1 Day Gorilla Trek Rwanda - Short Gorilla Safari from Kigali

Want to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda but still tight on schedule? This 1 day gorilla trek Rwanda from Kigali is a perfect choice. However, if you have time, you could do a 2-day gorilla trekking or 3 days Rwanda gorilla tours. This 1-day gorilla safari in Rwanda, which starts from Kigali, is phenomenal as one spends 24 hours with a family of  gorillas in Africa. So, give full attention to this unique African safari venture; do not miss out on whatever beauty this experience offers.

The 1-day Rwanda gorillas experience from Kigali City happens in a limited and calculated period of time. This short Rwanda gorilla safari is done at the Volcanoes National Park. This is where unmatched beauty not only involves these magnificent creatures but also includes the dramatic, captivating sceneries of the Virunga Mountains.

Why choose this 24-hour gorilla trekking Rwanda safari from Kigali?

  •  This one day Kigali gorilla trek in Rwanda is actually more flexible than the longer ones. So, it’s because this Rwanda trip can actually be a stress reliever amidst the daily commitments that different people would find. Hence, one can enjoy this Volcanoes National Park Rwanda gorilla trek experience from Kigali City and then return to their normal day-to-day shifts.
  • This 24 hour Rwanda trekking itinerary from Kigali gives one an exclusive adventure of encountering the family group and having a moral intimate experience of the main attraction at Volcanoes National Park. Ultimately, they will also be able to connect with nature in their own way.
  • Lastly, the route used from Kigali to Volcano National Park is well paved with breathtaking sceneries of the hilly terrain. Additionally, it takes approximately three hours to reach for your 1 day Rwanda gorilla trekking tours. Hence, it makes it a short Rwanda gorilla safari filled with thrilling road trips and awe-inspiring animal encounters.

Morning:

  • 7:00 AM: Depart Kigali in a safari 4×4 vehicle in Rwanda (100 km, 3–4 hours) with a packed breakfast.
  • 10:00–11:00 AM: Arrive at Kinigi headquarters, register, and prep gear.
  • Briefing: Join a group of 8, receive safety and trekking instructions about the Rwanda gorillas.
  • Rwanda gorilla Trekking: Hike for about 1–4 hours through the forests of Volcanoes National Park, past banana plantations, to meet mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
  • Rwanda gorilla trek encounter: Spend 60 minutes with gorillas, marveling at their human-like behaviors (no flash photos).

Afternoon:

  • Lunch: Enjoy a meal at Singita Lodge with misty Virunga mountain views.
  • Twin Lakes Visit: Hike to Burera and Ruhondo lakes, with an optional boat cruise to admire the landscapes.
  • Evening: Drive to Ndaru Luxury Suites for an overnight stay, ending your 1-day gorilla trek Rwanda.

Inclusions:

    • Vehicle transportation.

    • All meals (breakfast, lunch).

    • Accommodation (Ndaru Luxury Suites).

    • Rwanda Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500).

    • Volcanoes National Park entry fee ($40).

    • Guide and porter fees.

Exclusions:

    • Visa fees ($50).

    • International flights.

    • Travel/medical insurance.

    • Tips and personal expenses.

Worst and best time for this 1 day short gorilla safari from Kigali

The best time for this short gorilla safari in Rwanda at Volcanoes, which starts and ends in Kigali, is from December to February and from June to September. Hiking with gorillas in Rwanda in these months is an excellent experience since the trails are dry and tracking gorillas at Volcanoes is super easy. Hence, one has extra time to do other Rwanda safari activities on the same day, like visiting the Iby’iwacu communal village.

On the other hand, months from March to May are the worst time for this 1 day Rwanda gorilla trekking experience. The gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are less active compared to the dry season. So, this makes this experience harder and would need at least a 2 day gorilla trek Rwanda, or 3 day gorilla trek in Rwanda to enjoy this unique activity to do in Rwanda.

Trekking gorillas in Africa with Guides
Two tourists next to a juvenile Mountain Gorilla (gorilla beringei beringei). The gorilla belongs to the "Amahoro"-group. Location: Volcanoes Nationalpark Rwanda, directly at the border to Uganda.

1 day Rwanda Gorilla Safari Detailed Itinerary from Kigali

Morning.

At 7 AM, your 4×4 safari vehicles would be waiting for you at the pickup destination in Kigali. Then, head to Volcanoes National Park, which is a distance of 100 km. Along the way, you can savour a packed morning meal that would be prepared for you by your guide from Serengeti Masai Mara Experts. In about 3 to 4 hours, you will reach the Volcanoes National Parkgate at Kinigi. After registering at Kinigi headquarters, you’ll be driven to the trailhead. So, this is where your 24 hour Rwanda gorilla trekking starts hence unpack all your gear to be used and prepare.

Get briefed in your group of eight individuals. So, by the time you set off, you are already aware of how hiking with gorillas in Rwanda happens. Start tracking gorillas in Rwanda from the communal land, going through the paved way. On the sideways, observe the different agricultural products like banana plantations of the local people. As you continue your Rwanda trekking journey at Volcanoes, the air becomes crisper and different. At this point, you face the wilderness, and this Rwanda gorilla trek can take up to four hours.

When you meet the family of the mountain gorillas, you will be blown away by how they look. At the same time, they bring in intense feelings, which makesthe  payment of this one-day Rwanda gorilla trip worth it. Spend about 60 minutes observing these gorillas. This experience is the main event of the day and so it is worth every penny. Later, head back to the trailhead, and you’ll be driven to the Singita lodge that is within the park. This is where you will have your lunch as you enjoy views of the misty Virunga mountains.

Afternoon.

After having your meal, you will then be driven to where the trailhead that leads to the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo starts from. Then, you will hike for other different activities to do after your Rwanda gorilla trek. Activities to do in Rwanda during this 24 hour gorilla trip  include boat cruising, as you appreciate the mesmerizing geographical landscapes around. In the evening, you’ll be driven to Ndaru luxury Suites where you get to spend the night. The following day, you are to be transferred to Kigali internationational Airport for your departure. So, this marks the end of your 1 day gorilla trek Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park.