Safari Overview
A 3-day, 2-night express trip built around one mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. You spend the first day in Kigali, track a gorilla family for an hour in the Virunga forest, visit the Dian Fossey Karisoke Research Centre and finish with a community banana-beer experience. Your gorilla tracking permit (US$1,500 per person), a private 4WD with a driver-guide and airport transfers are included.
Gallery
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Kigali city tour and drive to Musanze
Your journey begins the moment you land at Kigali International Airport. Our meet-and-greet team welcomes you, helps you through immigration and with your luggage, and hands you over to your driver-guide, who stays with you throughout your time in Rwanda. After a short introduction, the day starts with a tour of Kigali, often described as one of Africa's best-kept cities, with tree-lined streets, a striking modern convention centre and hillsides of red-roofed homes and terraced farmland. Rwanda is called the land of a thousand hills. Stops may include the craft market, the Gisozi genocide memorial and the Kigali museum, plus a visit to Kimironko Market. After lunch en route, take the scenic 3-hour drive to Musanze, Rwanda's second-largest town, set against the five volcanoes of the Virunga range. Check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Mountain gorilla tracking and Karisoke Research Centre
After an early breakfast, drive to Kinigi, the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, to meet your guides. Once park formalities are complete you set off to track mountain gorillas through the forest on the slopes of the Virungas. When you find the family you spend one hour with them, close enough to watch them feed, play and rest. The trek can be strenuous, up to six hours or longer at altitude, so good fitness is recommended. If you cannot trek far, ask your driver-guide to request a group with a shorter walk. Bring hiking boots, long trousers, gloves for stinging nettles, snacks for yourself and plenty of water. Later, visit the Karisoke Research Centre of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Dr Fossey founded Karisoke in 1967 and began her research on gorilla behaviour there; it is the world's longest-running gorilla research site. Highlights include a replica of her forest cabin with original artefacts, a 360-degree theatre showing gorilla footage and a virtual-reality experience. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Your permit covers the park entrance fee and a ranger-guide. A porter is optional at USD 25 per porter.
Intercultural exchange and departure
After breakfast, drive to the Redrocks Intercultural Exchange Centre to join local brew makers and learn how beer is made from bananas. You can help the women squeeze the juice from the bananas (optional), see how the juice turns to alcohol once sorghum flour is added, and taste the local brew. The centre also offers basket weaving, and your visit supports local families. After lunch en route, drive about 2.5 hours to Kigali and be dropped at Kigali International Airport for your flight home. End of service.
Rates per person by group size
| Travellers | 2026 (USD) | 2027 (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,596 | $3,795 |
| 2 | $2,945 | $3,240 |
| 3 | $2,807 | $3,007 |
| 4 | $2,739 | $2,939 |
| 5 | $2,697 | $2,897 |
| 6 | $2,669 | $2,869 |
| 7 | $2,650 | $2,850 |
| Single room supplement | $240 | $340 |
Rates are per person and depend on the number of travellers sharing the private vehicle. Please confirm current rates when you enquire.
Hotels & Camps Used
Tiloreza Eco Lodge
Musanze
Included
- Transport in a 4WD safari vehicle used only by your group
- Pick-up and drop-off at Kigali International Airport, with meet and greet
- Professionally trained English-speaking driver-guide and all guide fees
- One gorilla tracking permit per person (US$1,500), including park entrance and a ranger-guide
- One litre of drinking water per person per day in the vehicle
- Flying Doctors registration and evacuation fee
- Activities in the programme
- Meals and accommodation as listed
- All applicable taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International flights and Rwanda tourist visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the driver-guide or local escorts
- Drinks, dining-room tips and personal items such as phone calls and laundry
- Porter for the gorilla trek (optional, USD 25 per porter)
- Activities not in the programme
- Upgrades to more expensive accommodation than quoted
Optional Extras
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Rwanda Gorillas Direct cost?+
The 3 Days / 2 Nights Rwanda Gorillas Direct starts from $2,650. The final price depends on your travel dates, group size and room category, so please enquire for an exact quote.
What is the itinerary for the Rwanda Gorillas Direct?+
Day 1: Kigali city tour and drive to Musanze. Day 2: Mountain gorilla tracking and Karisoke Research Centre. Day 3: Intercultural exchange and departure.
Where will we stay on this trip?+
Tiloreza Eco Lodge (Musanze).
What is included in the price?+
Transport in a 4WD safari vehicle used only by your group; Pick-up and drop-off at Kigali International Airport, with meet and greet; Professionally trained English-speaking driver-guide and all guide fees; One gorilla tracking permit per person (US$1,500), including park entrance and a ranger-guide; One litre of drinking water per person per day in the vehicle; Flying Doctors registration and evacuation fee; Activities in the programme; Meals and accommodation as listed; All applicable taxes and service charges.
What is not included?+
International flights and Rwanda tourist visa; Travel insurance; Tips for the driver-guide or local escorts; Drinks, dining-room tips and personal items such as phone calls and laundry; Porter for the gorilla trek (optional, USD 25 per porter); Activities not in the programme; Upgrades to more expensive accommodation than quoted.
Good to Know
- Rates are per person, based on group size (see the rates table), and exclude international flights and visas.
- Gorilla trekking is physically demanding, up to six hours or longer at altitude. The permit gives a fixed one-hour visit with a gorilla family.
- We recommend comprehensive travel insurance for the full duration of your trip.
- Errors and omissions are excluded.
