2 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

from $2,850 per person

This safari is perfect for travelers seeking an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park offers the rare opportunity to trek through the beautiful Virunga Mountains and encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Over two days, enjoy a thrilling gorilla trekking adventure, breathtaking volcanic scenery, and meaningful encounters with Rwanda’s remarkable wildlife. This short Rwanda gorilla safari is ideal for travelers looking for an immersive primate experience within a limited timeframe.

Safari Details: 2 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

Overview

Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Destination: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Safari Type: Gorilla Trekking & Volcanoes Rainforest Adventure
Start Point: Kigali, Rwanda
End Point: Kigali, Rwanda
Main Activities: Gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla viewing, rainforest exploration, scenic volcano views, cultural experiences
Accommodation: Luxury, Mid-range, or Budget Lodge
Best Time to Visit: June to September & December to February

The 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari takes travelers into the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Volcanoes National Park, one of Africa’s most renowned destinations for mountain gorilla encounters. Located in northwestern Rwanda, the park forms part of the greater Virunga conservation landscape and is known for its mountain gorillas, lush montane forests, and spectacular volcanic scenery.

Volcanoes National Park provides a protected habitat for endangered mountain gorillas while supporting a rich variety of forest wildlife and birdlife. The forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes create a remarkable setting for an intimate wildlife experience, where travelers can follow expert guides into the rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family.

This short 2-day gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is designed for travelers who want to experience mountain gorillas within a limited travel timeframe. The main highlight is a guided gorilla trek through the forest, followed by a memorable opportunity to observe a gorilla family in its natural habitat while learning about gorilla conservation and the surrounding ecosystem.

The safari begins in Kigali and continues to Volcanoes National Park, with time to settle into your accommodation before the main trekking experience. Depending on your interests and available time, the trip can also include a cultural experience or visit to local communities around the park.

Combining gorilla trekking, rainforest scenery, volcanic landscapes, and cultural experiences, this 2-day Rwanda gorilla safari offers an immersive introduction to Rwanda’s mountain gorilla tourism. It is particularly suited to travelers looking for a focused and memorable primate adventure without committing to a longer Rwanda safari.

Detailed Itinerary:2 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

Day 1: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast at your hotel in Kigali, meet your professional safari guide and begin the scenic journey to Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

The journey takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, characterized by rolling hills, cultivated farmland, local communities, and scenic rural landscapes. Rwanda is often described as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” and the drive to the volcanoes provides an excellent introduction to the country’s distinctive scenery.

Depending on your arrival time and itinerary, you may have an opportunity to visit a local community, enjoy a cultural experience, or make a stop for photography and refreshments along the way.

Continue toward the Musanze area, where the dramatic Virunga Mountains begin to dominate the landscape. On a clear day, you may enjoy views of the volcanic peaks rising above the surrounding countryside.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening and check in. Relax and prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure. Your guide will brief you on the trekking experience, recommended clothing, essential items, and responsible gorilla-viewing practices.

Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Kigali

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before transferring to the Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking briefing point. After registration, you will receive a briefing from Rwanda Development Board rangers and guides about trekking procedures, safety, and responsible interaction with the gorillas.

Begin your gorilla trekking adventure through the montane forests and slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Trekking duration varies depending on the location and movements of the gorilla family assigned to your group, and the terrain can be steep, muddy, and uneven.

As you hike through the forest, your ranger guides will help you interpret signs of gorilla activity and identify the different plants, birds, primates, and other wildlife that inhabit this remarkable ecosystem.

Once you locate your assigned gorilla family, enjoy the permitted viewing time observing these endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You may see them feeding, resting, grooming, playing, caring for young ones, or moving through the forest.

Gorilla trekking is carefully managed to support conservation and minimize disturbance to the animals. Follow the instructions of your guides throughout the experience, including maintaining the recommended distance and observing appropriate behavior around the gorillas.

After the trek, return to the briefing point and meet your safari vehicle. Depending on your departure schedule, enjoy lunch before beginning the journey back to Kigali.

