what are TOP 10 Best Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours in 2024
Rwanda is one of only three countries in the world where the critically endangered mountain gorillas live. click here for Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is often described as “life changing” and with good reason. With only an estimated 880 Gorillas left in the world, to see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat is a truly unique moment.
Gorillas make their homes in and amongst the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga Mountains in the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. Trek to see them and you’ll be introduced by your expert trackers and guides to one of the fully-habituated families of mountain gorillas and you can stay with them for an awe-inspiring hour, often crouching just a few feet away, whilst the gorillas go about their daily lives.
Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours + depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. The journey back can take just as long, but you are often carried along by the euphoria you feel at seeing the gorillas!
1. Authentic Gorilla Trekking Tour to Volcanoes National Park
Duration: 1 day | Destinations: 1
This 1 Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Tour is perfect if you are in Rwanda for a very limited time, but have time to spare for a Wildlife expedition.
The gorilla trekking tour gives you a unique opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in a shortest time possible.
Tour highlights:
- Magical Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Great views of the landscapes
- Travel with an expert guide
- Gorilla permits included
- Pick up & drop off included
Best for these traveler types:
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
2. Akagera national park safari - Big 5 & Big Cats
Duration: 1 day | Destinations: 1
This 1 Day Akagera national park - Big 5 & Big Cats safari makes a perfect escape out of the city for just a day. view a complete tour itinerary here
This tour is perfect if you are in Rwanda for a very limited time, but have time to spare for a Wildlife expedition.
Akagera national park is a the only Savannah park in Rwanda and is home to several mammal species including Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Kobs, Zebras, Bushbucks, Waterbucks and most recently Black Rhinos have been introduces from South Africa, making Akagera national park officially a big 5 park like it was many years ago. It is also home to numerous bird species in the several habitats which include woodland, swamps, lakes and Savanna.
Tour highlights:
- Spot the Big 5 & Big Cats
- Enjoy scenic drives
- Observe wildlife from the security and comfort of an air-conditioned 4x4
- Enjoy a picnic lunch
- Hotel pick up & drop off included
- All park entrance fees included
Best for these traveler types:
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
3. Mount Bisoke Hike & Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Tour
Duration: 2 days | Destinations: 1 | Accommodation: Comfortable facilities
While on this 2 Days Mount Bisoke Hike & Gorilla Trekking Rwanda, you will hike mount Bisoke on day one and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park on day two.
The mountain Bisoke hiking is one of the most unforgettable activities in Rwanda. The top of this Volcano has a spectacular crater lake.
It is simply a 6 – hours hike including the 2 hours descending down to the starting point. Experienced hikers can get to the top of this mountain in a matter of 3 hours or even less and return to the base in about an hour.
Mount Bisoke is an active volcano in the Virunga Mountains of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. It straddles the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the summit is located in Rwanda.
Tour highlights
- Mount Bisoke volcano hike
- Magical Gorilla Trekking
- Visit to Genocide Memorial Center
- Gorilla Permit included
- All park fees included
- All meals included
- 1 night accommodation
- Expert driver/guide
- Round trip transfers to Kigali
Best for these traveler types
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
4. Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park
Duration: 2 days | Destinations: 2 | Accommodation: Comfortable facilities
The Nyungwe National Park is home to various primate species, including chimpanzees, black and white Columbus, mangabeys, and unique plant species, including orchids. It is also home for endangered bird species making it a suitable destination for bird lovers Water falls, a canopy walkway, and various hiking trails
On the Chimps & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park, you will also come across other primates, including the red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, plant species, and birds, to mention but a few.
Tour highlights
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest
- Canopy walk
- A glimpse at a variety of primates & Birds
- Comfortable accommodation rated excellent by past travelers
- 4 x 4 vehicle transportation rated excellent by past travelers
Best for these traveler types
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
5. Gorilla trekking Rwanda Tour
Duration: 3 days | Destinations: 2 | Accommodation: Comfortable facilities
This 3 day trip will take you to visit the Volcanoes National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas and Golden monkeys and you will get a chance to visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. click here to view the 3-Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris
You will join the local brew makers to understand the chemistry of the process of brewing a local beer from bananas
These Magnificent twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo and its Swamp Rugezi are the excellent photogenic, serene and scenic places for Bird watching activity.
Also you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, a place of remembrance & learning. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi
Tour highlights
- Magical Gorilla trekking
- Visit the Genocide Memorial center
- Meet the friendly locals
- Visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
- Visit to the cultural center
- Gorilla permits included!
