Gorilla trekking is a once in a lifetime experience, and the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, is one of two places in the world that you can visit them in the wild. The park is only a two hours’ drive from the capital, Kigali making it possible to make a short weekend trip from Kigali out of it.
In the 80’s, the park gained world recognition due to the works of American conservationist Diane Fossey, who dedicated her life to studying and protecting the Gorillas, recounted in her book, Gorillas in the Mist. Since then, the park has made a remarkable recovery and has seen the Gorillas which were once on the brink of extinction grow and multiply to over 600 of them now. Take a full day and trek up the steep slopes of the mountains and spend a thrilling and captivating hour watching these creatures in the comfort of their tropical home.
Set off from Kigali and head north-west to the Volcanoes national park. Check in to your lodge situated just outside the park. Enjoy the lodge and prepare for your trekking expedition.
Add-on activities
Village walk – $10 per person
You can take a walk with a guide in the community and learn about Rwandan culture and the life of locals. The walk involves visiting a local market, meeting adorable children along footpaths, and visiting a local non-profit training women to make arts and crafts for income.
Visit Iby’iwacu Cultural Village – $20 per person
The Iby’iwacu cultural village is a recreation of some of the cultural aspects of pre-colonial Rwanda. Visit the village involves taking a tour of the traditional house of the King, watching an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, trying your hand at bow and arrow shooting or enjoying cultural dances performed by locals in the area.
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for registration and briefing. Get assigned a ranger and a gorilla family that you will be trekking. Each family is visited by a maximum of 8 people. Head out to the start point and begin the hike up the mountain. Depending with the location of the family, it takes between 1 to 3 hours of trekking each way.
The ranger will locate the gorilla family and you will spend an hour with them before heading back down the mountain.
Head back to the lodge for lunch, and after take the drive back to Kigali
Available extensions
1 day
Golden monkey tracking or Diane Fossey Research center visit – from $200 per person
2 days
Golden monkey tracking and Diane Fossey research center visit – $365 per person
