3 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari: An Amazing 3Day Rwanda Gorilla Tour
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari: Overview
This 3 days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari offers an extraordinary adventure, taking you into the heart of Volcanoes National Park to see around 300 endangered mountain gorillas. During this amazing 3-day Rwanda gorilla tour, you will travel the forest trails of the magnificent Virunga Mountains under the direction of knowledgeable local guides to come across a family of these unusual giants in their natural environment.
Once you find the gorillas, ensure that you observe them quietly from a safe 7-meter distance, spending an hour watching the adults forage and groom while the babies play under the watchful eye of a silverback.
In addition to gorilla trekking, this 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari tour includes a cultural tour of the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village and a visit to the Genocide Museum in Kigali, providing a comprehensive and enriching experience of Rwanda. The tour starts and ends in Kigali and can be customized to your interests.
This 3-day Rwanda Gorilla Trek trip starts and ends in Kigali and can be customized to your interests.
3 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari: Prime Activities
- Trekking rare mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village for an immersive cultural encounter
- Learning about Rwanda’s history at the Genocide Museum in Kigali
- Enjoying the scenic drive from Kigali to the Virunga Mountains
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari: Featured Destinations
- Days 1 & 2: Volcanoes National Park
- Day 3: Kigali City, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial
3 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari: Highlights
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport and drive to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
Day 3: Return to Kigali, visit the Genocide Memorial, and depart
3 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport & Drive to Volcanoes National Park
Your 3-day Rwanda gorilla safari begins upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, where your safari guide will greet you and provide a briefing. From Kigali, you’ll embark on a 2-3-hour drive northwest through Rwanda’s beautiful terraced hillsides to your lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park, established in 1925, is Africa’s oldest national park. Spanning 160 km2 of rainforest, it includes five of the eight Virunga Mountains: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. Besides the mountain gorillas, the park hosts golden monkeys, various bird species, forest elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, and bushbucks. After dinner at the lodge, you’ll prepare for your gorilla trek the following day.
Highlight of the Day: Scenic drive through Rwanda’s terraced hillsides
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
- Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: 116 km / 2-3 hours
Activities & Services:
- Airport pick-up
- Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Optional Activity:
- Visit the Musanze Caves, used historically as a hideout for Rwandan royals.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes NP & Iby’iwacu Cultural Village Tour
Begin your day with an early breakfast at 6 am before driving to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette. The trek, which starts at 8 am, can last from 30 minutes to 8 hours and may involve climbing to altitudes up to 7,500 feet on rough and muddy terrain. However, the reward of finding the gorillas makes the effort worthwhile.
You will spend one hour observing these gentle giants before returning to your lodge for relaxation. In the late afternoon, enjoy a cultural tour of Iby’iwacu Village, where you can participate in traditional activities such as hunting skills, dance and music, architecture, weaving, local brew preparation, and meeting traditional healers.
Highlight of the Day: Trekking the fascinating mountain gorillas
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
- Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Gorilla trekking
- Cultural tour of Iby’iwacu Village
Optional Activity:
- Visit the volcanic Twin Lakes.
Day 3: Return to Kigali, Visit the Genocide Memorial, & Depart
After a relaxed breakfast, drive back to Kigali, a 2-3 hour journey. Upon arrival, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, built to honor the victims of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. The center provides a place for mourning and education, ensuring future generations understand the genocide’s impact.
After the memorial tour, enjoy lunch at a top restaurant in Kigali before transferring to the airport for your departure, marking the end of this thrilling 3-day Rwanda gorilla safari.
Highlight of the Day: Learning about Rwanda’s tragic past at the Genocide Museum in Kigali
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Distance & Time: 116 km / 2-3 hours
Activities & Services:
- Transfer to Kigali
- Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Airport drop-off
Optional Activities in Volcanoes NP:
- Dian Fossey tomb hike
- Golden monkey tracking
