- Kigali City
- Day tour
- 2000USD
3-Day Gorilla trekking
Face to face with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda — an encounter that stays with you for life.
In the misty highlands of Volcanoes National Park, a small family of mountain gorillas moves quietly through the bamboo. You are a few feet away. Nothing separates you from them but air. This is one of the rarest encounters on earth — and Izuba makes it feel exactly as it should: unhurried, deeply personal, and unforgettable.
Over three days, you travel from Kigali to the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, trek through ancient forest with an expert guide, and spend a precious hour in the presence of these gentle giants. The journey home passes through Rwanda’s rolling hills — a landscape that makes you understand why this country is called the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Itinerary
Day 1 Kigali → Musanze
Your driver-guide meets you at your Kigali hotel and you head northwest through Rwanda’s spectacular hill country. The drive itself tells the story of this remarkable nation — terraced farms, roadside markets, immaculate villages. Arriving in Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, you check into your lodge and receive a full briefing on what to expect during tomorrow’s trek. Dinner and overnight in Musanze.
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
The day begins early. After a hearty breakfast, you transfer to the park headquarters at Kinigi, where rangers assign your group to a habituated gorilla family based on fitness level and group size. The trek typically lasts between two and five hours — through bamboo forest, across volcanic slopes, into clearings where silverbacks rest and juveniles play. When you find them, time slows. You have one precious hour in their world. Back at the lodge, the evening is yours to reflect. Dinner and overnight in Musanze.
Day 3 Musanze → Kigali | Optional Golden Monkey Trek
Before heading back to Kigali, you have the option to track the golden monkeys — playful, brilliantly coloured primates endemic to the Virunga region. It’s a lighter, joyful counterpoint to the gravity of the gorillas. Afterwards, your driver takes you back to Kigali, with a drop-off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport.
Private 4×4 vehicle with professional driver-guide
Fuel and all transportation costs
All national park entrance fees
Bottled drinking water throughout
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Kigali
All government taxes and service charges
1 gorilla trekking permit per person
Professional tracker and armed ranger escort
International flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Meals and beverages (unless stated)
Alcoholic beverages
Tips and gratuities (optional)
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Golden monkey permit (optional, on request)
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Group Type: Private (customizable for individuals, couples, or groups)
Language: English (other languages available on request)
Best Time: June – September (long dry season) and December – February
Fitness Level: Moderate — some trekking on uneven volcanic terrain
What to Bring: Sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, waterproof jacket, gloves
INCLUSIONS
Gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and must be booked in advance. Availability is limited. Izuba handles all permit arrangements on your behalf.
Trekking with gorillas requires a minimum age of 15. Visitors showing signs of illness on the day of the trek may be declined access to protect the gorillas’ health.