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Primate Tours

2-Day Gorilla Safari Rwanda

The ideal 2-day Rwanda safari combines a full gorilla trekking day in Volcanoes National Park with a cultural Kigali city tour. Perfect for travellers with limited time who want Rwanda's two greatest highlights.

2 Days / 1 Night 1–8 People Moderate Volcanoes NP + Kigali
From $1,850 / person (all-inclusive)
Duration2 Days / 1 Night
Group Size1–8 People
DifficultyModerate
LocationVolcanoes NP + Kigali

About This Tour

Our 2-day gorilla safari Rwanda is the most popular short itinerary for travellers connecting through Kigali who want both Rwanda's greatest wildlife encounter and its vibrant capital city — without rushing.

Day 1 is dedicated entirely to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. You depart Kigali at 5 AM, trek the Virunga forests with an RDB-certified guide, and spend one extraordinary hour face-to-face with a wild mountain gorilla family. You overnight near the park to rest after trekking.

Day 2 features a guided Kigali city tour on the drive back — visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial (an essential and moving experience), the colourful Kimironko Market, Inema Arts Center and Kigali's famous viewpoints. You are dropped at your hotel or the airport by early evening.

All gorilla permit logistics, accommodation, transport and guide services are handled by Rwanda SafariTours. This itinerary is suitable for solo travellers, couples and small groups.

Tour Highlights

Official $1,500 RDB gorilla permit fully managed by us
One full hour with a wild mountain gorilla family in Volcanoes NP
Overnight near Volcanoes NP — rest after trekking
Full guided Kigali city tour on Day 2
Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market & Inema Arts Centre
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser throughout
RDB-certified guide for both days
Hotel drop-off or airport transfer on Day 2

What's Included

Included

RDB gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person)
1 night accommodation near Volcanoes NP (mid-range)
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser (all transfers)
RDB-certified English-speaking guide (both days)
Volcanoes NP park entrance fee
Kigali city tour (Day 2)
Genocide Memorial entrance fee
Bottled water and walking sticks
Kigali hotel pick-up on Day 1 and drop-off on Day 2

Not Included

International flights
Meals (breakfast included at lodge; lunch/dinner own expense)
Travel insurance
Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Personal spending and shopping
Visa fees

Tour Itinerary

  • 1
    Day 1 — 5:00 AM
    Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
    Early morning pick-up from your Kigali hotel. Scenic 2.5-hour drive north through Rwanda's famous thousand hills. Breakfast box en route.
  • 2
    Day 1 — 7:00 AM
    Gorilla Briefing & Trek Assignment
    Arrive at Kinigi HQ for the park briefing. You are assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families based on your fitness level and group size.
  • 3
    Day 1 — 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Gorilla Trekking & One-Hour Visit
    Trek into the misty Virunga forests with your guide and park rangers. Spend one magical hour with the gorilla family — photographing, observing and experiencing one of Earth's greatest wildlife encounters.
  • 4
    Day 1 — Afternoon
    Return to Lodge & Rest
    Return to HQ, collect your optional gorilla certificate. Drive to your lodge near Musanze/Ruhengeri for a well-earned shower and dinner. Early night.
  • 5
    Day 2 — Morning
    Breakfast & Drive Towards Kigali
    Breakfast at the lodge. Check out and depart for Kigali with guided commentary from your driver-guide on Rwanda's history, culture and landscape along the way.
  • 6
    Day 2 — 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Kigali City Tour
    Stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial (2 hours, with guide), Kimironko Market (local shopping and colours), Inema Arts Center (contemporary Rwandan art), and key city viewpoints. Lunch at a local restaurant (own expense).
  • 7
    Day 2 — 5:00 PM
    Hotel or Airport Drop-Off
    Your guide drops you at your Kigali hotel or Kigali International Airport (KIA) for onward flights. Tour complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our 2-day gorilla safari Rwanda starts from $1,850 per person. This includes the $1,500 RDB gorilla permit, 1 night accommodation near Volcanoes NP, private 4×4, certified guide for both days, Kigali city tour and all transfers. Contact us for a custom quote.
Yes — our 2-day itinerary is specifically designed for this. Day 1 is gorilla trekking (depart Kigali 5 AM, overnight near the park). Day 2 combines the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market and city highlights on the drive back to Kigali.
Mid-range lodge accommodation near Volcanoes NP is included (1 night). We use clean, comfortable lodges with en-suite facilities. Upgrades to luxury lodges (Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Lodge) available at extra cost.
Yes. Many travellers fly into Kigali the evening before, stay overnight, and join our tour the following morning. We pick you up from any Kigali hotel. Book your permit at least 1–3 months in advance as availability is limited.

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