Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Planned as One Journey by Two Sister Hotels

  • One contact: Florian plans your whole journey. Reply within 12 hours.
  • Our own vehicles. Kigali, Musanze and park transfers in one hand.
  • Permit, rooms and transfers matched to your dates.
  • 2 to 5 night journeys. Kigali stays from USD 250 per night.
WhatsApp Florian
+43 699 11560677
Two sister hotels, one team

Kigali and the Volcanoes, Run as One Journey

The Governor's Residence is our 7-room garden hotel in Kigali, with pool and restaurant. Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel in Musanze has 17 rooms and suites, a pool, a sauna, wellness and full board, 15 minutes from the park headquarters.
Same owners. Same standards. Our own vehicles carry you between both. Florian is your one contact, on one phone number, from first message to the last transfer.
Visit Five Volcanoes
fivevolcanoesrwanda.com
See Trekking Packages
On the Five Volcanoes site
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel in Musanze with the Virunga volcanoes at sunset
Watch the film

Face to Face with the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda

One hour in the forest with a gorilla family. See what the trek feels like, then let us plan the journey around it.
Enquire on WhatsApp
+43 699 11560677, reply within 12 hours
Email Reservations

Gorilla Trekking Rwanda: The Answers You Need First

Before you plan, know the facts. We confirm current permit prices with you before you pay anything.

USD 1,500 per permit

One permit per person, issued by the Rwanda Development Board. We confirm the current price when you enquire.

1 hour with the gorillas

The trek to your family takes 30 minutes to 4+ hours. The hour with the family is the reason you came.

8 visitors per family

Maximum eight guests visit each gorilla family per day. Small groups, quiet forest.

2.5 to 3 hours to Musanze

Kigali to Musanze by road. Five Volcanoes sits 15 minutes from the park headquarters.

2 to 5 nights

From a compact 2-night trek to a full circle with Kigali before and after.

Reply within 12 hours

Email or WhatsApp +43 699 11560677. Florian answers personally.

Four Gorilla Journeys. Pick Your Rhythm.

Every journey is built around your permit date. We adjust the days to your flights.

2 nights: Compact

Musanze only. Arrive, trek, depart. For short trips and tight schedules.

3 nights: Essential

Musanze only, plus one free day for Golden Monkeys, Twin Lakes or rest.

4 nights: Signature

1 night at The Governor's Residence in Kigali, then 3 nights at Five Volcanoes. Our most booked journey.

5 nights: Full Circle

Signature plus a final night back in Kigali. Recover before your flight home.
Example itinerary: 5 days, 4 nights

The Signature Journey, Day by Day

Shorter or longer? We shift the days around your flights and permit date.

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali

We meet you at the airport in our own vehicle. Check in at The Governor's Residence. Pool, garden, dinner. Sleep well.

Day 2: Kigali to Musanze

Short Kigali context in the morning. Then the 2.5 to 3 hour drive to Five Volcanoes. Pre-trek briefing in the afternoon.

Day 3: Gorilla trek

Early breakfast, park briefing, trek, one hour with your gorilla family. Dian Fossey museum, then foot massage and rest at the hotel.

Day 4: Day of your choice

Golden Monkey trek, Twin Lakes, birdwatching, cycling or a slow day at the pool and sauna.

Day 5: Departure or Kigali

Transfer to Kigali airport for your flight. Or add a night back at The Governor's Residence, or a day room before a late flight.
Guests watching a gorilla family in the bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

What Your Trek Day Looks Like

  • Early breakfast at Five Volcanoes
  • Briefing at the park headquarters around 07:00
  • Trek to your family, then one hour with the gorillas
  • Lunch, foot massage and rest back at the hotel
  • Pack sturdy boots, rain jacket, gloves and long sleeves. A porter costs about USD 15 to 20.
Our Pre-Trek Guide comes with your booking. Packing basics are on the Five Volcanoes blog.
What to Pack
Read the packing guide

Is a USD 1,500 Permit Worth It?

Yes, for most guests it is the moment of the whole trip. One hour, a few metres from a wild family in the bamboo forest.
Your permit funds ranger patrols, veterinary care and the communities around the park. Only eight visitors see each family per day. That is why it stays quiet and why the gorillas stay safe.
Mountain gorilla mother with her baby in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Baby mountain gorilla looking into the camera, Virunga volcanoes, Rwanda

Over 60 or Not Sure About Fitness? You Can Still Go.

  • Tell us your fitness level early. The park assigns the final gorilla family.
  • Porters carry your bag and help on steep sections.
  • A sedan chair can be arranged on request, subject to availability.
Safari vehicle of The Governor's Residence for transfers to Musanze

Our Own Vehicles. No Handover, No Waiting.

One driver and one vehicle from Kigali airport to your gorilla family and back. No third-party handovers. No guessing who picks you up.
Tell us your group size and dates. You get the vehicle and the price within 12 hours.
Request Vehicle and Price
Reply within 12 hours

Arrive Well. Leave Rested.

Your first night in Kigali is for landing softly: pool, garden dinner, a quiet room. Your last night is for recovery after the forest, before the long flight home.
Late flight? We offer a day room so you can shower and rest before the airport.
Garden dinner at night at The Governor's Residence Kigali
Pool at sunrise at The Governor's Residence Kigali

Planning From Home? We Work in Your Time Zone.

Rwanda is on Central Africa Time. Florian answers in German and English.

Germany, Austria, Switzerland

Same time as Rwanda in summer, 1 hour behind in winter. Contact in German or English.

United Kingdom

1 hour behind Rwanda in summer, 2 hours in winter. Easy overlap for calls and WhatsApp.

USA, East Coast

6 hours behind in summer, 7 in winter. Send your enquiry in the evening. Your plan is waiting in the morning.

Questions About Kigali Hotels and Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Clear answers before you plan.
Where should I stay in Kigali before gorilla trekking?
Where do gorilla treks start?
Can I book Kigali and Musanze together?
How much does a night in Kigali cost?
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Can children stay, and what do they pay?

Keep Planning Your Rwanda Trip

Airport Arrival Guide

Your first hours in Kigali, with pickup in our own vehicle.
Airport Arrival Guide

Rooms and Suites

Seven rooms from USD 250 per night. Breakfast, VAT and levy included.
Rooms and Suites

Best Time to Visit

Seasons, weather and the right month for your trip.
Best Time to Visit

Tell Us Your Dates. We Plan the Rest.

Permit, rooms, transfers and days in between. One plan, one contact, one answer within 12 hours. No booking fee.
WhatsApp +43 699 11560677 · reservations@thegovernorsresidence.com
WhatsApp Florian
+43 699 11560677
The Governor's Residence Kigali
Seven-room boutique hotel in Kimihurura, Kigali, Rwanda. Garden, pool, restaurant and a private meeting room. Our sister hotel is Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel in Musanze.
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Contact
46 KG 674 St, Kimihurura, Kigali, Rwanda
WhatsApp +43 699 11560677
reservations@thegovernorsresidence.com
WhatsApp Florian