A 1 Day Rwanda gorilla tour is an intense but thrilling primate encounter designed majorly for those with limited time in Rwanda. The tour solely focuses on on the gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes national park. You can embark on the 1-Day Rwanda gorilla tour any time of the year though the most ideal time is the dry season from June to September and December to February.
Trip Highlight: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
1 Day Rwanda gorilla tour – Trip details
4:30 AM – 5:00 AM: Your driver guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali early in the morning and transfer to Volcanoes national park (2-3 hours drive). The journey takes you through a scenic drive with beautiful rolling hills, plantations, and local communities.
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Arrival at the park headquarters in Kinigi and attend a briefing on gorilla trekking rules, safety guidelines and conservation efforts. You will also be divided into small groups and assigned a gorilla family to track (maximum of 8 people per gorilla family). The grouping of trekkers depends on their fitness level and their preferences, if any. Those who are less fit and the elderly are assigned a gorilla family presumed to be nearby which will not require a long and tenacious trek.
8:30 AM onwards: Head into the forest accompanied by experienced park rangers and guides to search for your assigned gorilla group. The duration for this trek may vary significantly from 1-6 hours depending on the location and movement of gorillas. Once you locate the gorillas, spend an incredible and unforgettable magical hour in their presence observing them in their natural habitat. Take their photos (without flash) as they feed, play and rest for your gorilla tracking memories.
After the magical hour with the gorillas, return to park headquarters with unforgettable gorilla trekking memories and meet your driver guide for a return drive to Kigali. Your guide will drop you at your hotel in Kigali or at Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Important considerations for the 1 Day Rwanda gorilla tour
The gorilla permit in Rwanda is sold at $1,500 per person and should be booked at least 6 months in advance through a credible tour operator. The best season for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the the dry period from June to September and December to February. During this time the trails are drier and less slippery while gorillas also tend to be easily seen in the forest.
However, gorilla tracking safaris in Rwanda take place throughout the year. Some of the crucial gear to park for gorilla tracking in Rwanda include sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, pair of gardening gloves and a camera with extra batteries.
Other important items like drinking water, walking stick, and a rain jacket can be obtained at the park headquarters for hire. Gorilla trekking is a tenacious activity that requires a relative level of fitness, therefore prior preparation is crucial. The minimum age allowed for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years.