Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is an adventure from beginning to end!
- More about your Oliver Guide: Courtney Leary
- Trip type: Adult, Family, Group getaway, Solo, Mountains
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: 3-5 days
to & from
We booked our entire African adventure through Indagare which I highly recommend given there are so many logistics– including planes + drivers– necessary. We added Rwanda at the end of a week in Kenya (see guide here) so that we could trek with the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. We flew into Kigali from Nairobi on Kenya air which was just fine (not great,) spent one night there and then our driver/ guide picked us up in the morning and we drove 3 hours to the park/ our hotel. Our driver/ guide was fantastic and he was ours for the entire stay in Rwanda. He took us to check in for Gorilla trekking the next day and then drove us to the trail head, picked us up…. drove us back to Kigali…. I can’t imagine this trip without a driver+guide. When departing Rwanda, we flew on Rwanda air to Doha, Qatar where we boarded a Qatar Airlines flight back to the states. Qatar airlines was incredible in business class, not so in economy. Rwanda air was a little sketchy (old plane!) but I am not sure that there are other choices.
Where to Stay
Upon arrival in Kigali we stayed one night at Hemmingways Retreat Kigali. It is truly a retreat in the middle of a very chaotic city, quiet and peaceful. The rooms are clean and comfortable and the restaurant is decent with a very eclectic dinner menu.
Near the park, we stayed at Singita Kwitonda which completely blew us away! The setting, design elements and architecture were incredible and we have never felt more spoiled. We loved having our own hot tub with the most gorgeous views of the volcanoes. The beds were incredibly comfortable and the views (again!) from our beds stunning. We had a full living area with a stocked refrigerator and a full sized dining table in our room. It felt like a very luxurious home. The staff was so warm, friendly and accommodating to our every need without being intrusive. The only negative we could think of with the property was the lack of a gym– my husband and I did not mind but the kids wanted one.
Where to Eat and Drink
Singita Kwitonda is all inclusive, all food and drink are included and all are amazing. Every meal was outstanding and we especially appreciated the “comfort menu” that was presented with each meal as an option– basically a kids menu for adults with burgers/ pizza/ pasta. For us, lunch was served family style and dinner was menu format. Breakfast was a little of both– family style + items to order. They will serve dinner in your room (at your dining table) if you desire but we never did that. They have a wine room/cellar and a lot of wonderful wine to choose from– we just let them pair wines for us at dinner. They also have snacks, coffee and drinks available at all times.
What to Do
Gorilla trek! The main attraction in Volcanoes National Park is Gorilla trekking. You can also go trekking to see Golden Monkeys as well as visit the villages but we did not do either of these due to time constraints. Visiting the area without gorilla trekking would be a little like going to a ski resort and not skiing– you can certainly do it and be happy but you will be left out of the conversation as most are there to see the gorillas. Gorilla trekking takes up most of a day and is absolutely incredible. You will be hiking through a jungle looking for your family and then …you will be within a few feet of gorillas for an entire hour!
Before we took off from Kigali for home, we visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial and museum. This was very impactful and provided good perspective on the country and a greater understanding for the people. I highly recommend squeezing this in.
Inside Scoop
Book in advance– as in a year! Both permits (you will need a permit for every trekker and they are $$$) and lodging around the park are limited.
You need a yellow fever vaccine to enter Rwanda.
They give you water bottles everywhere you go so don’t bring your own!
What to Pack
Singita Kwotonda provided all of the gear that we needed to gorilla trek:
- Hiking boots
- Rain jacket
- Hiking pants
- Gators
- Gloves
If your hotel does not provide all of this gear, you will need to pack it. We found that all of the gear was necessary and were so glad to have boots (provided by the hotel) versus trail shoes which we were planning on using as the mud was incredible thick as was the jungle. I have talked to others that got away with trail shoes and basic hiking pants but I think it really depends on the weather (if it has rained recently or not) and the location of the gorilla family you are assigned.
Other than your trekking gear you attire is anywhere from active to chic casual, nothing dressy needed. Layers are key! Bring a bathing suit for the hot tub if your hotel has one.
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