Close to the airport
Volcanoes National Park is reachable by road from Kigali, which keeps a short gorilla trip genuinely short.
Rwanda Gorilla Safaris
Trek mountain gorillas on the Virunga volcanoes within a short drive of Kigali, on a route that suits a shorter trip or a longer East African journey.
The shortest route to the gorillas
Rwanda’s appeal is its compactness. Kigali’s international airport sits within a few hours’ drive of the Virunga volcanoes, so a gorilla trek can be reached without long internal flights or multi-day overland legs.
That makes Rwanda the practical choice for a short, focused trip, and a natural add-on at the start or end of a longer journey through Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania. The trekking day is permit-based and fixed in advance, so it anchors the rest of the route.
Trusted by travellers
JohnBow Tours & Travel · Top 100 Travel Agencies & Tour Operators, Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2025
Short trip, serious trekking
A compact country does not mean an easy walk. The trek itself is steep, high and often wet, and the permit date governs everything around it.
Permits come first
Trekking permits are date-specific and limited. The permit day is confirmed before the rest of the itinerary is built.
Altitude and gradient
Treks climb through bamboo and forest on the volcano slopes. Expect steep ground, thin air and mud in any season.
Easy to combine
Rwanda sits well either side of Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania, and can be added without reshaping a longer route.
Where you will travel
Rwanda, and the journeys that reach it.
Alongside the trek
What fills the days either side of a permit. Availability is confirmed against your itinerary.
Gorilla Trekking
Travel into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a mountain gorilla trekking experience. This forest encounter forms part of selected Uganda itineraries and can be…
Explore experience
Cultural Experiences
Add a cultural visit to a local Maasai village to selected safari journeys. These encounters offer another perspective on the places you travel…
Explore experience
City Tours
Include time in Malindi or Kigali as part of a wider journey. Existing itineraries pair a Malindi city tour with the surrounding coastal…
Explore experience
Bird Watching
Spend time watching birds around the marshes of Amboseli. Bird watching can sit alongside game drives in a safari itinerary, giving you time…
Explore experience
Photographic Safari
Make photography part of your time in the Masai Mara. Selected itineraries offer opportunities to photograph wildlife and the surrounding landscape, with time…
Explore experienceRwanda journeys
Our current Rwanda route, and the longer East African journeys it can join.
- From $5,505
- Per Person Sharing
- 4 Days
Rwanda offers a profound connection to nature through its misty volcanic peaks and lush forests. This four-day journey focuses.
Destinations:
Kigali City | Volcanoes National Park
Want Rwanda as part of a longer trip? Tell us your dates and the other countries you are considering.
EnquireWhere to stay
Kigali on arrival, and accommodation closer to the trailhead for the trekking day.
-
24Hr Front Desk
-
Airport Shuttle
-
Bar / Lounge
-
Conference Facilities
-
Eco-Friendly
-
Family Rooms
-
Fitness Center
-
Free Parking
-
Family Rooms
-
Free Parking
-
Kids-Friendly
-
Laundry Services
-
Restaurant
-
Room Service
-
Swimming Pool
-
Wildlife Viewing
Rwanda or Uganda for gorillas?
Both countries offer mountain gorilla trekking and both are tracked daily by experienced teams. Rwanda wins on travel time from the airport; Uganda offers more variety alongside the trek and a longer overland journey.
Permit availability on your dates often decides it. We can compare both before you commit.
Explore Uganda safarisPlan the details
Permits and fitness shape a Rwanda trip more than anything else.
Permits and dates
Gorilla permits are limited and allocated to specific days. Share your travel window early so we can check availability before fixing flights or lodges.
Check your dates
Build it into a longer route
Rwanda joins a Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania itinerary without much disruption. The sequence usually follows flight schedules and the permit date.
Explore RwandaRead before you travel
Practical guides to permits and what to pack for forest trekking.
How many days do I need in Rwanda?
A focused gorilla trip can work in a few days, because Volcanoes National Park is within driving distance of Kigali. Adding a second trek or other parks needs more nights. Our current Rwanda itinerary shows one realistic shape.
How far in advance should I book?
Permits are limited per day and peak months are taken early. The sooner you share your travel window, the better the chance of securing your preferred date and a lodge close to the trailhead.
How hard is the trek?
Treks climb the volcano slopes through bamboo and forest, at altitude and often in mud. Walking time varies with where the family has moved. Reasonable fitness helps, and porters are usually available.
Is a sighting guaranteed?
Gorilla families are tracked daily, so success rates are high, but these are wild animals and no sighting can be guaranteed. The permit covers the trek rather than a sighting.
Is there a minimum age?
Gorilla trekking carries a minimum age set by the authorities, so younger children cannot join the trek. Tell us the ages in your party and we will confirm the current rules and alternatives for that day.
Can I combine Rwanda with Uganda or Kenya?
Yes, and it is common. Flights via Kigali, Entebbe and Nairobi make the combination straightforward, but the order depends on schedules and your permit date, so plan the countries together.
What should I pack?
Long sleeves and trousers, waterproof boots already broken in, a rain layer, gloves for undergrowth and a small daypack. Expect wet, muddy conditions in any month.
How do I start planning with JohnBow?
Send your dates, party size, ages where relevant and whether Rwanda is a standalone trip or part of a longer route. We will check permit availability and discuss the options. Sending the form does not itself confirm a booking.