Rwanda Gorilla Express

Our Rwanda Gorilla Express itinerary is designed for travellers whose plans include a gorilla experience as a part of a greater East Africa safari. We break the travel bubble, with cultural encounters and light activity to enhance traditional gorilla tracking. In Rwanda, gorilla tourism has not only benefited gorilla and primate conservation. It also offers benefit to the communities of the volcanoes. In the past, villagers assisted in trafficking gorillas and hunted monkeys and other small animals for bush meat; today, they are passionate custodians of the park. Many work in the park, while others work for an increasing number of lodges and hotels that have opened in and around Kingi and Musanze.

In addition to a growing demand in primate tourism, the volcanoes region offers a glimpse into the lives of Rwandans. Local operators and guides partner with communities to provide authentic cultural experiences and activities. These range from hiking and biking trips to canoe trips on the local Mukungwa River.

In short, we encourage travellers to go beyond gorilla trekking and experience more of what this remarkable country offers.

Are you considering a longer stay in Rwanda? Start with our Discover Rwanda trip for a deep dive into the land of a thousand hills.

Highlights

Learn

about the genocide of 1994

Laugh

with children of the villages

Gasp

in awe at your first gorilla sighting

Wish

you had planned to stay longer

Experiences

Day 1 & 2

Kigali

Discover colourful Nyamirambo and historical Kiyovu on an experiential walking tour – meet tailors, butchers, merchants, musicians & hairdressers

Explore fresh produce markets and shop for local crafts at Caplaki craft market

Sample typical Rwandan foods as guests at a private house

Gain insight into the cause and effect of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994 with a moving visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide museum

Day 3

Musanze

Step aside Sriracha, try out Sina Gerard’s unique chili oil at Nyirangarama on the way to Musanze

Take a leisurely paddle down the Mukungwa River

Meet with a veterinarian and gorilla conservationist

Day 4

Gorilla Tracking

Hike into dense forest tracking the endangered mountain gorilla

Spend a life changing hour in close proximity to habituated wild gorillas

Spend the afternoon on a light walk to a rural village and learn about the significance of cows to the Rwandan population.

Day 5

Kigali & Departure

Take a leisurely drive back to Kigali for your onward travel arrangements

Please contact us for a detailed itinerary!

BEST MONTHS TO TRAVEL
Rwanda is a year-round travel destination.

However, the dry months run Dec to Feb and June to October.

Since most of this itinerary occurs above 2000m / 6500ft, the wet months can be cold and wet.
HOTELS & LODGES
Active Africa offers a selection of preferred hotels and lodges that are designed to fit your budget and travel style. However, often there are many places where we travel where options are very limited, or where we feel either the location or the experience offered by a particular property is quintessential to the experience, in which case we use these properties across both Premium and Classic itineraries.

Premium

Our Premium range of properties offer a stylishly unique African take on modern lodgings. From city hotels to countryside lodges, think African chic with expansive rooms, slick service, creative cuisine, engaging wine lists, high thread counts, and all the other modern conveniences associated with the luxury lodging experience.
- Kigali (2 nights) : Kigali Serena – Prime Rooms
- Volcanoes National Park (2 nights) : Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Classic

Often selected more for their regional character and location than as a cost-effective alternative, our Classic range of properties tick all the boxes associated with good lodgings. Expect great service, character filled comfortable rooms and delicious locally sourced meals to weave a common theme, while the stunning African landscape elevates your stay from the memorable to the sublime.
- Kigali (2 nights): Kigali Serena – Deluxe Rooms
- Volcanoes National Park (2 nights): Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco-Lodge
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Premium & Classic Itineraries
- Private 4×4 vehicle for the duration of the experience, including fuel & tolls.
- Active Africa-approved local English-speaking, professional driver/guide, experienced local walking and canoeing guides.
- Welcome cocktails and trip briefing on arrival night.
- Your choice of Premium or Classic grade accommodation for 4 nights on a per person sharing basis
- 4 Breakfast, 3 Lunch & 3 Dinners, including hot beverages, bottled water & service gratuities.
- National Park fees and activity costs.
- All equipment for activities as listed (canoes & associated equipment, backpacks, walking poles, water bottles).
- Bottled mineral water on activities & vehicles
- Meal & accommodation per diems for the trip crew.
- Airport transfer on departure
PRICING
Premium priced from USD 4725.00 per person sharing

Classic priced from USD 3500.00 per person sharing
DEPARTURES
This itinerary is available as a Private Departure operating on a minimum of 1 or 2 guests and can be tailored to your specific requirements if required – contact your Active Africa Travel planner for details.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- This trip is graded Moderate. Harder grading is determined by the location of the gorilla family you are visiting – some can be easily accessible close to the park boundaries, but others may require extended hikes into thick vegetation on the slopes of the volcano. In addition, note that the Volcanoes National Park is at an altitude of above 2000m asl. – participants should be aware of the physical requirements of this experience.
- Due to the limited number of Gorilla Tracking Permits being in high demand, we strongly suggest confirming your arrangements at least 6 months in advance
- This programme is not suitable for children under the age of 16.
- We cannot control the weather – this is an outdoor, nature based itinerary and indoor alternatives are limited, if non-existent. Come prepared to be take on the elements if the weather is not playing fair.