1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking

Our 1-day gorilla trekking tour is designed to take you on an adventure through the beautiful Volcanoes National Game Park – home to the Mountain Gorillas In Rwanda’s northwest, Musanze area.

Volcanoes National Game Park

Swamps, bamboo woods, and open grasslands define the colcanoes National Game park. In the past, the Volcanoes National Park reached portions of the Virunga National Park in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The park was shrunk to its current size after the two countries gained independence. The park sits in one of Africa’s most mountainous zones including five volcanoes – Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Bisoke, Muhavura and Gahinga. Mount Karisimbi is the highest of them all at 4,507 meters. The Volcanoes National Park is bordered by the Virunga National Park in DR Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.

The Volcanoes National park is where the 1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking tour takes place – home to over 200 species but key wildlife attractions are the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Mountain gorillas, also known as Gorilla beringei  are arguably the most fascinating creatures on earth. They are creatures that resemble and behave like man.

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Mountain Gorillas live in peaceful and organized families led by a dominant male. The dominant silverback dictates everything that happens in the family calmly but will use force if necessary. Their close resemblance to humans and endangered status is why a gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 even before factoring in accommodation, transport and other expenses.

The gorilla trekking experience is worth every penny. You would be one of the lucky few to see the primates in the wild considering that they don’t exist in zoos. Moreover, you get to contribute towards the conservation of these amazing primates.

Golden monkeys

Like mountain gorillas, the golden monkeys are endangered and live off the bamboo shoots in the park. Golden monkeys are very cute, shy and playful primates. There only enemies are the African Eagle.  If interested in the monkeys you might want to check out the  3 Days Rwanda gorilla tour and golden monkeys.

Dian Fossey

The volcanoes national park was the base of a great primatologist called Dian Fossey. She established her base between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke in 1967 after invitation from Richard Leakey. Dian Fossey helped bring to the attention of the world the plight of the mountain gorillas that were facing eminent extinction as a result of poaching. She went away from concentrating solely on research but also to conservation. As an active conservationist, Fossey went after the poachers with her team of armed guards. Her brutal murder in 1985 is attributed to her strong stance against poachers. She left a great legacy behind and her work continues through the

Dian Fossey Gorilla Foundation.

The Rwanda Development Board is responsible for managing the park and its activities. Apart from gorilla trekking, the mountains, golden monkeys and visiting the grave of Dian fossey, visitors can also tour the Musanze caves, the twin lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) and the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre in our

Detailed 1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking Itinerary.

5:00 AM – Pick up from Kigali: Our experienced driver guide will pick you up from your hotel or any other preferred location in Kigali to start the 1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking. We will start the journey to Volcanoes National Park, which is about 2.5 hours’ drive from Kigali.

7:00 AM – Arrival at the park’s Head Quotas in Kinigi for a briefing by the park rangers about the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. You will also be allocated a gorilla family to trek, depending on your fitness level and preferences.

10:00 AM – 1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking: Our experienced ranger guides will lead you into the dense forest in search of mountain gorillas. The trekking can take from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family you are assigned. Once you find them, you will spend an hour in their presence, observing their behavior and taking photos.

1:00 PM – Lunch: After our 1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking, you will enjoy a well-deserved lunch at one of the nearby restaurants or lodges, where you can share your experiences with other travelers.

2:00 PM – Return to Kigali: After lunch, we will drive back to Kigali, dropping you off at your preferred location.

End of 1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking tour

The 1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking Tour includes

• Ground transport per 4WD
• Bottled water
• Park entrance fees
• Game drive
• Service of an English-speaking driver guide
• Covid19 Test for Tour Guide
• All mentioned activities except for the optional ones

Tour excludes on the 1 day Rwanda Gorilla trekking

• Lunch
• Extras at the accommodation i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
• Tips to porters and driver/ guide
• Insurance