GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA · FOR TRAVELLERS FROM THE UK
Gorilla Trekking Holidays in Rwanda from the UK
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, fully arranged from our boutique hotel near Volcanoes National Park. Fly direct with RwandAir from London Heathrow to Kigali. We take care of everything after you land.
✓ Gorilla permit, private driver and trek-day logistics arranged by one Rwanda-based team
✓ Full board stay about 15 minutes from the park headquarters
✓ Packages from USD 2,435 per person, gorilla permit included
✓ For couples, families, solo travellers and honeymooners
✓ Your tailored quote within 24 hours
Direct flights from Heathrow · Permits & transfers arranged · Full board · From USD 2,435 pp
FEEL IT BEFORE YOU BOOK
This is what the journey is built around
Permits, transfers and a comfortable bed all lead to up to one hour with a mountain gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park. Watch what gorilla trekking in Rwanda feels like.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do I go gorilla trekking in Rwanda from the UK?
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda from the UK is easier than most people expect. Fly direct with RwandAir from London Heathrow to Kigali, then drive about 2.5 to 3 hours to Musanze and stay close to Volcanoes National Park. Our packages start from USD 2,435 per person, with the gorilla permit included. The best time to go is the dry season, June to September or December to February, but you can trek all year.
Treks start at 07:00 at the park headquarters in Kinigi, about 15 minutes from the hotel. A maximum of 8 visitors join each gorilla family, and you spend up to one hour with them. Sightings cannot be guaranteed. Read more about the best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
WHO THIS JOURNEY IS FOR
Rwanda gorilla holidays for UK travellers
COUPLES
Honeymoons, anniversaries and milestone birthdays that deserve a calm, well-organised trip.
FAMILIES AND FRIENDS
Small groups who want one shared plan for rooms, transfers and trek days. Gorilla trekkers must be at least 15. Golden Monkey trekking is open from age 12.
SOLO TRAVELLERS
Including solo women: ranger-led groups, private transfers and a team that looks after you from arrival.
ADD-ON TRIPS
Rwanda as part of a wider journey, for example Tanzania, Zanzibar or the Seychelles.
THE MOMENT YOU TRAVEL FOR
An hour with a mountain gorilla family, then a quiet evening to take it in
WHY FIVE VOLCANOES
Why UK travellers choose Five Volcanoes for their gorilla trek
We are not just a place to sleep. We are the team that plans the trek around you.
01
One team, whole journey
Permit coordination, transfers, meals and trek-day timing planned together, with one person you can reach.
02
About 15 minutes to the park
We are in Musanze, near Kinigi. No long, early-morning drive before your 07:00 briefing.
03
Full board, no surprises
Meals included and a clear list of what is and is not covered, written down before you confirm.
04
Prepared before you arrive
A readiness review and a 48-page pre-arrival guide, plus gaiters and walking sticks for the trek.
05
Recovery built in
A complimentary post-trek foot massage, a pool and sauna, and a quiet lodge to rest in after the forest.
06
Honest about what we cannot promise
Permits follow RDB availability and sightings cannot be guaranteed. We tell you the facts early, so you can plan with confidence.
ARRANGED FOR YOU
What we take off your to-do list
- Your gorilla permit, booked through the Rwanda Development Board (plus the Golden Monkey permit on 3 and 4 nights)
- A private vehicle and driver every day, including Kigali airport or hotel pick-up and return
- Your driver waits for you while you trek
- Full board, with an early breakfast timed around park departure
- Gaiters and walking sticks for the trek
- A complimentary post-trek foot massage, pool and sauna
Not included: flights, visas, travel insurance, porters and tips.
YOUR DIRECT-BOOKING ADVANTAGES
Book directly with the team that hosts you
No agency or DMC in between. Your wishes go straight to the people who prepare your room, your transfers and your trek day.
1. FROM 3 NIGHTS
Golden Monkey Permit included
The official fee is USD 100 per person. It is included in our 3- and 4-night packages, subject to Rwanda Development Board availability.
