Embark on a One-Day Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Rwanda (with an optional visit to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund or Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village)—a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime journey into the misty heart of Volcanoes National Park to encounter the awe-inspiring mountain gorillas and explore a vibrant ex-poacher community. Perfect for travelers short on time but big on adventure.
Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is raw, wild, and deeply moving—many say it’s life-changing. You'll be close enough to hear their breath, smell their earthy, sweet scent, and feel the primal connection—we share 98% of their DNA, after all.
Kick off your epic day with an early departure from Kigali on a scenic 2–2.5 hour drive in a comfy 4x4 safari vehicle (yes, with Wi-Fi!) guided by local experts from Afri Safaris. Soak in Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and rare wildlife in just one unforgettable day. This is more than a trek—it’s a story you’ll tell for life.
Please give some details about the hotel name for pickup or the street number of the house and the neighborhood in Kigali city. Or along the way to Volcanoes National Park
A transfer, begins & ends in Kigali SIMPLE ITINERARY: You should wake up early & order for breakfast as you wait for the driver to pick you up. Afri Safaris driver guide will take you to the RDB headquarter in Kinigi for briefing by 7:00am. This briefing is very important and is where you will meet other tourists and Rangers who will be leading you to the forest. The briefing covers many topics but the most important is how to behave around the gorillas, what to expect and what to carry along while tracking the gorillas. You will be assigned a gorilla family taking into consideration your overall fitness and age. This is because some of the gorilla groups are located deeper in the forest hence requiring more hours of trekking. Porters are available to help you with extra luggage. Park Rangers will lead you into the forest to track the primates. Trekking takes btn 2 to 6 hours. After an hour of observing the mountain gorillas, our Guide will be waiting for you at the starting point.
After Gorilla trekking, then you will be transferred to Iby'iwacu cultural village. Iby'iwacu Cultural Village is a village of ex-poachers, those previously stealing the gorillas due to poverty, they now stopped poaching. The Iby’iwacu cultural village is one of the leading cultural attractions in Rwanda. The Village combines all of Rwanda’s known cultural traditions, people & history into one place for display & a personal experience. International visitors get to see what life was in a typical African village setting – the lifestyle, houses, traditional dances, dressing code, food, herbs & how the ancient kingdoms were generally organized. Tourists are given an opportunity to learn ancient hunting skills, try weaving baskets/mats, carpentry. This unique experience has won the hearts of many visitors who wish to indulge in the culture of Rwanda’s native community after seeing gorillas. Village offers an opportunities to purchase local craft, gifts & souvenir to show friends back home.
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda is a fantastic place for those interested in wildlife conservation, gorillas, and the legacy of Dian Fossey. It's a hub for education, research, and conservation efforts, particularly focused on the endangered mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park region. 1. Learn About Gorillas and Conservation The campus has educational exhibits that provide in-depth information about gorilla behavior, the history of Dian Fossey's work, and the current conservation efforts to protect mountain gorillas. You can explore interactive displays that highlight the work of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and its impact on protecting gorillas and their habitat. 2. Visit the Gorilla Research Center You can get an up-close look at the research efforts dedicated to understanding gorilla behavior, health, & conservation challenges. This includes a detailed look at how gorilla tracking, monitoring, & anti-poaching efforts are managed.
Stop by Migano Cafe in Musanze for the lunch (•Hot lunch of your choice on the food menu at Migano Cafe Musanze)
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience