3 Days Gorilla Trek Rwanda

from $3,400 per person

This safari is perfect for travelers seeking an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park offers rare encounters with endangered mountain gorillas, dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush forests, and rich Rwandan culture. The combination of gorilla trekking, breathtaking scenery, and authentic cultural experiences makes this one of Rwanda’s most rewarding short safari adventures.

Safari Details: 3 Days Gorilla Trek Rwanda

Overview

Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
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, birdwatching, cultural experiences
Accommodation: Luxury, Mid-range, or Budget Lodge
Best Time to Visit: June to September & December to February

The 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari to Volcanoes National Park takes travelers into the lush volcanic landscapes of northern Rwanda for an unforgettable encounter with endangered mountain gorillas. Located in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, Volcanoes National Park is one of Africa’s most renowned destinations for mountain gorilla trekking and offers exceptional opportunities to observe habituated gorilla families in their natural habitat.

The park’s montane rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes provide an important habitat for mountain gorillas, alongside a variety of forest wildlife, primates, and bird species. Its dramatic volcanic scenery, cool mountain environment, and rich biodiversity make Volcanoes National Park a remarkable destination for a short Rwanda safari.

This 3-day gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is designed for travelers who want to experience mountain gorillas while making the most of a limited amount of time. The main highlight is a guided trek through the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains, followed by an opportunity to spend time observing a habituated gorilla family as they feed, move, rest, and interact in their natural environment.

The safari can also include opportunities to discover the culture and communities around the Volcanoes region. Travelers may visit local communities, experience traditional performances, learn about Rwandan traditions, or explore Musanze and the surrounding volcanic landscape, depending on the chosen itinerary.

Combining gorilla trekking, volcanic scenery, rainforest exploration, wildlife, and cultural experiences, this 3-day Rwanda safari offers an immersive introduction to mountain gorilla tourism and the remarkable landscapes of Volcanoes National Park.

Detailed Itinerary: 3 Days Gorilla Trek Rwanda

Day 1: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast at your hotel in Kigali, meet your professional safari guide and begin the scenic drive north toward Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas.

The journey takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, with opportunities to see rolling hills, cultivated farmland, local communities, and picturesque rural landscapes. Rwanda’s well-maintained roads make the transfer to the volcanic region a comfortable and scenic part of your safari.

As you approach Musanze and Volcanoes National Park, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with views of the Virunga volcanic mountains rising above the surrounding countryside. Depending on your schedule, you may stop along the way for photography, refreshments, lunch, or a brief cultural experience.

Continue to your lodge near the park and check in during the afternoon or evening. After settling in, relax and prepare for the following morning’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Your guide will brief you on the trekking experience, what to pack, and the importance of responsible behavior around the mountain gorillas.

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

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before transferring to the Kinézi or designated gorilla trekking briefing location near Volcanoes National Park. Here, you will register and receive a briefing from the park authorities and experienced ranger guides before beginning your trek.

After the briefing, set off into the montane forests of Volcanoes National Park in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can involve steep slopes, uneven trails, and varying walking times depending on the location and movement of the gorillas.

As you make your way through the forest, your ranger guides will explain the surrounding ecosystem and help identify signs of gorilla activity. Along the trail, you may also encounter forest birds, primates, butterflies, and a variety of plant species associated with the Virunga mountain ecosystem.

Once you locate your assigned gorilla family, enjoy the unforgettable experience of observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat. You may watch them feeding, resting, grooming, playing, interacting with one another, or moving through the forest.

Gorilla encounters are carefully managed to support conservation and responsible tourism. Your guides will provide instructions on maintaining the required distance, limiting disturbance, and behaving respectfully throughout the encounter.

After the trek, return to the starting point and transfer back to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Depending on your interests and available time, you may also enjoy a local community or cultural experience around Musanze.

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

Day 3: Volcanoes National Park – Kigali

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the scenic return journey from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali.

Travel through the beautiful Rwandan countryside, enjoying views of terraced hills, farmland, rural settlements, and local communities along the way. Depending on your departure schedule, you may have time for a short stop for photography, refreshments, or lunch.

Continue toward Kigali while enjoying the final views of Rwanda’s distinctive hill country.

On arrival in Kigali, your guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or to your hotel for an additional overnight stay. Depending on your flight schedule, you may also have time to visit a local attraction or explore part of Kigali.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Includes

  • Airport pickup and drop-off in Kigali
  • Private transportation in a comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • Accommodation for 2 nights in a selected lodge
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park
  • Park entry fees where applicable
  • Guided gorilla trekking experience with park rangers
  • Drinking water during safari drives
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Applicable government taxes and service charges
  •  

Trip Excludes

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees for Rwanda
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and drinks
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, lodge staff, and trackers
  • Porter fees during gorilla trekking
  • Optional activities not included in the itinerary
  • Personal shopping and souvenirs
  • Additional accommodation before or after the safari
  • Any services not specifically mentioned under inclusions
  •  

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    Robert K profile picture
    Robert K
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    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 .
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    Maltes Traveller profile picture
    Maltes Traveller
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    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!
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    bharti n profile picture
    bharti n
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    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.
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    vjpar profile picture
    vjpar
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    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.
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    Adam John Smith profile picture
    Adam John Smith
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    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!
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    Madhvi profile picture
    Madhvi
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    .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
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    mo-marvin profile picture
    mo-marvin
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    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.
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    Katelyn O profile picture
    Katelyn O
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    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.
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    Hoehlenhonk profile picture
    Hoehlenhonk
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    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.
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    Dilip P profile picture
    Dilip P
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    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