Gorilla Trekking Car Hire Rwanda
Get a dependable 4x4 for the trip up to see the gorillas, whether you'd rather drive it yourself or have one of our chauffeurs take you from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. Safe, reasonably priced, and reliable.
Getting a Car Sorted for Gorilla Trekking
More than half of the planet's remaining mountain gorillas live right here, tucked into Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda's northwest corner. Each year, countless travellers make the trip from Kigali up to Musanze for what's widely regarded as one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters anywhere.
We've picked our 4x4 vehicles with this particular route in mind. Every car is kept in solid mechanical condition, carries full insurance, and is set up for a smooth ride through the hills on the way to the park.
Prefer to drive yourself? You're free to take the 4x4 out on your own and stop wherever catches your eye along the route. Or hand the driving to one of our chauffeurs and spend the journey resting up before your trek instead of watching the road.
Looking to see more of the country? We put together multi-day itineraries that pair gorilla trekking with golden monkeys, an Akagera safari, or chimp tracking in Nyungwe — just tell us what you have in mind.
View 4x4 FleetGorilla Trekking Car Hire Packages
Self-Drive 4x4 Daily Rate
Toyota RAV4, Prado or Land Cruiser
Kigali to Volcanoes - Return Transfer
Driver included, wait at park
2 Day Gorilla Trek Package
Car hire + driver for 2 days
Custom Multi-Day Safari
Gorillas, Akagera, Nyungwe
What to Expect on the Drive to Volcanoes National Park
Distance from Kigali
About 110 km in total, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours on the road winding through the famous thousand hills.
Best Vehicle
Four-wheel drive earns its keep here, especially once the rains make things muddy — a Land Cruiser or Prado rides most comfortably.
Departure Time
Setting off from Kigali around 5:30 AM puts you at the park in time for the 7:00 AM briefing. Our drivers have done this route plenty of times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of car do I need for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Four-wheel drive is the safer bet for this trip. The route up to Volcanoes National Park isn't always smooth, particularly once the rains arrive, so we point most travellers toward a Land Cruiser, Prado, or RAV4 for the Kigali-to-park leg.
How far is Kigali from Volcanoes National Park?
It's roughly 110 kilometres out of Kigali, which usually takes 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and conditions. Leaving the capital around 5:30 AM gets you to the 7:00 AM park briefing comfortably.
Can I get a driver to take me to gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Definitely — we run chauffeured trips up to Volcanoes National Park for this exact purpose. Your driver collects you from your Kigali hotel, waits nearby during the trek, and brings you back afterward. It's the easiest, lowest-stress way to do it.
How much does car hire for gorilla trekking in Rwanda cost?
A self-drive 4x4 for this trip runs from $80 a day, while a chauffeured round trip to the park starts around $120. Pricing varies with your travel dates and vehicle choice, so get in touch and we'll quote accordingly.
Set to Head Out on Your Trek?
Get your 4x4 booked for the gorilla trekking trip and leave the logistics to us, so you can focus on what's shaping up to be a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.