Virunga Trek: MGahinga Gorilla National Park
A Customizable Trip to Rwanda — 6 Days / 5 Nights
Highlights
Virunga Trek: MGahinga Gorilla National Park is ideal for discovering art, culture, endangered gorillas, golden monkeys in Rwanda and Uganda.
About this Safari
– Explore the vibrant city of Kigali; discovering the art, history, and culture of Rwanda.
– Trek endangered mountain gorillas, experience the vibrant golden monkeys, and discover the ancient culture of the Batwa, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rainforest in the Ugandan portion of the Virunga Mountains.
– This can be a safari on its own or an extension to another East African safari.
Total Cost of Tour – 2026
01 Mar – 31 May & 01 Nov – 15 Dec – $ 5,936
01 – 31 Oct – $ 6,045
01 Jan – 28 Feb, 01 Jun – 30 Sep & 15 – 31 Dec – $ 7,575
Rates
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 – 2: The Retreat by Heaven, Rwanda
Arrive Kigali, transfer to The Retreat by Heaven – 2 nights. A passion project of Josh Ruxin and his wife Alissa, The Retreat pairs natural design and…
Day 3 – 5: Mount Gahinga Lodge, MGahinga Gorilla National Park
Drive to MGahinga Gorilla National Park, and proceed to Mount Gahinga Lodge – 3 nights. Located on the Ugandan side of the…
Day 6: Departure
Drive to Kigali International Airport – depart. Sadly, the end of your safari; other plans can be…
This is a condensed overview of the journey.
Request the full itineraryInclusions & Notes
Details of Costs
This cost includes:
- Bed & breakfast accommodation at Hemingways Retreat Kigali in Superior King Suite
- Full board accommodation at Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Purified water and coffee/tea in room at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
- Soft drinks, house, premium alcoholic drinks & cellar collection wines at Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Park fees, conservancy fees and all trekking permits
- Full day Kigali City Tour including lunch on Day 2
- One golden monkey experience and one gorilla trekking experience
- One 30 minute welcome massage per person (subject to availability) at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
- One 30 minute on-site cultural activity: cocktail making / banana wine making demonstration/ local culinary demonstration or neighbourhood walk (subject to availability – pre booking required) at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
- Massage and spa treatments (subject to booking and availability at Mount Gahinga Lodge)
- On site activities at Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Use of gym, swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and yoga terrace at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
- Airport transfers & all road transfers mentioned in private transfers including snacks in vehicle
- Meet and assist on arrival and departure at Kigali International Airport
- Akagera Aviation & AMREF Flying Doctors Membership
- Processing and payment of one single entry visa per person
- Use of customised safari concierge app
- VIP welcome at Kigali International Airport
- All statutory charges
This cost does not include
- Additional meals and drinks at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
- French champagne at Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Additional activities not mentioned in inclusions
- Spa treatments at The Retreat by Heaven
- International flights and additional visa fees
- All statutory increases beyond our control
- Laundry
- Gratuities and items of a personal nature
- Any other extras
Notes
- Gorilla trekking is permitted for children aged 15 years and older
- Golden monkey experience is permitted for children aged 12 years and older
- Gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking begins at 07:00 am and guests are required to arrive at the park officeat 06:40 am
Tour Accommodation
Map
Best Months to Visit
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Questions about this Virunga gorilla trek
Do we cross into Uganda on this trip?
Yes. You arrive and depart through Kigali, spending two nights in the city, then drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and stay three nights at Mount Gahinga Lodge, which sits on the Ugandan side of the Virunga Mountains. The final morning is a drive back to Kigali International Airport, so the routing keeps flights simple despite the border crossing.
How many treks are included?
One gorilla trekking experience and one golden monkey experience, with park fees, conservancy fees and all trekking permits covered in the price. You also spend time with the Batwa, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rainforest, and a full-day Kigali city tour with lunch on day two takes in the art, history and culture of Rwanda.
Is there a minimum age for gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is permitted for children aged 15 and older, and the golden monkey experience for children aged 12 and older. Families with younger children can still enjoy Kigali and the lodge, but would not be able to join either forest activity, so it is worth planning around those ages before you commit to dates.
What time do the treks start?
Gorilla and golden monkey trekking both begin at 07:00, and guests need to be at the park office by 06:40. Mount Gahinga Lodge is close enough to make that an early but manageable start. Days are otherwise unhurried, with on-site activities at the lodge and massage and spa treatments available subject to booking.
How does the price change through the year?
Rates start from US$5,936 per person sharing for 1 March to 31 May and 1 November to 15 December. October is US$6,045, and the peak band of US$7,575 covers 1 January to 28 February, 1 June to 30 September and 15 to 31 December. The cost includes accommodation, meals, drinks at Mount Gahinga Lodge, permits, private transfers and one single entry visa per person.