3 Days Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Your 3 Days Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda adventure begins with a warm welcome from your Nextgen Safaris guide at Kigali International Airport or at your hotel in Kigali. After a short briefing and luggage assistance, you’ll begin a complimentary Kigali city tour to explore Rwanda’s clean, modern capital and learn about its powerful history.

Complimentary Kigali City Tour Includes:

• Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre – a moving tribute to Rwanda’s past

• Kimironko Market – Kigali’s largest local market, full of colors and culture

• Craft & Art Centers – perfect for authentic souvenirs and local artwork

• Optional coffee stop at Question Coffee or Inzora Rooftop Café

This city tour is fully guided, designed to offer you a personal connection to Rwanda’s story before your gorilla trekking experience begins.

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Ruhengeri)

After the city tour and lunch in Kigali, you’ll begin the scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park, located in Rwanda’s Northern Province. The route passes through rolling green hills and rural villages — showcasing why Rwanda is called the Land of a Thousand Hills.

• Distance: Approx. 115 km (71 miles)

• Drive Time: 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic and stops

• Road Type: Smooth, paved tarmac all the way

Upon arrival in Musanze, you’ll check in at your lodge with views of the Virunga Volcanoes and prepare for the following day’s gorilla trek.

Accommodation Options near Volcanoes National Park

• Meal Plan: Lunch (in Kigali) & Dinner at the lodge

• Included: Private transfer, professional guide, bottled water, city tour

• Optional Add-ons: Visit to Dian Fossey Fund offices (if time allows)

Your first day of this 3 Days Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda sets the perfect tone: cultural insight, smooth travel, and a warm Rwandan welcome.

Day 2 of your 3 Days Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda begins early with a hearty breakfast at your lodge. By 7:00 AM, your Nextgen Safaris guide will transfer you to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi, where you’ll check in and be assigned to a gorilla family group based on your fitness level and preferences.

Gorilla Trekking Experience

• Briefing Time: 7:30 AM by a senior ranger

• Trekking Time: Typically 2 to 6 hours, depending on gorilla location

• Group Size: Maximum of 8 people per gorilla group

• Time with Gorillas: Strictly 1 hour, once located

Your professional park rangers will lead you deep into the misty rainforest, tracking signs such as nests, dung, or vocalizations. Once you reach your assigned mountain gorilla family, you’ll observe their behavior—grooming, feeding, playing, or simply relaxing—just a few meters away. It’s a profound, emotional, and unforgettable encounter.

This moment is the highlight of your 3 Days Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda experience, and for many, one of the greatest wildlife moments of a lifetime.

After breakfast at your lodge, your 3 Days Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda concludes with a scenic drive back to Kigali, giving you one last opportunity to admire Rwanda’s rolling green hills and misty volcanoes.

• Distance: Approx. 115 km (71 miles)

• Drive Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Along the way, you can choose to stop at local markets, artisan workshops, or craft centers for souvenir shopping, including:

• Hand-carved gorilla statues

• Traditional Rwandan baskets (Agaseke)

• Locally made clothing, jewelry, or ceramics

• Fair-trade coffee and tea products

Your guide can also arrange a lunch stop in Kigali before your airport drop-off or transfer to your preferred hotel.

Departure Details

• Drop-off: Kigali International Airport or Kigali city hotel

• Optional: Late-day visit to Nyamirambo Women’s Center or Camp Kigali Memorial (time permitting)

• Meal Plan: Breakfast only

• Included: Private transfer, guide, bottled water during transfer

Safari Completion Summary

Over the course of this 3 Days Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda safari, you have:

• Explored Kigali’s rich cultural history

• Witnessed mountain gorillas in the wild

• Engaged with local communities and landscapes

• Experienced one of Africa’s top eco-tourism destinations in just 3 days

Whether you’re on a quick wildlife getaway or combining this with a longer East African trip, this short gorilla trekking safari is designed to leave you transformed.