How far is the drive from Kigali to the main gorilla trekking locations?

You'll spend about 3-5 hours on the road from Kigali to reach the gorilla trekking areas. If you're going to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you'll drive through northern Rwanda and cross at either Cyanika or Katuna border. For Volcanoes National Park, you'll head straight to Musanze. Most tours stop at places like Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Gorilla Heights Lodge along the way. The drive itself is really nice - as one of our TourRadar travelers said: "The Ugandan highlands are also so fun to drive through."

What's included in the gorilla permits for tours starting from Kigali?

Your gorilla permit gives you one hour with a gorilla family and covers your park entrance fees. You'll also get professional tracking guides and armed rangers for safety. Permits cost 700 USD if you're visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, or 1,500 USD for Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Tour companies like Devine African Safaris and New Horizon Tours take care of getting your permits and provide great guides to help you track the gorillas.

What's the best time of year for gorilla trekking tours from Kigali?

Plan your trip during the dry seasons - either June to September or December to February. The weather is usually around 75°F (24°C), making it perfect for trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The trails are less muddy and you can see the gorillas more clearly. Most people book rooms at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel during these months. One of our TourRadar travelers mentioned: "The dry season made trekking much more manageable and we had clear views of the gorillas in their natural habitat."

What additional activities can I combine with gorilla trekking when starting from Kigali?

From Kigali, you can add several great activities to your gorilla trek. Try tracking golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, go on game drives to see the Big Five in Akagera National Park, or visit the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village. You can stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Bisate Lodge while doing these activities. One TourRadar traveler told us: "Adding the golden monkey trek and cultural village visit made our gorilla experience even more memorable and gave us a deeper understanding of Rwanda."

How far in advance should I book a gorilla trekking tour from Kigali?

Book your tour 6-12 months before you want to go. Permits are limited and they sell out quickly, especially from June to September and December to February. Nice places to stay like Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel and Bisate Lodge also fill up fast. A TourRadar traveler shared this advice: "We booked eight months ahead and were glad we did, as permits and preferred accommodations get snapped up quickly."

What should I expect during the actual gorilla trek starting from Kigali?

Your day starts early with a 2-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. The trek itself can take anywhere from 2-6 hours as you follow the gorillas through thick forest. Once you find them, you get exactly one hour to watch them. Most people stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Akagera Game Lodge near the park. One of our TourRadar travelers said: "The trek was challenging but incredibly rewarding - seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat was worth every step through the forest."

Gorilla Trekking from Kigali

Ready for a true adventure like no other? What if you challenged yourself with a hike up an active volcano, wandered the streets of the bustling capital of Kigali, and observed the majestic mountain gorillas of Virunga? Admire the glistening Lake Kivu and go chimp tracking to tick something off your bucket list. Meeting gorillas face-to-face changes you forever.

10 best Gorilla Trekking tour packages from Kigali

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Gorilla Trekking
3 Day Gorilla Trek Mgahinga Gorilla NP Uganda via Rwanda
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Kigali, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Mgahinga National Park+1 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English, Italian,French+1 more
Operator
Safari 2 Gorilla Tours (U) Ltd
From
US$2,080per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Wildlife
5-Day Gorillas, Wildlife and Chimp Trek at Kibale Forest
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Kigali, Musanze, Kisoro,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Kibale Forest National Park,Kalinzu Forest,Kampala,Entebbe+6 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Bamboo Ecotours
From
US$2,865per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek from Kigali
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Kigali, Musanze, Kisoro,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park+1 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Kawira Safaris Ltd
From
US$1,690per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Wildlife
Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Kigali, Musanze, Volcanoes National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park,Ishasha,Kisoro+3 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
5% Off
From $5,955
US$5,657per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Active
3-Day Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkeys
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Kigali, Musanze
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English, French
Operator
Golden Rwanda Safaris Ltd
5% Off
From
US$3,610per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Express Gorilla Safari in Uganda
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"It was the most incredible experience in my life! Acommodation, transportation, transfers, and the trek in itself were perfect."
AlejandraVidal, traveled in January
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Kigali, Kisoro, Mgahinga National Park
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English, French
Operator
Ubuntu Voyages
5% Off
From
US$1,490per person
+$100 local payments
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Tailor-Made Private Rwanda Gorilla Trip with Daily Departure
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Kinigi
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Agate Travel
5% Off
From
US$9,349per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
4 Day Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour Experience
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Kigali, Volcanoes National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Mgahinga National Park+2 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
Safari 2 Gorilla Tours (U) Ltd
5% Off
From
US$2,400per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Tour
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Kigali, Volcanoes National Park
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English, German,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
Ovacado Adventures
5% Off
From
US$3,850per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
Experience Uganda & Rwanda Gorillas + Big 5 (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The thrill of being in such close proximity to these endangered creatures is something we will cherish forever."
Fred, traveled in May
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Kigali, Akagera National Park,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Mgahinga National Park,Lake Bunyonyi,Lake Mburo National Park,Entebbe+5 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
5% Off
From
US$3,839per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Hiking & Trekking
Discover Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps, Dian Fossey Tour (Exclusively Private)
5.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"The landscape was gorgeous, the Genocide Museum was eye-opening, but the best part was the people."
Devin, traveled in June
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Kigali, Musanze, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
5% Off
From
US$4,529per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
3 Day Uganda Gorilla Trek Budget Safari via Kigali
4.9 (16 traveler reviews)
"Gorilla trek was beyond amazing. Elizabeth and her staff at Rushaga Gorilla Camp took very good care of us."
Allana, traveled in October
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Kigali, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mutanda,Mgahinga National Park+1 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
National Park
Bwindi National Park
Operated in
English
Operator
Bamboo Ecotours
5% Off
From
US$1,770per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
Journeys: Wild Encounters in Rwanda National Geographic Journeys
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Visiting the mountain gorillas was a magical experience!"
Martha, traveled in October
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
National Geographic Expeditions with G Adventures
20% Off
From $8,299
US$6,639per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Hiking & Trekking
Experience Rwanda Gorillas & Chimps Trekking Tour (Exclusively Private)
4.7 (6 traveler reviews)
"Seeing the wild life in their natural environment is incredible along with the Gorillas which was a pinch me moment."
Tracey, traveled in June
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Kigali, Nyungwe Forest, Lake Kivu,Volcanoes National Park+1 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Devine African Safaris Ltd
20% Off
From
US$4,139per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Experience & Safari
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"I was taken at all corners of the country in a fantastic jeep and enjoyed cultural, historical, community, hiking/trekking, boating, night life experiences."
Hetzeg, traveled in October
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Kigali, Nyanza, Butare, Nyungwe Forest, Cyangugu, Kibuye,Musanze,Volcanoes National Park,Kinigi,Rubavu,Gisenyi,Lake Kivu+6 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
New Horizon Africa Safaris
20% Off
From
US$9,000per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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