A rare encounter with the natural world
Rwanda Extension
Overview
Rwanda’s green hills and misty volcanoes are home to one of the world’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences: meeting mountain gorillas in the forest. Two gorilla treks give you an hour each with the gorillas, and visits with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Gorilla Doctors reveal the conservation work that protects them.
Between treks, quiet lodges, sweeping landscapes and meaningful cultural moments enrich every day of this journey deeper into East Africa’s wild beauty.
Gallery
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Trip Highlights
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Two gorilla treks, an hour each
You trek twice into the Virunga forest to find a gorilla family. Once your group reaches them, you get a full hour in their presence, a limit set to protect the gorillas.
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Visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
A self-guided tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus shows how the Fund conserves mountain gorillas and supports the communities who share the forest with them.
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Fireside chat with the Gorilla Doctors
The Gorilla Doctors, who provide veterinary care to wild mountain and eastern lowland gorillas, give a briefing on gorilla behavior and conservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are the gorilla treks in Rwanda?
Gorilla treks in Rwanda can last anywhere from a couple of hours to most of the day. Before your trek begins, you can indicate your preferred level of difficulty, and park staff will do their best to assign you to a group that matches your hiking ability. Length varies depending on where the gorilla family is located that day.
How much time do I get to spend with the gorillas?
Once your group reaches the gorilla family, you are allowed a full hour to observe them in their natural habitat. This time is strictly regulated to protect the gorillas’ well-being.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Travelers must be at least 15 years old to participate in gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
How difficult are gorilla treks in Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking involves hiking through dense jungle, navigating uneven or slippery terrain and gaining elevation as the gorillas move through the forest. Most travelers who can comfortably hike for a few hours at home will find the experience manageable. A moderate level of fitness is recommended.
Itinerary
Itinerary 1 itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali for a quiet evening at the lodge
Fly from Arusha to Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, and settle into the Kigali Serena Hotel for a relaxing evening and dinner.
Take a short flight from Arusha to Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, nestled among lush, rolling hills. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the Kigali Serena Hotel, your comfortable retreat in the heart of the city. Settle into your accommodations, explore the hotel’s inviting grounds and enjoy a relaxing dinner as you prepare for the extraordinary wildlife adventures ahead.
Day 2: Kigali’s Genocide Memorial, then the road to the Virungas
Explore Kigali on a guided city tour, discovering Rwanda’s vibrant culture and remarkable transformation.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a moving look into the country’s history and resilience.
Journey through lush farmland and rolling hills toward the mist-shrouded Virunga Volcanoes, home to endangered mountain gorillas.
Begin your day with a guided tour of Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, where bustling streets, colorful markets and rolling green hills offer a glimpse into the country’s rich culture and remarkable transformation. Visit the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial to gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and the resilience of its people. Pause for lunch in the heart of the city before continuing your journey north.
Travel through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, passing lush farmland, terraced hillsides and rural villages as you make your way toward the majestic Virunga Volcanoes. Rising above the landscape, these mist-shrouded peaks are home to endangered mountain gorillas and some of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife. Arrive in the afternoon and settle into the peaceful mountain surroundings, ready for the unforgettable adventures ahead.
Day 3: Your first hour with mountain gorillas
Trek through the lush forests of the Virunga Mountains with an expert guide in search of endangered mountain gorillas.
Spend an unforgettable hour observing a gorilla family in its natural habitat, witnessing their behaviors and social interactions.
Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about ongoing gorilla research and conservation efforts.
Set out on an unforgettable journey into the lush forests of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains in search of endangered mountain gorillas. Before your trek, your expert guide will share important insights into gorilla behavior and etiquette to ensure a safe, respectful wildlife encounter. Follow winding jungle trails through dense vegetation until you reach a gorilla family in its natural habitat. Spend a remarkable hour quietly observing these magnificent animals as they feed, play and interact, offering a rare glimpse into their fascinating social lives.
After your trek, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a world-class conservation center dedicated to protecting mountain gorillas and supporting the communities that share their habitat. Explore the campus on a self-guided tour, discovering the groundbreaking research, education and conservation efforts helping secure a future for these extraordinary primates.
Day 4: Track gorillas again, then meet the vets who protect them
Embark on a second gorilla trek through Rwanda’s lush rainforest, with opportunities to spot golden monkeys, birds and other wildlife along the way.
Spend another unforgettable hour observing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Join the Gorilla Doctors for an engaging fireside discussion about gorilla behavior, veterinary care and conservation efforts.
Venture once more into the lush rainforests of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains for another extraordinary encounter with endangered mountain gorillas. Accompanied by your expert guide, trek through dense mountain vegetation, keeping an eye out for birds and other wildlife along the way. Your hike may be relatively short or lead you deeper into the mountains, but the reward is unforgettable: another opportunity to spend time quietly observing a gorilla family in its natural habitat, witnessing the fascinating behaviors and interactions of these remarkable primates.
