The 1 Day Rwanda gorilla tour is a brief visit to Rwanda to specifically see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park. The tour is designed for travellers with very limited travel time but would like to visit the gorillas in Rwanda. It is a tight trip in terms of time but very much possible to be done.
A few minutes is rewarding, but half a day is an even life-changing experience. For an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, our 1-day Rwanda Gorilla Tour will give you an unmatched overview of this life-changing adventure.
Gorilla trekking in the company of seasoned Ranger guides has to be one of the ultimate wildlife experiences in the African Continent, and being able to enjoy this in one day is perfect for those with limited time available.
It is worth noting that Volcanoes National Park is only three hours’ drive from Kigali City, hence making it possible to undertake this experience. However, to make it less stressful, it is recommended that this 1-day Rwanda Gorilla Tour be enjoyed by guests who are already staying in and around Volcanoes National Park.
Detailed Itinerary – 1 Day Rwanda gorilla tour
At 4:00 am: Your thrilling day starts with an early morning pickup from Kigali City (at the Hotel or any other place of residence). After brief introductions and getting your packed breakfast, you will start the 3-hour road transfer towards Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda. It will be quite early and dark, hence don’t expect to enjoy views of the countryside while on this journey.
Arrive at the Park Gate by 7:00am for breakfast, entertainment, and a later briefing from the Park Rangers. This 30-minute briefing will take you through the guidelines to be followed by searching and spending time with the majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Later, you will be driven to the trailhead, the starting point for the gorilla trekking adventure.
Gorilla treks last 1-6 hours, hence a reasonable degree of fitness as well as a strong pair of hiking boots is required to achieve this life-changing adventure. Head out through the surrounding gardens and into the forest while escorted by a Ranger guide, exploring different vegetation types- open grassland, evergreen bamboo forest, and others, while encountering other interesting residents of the forest such as birds, butterflies, and other primate species.
The experienced Rangers will signal when the mountain gorillas are close, and you will be asked to leave your bags behind before approaching to avoid scaring them. You will have one hour to take photos and learn about them, go about their day-to-day activities (such as resting, playing, nursing their infants, and grooming each other), and always ensure to maintain the minimum distance of 7 meters and other guidelines. The Ranger guides will interpret mountain gorilla behavior, explaining their interesting habits and other activities.
After the exciting time with the mountain gorillas, you will retreat to the base, join your driver guide for a transfer to one of the nearby Safari Lodges for lunch and relaxation. Later, begin your journey back to Kigali City, where you will be dropped off at the Hotel or Airport.
The 1 day Rwanda Gorilla Tour package includes;
- Gorilla trekking permit/s.
- Park entry fees.
- Ground transfer with a private 4X4 Safari vehicle, with a driver.
- Driver allowances.
- Ranger fees.
- Bottled water.
- Relevant Government taxes and levies.
- Lunch.
The 1 day Rwanda Gorilla Tour package excludes;
- Accommodation in Kigali City or Volcanoes National Park.
- All drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
- Porter fees.
- Tips and gratuities to Ranger Guides, driver/guide, porters, and others.
- Domestic and International flights.
- Airfares.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Other meals other than lunch.
- Visa fees.
- Laundry fees.
- Telephone expenses.
- Extra activities not indicated on the itinerary.
What to wear/pack for your 1 day Rwanda Gorilla Tour
Planning a 1 day Rwanda Gorilla Tour is an exciting experience, but knowing what to wear or pack for it can feel overwhelming. A properly planned list ensures that you are ready for the life-changing adventure while staying comfortable and safe in the jungle.
You will need to wear a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt (in Khaki, beige, or Olive green) to protect you against sunshine and insects. Also wear convertible pants where you can zip off for flexibility after gorilla treks, comfortable hiking boots, and moisture-wicking socks. Also, wear gaiters for this life-changing adventure.
For the things to carry, consider a lightweight rain jacket for the unpredictable jungle rainfall, a backpack for carrying items you need during the trek, a gorilla trekking permit (can be kept by the Ranger guide), gardening gloves, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, an insect repellant, enough drinking water hence you will need a reusable water bottle, energy-giving snacks, a camera (with zoom lens, extra batteries, and memory cards). You will also need a good pair of binoculars for sighting distant creatures such as birds.
Best time to go for the 1 day Rwanda Gorilla Tour
In truth, this 1-day Rwanda Gorilla Tour is possible all year round. It is worth noting that weather conditions in Volcanoes National Park vary between seasons- expect it to be warm, rainy, and humid.
March to May, then October to November, marks the rainy/wet season, with temperatures sitting between 16 and 20ºC during the day and 6 and 7ºC at night. Throughout these months, daily showers are common and can sometimes be heavy. Increased precipitation levels make Volcanoes National Park feel cooler and vegetation denser.
The other months mark the dry season. During this time, temperatures average around 25 to 27ºC during the day and 13 to 15ºC at night. Although there is less rain, heavy showers are still not unheard of. However, reduced rainfall makes the forest feel drier, hence making it easier to explore the forest while searching for the mountain gorillas.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park
There are two ways of getting to Volcanoes National Park. Journeys normally begin (and end) in Kigali. However, the most convenient option typically involves Helicopter flights to Musanze Airstrip, then driving to your Lodge.
Charter helicopter flights operate between Kigali and Musanze Airstrip, and it takes 30 minutes.
Road transfers are the most feasible option for travelers on a budget. Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours’ drive from Kigali City, and the road is tarred and well-maintained with clean service stations along the way.