2 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour, Kigali to Volcanoes
This 2-day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour is designed for travellers who want to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park without long overland transfers. You start in Kigali with a private pickup and 
drive north to the Musanze area, staying close to the park for an early start on trekking day. The following morning, you attend the ranger briefing at Kinigi, then hike into the bamboo and montane forest to track a habituated gorilla family. Trek duration varies by the location of the gorillas, but once they are found, you spend one hour observing them at close range. Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board, and the foreign non-resident fee is listed at USD 1500, with limited daily availability, so dates should be secured in advance. After the trek, you return to Kigali for your onward flight or hotel drop off, making this one of the most time-efficient gorilla trekking options in East Africa.
Safari Highlights
Best for travellers with limited time who want the Rwanda gorillas with smooth logistics
Start and end in Kigali, with an overnight near Musanze
Main experience: One gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, one hour viewing once found
Kigali pickup, optional short city stop
One night in the Musanze area
Gorilla trekking day with ranger briefing at Kinigi
Return to Kigali for your onward flight
Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Kigali pickup, transfer to Musanze near Volcanoes
Your driver will meet you at your hotel or the airport in Kigali. You will take an optional short city tour. You will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about the history of Rwanda. This visit offers important context about the country. After the city tour, you will start the two-hour drive north to Musanze. Musanze is the town just outside Volcanoes National Park. The roads are paved and very smooth. You will see many green hills along the way. You will check into your lodge in the afternoon. You can rest, eat dinner, and prepare your gear for the next morning. It gets cold at night in the mountains. Your lodge staff will provide a hot meal to keep you warm.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes, return to Kigali
You will wake up early and eat breakfast at your lodge. Your driver will take you to the Kinigi park headquarters by 7 AM. Park wardens will brief you on the safety rules. They will assign you to a 
specific gorilla family. Some groups, like the Susa family, require a longer hike. Other groups, like the Amahoro family, live closer to the lower slopes. You will enter the forest and walk through the plants and bamboo. Finding the gorillas can take two to six hours. The time depends on where the animals slept the previous night. Once you find them, you will stay for exactly one hour. You will watch them feed and interact with each other. After the trek, you will return to the headquarters to receive your tracking document. Your driver will then take you back to Kigali for your flight.
Accommodation Options
Luxury Lodges, Bisate Lodge, One and Only Gorilla’s Nest, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Lodge
Midrange Lodges, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Budget Lodges, Kinigi Guesthouse, Hotel Muhabura, La Locanda
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit Cost
The Rwanda Development Board charges 1500 USD per person for a permit. This price applies to all foreign non-residents. This permit allows you to spend one hour with the gorillas. It also pays for the park rangers who walk with you. The high price helps fund conservation efforts. It pays for anti-poaching patrols and supports the local communities around the park. You must book this permit months in advance. Daily spots are strictly limited to eight people per gorilla family. There are about ten gorilla families used to humans available for visitors. This means only eighty permits are sold each day.
Rwanda vs Uganda Gorilla Trekking
Rwanda and Uganda both offer unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experiences, but there are practical differences that may influence your choice.
Travel time
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is about 2 to 3 hours by road from Kigali International Airport, making it ideal for travellers with limited time. In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is typically 8 to 10 hours by road from Entebbe, although domestic flights are available.
Permit cost
Rwanda’s gorilla permit fee for foreign non-residents is currently listed at USD 1500. Uganda’s permit fee is lower, which makes Uganda attractive for travellers who are prioritising budget.
Terrain and trekking style
Both destinations involve hiking in dense forest at an altitude. Terrain can be steep and muddy in either country. Trek difficulty depends on the location of the assigned gorilla family rather than the country itself.
Experience quality
The time spent with the gorillas is one hour in both Rwanda and Uganda once the group is located. Ranger teams in both countries are highly trained, and visitor group sizes are strictly controlled.
If your priority is a short, time-efficient itinerary with minimal road travel, Rwanda is often the preferred option. If you are combining gorillas with a longer wildlife circuit, Uganda may offer better overall value.
What to pack
Waterproof hiking boots with a good grip
Long trousers to protect your legs from scratches
A light waterproof jacket or rain poncho
Gardening gloves to hold onto branches safely
A reusable water bottle
Insect repellent
What is Included and Excluded in the Tour
Included
One gorilla trekking permit per person
Private transport in a comfortable vehicle
An English-speaking driver
Accommodation for one night
Drinking water in the vehicle
Excluded
International flights
Visa fees
Tips for porters and drivers
Personal travel insurance
