2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
Many travelers struggle to fit a gorilla trek into a short schedule. You can solve this problem by booking a 2-day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour. The drive from the Kigali airport to Volcanoes National Park takes only two hours. You save time compared to the ten-hour drive required in neighboring countries(Uganda). This quick drive makes Rwanda the most practical choice for business travelers or tourists with limited time. You will track mountain gorillas on the second day. Walking through the bamboo trees to see these animals is a very rewarding activity. The short distance means you do not spend your whole trip sitting in a car.
Safari Highlights
Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Track mountain gorillas in the bamboo forest
Spend one full hour watching the gorillas
Return drive to Kigali for your departure flight
Day 1, Kigali Pick Up and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your driver will meet you at your hotel or the airport in Kigali. You will take a 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 Tracking and 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 7.00 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 in Volcanoes National Park
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
Many people compare Rwanda and Uganda because of the permit price. Uganda charges 800 USD for a permit. Rwanda charges 1500 USD. However, getting to the gorillas in Uganda takes much longer. The drive from Entebbe to Bwindi takes nine to ten hours. The drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park takes only two hours. If you want to save time and avoid long, bumpy car rides, Rwanda is the better choice. It offers the most seamless travel logistics. You pay more for the permit, but you save money on extra hotel nights and transport days
What to Pack for the Trek
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
