RWANDA GORILLA TOURS · BOOKED DIRECT WITH THE LODGE
Rwanda Gorilla Tours & Holidays: 2, 3 or 4-Night Trekking Packages
Choose one of three gorilla tours in Rwanda, booked directly with the boutique lodge that hosts you: a 2-night Essential Stay, the 3-night Signature Gorilla and Golden Monkey Journey, or a slower 4-night Volcanoes Journey. Ideal as a stand-alone gorilla holiday or as part of a longer Rwanda safari.
Each tour includes full-board boutique accommodation 15 minutes from Volcanoes National Park headquarters, private Kigali transfers, permit-date coordination and time to recover after the trek. Book the 3-night journey direct and the Golden Monkey permit is included.
3-NIGHT DIRECT BOOKING BENEFIT
Complimentary Golden Monkey Permit Included
Five Volcanoes' luxury 3-night package includes a Deluxe Room or the private Volcano Manor, full-board dining, a private driver, one Gorilla Trekking Permit per guest, and a complimentary Golden Monkey Permit — plus a complimentary post-trek foot massage. Book directly and the official Golden Monkey Permit is included at no additional charge, subject to Rwanda Development Board availability and conditions.
2, 3 or 4-night journeys
Choose the pace that suits your trip.
About 15 minutes from park HQ
Close to Volcanoes National Park Headquarters in Kinigi.
Full-board boutique stay
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included in your stay.
Private Kigali transfers
Comfortable road transfers and park logistics.
Golden Monkey Permit included with the 3-night direct journey.
Compare our Rwanda gorilla tours and trekking packages
The two biggest questions most travellers ask are how many days they need and which gorilla trekking package fits them. To keep that choice simple, we offer three Rwanda gorilla trekking packages built around the same iconic experience: a 2-night Essential Stay for limited time, a recommended 3-night Signature Gorilla and Golden Monkey Journey, and a slower 4-night Volcanoes Journey with extra recovery and activities.
Every option includes full-board boutique accommodation near Volcanoes National Park, private Kigali transfers and practical permit-date coordination, and each can be personalised around your travel dates, room style and confirmed trekking date. Each package also works well for solo travellers: the gorilla permit is issued per person regardless of party size, and a single-occupancy room can be arranged on request.
2 NIGHTS / 3 DAYS
Essential Gorilla Trekking Stay
From USD 2,435 per person. A compact option for travellers with limited time who still want a gorilla trek and full-board comfort.
- Gorilla trekking permit included
- 2 nights Full Board at Five Volcanoes
- Private vehicle and driver for 3 days
- Gaiters, walking sticks and trek-day logistics
- Complimentary post-trek foot massages
MOST RECOMMENDED
COMPLIMENTARY GOLDEN MONKEY PERMIT
3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS
Signature Gorilla & Golden Monkey Journey
From USD 2,815 per person. The most balanced way to experience Rwanda's mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and post-trek recovery without rushing back to Kigali.
- Gorilla trekking permit included
- Golden Monkey permit free when you book direct
- 3 nights Full Board at Five Volcanoes
- Private vehicle and driver for 4 days
- Complimentary foot massages after the gorilla trek
See all Signature inclusions below
4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
Slow Gorilla & Volcanoes Journey
From USD 3,295 per person. A slower stay with a full rest day between your gorilla trek and Golden Monkey trekking.
- Gorilla and Golden Monkey permits included
- 4 nights Full Board at Five Volcanoes
- Private vehicle and driver for 5 days
- A full rest day with pool and sauna
- Complimentary post-trek foot massages
WHY THREE NIGHTS?
Three nights unlock the complete Gorilla & Golden Monkey journey
Two nights can accommodate a focused Gorilla Trekking stay, but three nights create the rhythm Five Volcanoes recommends: arrive without rushing, experience Golden Monkey trekking, complete your Gorilla Trek and recover at the lodge before returning to Kigali.
2 NIGHTS · FOCUSED
A compact Gorilla Trekking stay with limited margin for an additional forest experience.
3 NIGHTS · RECOMMENDED
Gorilla Trekking, Golden Monkey trekking and post-trek recovery, with the Golden Monkey Permit included as the direct-booking benefit.
4 NIGHTS · SLOWER
More time for wellness, lodge life or another confirmed Volcanoes National Park experience.
Three nights remove the pressure of a short stay and unlock the complimentary Golden Monkey Permit benefit.
