Rwanda Mountain Gorillas Safari

Our Rwanda Mountain Gorillas Safari takes you to the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda to enter the domain of the largest living primate on earth. Approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas survive in the wild, with around half of them resident in the Virunga Volcanoes.

Only 56 people per day are allowed to visit the Rwanda gorillas, so you will be part of a very select group. This will be a lifetime highlight for anyone lucky enough to do it - a definite bucket list item for Africa lovers!

Our mountain gorillas safari can run as a stand-alone trip, or it can be combined with the Great Migration in the Serengeti. Click here for more details.

Want to visit mountain gorillas, but can't afford the gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda? Click here for a more affordable safari in Uganda.

On request, and at extra cost, accommodation on this tour can be upgraded from Five Volcanoes Hotel to Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Volcanoes Virungas Lodge, Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge

• Day 1 Kigali

  We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your nearby hotel for a welcome drink and briefing on the rest of your Rwanda gorilla safari.

  Kigali Serena
  Meals Included: Dinner

• Day 2 Kigali – Volcanoes National Park

  This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, we will depart on a city tour of Kigali, taking in visits to the craft markets and the genocide memorial. After lunch at a city restaurant, we will enjoy a scenic drive into the mountains as we transfer to your lodge located minutes away from the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park.

  The park was established in the 1920s, after mountain gorillas were first discovered by early explorers – it was in fact the first national park in Africa. Today, the experience of coming face to face with a gorilla on the lush slopes of the Virungas is as thrilling as ever – and is one of the truly unique highlights of an East African safari.

  Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Day 3 Volcanoes National Park

  Today we enjoy an encounter with the critically endangered mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas are part of a worldwide population of just 880 individuals, and the gorillas we track today belong to one of several habituated family groups. Experienced guides will accompany us on our tracking, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves.

  The time taken to track the gorillas varies from half an hour to 9 hours before we return to camp, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. This is one of the world’s truly memorable experiences – a look into one of these magnificent creature’s eyes brings home the very special kinship that exists between them and us.

  Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Day 4 Volcanoes National Park

  Today we go up the mountains for a second gorilla tracking expedition.

  Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

   

  
  

• Day 5 Volcanoes National Park – Kigali – Out

  This morning, we set off to track the equally rare golden monkey. A whole new primate encounter – these small but charming monkeys live in bamboo forests on the slopes of the Virungas. They have been habituated to the presence of daily visitors, and observing them feeding and moving nimbly through the bamboo is a unique experience.

  After lunch back at the lodge, we return to Kigali and transfer to the airport for your international flight out this evening.

  Meals Included: Breakfast

• Kigali Serena

  Ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming central boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel offers a luxury hotel experience unrivalled in the city.

  

  Elegant Environment

  Relaxed yet sophisticated, the hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art. It centres on the Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool, surrounded by lush gardens filled with tropical palms. It provides a serene environment for both the start or end of your Rwanda gorilla safari.

  Convenient Location

  The hotel is in central Kigali, just 10km from Kigali International Airport, and ideally located for all sorts of local excursions and city tours. It’s popular Milima Restaurant is one of the best eateries in Kigali, offering a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating.

• Five Volcanoes Hotel

  One of several lodges nestled at the foot of the volcanic Virungas range of mountains, Five Volcanoes Hotel is a well located and moderately-priced alternative for travellers visiting the mountain gorillas.

  

  Unpretentious Charm

  The hotel is small, with just eleven bedrooms, a family suite and a VIP cottage. For those brave enough to enter the chilly water, there is a pool as well. Rooms are comfortable, and meals are simple, hearty fare. The service here is excellent, with attentive staff waiting to cater for your every need. Located just 20 minutes from the park gate, this hotel is well worth a look when exploring the area.
  

  

  A Plethora Of Activities

  The geaography in the general area is stunning, and apart from tracking one of the mountain gorilla families in the nearby Volcanoes Park, guests can enjoy tracking golden monkeys, hiking up one of the volcanoes in the park, mountain biking in the surrounding area or taking a canoe trip across one of the nearby lakes.

  
  

• * The price includes and does not include

  The price is per person and is based on a minimum of two people sharing a room. Upgrades to single rooms are available on payment of a supplement. Single travellers are welcome on all of our tours, at an extra charge. Please see below for full inclusions and exclusions.

  The following are included in the main tour price:

  • Accommodation in standard twin rooms
  • Meals as indicated in the daily meal plan
  • Drinks included as per the policy at each lodge
  • All road and air transfers as indicated
  • 2 Gorilla tracking permits per person
  • 1 Golden monkey tracking permit per person
  • Services of an English speaking driver guide
  • Park fees
  • All activities described in the itinerary, unless specified as extras
  • Mineral water, tea and coffee in the vehicle
  • Medical evacuation cover (to Nairobi)

  The following are not included in the main tour price:

  • International Air Fares, entry visa fees, domestic and international departure tax
  • Beverages other than mineral water in the vehicle, and other than the drinks included at each lodge under their policy
  • All expenses of a personal nature
  • Tips and gratuities to your driver/guide hotel/camp staff etc