2. DIRECT BOOKING
Complimentary room upgrade
Book directly and we upgrade you to the next room category at no extra charge, subject to availability at the time of your stay.
3. PERSONAL ATTENTION
Your wishes are noted and delivered
Honeymoon, anniversary, milestone birthday or dietary and mobility needs: you tell us once, directly. We take special wishes seriously, so they are not lost between suppliers.
CHOOSE YOUR JOURNEY RHYTHM
Gorilla trekking Rwanda packages from the UK
Three gorilla trekking holidays, each paced differently. Every package includes your gorilla permit, a full board boutique stay near Volcanoes National Park, a private driver every day and trek-day logistics.
Prices are per person, in US dollars. Your final price depends on your dates, season, room category and permit availability. See full itineraries on our Rwanda gorilla trekking packages page.
2 NIGHTS / 3 DAYS
Essential Gorilla Trekking Stay
Best for travellers with limited time who want one well-organised gorilla trek.
From USD 2,435 per person
Two nights at Five Volcanoes, full board
Gorilla trekking permit included
Private vehicle and driver every day, including Kigali pick-up and return
Early breakfast and trek-day transfer to the park
Gaiters, walking sticks and a post-trek foot massage
One bottle of house wine per guest
3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS
Signature Gorilla and Golden Monkey Journey
Best for travellers who want the most balanced trip: a gorilla trek, Golden Monkey trekking and time to recover before Kigali.
From USD 2,815 per person
Three nights at Five Volcanoes, full board
Gorilla trekking permit included
Golden Monkey permit included
Private vehicle and driver every day, including Kigali pick-up and return
Complimentary room upgrade on direct booking, subject to availability
Complimentary post-trek foot massage
Complimentary private dinner for two
Gaiters and walking sticks
Gorilla and Golden Monkey permits are included in our 3- and 4-night packages, subject to Rwanda Development Board availability.
4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
Slow Gorilla and Volcanoes Journey
Best for couples, photographers and travellers who prefer a slower pace, with more time for the lodge, the spa and the park.
From USD 3,295 per person
Four nights at Five Volcanoes, full board
Gorilla trekking permit included
Golden Monkey permit included
Private vehicle and driver every day, including Kigali pick-up and return
More time to recover after the trek
Complimentary post-trek foot massage, pool and sauna
A calmer arrival and departure
All prices are package prices per person in US dollars, confirmed for your dates in a written proposal. Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and are subject to availability. Flights, visas, insurance, porters and tips are not included.
OPTION: TWO GORILLA TREKS
Want to trek the gorillas on two separate days? We arrange that too.
Many UK guests ask for a second day with the gorillas, plus the Golden Monkeys on another morning. Here is a sample rhythm for three nights:
DAY 1
Arrive and settle in
Private transfer from Kigali to Musanze, a pre-trek briefing and an early night.
DAY 2
First gorilla trek
Park briefing, trek and up to one hour with your gorilla family, then recovery at the lodge.
DAY 3
Second gorilla trek
A second permit, subject to Rwanda Development Board availability for that date.
DAY 4
Golden Monkeys, then Kigali
A lighter Golden Monkey morning, then your private drive back to Kigali, about 2.5 to 3 hours.
What it costs: a second gorilla permit is an extra USD 1,500 per person, the official Rwanda Development Board fee. Prices for a two-trek stay are on request. Your proposal shows the full price for your dates.
We check both gorilla dates with the Rwanda Development Board before you pay. Permit availability and gorilla sightings cannot be guaranteed.
CLEAR PRICES · PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS
Rwanda gorilla trekking cost: packages from USD 2,435 per person
All prices are package prices per person in US dollars. Every package includes the gorilla permit. The permit alone is USD 1,500 per person, set by the Rwanda Development Board.