Travel through Rwanda’s scenic countryside and arrive in Kigali in the afternoon or evening. You may be dropped off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport for your onward flight, depending on your travel arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Includes

    • Airport pick-up and drop-off at Kigali International Airport
    • Transportation in a comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle
    • Services of an experienced, English-speaking safari guide/driver
    • Gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park
    • One night accommodation at a lodge near Volcanoes National Park
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • Bottled drinking water during the safari
    • All applicable park entrance and conservation fees
    • Gorilla trekking briefing and ranger-guided trekking experience
    • Fuel and transportation expenses
    • Applicable government taxes and service charges

Trip Excludes

  • International and domestic flights
  • Rwanda visa and entry requirements
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, and souvenirs
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, lodge staff, and trackers
  • Porter fees during gorilla trekking
  • Activities and excursions not included in the itinerary
  • Additional accommodation before or after the safari
  • Meals and drinks not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • Any other services not expressly listed under Safari Includes
  •  

    INQUIRY FORM

    Please customize your safari in the form below

    We would love to hear from you!
    In order to provide you with the most suitable itinerary, please fill in this form:
    Fields market with (*) are required

    Title:*
    Mr.Mrs.Miss.Other
    Name:*

    Nationality:

    Phone:*

    Email:*

    Destination:*
    UgandaRwandaKenya
    Numbers of days:

    Numbers of persons:

    Accommodation:

    Budget indicator:

    Interest:
    Kampala city toursAdventure tourVolunteer tourWildlife ViewingBirdingGorilla TrackingPrimate TourCultural TourWhitewater RaftingMountaineeringGolfingHoneymoon
    Additional comments:

    How did you find us:GoogleOther search engineSafari bookingsLonely Planet travel guideTripAdvisorAdvertisementRelative / FriendOther
    I would like to receive your monthly Newsletters.