Best for these traveler types
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
6. Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Akagera National Park Safari
Duration: 4 days | Destinations: 2 | Accommodation: Comfortable facilities
This 4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Akagera National Park Safari will take you to visit Akagera National Park for game drives and a boat cruise on Lake Ihema and you also have a chance to visit Volcanoes National Park to track the endangered mountain gorillas.
Akagera National Park lies in eastern Rwanda, hugging the border with Tanzania. It's characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah.
The varied terrain shelters wildlife including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. In the southern part of the park, vast Lake Ihema is home to hippos and crocodiles.
Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
The national park is known as a haven for the rare and endangered mountain gorilla and golden monkeys
Tour highlights
- Magical Gorilla trekking
- Watch the Big 5 & Big cats
- Game drives with expert guide/driver
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- Visit Genocide Memorial Center
- Gorilla Permit included
- 3 nights accommodation
Best for these traveler types
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
7. Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Chimps in Nyungwe safari
Duration: 5 days | Destinations: 3 | Accommodation: Comfortable facilities
This tour 5-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Chimps starts and ends in Kigali.
This 5-Day gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda will take you to Volcanoes and Nyungwe Forest National Parks that feature two of the main primate destinations in Africa.
The Volcanoes National Park, in the northwest part of Africa protects the Rwandan side of the Virunga Massif where the mountain gorillas thrive. The safari also includes a heritage tour to the Royal Palace at Nyanza and Ethnographic Museum at Butare.
Tour highlights
- Gorilla Trekking
- Chimps trekking
- Canopy walk
- Gorilla Permit included
- All park fees included
- All meals included
- 4 night accommodation
- Expert driver/guide
- Round trip transfers to Kigali
Best for these traveler types
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
8. Rwanda Chimps, Gorillas & Golden Monkey Tracking Safari
Duration: 6 days | Destinations: 4 | Accommodation: Comfortable facilities
This 6-Day Rwanda Chimps, Gorillas & Golden Monkey Safari starts in Kigali with a visit to the different points of interest like the genocide museum and craft markets in Rwanda's Capital.
We set out to explore the oldest and largest Nyungwe forest in search for the playful primates. Later on take a scenic transfer to Ruhengeri home to Volcanoes national park popular for the mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys that you will have a chance to spend time with and couple it up with the cultures of the people and how they lived.
Tour highlights
- Gorilla trekking
- Golden monkey tracking
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Visit to genocide memorial center
- Canopy walk
- Cultural experience
- Gorilla permits included
- Travel with expert guide
Best for these traveler types
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
9. Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps Tracking & Lake Kivu Tour
Duration: 7 days | Destinations: 4 | Accommodation: Comfortable facilities
Rwanda is often called the land of a thousand hills. Everywhere you look you will see the beautiful green hills. In Rwanda you can enjoy nature, primates and the beaches of Lake Kivu.
This 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour has been designed to bring you all the highlights of this beautiful country with a rich history. It includes the best highlights of Rwanda and you will depart from and return to Kigali.
Tour highlights
- Gorilla trekking
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Relax at Lake Kivu
- Boat trip on Lake Kivu
- Kigali City tour
- Travel with an expert guide
- Gorilla permits included
Best for these traveler types
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
10. Rwanda Gorillas, Big 5, Big Cats in Akagera & Lake Kivu Tour
Duration: 7 days | Destinations: 4 | Accommodation: Comfortable facilities
During this week tour in the country of thousand hills, you will be experiencing gorilla trekking, the wildlife, the history, the culture, and the tradition. Canoeing and the village walk are on the menu when we go to Lake Kivu.
You will visit Volcanoes national park for the magical gorilla trekking experience, visit Akagera national park to spot the Big 5 & Big Cats and relax at Lake Kivu making it an unforgettable adventure.
Tour highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Spot the Big 5 & Big cats in Akagera National Park
- Unlimited game drives in Akagera NP
- Boat trip on Lake Ihema in Akagera NP
- Canoe on Lake Kivu
- Kigali genocide memorial
- Visit Relax on Lake Kivu
Best for these traveler types
Couples, honeymooners, families and small groups
When is the best time to track mountain gorillas in Rwanda
The best time to go to Rwanda is in the dry months of June to September and December to March. These months are drier, which is an ideal period for trekking or tracking mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and chimpanzees with little or no mud, mostly on the steep paths. Although Rwanda features many seasons, they must be considered while planning an adventure safari.