Each package includes full board, a private vehicle and driver every day and a post-trek foot massage. 3 and 4 nights also include the Golden Monkey permit. Read our full Rwanda gorilla trekking cost guide.
2 NIGHTS · GORILLA PERMIT INCLUDED
From USD 2,435 pp
Essential Gorilla Trekking Stay
3 NIGHTS · GORILLA + GOLDEN MONKEY
From USD 2,815 pp
Signature Gorilla and Golden Monkey Journey
4 NIGHTS · GORILLA + GOLDEN MONKEY
From USD 3,295 pp
Slow Gorilla and Volcanoes Journey
HONEYMOON · PRIVATE FOR TWO
From USD 4,450 pp
3 nights in the Honeymoon Suite or Master Suite. 4 nights from USD 5,475 pp.
Included in every package
- Gorilla trekking permit (plus Golden Monkey permit on 3 and 4 nights)
- Full board, with water and one soft drink at meals
- One bottle of house wine per guest
- Private vehicle and driver every day, including Kigali pick-up and return
- Your driver waits during the trek
- Gaiters and walking sticks
- Complimentary post-trek foot massage
- Pool, sauna and taxes
Not included
- Flights
- Visas and travel insurance
- Porters and tips
- Extra drinks and spa treatments
- Sedan-chair assistance
- Kigali accommodation
- A second gorilla permit
- Card payment (DPO) fees
Low season runs from 1 March to 31 May and from 1 October to 15 December. High season covers all other dates. Low-season package prices are lower. On booking, you pay the permits plus 50% of the accommodation. The balance is due 30 days before arrival.
"IS IT TOO HARD?" · THE HONEST ANSWER
How difficult is gorilla trekking in Rwanda? Ann tells you.
Ann, guest from the United States, on what the trek really feels like.
You do not need to be an athlete. You do need to be realistic.
✓ Treks are on foot, on steep, sometimes muddy volcano slopes. The length depends on where your gorilla family is that day.
✓ Your guides set the pace. Nobody is rushed, and breaks are normal.
✓ Porters carry your bag and help you up the steep parts. We recommend one.
✓ You spend up to one hour with the gorillas. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.
✓ Afterwards you come back to a hot shower, a complimentary foot massage and a full board dinner.
How it works: three short sequences that show you the way
1. After the trek: recovery
Ann on tired feet and the luxury that makes the day easier.
2. On the mountain: your porter
Why a porter makes the trek easier and supports local families.
3. Before you book: the permit
Why a gorilla permit costs USD 1,500 and where the money goes.
WHY THE PERMIT MATTERS
Meet Daniel, the ranger who protects these gorillas every day
Daniel works in Volcanoes National Park, protecting the habituated gorilla families. Your permit helps fund this work, which is why a gorilla trek is more than a day out.
REAL GUESTS, REAL JOURNEYS
Hear it from guests who made this journey
YOUR CONTACT FOR THIS JOURNEY
Meet Florian – the person behind your enquiry
When you contact Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel directly, Florian personally handles your enquiry and guides you through planning your stay, step by step. Beyond guest planning and sales, he is a photographer, videographer and world traveller, and he has trekked the gorillas himself.
Replies come from our official Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel channels. Message him on WhatsApp for a quick answer, or send your dates and receive your tailored quote within 24 hours.
HONEYMOONS, ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating something special? Tell us, and we will build it into your stay.
Planning a Rwanda honeymoon? Our honeymoon packages put you in the Honeymoon Suite or the Master Suite, private for two, from USD 4,450 per person for 3 nights. See our honeymoon and anniversary gorilla trekking page for details.
Because you deal directly with our team, your occasion does not get lost between suppliers. Every 3-Night Signature Journey includes a complimentary private dinner for two, at a candlelit table in the garden or beside the pool. Tell us what you are celebrating when you enquire. We arrange the rest, from room preparation to timing around your trek.
