3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

The 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda with Wild Planet offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This short yet immersive itinerary takes you to Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) in northwestern Rwanda. The safari starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital city, and combines wildlife experiences with cultural and historical insights.

This safari is ideal for travelers with limited time who still want a deep and meaningful wildlife experience. Wild Planet ensures smooth logistics, expert guiding, and responsible tourism practices throughout the journey.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and covers approximately 160 square kilometers of lush rainforest and montane ecosystems. The park protects five of the eight volcanoes that make up the Virunga Mountain Range: Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. It shares borders with Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, forming one of Africa’s most important conservation landscapes.

The park is world-renowned as a sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. It also holds immense historical importance as the former research base of legendary primatologist Dian Fossey, whose work played a crucial role in gorilla conservation.

Park Fauna and Birdlife

Volcanoes National Park is best known for hosting the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei), one of the rarest primates on Earth. In addition to gorillas, the park supports a variety of mammal species, including:

• Golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti)
• Black-fronted duikers (Cephalophus niger)
• Bushbucks (Tragelaphus scriptus)
• African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer)
• Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)

Although elephants once roamed the park, sightings today are extremely rare.

Birdlife is equally impressive, with 178 recorded bird species, including at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains. This diversity makes the park appealing not only to primate enthusiasts but also to birdwatchers and nature lovers.

About the 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Experience

This 3-day Wild Planet gorilla trekking safari focuses on an intimate and well-rounded experience in Rwanda’s most iconic national park. The highlight is, of course, gorilla trekking, but the itinerary also includes a Kigali city tour, golden monkey tracking, a visit to Dian Fossey’s tomb, and a cultural experience at the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.

Wild Planet designs this safari to balance adventure, education, culture, and conservation, ensuring travelers gain a deeper appreciation of Rwanda’s wildlife and people.

Safari Highlights

• Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Golden monkey tracking
• Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial visit
• Nature walks in the Virunga Mountains
• Visit to Dian Fossey’s tomb
• Cultural experience at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport or pickup from your hotel, a professional Wild Planet guide will warmly welcome you and begin the safari with a guided Kigali city tour. You will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi, which commemorates the victims of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and offers important historical context about the country’s journey toward reconciliation and peace.

You will also explore a local market, where you can interact with residents and experience daily Rwandan life. After the city tour, you will drive north through Rwanda’s scenic countryside—often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”—toward Volcanoes National Park.

Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge, enjoy dinner, and relax in preparation for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

After an early breakfast, your Wild Planet guide will transfer you to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by park rangers. You will learn about gorilla trekking rules, conservation efforts, and safety guidelines before being assigned a gorilla family to track.

Gorilla trekking can take anywhere between 2 to 8 hours, depending on the movement of the gorilla family and the terrain. Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them as they feed, groom, and interact in their natural environment.

After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, you will visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you will engage with local communities. Learn about traditional Rwandan customs, music, dance, and former royal practices. This visit supports community development and cultural preservation.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking and Dian Fossey Tomb Visit

Following breakfast, you will return to the park for golden monkey tracking. Another exciting primate experience unique to the Virunga Mountains. Golden monkeys are energetic and playful, offering excellent photographic opportunities. Along the way, you may also spot other primates, such as baboons, and a variety of bird species.

Later, you will visit the Dian Fossey Tomb, located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. The hike to the site provides insight into Fossey’s conservation work and legacy, as well as the challenges she faced protecting gorillas.

After the visit, you will return to the lodge to freshen up before driving back to Kigali, where the safari with Wild Planet comes to an end.

End of Safari

Thank you for choosing Wild Planet for your 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda. This journey promises unforgettable wildlife encounters, meaningful cultural experiences, and a deeper connection to conservation in the heart of Africa.