Early Morning: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Your thrilling day begins in the early hours, just before dawn. You’ll be picked up from your Kigali hotel or directly from Kigali International Airport around 4:30 AM, embarking on a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest toward Volcanoes National Park, located in Musanze District.

As the city lights of Kigali fade behind, the road meanders through the rolling green hills that earned Rwanda its nickname — “The Land of a Thousand Hills.” The drive itself is a feast for the eyes, offering glimpses of traditional villages, lush farmlands, and misty mountain silhouettes in the distance. Upon arrival at Kinigi Park Headquarters, you’ll join other trekkers for a hot cup of Rwandan coffee or tea as you wait for the park briefing.

Morning: Gorilla Trekking Briefing and Forest Entry

At around 7:00 AM, you’ll attend a mandatory pre-trek briefing conducted by park rangers. Here, trekkers are assigned to different gorilla families based on fitness levels and interest. The rangers explain trekking etiquette, safety procedures, and the importance of conservation efforts that protect these endangered giants.

After the briefing, you’ll be escorted to the trailhead, where the real adventure begins. Accompanied by experienced guides and armed trackers, you’ll venture deep into the forest in search of your assigned gorilla family. The terrain can be steep and muddy, but every step through the lush vegetation, bamboo thickets, and moss-draped trees brings you closer to a life-changing encounter.

Midday: Face-to-Face with the Gorillas

After one to three hours of trekking (sometimes longer, depending on the gorillas’ movements), you’ll finally come face-to-face with a family of mountain gorillas. Watching them in their natural home — the silverback’s calm dominance, the mothers tenderly nursing their infants, and the juveniles tumbling playfully through the undergrowth — is a profoundly emotional experience.

You’ll have one full hour to quietly observe and photograph these gentle giants, maintaining a respectful distance as instructed by your ranger. The forest falls silent except for the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional grunt or chest-beat echoing through the mist. It’s a humbling moment — one that stays imprinted in your memory forever.

Afternoon: Descent and Return to Kigali

After your encounter, you’ll descend the mountain, retracing your steps through the dense forest. Porters assist with your belongings, and the ranger leads you safely back to the base. Once at the park headquarters, you’ll receive your trekking certificate, marking your successful journey into the world of the mountain gorillas.

A delicious lunch follows at a nearby lodge or restaurant in Musanze, offering a moment to relax and reflect on the morning’s extraordinary experience. By 2:30 PM, you’ll begin the return drive to Kigali, arriving in the late afternoon — between 5:00 and 6:00 PM—just in time to catch an evening flight or enjoy a night in the city.