THE LUXURY 3-NIGHT SIGNATURE JOURNEY
What is included in a luxury Rwanda gorilla trekking package?
Stay & Dining
- Three nights in a Deluxe Room
- Full Board dining
- Drinking water and one soft drink with meals
- One bottle of house wine per person in the room
- Pool access
Permits & Experiences
- One Gorilla Trekking Permit per person
- Complimentary Golden Monkey Permit
- Park logistics and trek-day coordination
Private Journey Support
- Private driver for four days
- Kigali transfers
- Assistance with official permit coordination
- 48-page Pre-Arrival Guide
Recovery
- Complimentary foot massage after the Gorilla Trek
- Gaiters and walking sticks available at the hotel
- Time to recover at the lodge
Rates are tailored to travel dates, confirmed permit availability, guest numbers and room requirements. Request a personalised proposal for the complete package rate.
Suggested Signature journey flow
DAY 1
Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Private meet and greet, scenic transfer, check-in, dinner and a relaxed evening at the lodge.
DAY 2
Golden Monkey Trekking
Early breakfast, transfer to park headquarters, Golden Monkey trekking, lunch and a relaxed afternoon at the lodge.
GOLDEN MONKEY PERMIT INCLUDED
DAY 3
Gorilla Trekking Experience
Official park briefing, Gorilla Trekking with park rangers and post-trek recovery at the lodge, with a complimentary foot massage after the Gorilla Trek.
DAY 4
Return to Kigali or continue your Rwanda journey
Breakfast, check-out and private return transfer to Kigali or onward connection.
What does a Rwanda gorilla trekking package include?
Every Five Volcanoes gorilla trekking package includes one gorilla trekking permit per guest, Full Board boutique accommodation, a private vehicle and driver for every travel day, gaiters and walking sticks, and complimentary foot massages after your trek. Packages start from USD 2,435 per person (2 nights), USD 2,815 (3 nights) and USD 3,295 (4 nights).
Included in every package
- One gorilla trekking permit per guest
- Golden Monkey permit on the 3-night and 4-night packages
- Private vehicle, driver and fuel for every travel day
- Full Board, house wine in your room, pool and sauna
- All hotel taxes and service charges
Not included
- Flights, visas and travel insurance
- Porter fees and gratuities
- Additional drinks and spa treatments
- Activities outside your confirmed itinerary
- Accommodation in Kigali
- Personal expenses and credit card (DPO) fees
Permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board and remain subject to official availability and conditions. No permit is guaranteed until officially confirmed.
Which Rwanda gorilla tour is right for you: 2, 3 or 4 nights?
LIMITED TIME
Essential 2-Night Stay
Choose two nights when time is the priority: one gorilla trek, permit included, from USD 2,435 per person.
COMPLIMENTARY GOLDEN MONKEY PERMIT
MOST RECOMMENDED
Signature 3-Night Journey
Choose three nights for the complete Gorilla and Golden Monkey rhythm, with the Golden Monkey Permit included when booking directly. Traveling as a family or private group? Ask about the Volcano Manor, our private villa.
SLOWER PACE
Restorative 4-Night Journey
Choose four nights for gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking with a full rest day in between, both permits included, from USD 3,295 per person.
RECOVERY AFTER GORILLA TREKKING
Return from Gorilla Trekking to Quiet Comfort
A gorilla encounter in Volcanoes National Park lasts one unforgettable hour, yet the hours around it are what make the journey feel complete. Every Rwanda gorilla trekking package at Five Volcanoes is designed so the experience feels considered, from the moment you arrive to the evening you return from the forest.
After a morning tracking mountain gorillas, you return to a calm boutique lodge rather than a busy hotel. Warm local tea is waiting, a complimentary post-trek foot massage eases tired legs, and the gardens, pool and quiet terrace invite you to simply rest. This is boutique hospitality built around recovery after adventure, not a spa add-on.
PERSONAL CARE
Complimentary Post-Trek Foot Massage
A quiet moment on the terrace to restore tired legs after your gorilla trek.
A WARM WELCOME
Fresh Local Tea on Arrival
Freshly brewed Rwandan tea to welcome you back from the forest.
SPACE TO UNWIND
Pool, Gardens & Peaceful Terrace
Gardens, a pool and a calm terrace to relax in near Volcanoes National Park.
