert guides.
Duration 5 days Destinations Kigali, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Devine African Safaris Ltd From
- NZ$4,595
4 Day Gorillas, Wildlife and Chimp Trek at Kalinzu Forest
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The gorilla trek itself was real highlight and was very well coordinated.”
JBtimes, traveled in August
Duration 4 days Destinations Kigali, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kampala Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Bamboo Ecotours From
- NZ$4,450
Duration 9 days Destinations Kigali, Musanze, Volcanoes National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, Kisoro Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$8,580
Kigali's powerful Genocide Museum provides context before heading northwest through Rwanda's verdant landscapes. The Garden Place Hotel becomes your base for golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Wildlife encounters unfold with expert guides in this cultural-rich capital region.
Duration 4 days Destinations Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish Operator Safari 2 Gorilla Tours (U) Ltd From
- NZ$4,276
Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi welcomes gorilla trackers from Kigali. Bamboo forests host 2-6 hour treks and hour-long encounters with gentle giants. Iby'Iwacu cultural village celebrates traditional performances and crafts.
Duration 4 days Destinations Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Kinigi Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
- NZ$16,656
The cultural heart of Kigali sets the stage for your trek to Volcanoes National Park and intimate gorilla encounters. The Genocide Memorial Museum and bustling Nyabugogo market precede your northern journey. The Muslim quarter in Nyamirambo and Franco-Rwanda cultural center round out your city tour.
Duration 3 days Destinations Kigali, Volcanoes National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, German, French, Spanish Operator Ovacado Adventures From
- NZ$6,859
Express Gorilla Safari in Uganda
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It was the most incredible experience in my life! Acommodation, transportation, transfers, and the trek in itself were perfect.”
AlejandraVidal, traveled in January
Duration 2 days Destinations Kigali, Kisoro, Mgahinga National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, French Operator Ubuntu Voyages From
- NZ$2,655+$178 local payments
The Gorilla Stop
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Incredible experience with wonderful guide and driver :)”
Kerry, traveled in November
Kigali's streets pulse with energy before wilderness adventures with expert guides. The Genocide Memorial provides historical context en route to Uganda. An expedition truck transports adventurous travelers seeking endangered primate encounters.
Duration 6 days Destinations Kigali, Kisoro, Musanze Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Absolute Africa From
- NZ$3,503
Duration 4 days Destinations Kigali, Volcanoes National Park Age Range Ages 18-60 Operator On The Go Tours From
- NZ$10,195
What people love about Gorilla Trekking Tours from Kigali
I did the 4 days gorilla tour which since the beginning I knew it would be perfect Edinson organized the perfect tour for me and he always was very responsive to all my questions and queries. Once in Rwanda Fred and Joseph were waiting for me at the airport and the most amazing trip started, all the activities, the accommodations, the food were incredible. The first day I visited a Baatwa comunity which is an optional activity and I highly recommend to do I thought the gorilla trekking would be the highlight of my trip but the batwaa people won the first place. Second day gorilla trekking - the day before was raining very heavy so the trekking was really hard but completely worth it i could see a gorila family very close and have one hour to take all the most beautiful pictures and enjoy just watching them, in the afternoon back in the hotel i did canoeing in mutanda lake which is another optional activity highly recommended watching the sunset and hear the birds and nature was incredible peaceful and breathtaking. Day three Queen Elizabeth National Park and climbing lions everybody had told me that was very difficult to find them and the odds to get to see them were almost cero but i had the best guide and the best driver so of course I saw them!!! And not only one we found three lions in one tree!! We also saw elephants buffalos water backs different kinds of monkeys and antilopes and even in the lodge we spot hippos and waterbacks Day four chimps trekking and good bye In our way to the chimpanzee Joseph with his awesome sense to find animals spot 3 elephants and buffalos and Fred took us very very close them, having a driver and a guide is the best because African roads are very tough and Fred always managed to take us safe to every place while Joseph was concentrated to find animals and tell me all about every animal we see. I love Africa and everything about it the people is so nice for sure Uganda is a place where I want to come back thank you so much Bamboo Ecotours for doing my Uganda experience unforgettable!!
4 Day Gorillas, Wildlife and Chimp Trek at Kalinzu Forest
It was the most incredible experience in my life! Adili was the best guide ever. Acommodation, transportation, transfers, and the trek in itself were perfect. I really recommend Ubuntu Voyages, It's really worth it!!!
Express Gorilla Safari in Uganda
Is a good itinerary. Is an active schedule, but is worth it. If you are not use to altitude and/or hiking, the amount Bisoke hiking will be a challenge (is a hard one). Besides that, everything is really good.
Discover Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps, Dian Fossey Tour (Exclusively Private)
What our customers ask about Gorilla Trekking from Kigali
How far is the drive from Kigali to the main gorilla trekking locations?
You'll spend about 3-5 hours on the road from Kigali to reach the gorilla trekking areas. If you're going to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you'll drive through northern Rwanda and cross at either Cyanika or Katuna border. For Volcanoes National Park, you'll head straight to Musanze. Most tours stop at places like Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Gorilla Heights Lodge along the way. The drive itself is really nice - as one of our TourRadar travelers said: "The Ugandan highlands are also so fun to drive through."
What's included in the gorilla permits for tours starting from Kigali?
Your gorilla permit gives you one hour with a gorilla family and covers your park entrance fees. You'll also get professional tracking guides and armed rangers for safety. Permits cost 700 USD if you're visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, or 1,500 USD for Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Tour companies like Devine African Safaris and New Horizon Tours take care of getting your permits and provide great guides to help you track the gorillas.
What's the best time of year for gorilla trekking tours from Kigali?
Plan your trip during the dry seasons - either June to September or December to February. The weather is usually around 75°F (24°C), making it perfect for trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The trails are less muddy and you can see the gorillas more clearly. Most people book rooms at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel during these months. One of our TourRadar travelers mentioned: "The dry season made trekking much more manageable and we had clear views of the gorillas in their natural habitat."
What additional activities can I combine with gorilla trekking when starting from Kigali?
From Kigali, you can add several great activities to your gorilla trek. Try tracking golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, go on game drives to see the Big Five in Akagera National Park, or visit the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village. You can stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Bisate Lodge while doing these activities. One TourRadar traveler told us: "Adding the golden monkey trek and cultural village visit made our gorilla experience even more memorable and gave us a deeper understanding of Rwanda."
How far in advance should I book a gorilla trekking tour from Kigali?
Book your tour 6-12 months before you want to go. Permits are limited and they sell out quickly, especially from June to September and December to February. Nice places to stay like Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel and Bisate Lodge also fill up fast. A TourRadar traveler shared this advice: "We booked eight months ahead and were glad we did, as permits and preferred accommodations get snapped up quickly."
What should I expect during the actual gorilla trek starting from Kigali?
Your day starts early with a 2-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. The trek itself can take anywhere from 2-6 hours as you follow the gorillas through thick forest. Once you find them, you get exactly one hour to watch them. Most people stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Akagera Game Lodge near the park. One of our TourRadar travelers said: "The trek was challenging but incredibly rewarding - seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat was worth every step through the forest."