After returning to the lodge for some relaxation, gather for a fireside chat with the Gorilla Doctors, a dedicated team of veterinary professionals working to protect wild mountain and eastern lowland gorillas. Learn about their life-saving veterinary care, ongoing conservation efforts and innovative One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnected health of wildlife, people and their shared environment. Enjoy dinner and a restful evening surrounded by the beauty of the Virunga Mountains.
Day 5: Back to Kigali to rest before your homeward flight
Transfer to a day room in Kigali before your departure flight
Your guide will drive you back to the city of Kigali at the end of your Rwandan adventure. Enjoy a day room in Kigali, resting up and readying yourself for your departure.
Accommodations
Dates, Prices & Info
We recommend a 5-day stay, with prices starting at $8000 per person. Contact a Thomson Safari Specialist for details and to customize your extension.
Group Size
Only eight guests are allowed per gorilla family each day. You may or may not be with other Thomson guests throughout your time in Rwanda.
What's Included
Your Rwanda extension package includes all accommodations, meals, park fees, gorilla trekking permits, services of guides and drivers, cultural activities, tours, and internal air as noted in your itinerary.
Not Included
International airfare, other than flights noted in the itinerary, is not included.
Additional costs may include tips for guides, drivers, and staff, bar beverages, laundry service, phone calls, passport and visa fees, souvenirs, and travel insurance.
Your pre-departure packet includes visa application instructions and information on travel insurance and tipping.
Important Information
A 50% deposit, including the full price of the gorilla trekking permits, is required to reserve your space. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Full payment is due 90 days prior to the first land day of the trip.
Notification of cancellation must be made in writing to Thomson Safaris. At the time we receive the cancellation, all moneys will be refunded less the following cancellation charges:
91 days or more before departure: cancellation fees equal the amount of your deposit
90 to 61 days before departure: 50% of the package price is non-refundable
60 to 46 days before departure: 65% of the package price is non-refundable
45 days or less before departure: 100% of the package price is non-refundable
No partial refunds will be given for unused meals, hotel rooms, airport transfers, etc., for any reason whatsoever. Thomson Safaris reserves the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in airfares, currency fluctuations, park fee increases, fuel surcharges, taxes, etc. Accommodations are subject to change.
Travel Insurance
Thomson strongly encourages you to purchase travel insurance within two weeks of making your deposit to protect your investment, as we are not able to make changes to our cancellation policy for any reason. Travel Guard comes highly recommended by our guests.
Getting There & Getting Home
Rwanda extensions can take place before or after your safari, so you may be arriving to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Kigali International Airport. Please check with your safari consultants or trip managers before making any flight arrangements.
Traveler Reviews
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I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude and immense satisfaction with our recent safari in Tanzania and gorilla trekking in Rwanda that we booked through Thomson Safaris. This trip was nothing short of spectacular, and much of that credit goes to the incredible local guides and staff that made it an unforgettable experience. Firstly, I must sing the praises of Robert, our lead guide in Tanzania. Robert is an outstanding ambassador for both Thomson and Tanzania. His knowledge of the wildlife, geography, geology and a myriad of other subjects is truly impressive. Despite undoubtedly having heard the same questions countless times, Robert was infinitely patient and always provided detailed and enthusiastic answers. His upbeat, unflappable and professional demeanor made everyone in our group feel safe, well-organized and exceptionally well taken care of. I cannot recommend him more highly. Harrison was equally remarkable. Like Robert, he was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, with a fantastic sense of humor that added a wonderful dimension to the trip. Both of these gentlemen are true assets to Thomson, and their long-standing tenure no doubt is a testament to their excellence. In Rwanda, we had the pleasure of spending two days with Anderson, our guide and driver. Anderson’s performance was also nothing short of exceptional. Despite our inbound flight being delayed, which resulted in a long wait for him at the airport, Anderson managed to keep everything running smoothly. His professionalism and ability to adapt to our tight schedule ensured that we didn’t miss out on any part of our itinerary. He was a wonderful ambassador for Rwanda and significantly enhanced our experience. While the accommodations, agenda, food, and overall organization were all first-class, it was the dedication, expertise and warm personalities of Robert, Harrison, Anderson and really everyone we came in contact with that truly made this trip extraordinary. At every camp, the staff was warm, attentive and amazing! I would also like to extend a special thank you to Angela for her assistance throughout the planning process. Her responsiveness to our questions and efforts to ensure my wife’s birthday was recognized while on safari added a personal touch that we greatly appreciated. Her recommendations on where to buy Tanzanite also paid dividends! Thank you for providing us with such a memorable adventure. We will undoubtedly cherish these memories for a lifetime.
Stephen C.