Whether you are an experienced hiker or joining us as an older or first‒time gorilla trekker, this is a place designed for how you feel afterwards, so the whole journey, not only the hour with the gorillas, stays with you.
OPTIONAL KIGALI EXTENSION
Begin or end your journey at Governor's Residence in Kigali
Add a private Kigali stay before or after your Five Volcanoes journey, creating a smoother arrival or departure without compressing your Gorilla Trekking itinerary. Governor's Residence is a separate boutique property, offered here only as an optional extension.
Once the private home of Kigali’s Governor, today a tranquil luxury retreat and one of the leading boutique hotels in Kigali. With lush tropical gardens, a serene pool and elegant suites, The Governor’s Residence blends refined dining with personalised service — a favourite choice for travellers seeking the best hotels in Kigali Rwanda, whether for business, culture or as a calm base before gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s national parks.
GUEST STORY · 35 YEARS IN THE FOREST
Why a guide with 35 years in Volcanoes National Park brings his guests here
Paul has guided travellers through Volcanoes National Park for more than 35 years. In 2016 his group became the very first guests of Five Volcanoes, after their original lodge was fully booked. Since then he has brought his guests to us every year, more than 100 travellers a year.
What keeps him coming back is continuity: a team that knows his guests by name, menus adjusted to each group, and a short drive to park headquarters on trek morning.
“We’re not going anywhere. Five Volcanoes just keeps getting better.”
Paul, gorilla trekking guide
THE FIVE VOLCANOES METHOD
Who plans your gorilla trek? One team, on the ground in Rwanda
From your first question to your last morning at the lodge, the same small team plans and looks after your journey. Nobody in the chain sits overseas: Florian has trekked to the gorillas himself, Odile works with the Rwanda Development Board in Kigali, and Alice looks after you at the lodge.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Plan your journey with Florian
Head of Marketing & Sales · originally from Austria, working on the ground in Rwanda
Florian has trekked to the gorillas himself and photographs and films the treks for Five Volcanoes. He knows how steep the trails get and how long the drive from Kigali really takes. He plans your dates, pace and room with you, runs a short fitness check and sends you our free Gorilla Guide.
PERMITS & LOGISTICS
Your permits, handled in Kigali by Odile
Guest Relations & Reservations Coordinator · based in Kigali
Odile is in daily contact with the Rwanda Development Board, the park guides and our drivers. She requests your gorilla and Golden Monkey permits through the official RDB process and confirms your date in writing before you pay. If plans change, she solves it locally.
AT THE LODGE
Looked after at the lodge by Alice
Guest Experience Manager · at Five Volcanoes
Alice is your host at the lodge. She welcomes you, prepares your trek-day briefing, early breakfast, gaiters and walking sticks, and makes sure you can rest properly when you return from the forest.
HOW WE PREPARE YOUR TREK
Five steps, one team
1. Your free Gorilla Guide. What trek day really looks like, what to pack, how permits work and which itinerary fits you.
2. Personal consultation and fitness check. Florian plans dates, pace and room with you and records how far and how steep you are comfortable walking.
3. Permits secured in Kigali. Odile requests your permits through the official RDB process. You pay only after your permit date is confirmed in writing.
4. Private driver from Kigali. Our own vehicles and drivers collect you in Kigali and take you to park headquarters in Kinigi, about 15 minutes from the lodge. Your driver waits while you trek.
5. On-site care at the lodge. Alice prepares your briefing, early breakfast and equipment, and a foot massage is waiting when you return.
Your fitness profile is shared with the park team at the morning briefing, so the rangers can take it into account when they assign groups. The final group assignment is made by the Rwanda Development Board.
COMPARE BEFORE YOU BOOK
Should you book gorilla trekking with the lodge or an overseas agency?
Booking direct means the people who plan, permit and host your trek all work in Rwanda. Here is how that compares with a typical booking from overseas.
