7-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour, Culture & ReGreen

This 7 day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour links the gorillas to the people who live beside them. You trek a mountain gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park, hear the story of Dian Fossey, meet former poachers who now guide and teach, and plant a tree through our 1k Trees ReGreen Initiative. Golden monkeys, the royal forest of Buhanga and a sunset on Lake Kivu fill the other days. A private vehicle, full board and all permits are included.

The centre of the trip is the gorilla trek. You meet the rangers at the park headquarters in Kinigi, are assigned a family and trek through bamboo and montane forest to spend one hour with them. Our guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda explains how the day works, and the Volcanoes National Park guide describes the park around it. If you are comparing countries, read Rwanda versus Uganda for gorilla trekking.

Around the trek, the days slow down. You hear how conservation changed after Dian Fossey, spend time at the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village with the Gorilla Guardians, walk through the royal forest of Buhanga, track golden monkeys and finish by the water on Lake Kivu. Read more on our gorilla trekking and cultural experiences pages, and on the Rwanda destination page.

This is one of our Signature Journeys, so the conservation story is part of the itinerary, not an extra. At the Gorilla Guardians you meet people who used to poach and now work as guides, cultural hosts and conservation voices. Their stories show why changing how people earn a living protects wildlife better than rules alone.

On day 4 you take part in our 1k Trees ReGreen Initiative and plant a tree below the volcanoes with people from the local community. You can name your tree, and we look after it, so you or your family can visit it later. Read more about how ecotourism is changing Rwanda and see our other community projects.

Moderate overall, with one demanding morning. The gorilla trek takes anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours on steep, muddy volcanic ground at 2,500 to 4,000 metres, so a steady pace and some fitness are needed. Golden monkey tracking is similar but usually shorter. The village walk, the tree planting, Buhanga and the canoe are easy. You must be at least 15 for the gorilla trek, as our gorilla trekking age limits guide explains. Tell us about any mobility needs before you book, because some forest and volcanic trails do not suit wheelchairs or long walks.

June to September and December to February are the driest months, with firmer trails and clearer views of the volcanoes. March to May and October to November bring rain, mud and fewer visitors, and the gorillas can be trekked all year. Our gorilla trekking packing list covers boots, gloves and rain gear for either season.

This journey suits travellers who want the gorillas and the story behind them: couples, families with teenagers, solo travellers and small private groups who enjoy village life as much as the trek. For a shorter trip focused on the trek, see the 4-day gorilla trek and Dian Fossey grave hike. For more comfort see the 5-day luxury gorilla trekking tour, and for primates and big game together our Signature Journey, the 10-day Rwanda chimpanzee tracking tour.

Permits are limited each day, so book early: read why you should book your permit in advance and what gorilla trekking costs in Rwanda. Our Kigali city tour guide helps with the first and last days, and the visa guide covers entry.