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)
- Experience Uganda Gorilla trekking from Kigali (Exclusively Private)
- African Drums
- Gorillas to Zanzibar
- 4 Day Gorillas, Wildlife and Chimp Trek at Kalinzu Forest
- 4 Day Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour Experience
- 3 Days Gorilla trek from Kigali
- 13 Days Rwanda Expedition with Chimpanzees & Gorilla trekking
- Experience Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 & Big Cats safari (Exclusively Private)
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$3,530
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$4,377
Experience Uganda Gorilla trekking from Kigali (Exclusively Private)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was remarkable filled with exciting activities and some quite sombre like the visit to the genocide memorial in Kigali.”
Clara, traveled in September
The Kigali Genocide Memorial, honoring over 250,000 victims, sets a reflective tone before heading to Bwindi. A 4.5-hour scenic drive leads to Gorilla Valley Lodge's comfortable cottages. Gorilla permits at $700 offer considerable savings compared to Rwanda's rates.
Duration 3 days Destinations Kigali, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Devine African Safaris Ltd From
- NZ$3,087
African Drums
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip itself allowed me to experience so many parts of africa, all kinds of landscapes and enjoy many many activities.”
Amber, traveled in June
Rwanda's capital serves as the gateway to gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The sobering Kigali Genocide Museum provides historical context, while optional coffee tours and Lake Mutande excursions enhance the experience. Cultural immersion includes Batwa village visits and traditional basket weaving.
Duration 60 days Destinations Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Absolute Africa From
- NZ$6,943+$1,612 local payments
Gorillas to Zanzibar
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic tour with great support from the guides and drivers. Fond memories that will last forever.”
Phil, traveled in February
The Genocide Memorial in Kigali opens this remarkable adventure to Volcanoes National Park's gorilla territory. Musanze reveals local traditions through banana beer making and basket weaving workshops. Dian Fossey's grave and the Batwa village offer optional visits, with specialized guides facilitating wildlife encounters.
Duration 34 days Destinations Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Absolute Africa From
- NZ$5,710+$980 local payments
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$4,239
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$4,073
The northwestern journey through Rwanda's scenic Ruhengeri region takes you from Kigali to Kyanika border post and Kisoro town. Private 4x4 transport, English-speaking guides, and comfortable lodging near tracking sites prepare you for tomorrow's gorilla encounter.
Duration 3 days Destinations Kigali, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Kawira Safaris Ltd From
- NZ$2,868
13 Days Rwanda Expedition with Chimpanzees & Gorilla trekking
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“We were able to trek Gorillas,chimpanzees and Rhino at Ziwa Sanctuary and did game drives too at the Queen Elizabeth Park.”
Guillaume, traveled in August
The Genocide Memorial and Campaign Against Genocide Museum anchor Kigali's historical narrative. Kimironko market and Inema Arts Center showcase local culture, while Mt. Kigali offers horseback adventures. These experiences precede primate encounters in Volcanoes National Park.
Duration 13 days Destinations Kigali, Akagera National Park, Musanze, Rubavu, Kibuye, Nyungwe Forest, Butare Age Range Ages 15+ Operator New Horizon Africa Safaris From
- NZ$15,273
Experience Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 & Big Cats safari (Exclusively Private)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Gorillas Trekking in Volcanoes National Park was very special. Everything on our trip was well planned and went really well.”
Michael, traveled in January
The rugged trails of Volcanoes National Park lead to mountain gorillas, guided by expert rangers, just minutes from Kigali. The moving Genocide Memorial Center and local markets tell Rwanda's story. Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge provides stunning mountain views and traditional Rwandan hospitality.
Duration 4 days Destinations Kigali, Akagera National Park, Musanze Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Devine African Safaris Ltd From
- NZ$5,802
What people love about Gorilla Trekking Tours from Kigali
- Experience Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 & Big Cats (Exclusively Private)
We are sharing our deep appreciation to Devine African Safaris for a great safari experience planned and executed with the highest professionalism. Communication via emails and whatsapp in the planning phase upto the time we arrived in Uganda was fast and efficient. Nicholas guided us in creating a great private itinerary for us that included game drives, boat ride, chimps and gorillas tracking. Basically all the great highlights of Uganda safari packed in short 5 days. Boaz was a fantastic guide, caring and keen to satisfy our needs and requests on the safari. We had a great Jeep for the 4 of us and even had space for another 2 and Boaz took us from Entebbe through the parks up to Bwindi for gorillas and back to Entebbe. We loved the lodges selected for us, they were all top notch resting spots; great ambience, wonderful food and comfortable sleeping quarters. I highly recommend Devine African Safaris for Ugandan Safaris
- 9 Days Rwanda – Uganda Gorilla trekking Experience
Booked my first trip to Africa with New Horizons.Planned to visit Uganda and Rwanda. I was amazed by the best levels of flexibility, professionalism and support during my trip.I was able to plan the trip and hotels suitable to my budget. I visited Gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and spotted climbing lions in Elizabeth Park and did lake Kivu experience in Rwanda. My overall experience with this company is super and I highly recommend it. My Driver was Jack for both Rwanda and Uganda and I highly recommend him too.
- African Drums
I loved pretty much everything about the tour! Miss Africa already!!
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."