What matters to you
Five Volcanoes, booked direct
Typical overseas booking agency
Who plans your trek
Five Volcanoes: Florian, who has trekked in Volcanoes National Park himself
Overseas agency: A sales consultant in Europe or North America
Who handles your permits
Five Volcanoes: Odile in Kigali, through the official RDB process
Overseas agency: Usually passed on to a local ground handler
Contact with park, guides and drivers
Five Volcanoes: Daily and direct
Overseas agency: Through one or more intermediaries
Who looks after you on trek day
Five Volcanoes: Alice at the lodge and your own Five Volcanoes driver
Overseas agency: Varies, often a subcontracted driver
If plans change
Five Volcanoes: Solved locally by the same team
Overseas agency: Relayed between time zones
Price
Five Volcanoes: The lodge's direct package, gorilla permit included
Overseas agency: Includes agency and ground-handler margins
Direct-booking benefits
Five Volcanoes: Golden Monkey Permit included with the 3-night Signature Journey (USD 100 per person), free upgrade on arrival when available
Overseas agency: Not available
PRICES BY ROOM AND SEASON · 2026/27
How much does a gorilla trekking package at Five Volcanoes cost?
Prices per person, two guests sharing, in US dollars. Every package includes the gorilla permit (USD 1,500 per foreign visitor), Full Board and a private vehicle with driver for every day. The 3-night Signature Journey adds Golden Monkey trekking as a direct-booking benefit; the 4-night journey includes it.
Room and season
2 nights
3 nights · Signature
4 nights
Standard Room · Low Season
2 nights: USD 2,435
3 nights: USD 2,815
4 nights: USD 3,295
Standard Room · High Season
2 nights: USD 2,545
3 nights: USD 2,980
4 nights: USD 3,515
Deluxe Room · Low Season
2 nights: USD 2,655
3 nights: USD 3,145
4 nights: USD 3,735
Deluxe Room · High Season
2 nights: USD 2,925
3 nights: USD 3,550
4 nights: USD 4,275
RWANDAN, EAST AFRICAN OR AFRICAN RESIDENT?
Your gorilla permit costs less, and we deduct the difference
The Rwanda Development Board currently offers promotional gorilla permits: USD 200 for Rwandan and East African Community citizens, and USD 500 for African citizens and foreign residents in Africa. That is USD 1,300 or USD 1,000 less per person than the foreign-visitor permit, and we take it off your package price.
These rates are valid until 31 December 2026 and do not apply from June to October 2026. Proof of citizenship or residency is required. Source: Rwanda Development Board, checked November 2026.
Low Season: 1 March to 31 May and 1 October to 15 December. High Season: all other dates. Family Suite, Honeymoon Suite and Volcano Manor are quoted on request. Prices updated November 2026; your written proposal confirms the exact price for your dates before any payment.
Rwanda gorilla tours and packages: frequently asked questions
Is Rwanda expensive to visit?
Can I combine a gorilla tour with a Rwanda safari in Akagera?
Is the gorilla trekking permit included in the packages?
Why does Five Volcanoes recommend three nights?
Which gorilla tours in Rwanda does Five Volcanoes offer?
Should I book a gorilla tour through a tour operator or directly with the lodge?
Can I add a night in Kigali?
How much does a Rwanda gorilla tour cost?
What are the best luxury gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda?
Are Rwanda gorilla holidays all-inclusive?
CELEBRATING SOMETHING SPECIAL?
Marking an Anniversary, a Honeymoon, or Another Milestone?
Let us know when you book. Our team can set a private table for two — candlelit and away from the rest of the lodge, in the garden or beside the pool — so the evening feels like it's just for you.
PRIVATE DINNER — GARDEN
PRIVATE DINNER — POOLSIDE
PERSONAL PLANNING SUPPORT
Plan Your Rwanda Gorilla Journey
Tell us your preferred travel dates, number of guests and what matters most for this journey. We will personally review room availability, official permit timing, private transfers and the itinerary around your priorities.
Whether you are planning a milestone birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife journey, this first inquiry helps us understand the pace, comfort and experiences that would make the trip feel right for you.
This is an inquiry only - not a confirmed booking. No payment is required at this stage.
- Your details are handled confidentially.
- We reply personally with suitable room options, logistics and practical next steps.
- Official permits remain subject to Rwanda Development Board availability and confirmation.
Five Volcanoes can assist with practical coordination around accommodation, transfers and requested trekking dates. Official permits are issued through the Rwanda Development Board process and cannot be guaranteed until officially confirmed.
Download Your Complimentary Gorilla Trekking GuideBOOK THE SIGNATURE JOURNEY DIRECTLY
Share your preferred dates and number of guests. We will check Deluxe Room availability, Gorilla and Golden Monkey Permit dates, private transfer requirements and prepare your complete personalised proposal.
Celebrating something special? See our Honeymoon & Anniversary Journey →
Traveling with family or multiple generations? See our Family & Multigenerational Journey →