GARDEN SETTING
POOLSIDE SETTING
UNDER THE STARS
RWANDA FROM THE UK
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda from the UK: flights, visa and timing
Getting to Rwanda from the UK is straightforward. There are direct flights with RwandAir from London Heathrow to Kigali. It is an overnight flight, so you lose little time on the ground. From Kigali, your private driver takes you to Five Volcanoes in about 2.5 to 3 hours.
FLIGHTS · LONDON TO KIGALI
Direct with RwandAir from Heathrow
Flying time is about 8.5 to 9 hours, overnight.
One-stop routes via European, Middle Eastern and African hubs are also available.
Schedules change, so check current times with the airline before you book.
VISA · TIME ZONE
Visa on arrival, minimal jet lag
UK citizens can usually get a free 30-day visa on arrival.
Check current rules with Rwanda's Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration and the FCDO travel advice before you travel.
Rwanda is on GMT+2: one hour ahead of UK summer time and two hours ahead in winter.
SAMPLE PLAN · 3 NIGHTS
Overnight out, overnight home
Day 1: overnight flight from Heathrow.
Day 2: land in Kigali. Your driver takes you to Musanze, about 2.5 to 3 hours. Rest and pre-trek briefing.
Day 3: gorilla trek, reporting at 07:00 at Kinigi. Day 4: Golden Monkeys or a slow day.
Day 5: drive back to Kigali for your flight home.
Best time to go from the UK: the dry seasons, June to September and December to February. June to September fits the UK summer holidays. You can trek all year, and low-season package prices are lower.
Health: check vaccinations with your GP or on the NHS Fit for Travel website well before you go. Travel insurance is not included, and we recommend it. Flights are booked by you or your travel agent.
Add more to your trip: a night in Kigali before or after the gorillas, for example at The Governor's Residence. Lake Kivu, Akagera National Park, the Dian Fossey area and onward trips to Tanzania, Zanzibar or the Seychelles can be arranged on request.
QUESTIONS UK TRAVELLERS ASK US
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda: your questions answered
How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
Why is gorilla trekking in Rwanda so expensive?
Is gorilla trekking in Rwanda worth it?
How do I get to Rwanda from the UK?
Do UK citizens need a visa for Rwanda?
What is the best month for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Do you arrange permits, transfers and accommodation?
How do I book gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Can we see the gorillas and Golden Monkeys on separate days?
Can we go gorilla trekking twice?
How difficult is gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
How fit do I need to be? We are older travellers.
Can a sedan chair be arranged for a guest with limited mobility?
Is there an age limit for gorilla trekking?
What should I wear for gorilla trekking?
Is gorilla trekking in Rwanda safe for solo travellers?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda vs Rwanda: which is better?
Where should I stay for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
PERSONAL PLANNING SUPPORT FOR UK TRAVELLERS
Plan Your Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Tell us your preferred dates, who is travelling and what matters most. We personally review room availability, official permit timing, private transfers and the itinerary around your priorities. A real person at Five Volcanoes replies, with no agent in between.
Honeymoon, anniversary, milestone birthday or the trip of a lifetime? Tell us. We take personal wishes seriously and build them into your stay.
This is an enquiry 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. Gorilla sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Download Your Complimentary Gorilla Trekking GuideONE RWANDA-BASED TEAM · QUOTE WITHIN 24 HOURS
One carefully paced journey. No agent in between. Your wishes go straight to us.
Share your travel dates and number of guests. Our team checks room availability, Gorilla and Golden Monkey Permit dates and private transfers, then sends you one clear written proposal within 24 hours, including your direct-booking advantages. Prefer a quick chat? Message Florian on WhatsApp.
No payment is required to request a proposal. Permits remain subject to Rwanda Development Board availability and confirmation. Gorilla sightings cannot be guaranteed. For direct contact, write to bookings@fivevolcanoesrwanda.com.
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Contact
+250 789 924 969 | +250 780 440 648
marketing@fivevolcanoesrwanda.com
Musanze-Kinigi Road, Ruhengeri | Rwanda
