The 2 Days Rwanda gorilla tour offers a fantastic opportunity to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda, especially to those with limited time. This tour focuses on gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park, a home to the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Trip Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Kigali City Tour (optional)
- Cultural experience at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (optional)
Trip Summary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport & Transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
Detailed itinerary – 2 Days Rwanda gorilla tour
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by your safari driver guide or he will pick you up from your hotel if you spent the night in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time and interest, you might embark on a brief Kigali city tour. This usually involves visiting several key sites around the city such as a genocide memorial centre, a local craft market, museum, and any other places of interest that offer insight into Rwanda’s history and culture.
After the city tour, embark on a scenic drive to Volcanoes national park (2-3 hours drive). The drive will take you through scenic views of rolling hills, tea plantations, and local communities. Arrive at Musanze, near Volcanoes national and check into your accommodation for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you may opt to go for a cultural experience at the Gorilla Guardian Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village). Here you will have an immense dive into the Rwandan culture and traditions including traditional dances, drums and a glimpse into local village life. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park and departure
Have early breakfast at your lodge and transfer to Kinigi, the headquarters of Volcanoes park for a briefing on gorilla trekking exercise. You will also be divided into small groups of trekkers and assigned a gorilla group to track (maximum of 8 trekkers per gorilla group). Head into the forest led by experienced guides and rangers searching for your allocated gorilla group.
The trek to search for gorillas may take between 1-6 hours depending on their location and movement in the forest. Upon finding them, spend the one permitted hour in their presence observing how they interact in their natural habitat by feeding, playing and resting. Don’t forget to use your camera (without flash) to capture some of the captivating moments before gorillas for memories. At the end of the hour, return to the park headquarters to meet your driver guide for a transfer to your accommodation. After lunch and relaxation, transfer back to Kigali for your departure flight or overnight at your hotel.
Important consideration for the 2 Days Rwanda gorilla tour
The 2-Day Rwanda gorilla tour is a brief gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda that requires adequate preparation and planning. Ensure to book your gorilla permit at least 6 months through a credible tour operator. Rwanda’s gorilla permit is sold at $1,500 per person (as of 2025).
The best season for gorilla tracking in Rwanda is during the dry period between June and September and December to February. However, gorilla tracking tours and other wildlife safaris in Rwanda take place throughout the year.
Some of the important gear to pack for gorilla tracking in Rwanda include, sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, pair of gloves and a camera with extra batteries. Other crucial items like drinking water, rain jacket, walking stick can be obtained at your lodge or park headquarters.
Gorilla trekking is physically demanding and therefore requires a reasonable level of fitness. Porters are aways available for hire to those who don’t have the required level of fitness or the elderly. Hiring a porter can make your trekking easier and at the same time provide direct income to the local community. The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years.