Itinerary · October 2026
4 Days in Rwanda: Gorilla Trekking, Then Rest on Lake Kivu
One hard, unforgettable morning with the gorillas, then two slow days by the water. This is the simplest way to fit Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu into one short trip.
The Plan at a Glance
- Day 1: Kigali to Musanze, near Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla trek, then the drive to B&P Ever Retreat Villa on Lake Kivu
- Day 3: A full rest day at the villa
- Day 4: A slow morning on the lake, then back to Kigali
Day 1: Kigali to the Volcanoes
Leave Kigali after breakfast for the drive north to Musanze, about 2 to 2.5 hours through Rwanda's terraced hills. If you have time before you go, the Kigali Genocide Memorial is an important place to begin any visit to Rwanda.
Spend the night close to the park. Trek briefings start early at the park headquarters in Kinigi, and staying nearby means a calmer morning and more sleep.
Day 2: Gorilla Trek, Then the Lake
Be at the Kinigi park headquarters by about 7am for the briefing, where you're assigned to a gorilla family. The full trek can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on where the family moved overnight, and includes one hour with the gorillas.
Most treks finish by early afternoon. Have lunch, change out of your muddy boots and drive west to Rubavu, about 1.5 to 2 hours. By late afternoon you can be checked in at B&P Ever Retreat Villa, with your feet in the pool and the sun going down over Lake Kivu.
Like this itinerary? We can book it for your dates, from permits to your rest days at the villa.
Click to Plan Your TripDay 3: Rest at B&P Ever Retreat Villa
This is the day most short trips skip, and the one guests remember. Nothing is scheduled. Your legs will feel the trek, and resting them is the whole point of being here.
- Swim in the infinity pool or the lake
- Stretch with yoga on the terrace
- Spend the afternoon on a day bed on the private beach
- Try a cooking experience with local ingredients, or a pottery workshop
- Catch golden hour over the water
Day 4: Lake Morning, Then Home
Take a boat out on Lake Kivu in the cool of the morning, or simply enjoy a slow breakfast with a lake view. Then drive back to Kigali, about 3 to 3.5 hours, in time for an evening flight or a final night in the city.
Make It Longer
With more time, add a day near the park for golden monkey trekking or the hike to Dian Fossey's grave, or stay an extra night on the lake. A rest day is never wasted after a trek.
Want the Big Five too? Add two days in Akagera National Park, about 2.5 hours east of Kigali.
Before You Go
Book your gorilla permit 3–6 months ahead, especially for June–September and December–February. Not sure when to travel? Read our guide to the best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and our 10 tips for your first trek.
Book This Itinerary
Want this trip? We'll plan all four days.
Permits, transfers and rest days at B&P Ever Retreat Villa, built around your dates.