Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Rwanda with this 5-day safari package. Experience the thrill of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, visit cultural sites, and enjoy the serene landscapes.
This journey offers a unique opportunity to observe endangered species in their natural habitat and learn about Rwanda’s rich traditions.
Ideal Duration: 5 Days
Arrive at Kigali International Airport where you will be transferred to your hotel or lodge in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the option to explore Kigali, visit the Genocide Memorial, or relax at your accommodation.
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park. Upon arrival, check into your lodge near the park. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about Rwandan culture and traditions. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Wake up early for breakfast and head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking rules and guidelines. Embark on a thrilling gorilla trek led by experienced guides and trackers. Spend up to an hour observing and photographing a gorilla family in their natural habitat. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
After breakfast, choose between two exciting options:
Option 1: Trek through the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park to encounter the endangered golden monkeys.
Option 2: Embark on a hike to the tomb of Dian Fossey, the renowned primatologist who dedicated her life to studying mountain gorillas.
Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before checking out. Transfer back to Kigali with the option to visit local markets for souvenirs. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for additional sightseeing or shopping in Kigali. Finally, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Some moments change you for the better. Looking into the intelligent eyes of a mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park is one of those moments.
The Mauly Tours 5-day Virunga Vistas Safari takes you on an unforgettable journey through the highland forests of Rwanda to meet endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You will drive through the lush hills that ripple like green waves and walk with expert trackers who can read the forest like an open book, leading you through the eucalyptus-scented forest to find a family of gorillas.
Along the way, you will visit villages where you will feel the beating rhythm of Rwanda and experience the rich culture of the local people through dance and song. You will listen to the stories of the people who protect the land around you and begin to appreciate the quiet majesty of the forest around you.
Rwanda gorilla tours are unforgettable. They open something in you. A sense of awe. A sense of connection. And perhaps, a quiet promise to return.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect on one of your Rwanda gorilla trekking tours:
You’ll wake early, when the forest is still silent and bathed in early morning mist. After breakfast, you will be introduced to the team of local guides and trackers who know the land and know how to find the gorillas. They will deliver a safety briefing that will explain everything you need to know for the trek to run smoothly and to get the best chances of seeing the gorillas.
Gorillas move about, so your trek can be anywhere from 1 to 4 hours each way. You should prepare for shifting terrains too. We suggest bringing footwear that can handle softer ground and steeper inclines.
You will move slowly through the forest as your guide tracks the family of gorillas. Suddenly, your guide will stop. They’ve seen movement. Your heartbeat will thrum with excitement as you crouch down. Then, through the leaves, you see them too. It is a mother and her young. The babies are playing and tumbling around while a silverback surveys the scene.
You will stay for about an hour, quietly and respectfully observing, before heading back.
When you return to the lodge, you’ll eat a hot meal and reflect on the experience. You didn’t just pass through the forest; you became a part of it for a moment in time.
You will leave with photographs and the memories of the gorilla family you saw playing together in the forest. Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll leave feeling changed by your experience, too.
Ask anyone who has been on one of our guided Rwanda gorilla trekking tours, and they will tell you the same thing: it changed them.
You will join our experienced team of trackers and guides in Volcanoes National Park, where the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas call their home. There are no fences here, and no guarantees. But that is what makes the moment so magical when you finally catch a glimpse.
Each of the gorilla families is used to humans because they have been slowly and respectfully introduced to them over time. The gorillas are used to seeing humans observe them, so they go about their days as usual if they see you.
Many travellers who book with Mauly Tours get to see mother gorillas grooming their young or watching the babies play. You might even spot a silverback stretching and keeping an eye on things.
Your guides will let you know about the park rules to keep you and the giraffes safe. You watch from a distance and never approach. That’s what keeps the magic.
You will also enjoy hearty and traditional Rwandan meals in your quiet lodge each day. You will have the chance to explore local villages and visit conservation projects to get a real feel for how Rwandan’s live and how loved the gorillas are here.
And, of course, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy your surroundings in peace and solitude.
You will never forget the first time that you lay eyes on a silverback gorilla in person. He’s a commanding presence, that’s for sure, but he isn’t intimidating. Just still.
All of our silverback gorilla tours are led by expert trackers who know the land and where the gorillas can usually be found. They know the routes to take and the way to approach families of gorillas without disturbing their peace, allowing you to have the best chance of seeing these impressive creatures up close.
There is something majestic about the silverback. He sits still, surveying the area while his children play and their mother guides them with gentle hands. He will usually remain quiet, but if you are lucky, he might beat his chest to remind everyone who’s boss.
You’ll only stay for an hour. That’s the rule. But in that hour, you’ll see more intelligence and more grace than most people expect to see, regardless of how many documentaries they’ve watched.
Witnessing a silverback in his natural habitat is one of those magical moments that lingers long after you return home.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that takes a little planning. The good news is that Mauly Tours takes care of most of it for you, and what we don’t handle ourselves, we give you guidance on before you travel.
