Kigali 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Trip Rwanda Short Safari

Our 1-day gorilla trekking trip from Kigali is a high-intensity, “short safari” designed for travelers with limited time in Rwanda who wish to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.  The full-day tour lasts 10–12 hours, starting around 0400 Hours – 0430 Hours from Kigali and ends in the evening. 

Time-wise, it includes a 2.5–3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, a 1-hour briefing, 1–8 hours of trekking, a 1-hour viewing, a  1-6-hour hike to track gorillas, and one hour of observation, followed by a return to Kigali. 

Trip Overview & Itinerary

This safari typically involves a very early start to cover the 2–3-hour drive from Kigali to the park headquarters in Kinigi (Total Duration: Approximately 10–12 hours)
0430 Hours:  Pick-up from a Kigali hotel is usually around 400 Hours – 0430 Hours to reach the park headquarters by 0700 Hours
0700 Hours: Arrival at Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a mandatory pre-trek briefing and group assignment.
0800 Hours: Commencement of the trek into the forest with professional park rangers.
The Trek: Lasts 1-8 hours, depending on gorilla movement. Once found, you spend exactly one hour observing the gorilla family.
Afternoon: Return to the park base for lunch (often at a local lodge) before the return drive to Kigali.

The total price for a 1-day trip fluctuates based on group size and the permit cost. Full Tour Package includes the permit, private 4×4 transportation, guide services, and lunch
Gorilla Permit: A fixed fee of $1,500 per person set by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)

Inportants information 

Age Limit: The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15
Viewing Time: You are allowed a maximum of 1 hour to observe the gorillas
Drive Time: The drive from Kigali to Kinigi (Volcanoes National Park) is roughly 2.5–3 hours each way
Return Time: Return to Kigali is usually in the late evening, making it possible (though long) to catch a late-night flight
Physical Fitness: The hike can be strenuous and is at high altitude (above 2,500m); a moderate fitness level is recommended
Trekking Time: Once in the forest, finding the gorillas takes between 1 and 8 hours, depending on the gorilla family’s location
Booking: It is highly recommended to be physically fit for this hike, as it can be demanding, and booking in advance is essential due to limited permits
Best Time to Visit: The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer the best trekking conditions, though permits are more limited and should be booked months in advance
Alternative Option: African Spice Safaris also offers 1-day trips from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, which requires a 0300 Hours start and crossing an international border, but may offer lower permit costs

The 1-day Kigali Gorilla Trekking trip and Rwanda short safari is the shortest mountain gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Taken as a day tour, following an early start from Kigali.

You arrive for a morning briefing and tea before choosing the closest gorilla group to trek. The trips usually return to Kigali before 1800 Hours. The “Parc National de Volcans” (or PNV, as it’s known locally) is a haven for mountain gorillas and home to 5 of the 8 volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo).

Tracking the endangered mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes is a magical experience. Hike through mountain forests to experience these gentle creatures or make your way through airy bamboo forests to find the charming Golden Monkey.

Volcanoes National Park covers an area of 160 square km and is covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park was the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey. You can choose to trek to see the Mountain Gorillas, take the Dian Fossey hike, Golden monkey tracking, or take the Crater Lake hike

0430 Hours: Our one-day Rwanda Gorilla tour to Volcanoes departs from Kigali, in the company of our safari guide, for a 3-hour picturesque drive to Volcanoes National Park, located in Musanze province and home to endangered mountain gorillas.

Guests are advised and encouraged to spend the night in Ruhengeri the day before the hike to avoid the long drive, as you will wake up early if you start the tour from Kigali.

0630 Hours: On arrival, enjoy breakfast at the nearby gorilla lodge and proceed to the park headquarters at Kinigi (Musanze).

0730 Hours: A briefing about the do’s and don’ts while with the gorillas by the park warden at the headquarters takes about an hour. You will be assigned a family for your one-day gorilla trekking in Rwanda based on your trekking ability (easy, moderate, or difficult).

0830 Hours: The tour guide will transfer you to the starting point of the gorilla trek. The trek may last between 1 and 6 hours of hiking to encounter the Mountain gorillas, as this depends on the gorillas’ movement in their natural habitat.

Meet and spend up to 1 hour with the gorillas and learn about their unique behavior. Please maintain a distance of 10 meters from the Mountain gorillas. After an hour of viewing and photographing the Mountain gorillas, have a picnic lunch.

7 gorilla family groups have been habituated for tourism. Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park is a glorious experience that everyone ought to experience in their lifetime.

With only 650 mountain gorillas left in the world, these awesome creatures can be seen only in Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. The latter is where these gorillas are much easier to see than in the other places.

Your safari guide will meet you at the base of the Virunga volcanic mountain ranges and accompany you on your trek until you reach Kigali.

1800 Hours: Drop off at your hotel or at the airport for your scheduled flight back home.

Kigali 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Trip Rwanda Short Safari Prices Include:

✓ Unscheduled stops for pictures
✓ A picnic lunch from your lodge/ hotel
✓ Complimentary bottled water in vehicle
✓ Afterwards, a Gorilla tracking certificate 
✓ Gorilla trackers and the Rwanda park guide 
✓ English speaking guide from African Spice Safaris
✓ Gorilla permit for Rwanda to be reserved in advance
✓ Round-trip transportation in a Private 4×4 safari vehicle & Pickup from your hotel in Kigali and drop-off at your hotel

Notes

* You will be in a group of 8 people visiting a gorilla group
* The cost of a permit to see mountain gorillas is 1500 US Dollars per person
* Children below the age of 15 years are not allowed to trek gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda
* Gorillas tend to chest thump as a way of easing stress and sending messages to other rival groups
* Porters are usually available for those who may need assistance with cameras or filming equipment
* You are advised to stay in a group and keep your voices as low as possible so as not to startle the Mountain gorillas
* Gorilla permits should be booked 3 to 6 months in advance, especially during Rwanda’s Tourist high season of June – September
* It is possible to select a gorilla group of your choice based on the level of trekking difficulty and the number of gorillas in the group
* Remember to wear trekking boots, trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a raincoat, a jacket, a flash camera, insect repellents, a trekking stick (can be hired at the trekking point), and gardening gloves for protection against the stinging nettles while on the gorilla trek

Kigali 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Trip Rwanda Short Safari Prices Exclude:

* International flights into Rwanda
* Porters during the gorilla tour (optional)
* Personal expenses e,g, gratuity and laundry
* Extra gorilla treks – if wishing to add an extra day
* Visas where applicable, subject to the country of origin
* Extra tours after the gorilla treks are subject to availability

* Camera: Carry a good camera to capture this lifetime experience (no flash)
* Snack: You can carry a light snack to give you some energy during the walk in the forest
* Socks: You will have to tuck the trousers into the socks to avoid insects crawling inside
* Rain Jacket: You are advised to carry a rain jacket because it rains very often in Volcanoes National park
* Gloves: You will need Gardening gloves because you will be grabbing tree branches, leaves, name it, and some can be thorny
* Boots: You will need good, waterproof, comfortable shoes. Sometimes it rains during the trek, so skid-proof shoes can come in handy
* Trouser and Shirts: The forest in Volcanoes NP is covered with thick undergrowth, therefore light trousers and long-sleeved shirts are advised
* Water: Gorilla trekking can be very tiresome, and you need to refill your tank as the trek goes on. It is advisable to pack a few water filtration tablets before you come for the trek

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WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
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Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com