2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
This 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking allows you to track the critically endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of Rwanda, in the district of Ruhengeri, just a few kilometers from the town of Musanze. The gorillas here are among the most habituated of all primate species, making trekking them a genuinely safe, low-risk activity. This itinerary is ideal for travelers with limited time who still want a rewarding, well-rounded gorilla trekking experience, beginning and ending in Kigali.
Trip Snapshot
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| Starts / Ends | Kigali |
| Main destination | Volcanoes National Park |
| Key activities | Kigali Genocide Memorial city tour, gorilla trekking |
| Gorilla permit cost (2026) | Approximately USD 1,500 per person |
| Minimum age | 15 years for gorilla trekking |
Safari Highlights
- Kigali Genocide Memorial and city tour
- Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri
- Gorilla trekking with one of seven habituated gorilla families
- Optional return city tour in Kigali
Summary Itinerary
| Day | Overview |
| Day 1 | Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Ruhengeri |
| Day 2 | Gorilla trekking and transfer back to Kigali |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Ruhengeri
Your driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel or Kigali International Airport and brief you on the trip ahead. From there, you’ll head to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, roughly a 30-minute drive from the airport, for a city tour. Following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi people of Rwanda, an estimated 250,000 people were laid to rest on the memorial grounds.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial serves as both an educational center and a lasting reminder of the atrocities committed, alongside a broader message of peace and reconciliation. Time permitting, your city tour can also include Camp Kigali, the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, the Caplaki Craft Village and Kimironko Market.
After lunch in Kigali, you will be transferred to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri, roughly a 1 to 2-hour drive. Check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer Back to Kigali
Wake early and enjoy a hearty breakfast at your lodge before your driver-guide collects you for the roughly 30-minute drive to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters to begin your gorilla trek.
At the park headquarters, the chief park ranger will brief you on park rules and gorilla trekking regulations before dividing groups according to which of Rwanda’s habituated gorilla families you are assigned to track. Because the gorillas have a high tolerance for human presence, trekking is considered low-risk, though the time it takes to locate a family can vary from 30 minutes to eight hours depending on their movement. Once located, you will spend one closely regulated hour observing them before heading back to enjoy your packed lunch.
On your final day, after lunch you will check out and your driver-guide will transfer you back to Kigali, with the option of a brief city tour to catch anything you missed at the start of your trip. Your guide will then drop you at the airport for your onward flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Safari Price Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Private transportation with a driver-guide
- Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial visit
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Accommodation for 1 night
Safari Price Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry and tips
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Yes, this itinerary is specifically designed to fit a full gorilla trekking experience, plus a Kigali city tour, within a short two-day window, making it ideal for travelers with limited time.
How far is Volcanoes National Park from Kigali?
Volcanoes National Park, near Musanze in the Ruhengeri district, is roughly a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Kigali.
How many habituated gorilla families are there in Volcanoes National Park?
Rwanda has around a dozen habituated gorilla families available for trekking, offering a strong chance of a rewarding encounter regardless of which family you are assigned.
What does the Kigali Genocide Memorial visit involve?
The memorial is both a burial site for an estimated 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and an educational center dedicated to remembrance and promoting peace. It is one of the most meaningful stops on any Rwanda itinerary.
Book Your 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Combining a moving, essential stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial with a full day among Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, this compact itinerary offers real depth despite its short length.
Get in touch to check gorilla permit availability for your 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari.