Rwanda Gorilla Trek - time frame?
 

Hello! I am taking a short 2-day trip to Rwanda from Nairobi in mid-December to check out a gorilla trek. I'm trying to plan which day to do the trek. I'm booking directly through the Rwanda office to get park appointed guides and believe the trek begins around 8am.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get to Kinigi or where the park entrance is located from Kigali? I'd like to know when to depart Kigali to get there in time for the 8am trek.

I'd also like to know how long to budget to be in the mountains. If I have a 4pm flight that same day, is that enough time to do the gorilla trek in the morning? I know the trek time varies considerably, but would love to hear any feedback from people who have gone on it. I figure if it leaves around 7 am, takes 30 min - 1 1/2 hrs to hike and you only get 1 hour with the gorillas, we would be back anywhere from 11-1pm...and then not sure how long it takes to get to the airport from there. Is this cutting it too close?

Also - what was the weather/trip like in December? Thank you so much in advance!

How long does it take from Kigali to Kinigi park entrance? The vehicle I was in took 2 hours 20 minutes. If you are departing that morning for gorillas, the vehicles leave about 4:15 am.

As to how long the trek takes, that can vary. Upon arrival, you can choose which gorilla group to visit and the rangers have a fair idea of which groups are closest based on where they left them the night before. But the rangers' predictions are not entirely accurate because the gorillas can move around early in the morning or be on the move as the trek is in progress.

You would need to leave the ranger station about noon to make a 4 pm flight from Kigali to Nairobi. That is cutting it too close in my book.

Here is a summary of 5 treks to different groups. The 1 hour with the gorillas is assumed and not listed. Departure from the ranger station is around 7:30 am because you have a briefing first.

1st Gorilla trek = Suza
Drive from Kingi Ranger Station- 1 hour 15 minutes
Walk-1 hour 45 minutes to the gorillas and 1 hour 20 minutes return, very easy. Not typical for Suza.
Drive a good hour back.


2nd Gorilla trek = 13
Drive from Kinigi Ranger Station-30 minutes
Walk-2 hours to the gorillas and 1 ½ hours return.
Drive 30 minutes back.

3rd Gorilla trek = Kwitonda
Drive from Kinigi Ranger Station-25 minutes over very bumpy roads.
Walk – 1.5 hours minutes ascending walk and 1 hour and 15 minutes back down.
Drive 25 minutes back

4th Gorilla trek = Hirwa
Drive from Kinigi Ranger Station-15 minutes
Walk – 45 minutes there and 45 minutes back
Drive 15 minutes back

5th Gorilla trek = Sabinyo
Drive from Kinigi Ranger Station-15 minutes
Walk-1.5 hours there, and walk out 1.5 hours
Get picked up at a different spot than dropped off and drive back 45 minutes.

Thank you so much! I will book a day earlier in Rwanda so I don't cut it too close.

That's great you have the option for a day earler.

I think you should allow more time. You can't depend on eastern African airlines to run on time or even to run.
I missed out on Rwanda gorilla trek when Tanzania airline cancelled its flight to Rwanda. Thank heaven for travel insurance.
I would get there a day early and leave the day after just to be sure you don't miss it entirely.