2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Overview of the 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
The 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking offers an extraordinary opportunity to encounter one of the world’s most majestic and endangered creatures—the mountain gorilla—in its natural habitat. This unforgettable two-day gorilla trekking trip takes you deep into the lush jungles of Volcanoes National Park, home to several habituated gorilla families. As you journey through Rwanda’s breathtaking countryside, you’ll drive across the scenic, winding hills that give the country its nickname, “The Land of a Thousand Hills.” The landscape alone is a visual feast, setting the stage for your upcoming adventure in the misty rainforest.
Your 2-day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari not only includes the once-in-a-lifetime experience of tracking and spending a full hour with mountain gorillas, but it also features a rich cultural element. During the tour, you’ll engage with Rwanda’s vibrant traditions through a cultural visit, where you’ll learn about ancestral practices such as traditional weddings, herbal medicine, and ceremonial dances. This cultural immersion adds depth to your two-day gorilla encounters in Volcanoes National Park, making it more than just a wildlife experience—it becomes a journey into the heart of Rwanda’s heritage. Whether you’re on a 2 days gorilla safari in Rwanda for adventure, photography, or cultural discovery, this tour promises an intimate and awe-inspiring look at both Rwanda’s wildlife and its proud traditions. This 2 days gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park is a short but powerful experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Itinerary of 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Day 1: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your adventure begins with a pick-up by our professional guide or company representative from your hotel in Kigali, or directly from the airport if you’re arriving on a morning flight. The day starts with a half-day city tour of Kigali, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, offering important insights into Rwanda’s recent history. After the city exploration, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before setting off on a scenic drive to Musanze, located in Rwanda’s northern region. Upon arrival in the afternoon, you’ll check in at your lodge and take part in an enriching one-hour cultural experience at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll learn about traditional Rwandan customs, dances, medicine, and community life. Dinner and overnight stay follow at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Experience & Return to Kigali
Start your day with an early breakfast, then transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi by 6:00 AM. There, you’ll be welcomed by park rangers who will provide a detailed briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines. The trek into the dense forest begins shortly after, in search of a habituated gorilla family. Depending on the gorillas’ movement, the trek may take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, but the reward is unforgettable. Once the gorillas are located, you will have one full hour to observe and photograph these gentle giants in their natural habitat—a truly magical wildlife experience.
After the trek, return to the park base and head for a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant in Musanze. In the afternoon, begin your 2.5-hour drive back to Kigali, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, depending on your travel plans.
End of the 2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda.
✅ What’s Included in 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
- Entrance fees to all mentioned sites
- Gorilla trekking permit (mandatory and included)
- Accommodation in quality 3 to 4-star lodges or hotels
- Private transportation in a 4×4 safari jeep
- All meals and soft drinks during the tour
- Onboard Wi-Fi for connectivity
- Bottled mineral water throughout the trip
- Services of a professional, English-speaking driver-guide
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or Kigali airport
❌ Exclusions in 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
- Alcoholic beverages
- Any items or services not specifically mentioned in the inclusions
What to Bring
To ensure comfort and preparedness during your gorilla trek, we recommend packing the following essentials:
- Layered clothing for varying temperatures
- Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers for protection
- Durable hiking boots
- Comfortable socks
- A hat and sunglasses for sun protection
- Gardening gloves (useful during trekking)
- Waterproof rain gear (jacket and pants)
- Insect repellent
Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable, and all sales are final. Please make sure your travel plans are confirmed before booking.
Book for this Gorilla trekking tour
Posted on Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
