Volcanoes National Park Car Hire
Get a car sorted for the trip up from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, whether you're there for gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, or the Dian Fossey trail. Drive yourself or let one of our chauffeurs take care of it.
Making the Trip from Kigali to the Park
Tucked near the town of Musanze (once known as Ruhengeri) in Rwanda's northwest, Volcanoes National Park shelters the Virunga mountain gorillas — a wildlife encounter unlike almost anything else on the planet. It sits about 110 km out from Kigali.
Getting there takes somewhere between 2 and 2.5 hours on tarmac that's kept in solid shape. Along the way, the road winds through the thousand hills Rwanda is known for, so the drive itself is worth the trip.
We keep this route covered with dependable, fairly priced car hire — pick a self-drive 4x4, a chauffeured day trip, or a multi-day package pairing gorilla trekking with other stops around the country.
Every vehicle heading this way carries a spare tyre, emergency kit, and GPS. Our chauffeurs have driven this road enough times to know both the route and the park's rules inside out.
View 4x4 FleetTransfer Options from Kigali
Self-Drive 4x4 Daily Hire
Toyota RAV4, Prado or Land Cruiser
Chauffeured Day Return
Driver waits at park during trek
2 Day Trek Package
Driver and car for 2 full days
Multi-Day Rwanda Safari
Gorillas plus Akagera or Nyungwe
What to Do at Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking
Hike into the Virunga range for an hour alongside a wild gorilla family. Permits run $1,500 per person.
Golden Monkey Trekking
A gentler, cheaper alternative — permits cost $100 and the trek itself takes 2 to 4 hours.
Dian Fossey Hike
A tough but worthwhile 5-hour climb up to the research camp and grave site of researcher Dian Fossey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park?
It's a 110 km trip from the capital, roughly 2.5 hours along the Kigali-Musanze road. We cover this route with both self-drive 4x4 rentals and chauffeured transfers — leaving Kigali around 5:30 AM gets you to the park in time for the 7:00 AM briefing.
What car do I need to drive to Volcanoes National Park?
A 4x4 SUV is the safer choice, particularly during the rainy stretches from March to May and October to December when the road surface deteriorates. A RAV4, Land Cruiser Prado, or full-size Land Cruiser will all get you there comfortably.
Can I hire a driver to take me to Volcanoes National Park?
You can — our chauffeur service collects you at your Kigali hotel, drives you up to the park, waits while you trek, and brings you back afterward. It's the simplest option, priced from $120 for the round trip.
Lock In Your Ride to Volcanoes National Park
Getting ready for the trek? Reserve your car hire or chauffeured transfer from Kigali and we'll get you there comfortably and on schedule.