Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Tours & Safaris
A guided trek through bamboo forest and volcanic slope, ending in one hour beside a mountain gorilla family. Planned by a licensed Rwandan guide who has trekked Volcanoes National Park for 14 years.
The short answer
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda costs US$1,500 for the permit, and a 1-day trek from Kigali starts at US$1,950 per person sharing. You trek for 2 to 8 hours in Volcanoes National Park, including 1 hour with a gorilla family. Only 96 permits are issued a day, so book 3 to 6 months ahead.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda: key facts
- Price from
- US$1,950 per person sharing (1-day trek from Kigali, permit included). Your final price is confirmed in a written quotation.
- Trip length
- 1 to 7 days, longer on request. Trips of 3 to 4 days focus on Volcanoes National Park. Trips of 5 to 7 days cover two parks.
- Best season
- June to September and December to February (dry months). Gorillas can be trekked all year.
- Group size
- 8 visitors per gorilla family. Private departures with Hope Tours Africa.
- Starts and ends in
- Kigali. Volcanoes National Park is 2.5 to 3 hours away by road, depending on traffic.
- Includes
- Gorilla permit, private 4×4 and driver-guide, accommodation, park fees, Kigali airport transfers, water in reusable bottles
- Permit
- US$1,500 per person, issued by the Rwanda Development Board. US$1,050 from November to May with at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe.
- The trek
- 2 to 8 hours: the hike up, 1 hour with the gorillas, the hike back. The average is 4 to 5 hours. The drive to the trailhead is extra.
- Minimum age
- 15 years
- Reply time
- Within 24 hours, usually within 1 to 4 hours
Choose your safari
Compare our itineraries
| Itinerary | Days | Level | Focus | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda from Kigali | 1 | Day trip | Gorillas, limited time | $1,950 |
| 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda | 3 | Mid-range | Gorillas in Volcanoes | $3,460 |
| 4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safaris with Golden Monkey Trekking | 4 | Mid-range | Gorillas and golden monkeys | $3,500 |
| 3-Day High End Gorilla Trekking & Golden Monkeys Rwanda | 3 | Luxury | Gorillas and golden monkeys | $4,970 |
| 7-Day Rwanda Primate Safari | 7 | Mid-range | Gorillas and chimpanzees | $5,370 |
| 6-Day Luxury Rwanda Safari: Gorillas & Akagera Big Five | 6 | Ultra-luxury | Gorillas and Big Five | $17,200 |
Not sure which length fits? 1 to 3 days gives a focused trek with minimal time away. 4 to 5 days adds golden monkeys. 6 to 7 days or more adds Akagera’s Big Five or Nyungwe’s chimpanzees. Trips of 5 to 7 days cover two national parks. Trips of more than 7 days cover all three. See all Rwanda luxury safaris or the Rwanda safari packages.
What your safari includes
Included in every itinerary with gorilla trekking
- Gorilla trekking permit (US$1,500 per person, issued by the Rwanda Development Board)
- Private 4×4 and driver-guide
- Accommodation
- Park entry and ranger fees
- Kigali airport transfers
- Water in reusable bottles. We run single-use plastic free.
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Tips for porters, trackers and guides
- Personal items
Popular combinations: golden monkey tracking, the Dian Fossey tomb hike, a cultural village visit, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and wildlife drives in Akagera. See our Rwanda luxury safaris for longer trips.
Who this trek suits
Best for
- Travelers who want Rwanda’s most direct route to mountain gorillas
- Couples and honeymooners
- First-time Africa visitors on a short trip
- Photographers
- Guests who want a smooth, well-coordinated trek day with a lodge at the end of it
Not ideal for
- Travelers who want a long overland safari circuit
- Guests mainly interested in savanna wildlife (see Akagera)
- Anyone who needs a guaranteed easy hike. Nobody can promise one, because the gorillas decide the length of the trek, as how difficult gorilla trekking in Rwanda is explains.
Gorilla trekking Rwanda cost
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Gorilla permit, international visitors | $1,500 |
| Permit from November to May, with at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe | $1,050 |
| 1-day trek from Kigali, permit included (per person sharing) | From $1,950 |
| 3-day gorilla trek, 2 nights in Volcanoes | $3,460 to $8,000+ |
| Full safaris, 3 to 7 days | $3,460 to $19,000+ |
The permit is the fixed cost. Lodge level, trip length and extra parks decide the rest: luxury lodges run $600 to $1,500 per person per night and ultra-luxury lodges $2,500 to $4,000+. The 3-day range is $3,460 to $3,900 mid-range, $4,000 to $5,500 luxury and $5,800 to $8,000+ ultra-luxury. Website prices are guide prices per person. Your final price is in your written quotation. Read the full Rwanda safari cost guide.
