Your 4-day itinerary, day by day

This is the costed 2027 route supplied by our Rwanda ground team. It is a starting point rather than a fixed package, so we can tailor the accommodation, pace and activities around your dates and budget.

Duration4 days
Guide price$8,195
RouteKigali and Volcanoes
Where you stay2 luxury stays
Show prices in
indicative only, we quote in USD

Guide price per person for two sharing, valid June to September 2027. Every trip is tailor-made and the final quote depends on availability.

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  1. Day 1
    Rwanda's green hills surrounding Kigali

    Arrive in Kigali

    Meet your local representative at Kigali International Airport, receive a private safari briefing and transfer to your hotel.

    OvernightHemingways Retreat Kigali (1 night)

  2. Day 2
    The Virunga volcanoes rising above Rwanda

    Kigali city tour and Volcanoes National Park

    Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, stop for lunch in Kigali and continue by road to the Virunga foothills. Settle into your lodge for a quiet evening before the trek.

    OvernightWilderness Sabyinyo (1 night)

  3. Day 3
    A mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

    Mountain-gorilla trekking

    After an early breakfast, transfer to the park offices for your briefing and join a guided trek through Volcanoes National Park. Spend a regulated hour with a habituated gorilla family before lunch and the road transfer back to Kigali.

    OvernightHemingways Retreat Kigali (1 night)

  4. Day 4
    The rolling landscape of Rwanda

    Depart Kigali

    Check out and transfer to Kigali International Airport at the appropriate time for your onward flight.

Your luxury gorilla route

This short private journey starts in Kigali, travels north to Volcanoes National Park for the gorilla trek and finishes at Kigali International Airport for departure.

  1. 1Kigali
  2. 2Volcanoes National Park
  3. 3Kigali International Airport

Each numbered stop follows the itinerary in order. Journey times are indicative and exclude sightseeing, lunch and photography stops.

Where you'll stay

Tracy's costed luxury option pairs a refined Kigali base with a private lodge in the Virunga foothills. Accommodation remains subject to availability when the trip is confirmed.

Superior king suite bedroom at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
Superior king suite terrace at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
Superior king suite bathroom at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
Luxury pool villa bedroom at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
Luxury pool villa bathroom at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
Deluxe king bedroom at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
Deluxe king bathroom at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
Deluxe king room terrace at Hemingways Retreat Kigali
Kigali1 / 8
Kigali

Hemingways Retreat Kigali

The selected Kigali stay for this luxury option, used on arrival and again after the gorilla trek before departure.

The fireside lounge at Wilderness Sabyinyo
A cottage bedroom at Wilderness Sabyinyo
A warm guest bedroom at Wilderness Sabyinyo
A cottage suite bedroom at Wilderness Sabyinyo
The lounge at Wilderness Sabyinyo
A spacious cottage interior at Wilderness Sabyinyo
A guest cottage bedroom at Wilderness Sabyinyo
A Wilderness Sabyinyo cottage set among lush gardens
Views across the Virunga foothills from Wilderness Sabyinyo
Volcanoes National Park1 / 9
Volcanoes National Park

Wilderness Sabyinyo

A luxury lodge in the Virunga foothills, positioned for an early transfer to the Volcanoes National Park trekking briefing.

A smiling Brilliant Africa guide beside a branded safari vehicle

Ready to plan your luxury gorilla trek?

Tell us your dates and the level of comfort you have in mind. A Rwanda specialist will check permit and lodge availability and shape the journey around you.

What's included

The guide price covers the essential ground arrangements and the activities shown in the itinerary, with Brilliant Africa's planning and in-country support wrapped around the trip.

In your price

  • Airport transfers
  • Private ground transport in a 4WD safari vehicle
  • An English-speaking driver-guide
  • Accommodation shown in the itinerary
  • Meals described in the itinerary
  • Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
  • Activities and excursions shown in the programme
  • AMREF Flying Doctors cover

With Brilliant, you'll also get

  • One-to-one planning with a dedicated East Africa specialist
  • Local ground support throughout your trip
  • Pre-travel support for permits, documents and practical preparation
  • A personalised guest portal and mobile app
  • WhatsApp contact with the local support team while you travel

The 'Life Happens' Postponement Guarantee

If life gets in the way and you need to postpone your trip, we won't charge any fees to move it and your deposit is applied to the rescheduled dates. Terms and conditions apply, enquire for details.

Guide price per person for two sharing, valid June to September 2027. Every trip is tailor-made and the final quote depends on availability.

Your questions answered

How much does Luxury Gorilla Experience cost?

Luxury Gorilla Experience starts from $8,195 per person for two people sharing, based on travel from June to September 2027. Final pricing depends on dates, permit and accommodation availability, and any changes you make to the route.

How long is the trip and where does it go?

This is a 4-day private journey from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park and back. It is a tailor-made starting point, so we can adjust the pace, stays and activities around your dates and priorities.

Are the gorilla permits included?

The guide price includes the permits specified in the costed itinerary. Permit availability must be confirmed before the trip can be secured, so early planning is important.

Can I change the accommodation level?

Yes. The displayed price uses the accommodation combination selected for this itinerary, but the costed proposals include three accommodation levels for most routes. We can reshape the stays around your budget and preferred level of comfort.

When is the best time to visit Rwanda?

Rwanda can be visited year-round. The drier periods are generally easier for forest trekking and classic safari, while the greener months bring lush landscapes and can offer better value. We will match the route to your dates and priorities.

Talk to someone who's actually been there

Rwanda rewards careful planning because trekking permits, lodge availability and road timings all shape the route. Our East Africa specialists will coordinate the details and tailor the journey around the wildlife experiences that matter most to you.

  • Barry, Safari Specialist & Field Guide, Brilliant Africa

    Barry

    Safari Specialist & Field Guide
  • Alyson, Guest Experience Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Alyson

    Guest Experience Specialist
  • Tracy, Tailor-Made Safari Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Tracy

    Tailor-Made Safari Specialist
  • Holly, Guest Experience Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Holly

    Guest Experience Specialist
  • Marc, Africa Travel Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Marc

    Africa Travel Specialist

Speak to an Expert

Interested in the Luxury Gorilla Experience? Tell us your dates, budget and priorities. A Rwanda specialist will check permits and tailor the Kigali and Volcanoes stays around you.

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Close-up of a lion in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Rated Excellent by safari travellers

Excellent

4.9 out of 5 based on 188 reviews

We don't just write about these safari destinations; we send travellers there every season. Here's what they say about planning their trip with Brilliant.

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They created us a beautiful and seamless honeymoon

They created us a beautiful and seamless honeymoon. They…

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Our Safari trip was an amazing experience from the time we…

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Once in a life time holiday

We went on my 60th Birthday once in a lifetime Safari. Wow…

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Memorable, amazing and well organised

Very well organised tour. Lovely lodges and tented lodges. Great…

Susan Twomey, June 2026

As seen in

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The Telegraph
Forbes
USA Today
CNBC
Nature
University of Cambridge

Ready to plan your African adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We start by getting to know you: your dates, who's travelling, your budget and the wildlife and moments you're dreaming of.

2
Match

Design

Then we design your safari from scratch, hand-picking the camps, routing and pace to suit you. No off-the-shelf packages, just impartial expert advice.

3
Reserve

Refine & reserve

We fine-tune every detail with you, then place a 24 hour hold on your preferred camps, with no obligation, before you confirm.

Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.

+44 330 818 9960