    Trip Gallery

    Related Trip Inspirations

    What our travelers say

    Tripadvisor
    Robert K profile picture
    Robert K
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    Bucket list seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Just an awesome trip . Everything went smoothly from booking to the end . All was as promised never missed anything , always on time , friendly etc. resort that was recommended was perfect , great food , comfortable . Saw the gorillas easily all was perfect . Jonathan the owner even took me in Kampala to buy the right clothes , took me him self . Noel and driver were excellent , never an issue they really cared. I trust this company , will use them again and highly recommend .
    Tripadvisor
    Maltes Traveller profile picture
    Maltes Traveller
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    Highly recommended We had a wonderful experience with Jonathan. He welcomed us at the airport and took great care of us from the moment we arrived until the end of our trip. The selection of hotels was impeccable, and the route he designed was perfectly planned. Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and went the extra mile to make sure we saw lions and all of the Big Five during our visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. He was always attentive, patient, and eager to make our experience unforgettable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide — highly recommended!
    Tripadvisor
    bharti n profile picture
    bharti n
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    Exceptional experience, enriching and truly unforgettable. From the moment we landed we received a warm welcome. Jonathan was friendly and readily available to answer any queries throughout our trip. He was incredibly accommodating with our requests to visit schools, residences ensuring that we achieved everything we wanted from the trip. We had a great time with Jonathan and driver Isaac. Jonathan was very funny and very knowledgeable he became part of the family and the time just flew whilst we were there, we felt safe at all times. The food at each venue catered for all our needs. Definitely leant a lot on this trip. Just need to be aware that food ordered in restaurants do take a long time as they make it from scratch so if pushed for time might be advisable to pre order. We had unforgettable holiday and this company went above and beyond to make every moment special. I would recommend them to anyone.
    Tripadvisor
    vjpar profile picture
    vjpar
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    Great service from this local company We done a road trip across East Africa from Uganda to Tanzania. Jonathan and his team facilitated our trip across Uganda and Kenya which proved to be a very enjoyable experience. Guided knowledge provided by Jonathan was excellent as was his humor and wit. We always felt safe and informed, he managed the journey very well indeed. We would definitely use Jonathan's services again.
    Tripadvisor
    Adam John Smith profile picture
    Adam John Smith
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    Magical Uganda Safari Journey – February 2025! I had an unforgettable experience with Ababa Uganda Safaris! From the moment I arrived, everything was well-organized, and the team was incredibly friendly and professional. The tour guides were knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the wildlife and culture. Seeing gorillas up close in Bwindi and exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park was a dream come true. The accommodations were comfortable, and every detail was taken care of. I truly felt immersed in Uganda’s beauty without any stress. If you're planning a trip to Uganda, I highly recommend Ababa Uganda Safaris for a seamless and memorable adventure!
    Tripadvisor
    Madhvi profile picture
    Madhvi
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    .gorilla trek Our KQ flight was horribly delayed. From 2.30 pm to arriving @ almost 3 am the following day. Jonathan kindly arranged for airport pick at this early hour of day and even rescheduled our departure for bwindi so we could get some rest. That was very accommodating.the drive to bwindi was a long drive -11 hrs- n he informed hotel of our late arrival. The lodge he chose for us was good and comfortable. However the vehicle for transporti g us could be better as it was quite hot without air conditioning. Gorilla trek was good but tough. Overall Ababa safaris were very accommodating. I wouldrecommend them. The hotel in Kampala- Speke hotel leaves a lot to be desired
    Tripadvisor
    mo-marvin profile picture
    mo-marvin
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    Such a wonderful experience!! My family and I contacted Jonathan to help us plan our first Murchison Falls safari. Jonathan arranged our transport from Kampala, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and guided game drives through Murchison falls. Ronnie, our professional driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and paid close attention to details to make us comfortable. He met with us a day before takeoff to answer any outstanding questions and recommended a time for us to set off to avoid any traffic. His experience made our trip even more enjoyable because we knew what to expect for entry fees into the park, where to stop to use clean washrooms, eat good food, and also what side of the boat cruise to sit on for the best views! We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, job, rhinos, buffaloes and many other animals. We would definitely go with them for our next safari in Uganda! They had great communication, value for money, professionalism, knowledge of the industry and were very reliable.
    Tripadvisor
    Katelyn O profile picture
    Katelyn O
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    A must-hire company! Punctual, professional, great communication. We used Ababa Safaris for a trip from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. I would HIGHLY recommend! Our driver picked us up in a large safari vehicle with a pop up roof. The driver was very punctual and had excellent communication while preparing for the trip and during the trip. Ronnie took us to a nice restaurant for a rest stop that had clean bathrooms and good food. He was friendly with many people we met along the way at the Rhino Sanctuary, on the safari trails, and at our chosen lodging. It felt as though he had good connections with people, which we took as a good sign. Ronnie was very knowledgeable about the best places to see the animals and gave us a great safari experience. As the person in the family who does much of the planning, it was a very enjoyable experience to hand all of that over to Ababa and really get to enjoy myself.
    Tripadvisor
    Hoehlenhonk profile picture
    Hoehlenhonk
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    Animals and beautiful nature in Uganda and Rwanda From being picked-up from Entebbe airport in the middle of the night until the drop-off eleven days later in Kigali it was a perfect tour. Jonathan, our guide, and the driver Moses was a perfect team - very friendly, knowledgable and always in time. We visited Entebbe for a tour through the botanical gardens and the zoo, did safaris and boat trips in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth NP and did trekkings to the chimpazees in Kibale and to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The primates are a must visit when you travel to this region. It's expensive but worth every dollar. The safari parks are of course not as rich in animals as for example the Masai Mara. But they are much cheaper, there are much lesser tourists and nevertheless it doesn't become boring regarding animal sightings. We saw a lot of different antelopes, beautiful giraffes, lions, many elephants, buffalos, a lot of hippos and crocodiles and much more. The choice of hotels was very good, simple and cheap where there was only a short overnight stay and a bit more expensive where it was worth to spend the money for staying close to the places of interest, e.g. close to the starting point for primate trekkings or in the middle of QENP and Murchison NP for not loosing game-drive-time.
    Tripadvisor
    Dilip P profile picture
    Dilip P
    Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
    UGANDA SAFARI WITH ABABA We had a nice holiday with ABABA SAFARI in Uganda it was a nice experience in Uganda and the travel agent as well especially Jonathan was our tour guide very nice person he was always very helpful and kind. we traveled about 1200km but had no problem I am a vegetarian and wherever we go he always arranges something for me i recommend them at and competitive price I give them a 5-star