A trek day, hour by hour
Your day starts at about 6:30 am, when your guide collects you from your lodge. After the park-office check, the family briefing and a drive to the trailhead, the trek takes 2 to 8 hours (the average is 4 to 5), including 1 hour with the gorillas. Most guests are back at their lodge between about 1:00 and 3:30 pm. For the full walkthrough of the day, from the briefing to the walk back, see what happens on a Rwanda gorilla trek. For the full walkthrough of the day, from the briefing to the walk back, see what happens on a Rwanda gorilla trek.
There is no fixed start time, and the length depends on where the gorillas slept. Read the full hour-by-hour account in our gorilla trekking in Rwanda guide. Before you fly, our gorilla trekking preparation checklist covers the papers, your health and what to bring.
How hard is gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
No gorilla family is permanently easy or hard, so nobody can promise you an easy trek. The length depends on where the gorillas slept and where they move. Your guide sends the park your age, health and requests the evening before, and the park does its best to assign a suitable family. The trek starts at 2,300 to 2,600 meters, which is the factor most guests overlook.
“I can’t promise an easy or a hard hike. I promise you will see the gorillas.”Eric Sabi
How the park assigns families is explained in our gorilla trekking in Rwanda guide.
Older guests, knee worries and porters
Porters and the carried trek
- Porters are local community members. The wage is about US$10 a day, and most guests tip US$10 to US$20. Tipping is optional. Porters help on steep, muddy trails, especially in the rain.
- A team of eight porters can carry you on a stretcher to the gorillas and back for US$200 per guest. Tell your guide beforehand. You can arrange it in advance, at the evening briefing or on the morning of the trek, but not part-way up.
Comfort and health
- A portable seat can be arranged with the porters, so you can sit for the hour with the gorillas.
- Tell us your health status before you travel. If you may need oxygen in an emergency, we ask the park office to arrange a doctor to accompany you. Doctors are at the park office.
Guests in their seventies and eighties, many with knee or hip replacements, have seen the gorillas this way. See our Rwanda luxury safaris for gentler trip pacing. Our guide to how safe gorilla trekking is covers the real risks and the health rules.
Gorilla trekking rules
Groups are limited to 8 visitors, you spend 1 hour with the family, and you keep at least 7 meters away. If a gorilla walks toward you, stay still. There is no flash and no eating in front of the gorillas. The park advises you not to trek if you feel unwell, and permits are non-refundable, so travel insurance is advisable.
Read the gorilla trekking rules in full, or see every rule explained in our gorilla trekking in Rwanda guide.
What to wear for gorilla trekking
Wear hiking boots, a long-sleeve shirt, long trousers, gaiters, a rain jacket, garden gloves, a sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. We provide water in reusable bottles, your lodge provides a packed lunch, and walking sticks are handed out at the trailhead. Leave the big safari telephoto lens at the lodge.
Use our gorilla trekking packing list, and see why each item matters in our gorilla trekking in Rwanda guide.
When to book gorilla permits
Book 3 to 6 months ahead, and earlier for the busiest months. Only 96 permits are issued each day, so June to September and December to February fill first.
We book permits early and watch for cancellations, so we can sometimes find last-minute slots, but it is never guaranteed. On some days the park is completely full.
For couples, June to September is my first choice, with less muddy trails and the lowest chance of rain. December to February is also a good choice. Permits cost less from November to May, with at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe. See the Rwanda safari cost guide, the steps to book a gorilla permit and the best time for gorilla trekking.
The 1-day gorilla trek from Kigali
Right for
- Travelers with limited time, for example a conference in Kigali with one day to spare. See all our day trips from Kigali
- A shorter, lower-total-cost trip than a multi-day safari. The US$1,950 per person sharing includes the permit.
Not right for
- Guests who dislike a rushed day
- Anyone with an evening flight the same day. A flight around 11 pm or midnight can work. An 8 pm flight is risky.
The day: leave Kigali at 4:30 am, drive about 2.5 hours to Volcanoes National Park, go through the park office and briefing, transfer to the trailhead, trek for 2 to 8 hours, then drive back. Guests are usually back in Kigali around 6 to 7 pm. See the 1-day gorilla trekking itinerary.
Rwanda, Uganda or Congo: where to trek
Rwanda costs more than Uganda, at US$1,500 for a permit against US$800, and offers a shorter transfer from the airport, a smooth, well-coordinated system and luxury lodges. In my experience the Uganda treks are harder, so Uganda suits adventurous guests on a tighter budget. We arrange Uganda gorilla trips too. Gorilla trekking in Congo is currently not operating because of insecurity.
Read Rwanda vs Uganda gorilla trekking for the decision in detail, or see the full comparison in our gorilla trekking in Rwanda guide.
Why trek with Hope Tours Africa
Hope Tours Africa is a Rwanda Development Board-licensed safari company founded and led by Eric Sabi, who grew up in Musanze — the town at the gateway to Volcanoes National Park — and has worked in Rwanda’s tourism industry since 2012.
Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism, a Diploma in Climate-Friendly Travel, and a licensed RDB tour guide certification, and has contributed to national sustainable tourism policy through the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism. Read more about his background and credentials →
What that means for your safari
Licensed by the Rwanda Development Board, rated 5.0 from 44 reviews on TripAdvisor, and an accredited member of the Rwanda Tourism & Travel Association (RTTA) and the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism.
However you shape it, most journeys begin with three to four days centred on Volcanoes National Park, then extend toward Nyungwe’s chimpanzees or Akagera’s Big Five as time allows. Every itinerary starts as a conversation, not a template.
What I tell every guest
What I tell every guest
Don’t expect anything from the hike. What I promise is that you will see the gorillas. The hike differs, because it depends on where the family slept and how it moves that day.
The hour goes fast
Guests expect to look at the clock, and they never do. Sometimes the gorillas walk toward you, and the right thing to do is stay still. Put the camera down for a few minutes and just watch.
A seat for an 84-year-old guest
One of my guests was 84. She did golden monkeys on day one, carried on the stretcher, and her first gorilla trek was very hard. For her second, I arranged a portable seat with the porters. She watched the gorillas sitting down and told me it was one of the most memorable things she had ever done.
Eric SabiFounder, Hope Tours Africa
Trusted by Travelers Around the World
See why guests choose Hope Tours Africa for unforgettable gorilla trekking and luxury safari experiences..
Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Tours FAQs
How much does gorilla trekking in Rwanda cost?
The permit is US$1,500 per person. A 1-day trek from Kigali starts at US$1,950 per person sharing, permit included. Full safaris of 3 to 7 days run from US$3,460 to US$19,000 or more, depending on lodges and trip length. From November to May, a permit costs US$1,050 if you also stay two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe.
How far ahead should I book gorilla permits?
Book 3 to 6 months ahead, and earlier for June to September and December to February, which sell out first because only 96 permits are issued each day. We book permits early and watch for cancellations, so we can sometimes find last-minute slots, but it is never guaranteed.
Are your gorilla treks private?
Yes. Every itinerary runs as a private departure with your own driver-guide in a private 4×4. At the park, gorilla families are limited to 8 visitors, so your hour with the gorillas happens alongside other guests, never in a large crowd.
Can I combine gorilla trekking with other Rwanda experiences?
Yes. Most itineraries pair gorillas with golden monkey tracking in the Virunga foothills. Longer trips add chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe or the Big Five in Akagera. Trips of 5 to 7 days cover two national parks, and trips of more than 7 days cover all three.
Can older guests or people with knee problems trek gorillas?
Yes, with planning. Porters help on steep, muddy trails. A team of eight porters can carry you on a stretcher to the gorillas and back for US$200 per guest. Tell us your health status beforehand, and we ask the park office to arrange a doctor if you may need one.
Can I do gorilla trekking in one day from Kigali?
Yes. The 1-day trek leaves Kigali at 4:30 am and usually returns around 6 to 7 pm, from US$1,950 per person sharing. It suits guests with limited time. We do not advise it for anyone with an evening flight that day, or who dislikes a rushed day.
Is gorilla trekking safer in Rwanda than in Uganda or Congo?
Rangers lead every trek in Rwanda and groups are limited to 8. The Uganda permit is US$800 against US$1,500 in Rwanda, and in my experience the Uganda treks are harder. Gorilla trekking in Congo is currently not operating because of insecurity. Check the latest travel advice.
How booking works
Requesting a quote costs nothing and carries no obligation. We reply within 24 hours, usually within 1 to 4 hours.
- Send your requestTell us your dates, travelers and interests with the request form, WhatsApp or email.
- Receive your quotationPrices on this page are guide prices per person. Your final price is confirmed in a written quotation in US dollars.
- Confirm your bookingTrips booked more than 90 days before departure are confirmed with a 50% non-refundable deposit. Trips booked within 90 days are paid in full. Your booking is confirmed when we receive payment and send written confirmation.
- Pay the balanceThe balance is due 60 days before departure.
What to include in your request
- Travel dates, or the month you have in mind
- Number of travelers and their ages (the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15)
- The country you live in, because permit rates differ
- Any fitness or health notes, so we can plan porters, a stretcher or a seat
- Other parks or activities you want
- Lodge level and budget range
- How you would like us to contact you
Payment and policy
- Pay by bank wire transfer or credit card.
- Credit card payments carry a 4% processing charge, paid by the client.
- Gorilla and other permit fees are non-refundable once purchased. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
- Cancellation charges depend on how far ahead you cancel. Read the full booking policy.
Email info@hopetoursafrica.com · WhatsApp and phone +250 788 602 524 · Kigali, Rwanda
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