What We Do | Details |
Permits | We secure your gorilla trekking permits for you when you book 3 to 6 months in advance. |
Timing | We help you to decide the best time of year to travel based on weather and permit availability. We also help you plan the best itinerary for you and your group. |
Accommodation | We book locally owned lodges close to the park entrance that suit your comfort and budget preferences. |
Transport & Transfers | We provide private transfers between Kigali, your lodge, and Volcanoes National Park. |
Guides & Park Access | This is all included in your package. All of the professional guides and park entry fees are covered when you book with us. |
What You Need | Details |
Fitness Preparation | Up to you. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be reasonably fit. A few walks or light hikes ahead of time will help. |
Packing Essentials | We’ll send a gear list. You’ll need sturdy boots, rainwear, warm layers, gloves, and a daypack. |
Mental Readiness | Your mindset matters. Expect early starts, muddy trails, and changing weather. Don’t worry, we promise it will be worth it. |
You can help your trip to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda be truly unforgettable by preparing properly for your trip. Here is our list of things to bring or keep in mind:
What to Bring | Our Suggestion |
Footwear | Bring some waterproof hiking boots with you. You are going to be crossing wet trails and rocky, muddy slopes. Make sure to break them in beforehand. |
Clothing | Bring long sleeved tops and full-length rousers to protect against bugs and nettles. Rain showers come fast in Rwanda, so bring a lightweight rain jacket, too. |
Gloves | Gardening gloves offer grip and keep hands comfortable on rough paths or while using a walking stick. |
Walking Support | We provide trekking poles, but you can bring your own if preferred. They help you to keep going and stay balanced. |
Camera Use | Bring a camera, but turn off the flash. Sudden light startles the gorillas.. |
Pacing & Fitness | You don’t need to be an athlete. Walk at the group’s pace, rest when needed, and stay hydrated. |
Behaviour Guidelines | Follow your guide’s lead. No loud voices, no sudden moves, no mimicking gorilla sounds. Respect is part of the experience. |
Mindset & Patience | Some treks are short, others take hours. The reward is worth it, though, so keep an open mind and enjoy the experience. |
Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are there year-round. But how you experience them depends on when you go.
June to September is the peak dry season. This is when the skies are clear and the ground is firmer and easier to navigate.
This is the most popular time of year for gorilla trekking, and permits and lodges get booked up fast. You should book early (several months in advance) if you want to come during this time.
December to February is usually dry in Rwanda. Everything looks a little greener, and the morning air is gloriously fresh. The wildlife is also a little easier to spot during this time.
This time of year is usually quieter, but it is still great for trekking.
There are two rainy seasons in Rwanda: March to May and October to November. A lot of travellers avoid these months, so it tends to be quieter.
The Rwandan landscape comes into bloom with vibrant colour, even though the weather is wet. Hikes are a little more demanding, too, because the ground can be a little slippery.
The “best time” to book your mountain gorilla tour really depends on you. The dry season is more predictable weather-wise, but the wet season has an undeniably magical atmosphere. Either way, you’ll see some gorillas.
The Mauly Tours team can help you choose the right time of year to book your tour. We help you think about what the most important aspects are for you to have a good time. We ask you about your fitness level and what your ideal schedule and preferences for other travellers are. Then, we help you pick the season that suits your spirit.
Rwanda does the rest.
Most of our tours include:
You also get comprehensive pre-trip support and a detailed itinerary from us before you travel. And, of course, you can book some extra tours or experiences as well.
We would say that the trekking tours require a basic level of fitness. You will be walking across some varied terrain for up to 4 hours or more, but the pace is always slow and steady.
You don’t need to be a seasoned hiker, but we always recommend getting a few practice hikes in before you travel so that you know you will be up for it when you get to Rwanda.
Here’s what we recommend packing for your gorilla tour:
Walking sticks and laundry service are often provided by the lodges. We’ll always send you a full packing list before your trip, too.
Most gorilla tours last between 3 and 6 days, with the trek itself taking place on one of the middle days. Our most popular itinerary is the 5-day package we have detailed here. Other tour lengths are available; just have a chat with us, and we will work out a good itinerary for you.
Yes, absolutely. The hike can be physically demanding, but there’s no technical climbing involved. Most travellers complete the trek successfully, even if they have little or no experience.
There’s no bad time to visit, just different experiences. Our team will guide you through the pros and cons of each season so you can choose what’s best for your travel goals. The dry season is the most popular, but it is also usually the busiest. The rainy season is quieter, but the trek will be a little harder.
We recommend booking Rwanda gorilla tours at least 3 to 6 months in advance, especially if you’re travelling during the peak dry season or in a group. Gorilla trekking permits are limited to help protect the animals, and they often sell out quickly.
The gorilla trek can be quite strenuous if you are travelling in the rainy season and the gorilla family is far away. The experience is always a rewarding one and well worth the effort.
It is recommended to decide in advance and inform your tour operator to ensure the necessary permits and arrangements are in place.
Yes, the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old.
(+255) 784 884 018
contact@mauly-tours.com
(+255) 784 884 018
contact@mauly-tours.com
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda was a dream come true. The guides were professional, and the entire experience was well-organized. Seeing the gorillas up close was an unforgettable moment.
This safari exceeded all my expectations. The gorilla trek was exhilarating, and I loved learning about Rwandan culture at the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. I highly recommend Mauly Tours!
If you’re considering a gorilla safari, look no further. Mauly Tours provided an amazing experience from start to finish. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, making the trip truly enjoyable.
The itinerary was perfect, balancing adventure and relaxation. The accommodation was comfortable, and the food was delicious. The highlight was definitely the gorilla trek, but every day was a new adventure.
