3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Kigali City Orientation

Landing in an unfamiliar country and heading straight into the forest the next morning can feel disorienting, so this 3-day itinerary dedicates its first day entirely to Kigali, giving first-time visitors a grounding introduction before the trekking day itself. Boutique lodge inventory near Volcanoes National Park is limited, and combined with capped gorilla permits, both are worth reserving several months out for a specific date.

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Kigali City Orientation Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali City Orientation

After arrival, you’ll spend the day on a guided tour of Kigali, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and a full briefing on what to expect from your gorilla trek, before an overnight stay in the city.

Day 2: Transfer & Gorilla Trekking

An early departure gets you to Volcanoes National Park in time for the ranger briefing, after which you’ll trek to a habituated gorilla family and spend an hour observing them before returning to a nearby lodge for the night. Guides generally know roughly where a family bedded down overnight based on radio updates from trackers who set out before dawn, which keeps the walking time as short as conditions allow.

Day 3: Return to Kigali & Departure

A morning drive brings you back to Kigali, with time for a final stop before your driver-guide transfers you to the airport for departure. Kigali’s airport sits a short distance outside the city center, and traffic through town is generally the main variable your driver-guide plans around on the final drive.

What’s Included

• Airport pickup and drop-off in Kigali
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with professional English-speaking driver-guide
• Gorilla trekking permit(s) as specified in the itinerary
• Accommodation as specified, on a bed & breakfast basis unless otherwise stated
• All ground transport and park transfers
• Bottled drinking water while on safari
• All applicable government taxes

What’s Excluded

• International flights
• Rwanda visa fees
• Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Personal travel and medical insurance
• Meals not specified as included in the itinerary
• Items of a personal nature (laundry, souvenirs, phone or internet charges)
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary