3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Kigali Arrival & Cultural Immersion

Kigali is said to be the cleanest city in the world—and I truly believe that. The sidewalks are power-washed, and unlike other countries, plastic bags are forbidden, which adds to the overall beauty of the city. Your driver will be waiting for you at the international airport, and even before you settle in, he will be spotting coffee shops already.

Caring chauffeurs make the entire trip to Kigali International Airport much more bearable. Round-the-clock service at your boutique hotel ensures hassle-free check-in. You’ll be greeted with fresh hibiscus juice and can enjoy the hotel’s minimalist décor and reliable Wi-Fi. Later, you’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

It is heavy but essential, and you’ll walk out quieter, more aware of the resilience tucked into Rwandan smiles. In the afternoon, you will stroll through Kimironko Market, where your senses get a friendly slap, ripe mango, kitenge fabrics, and traders haggling in Kinyarwanda.

You might stop at Question Coffee Café, order an iced Rwandan brew, and take in the bustling streets. Dinner is at Heaven Restaurant, where you can try grilled tilapia and banana beer if you’re curious or brave. It’s an early night—tomorrow, you meet giants.

Overnight

• Budget: Five to Five Hotel Kigali
• Standard: Heaven Boutique Hotel
• Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven

Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the day you’ll tell your grandkids about, even if you don’t have any yet. You will wake before sunrise, and your lodge staff will deliver coffee and lunch with all the essentials packed like a parent sending you off to camp. At the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, you’ll receive your briefing with rangers—no sudden movements, no staring contests.

The hike begins through a bamboo forest. At first, it seems like a stroll, but soon it hits you because there are no trails made by gorillas for tourists, and mud will be caked to your boots. You’ll duck under branches and climb while questioning your cardio workouts back home. Suddenly, your guide freezes and starts to gesture.

Directly in front of you, a huge silverback lounges effortlessly in a mess of vines, one eyebrow cocked as if to say he couldn’t care less. A baby gorilla clings to its mother, watching your group as though you are the real-life animals in a zoo. For one hour, you are with them. The only thing separating you is heart-thumping proximity. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for a meal and a hot shower—both necessities.

The afternoon is free; some decide to write, but most replay the encounter over and over in their minds. Dinner is served fireside, the conversation battling between awe and laughter. For the first time, you will say, “Today I locked eyes with a wild gorilla,” and there won’t be an ounce of exaggeration in it.

Overnight

• Budget: La Locanda
• Standard: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Luxury: Bisate Lodge

Day 3 – Golden Monkey Trek & Departure

On the final day, you will savor your last dose of magical Virunga. The morning brings a short trek to see golden monkeys, the mischievous younger cousins of gorillas. You’ll watch them jump from tree to tree, sometimes stopping to check you out. The trail is gentler, easing your legs after yesterday’s climb.

Late in the morning, you will return to the lodge for brunch, enjoying fresh passionfruit along with eggs and Rwandan coffee that will spoil you for any other blend. In the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Kigali, your driver pointing out banana plantations and terraced hills that look hand-painted.

If time permits, you can stop at a craft cooperative for woven baskets and carved masks. By evening, you will transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight home. You will leave Rwanda with boots marked by red dirt, souvenirs in your bag, and dreams of returning to this peaceful place.

Overnight
Not applicable (departure day).

Practical Tips

• The fitness level required is moderate. If you can hike uphill for two hours, you don’t need to be an Ironman finisher.
• Packing for muddy afternoons and chilly mornings means layering is essential. When photographing, never use flash.
• The overlay for the Sanctuary is strict, so bring additional batteries—this is the “now or never” moment for exposure shots with gorillas.
• Finally, ensure you acquire your gorilla trek permits in advance, as demand is high and access is limited.