1 Day Gorilla Tour Rwanda
Are you already in Rwanda and want to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the their natural habitats? This 1-Day gorilla tour Rwanda is a perfect package for you. The 1-Day trip is an opportunity to visit one of the 10 gorilla families habituated in Volcanoes National Park. The tour starts with an early pick up from Kigali, a transfer to Volcanoes Park, gorilla trekking and transfer back to Kigali. The 1-Day Rwanda gorilla tour is less tiring given the short distance from Kigali to Volcanoes Park compared to other gorilla parks in Uganda and Congo.
Located in Musanze in the North Western province of Rwanda Volcanoes National Park is a Centre of Rwanda gorilla safaris. The park spread over 160 square kilometers of land covering Rwanda’s share of the Virunga Conservation Area bordered by Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking is the number one travel activity done in Volcanoes National Park bringing in over 50% of all travelers to Rwanda. Gorilla groups in Volcanoes Park include Agashya, Sabyinyo, Titus, Amahoro, Susa A, Umubano, Karisimbi, Hirwa, Kwitonda, Bwenge and Ugenda gorilla families. Each family is different from the other in terms of size, location, history of formation and social behaviors.
In 2017, Rwanda doubled its gorilla permit prices from $700 to $1500 transforming into a luxury gorilla destination in Africa.
The Vegetation in Volcanoes National Park comprise of bamboo forests, grasslands, swamps, marshes, thickets and meadows, which together provide food and habitation of birds and wild animals.
The park is also a Centre of mountain climbing being home to Mt Karisimbi and Mt Bisoke located in the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Other tourist activities in Volcanoes National park include golden monkey trekking, bird watching, nature walks. Musanze caves and Dian Fossey grave hike.
The 1 Day Gorilla tour Rwanda starts and ends in Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Very early at 5:0-0am, your driver guide from our company will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali or the airport and drive north westwards to Volcanoes National park home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The drive time from Kigali to Volcanoes is roughly 3 hours via the rolling hills after which the country is names “Land of A thousand Hills”. Arrive at Kinigi Park headquarters at 7:00am and join a=other travelers and rangers for a briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. You will be served with a cup of coffee and entertained by traditional dancers. Transfer to the starting point and start off a trek through the jungle as you search for the allocated gorilla family. Hiking up and down hill before meeting the endangered gorillas can last for over 4 hours depending on their location. Upon meeting the gorillas, spend an hour in their company, embracing and appreciating the human like characters of these endangered species. Keep a distance of 7 meters way, hold your camera tight to take pictures and capture live videos to take home for memories. You may also meet other wild animals and birds that live in Volcanoes National park.
Thereafter, return to Kigali marking the end of our 1 Day Rwanda gorilla tour.
End of the tour
Tour Inclusions
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit
- Packed lunch
- Bottled drinking water
- Full time English speaking guide
- Ground Transport
- Government taxes
- Miscellaneous
Tour Exclusions
- Porter’s fee & tips
- Personal expenses (phone calls and shopping)
- Extra activities not included in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips