How to Combine Gorilla and Coffee Tour in Rwanda

The Suggested 4-day Gorilla and Coffee Tour in Rwanda starts in Kigali City and heads to Volcanoes National Park for a thrilling gorilla trekking adventure. Later, the journey shifts to the highland coffee plantations where you explore Rwanda’s prized Arabica beans. The tour also includes cultural experiences such as the Ellen DeGeneres Campus and the Gorilla Guardians Village. You will visit coffee farms in Gakenke or near Lake Kivu, gaining insight into the “crop-to-cup” journey. This itinerary suits travelers looking to enjoy wildlife and rural traditions. With comfortable lodges, expert guides, and rich cultural stops, this trip creates a balanced, engaging, and educational safari in Rwanda’s beautiful landscapes.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Welcome to Rwanda

Arrive at Kigali International Airport where a representative will greet you warmly. After clearing immigration, transfer to your hotel in the city. A staff member will assist with check-in as you enjoy a welcome drink. Your guide will meet you in the lobby for a short briefing. Later, enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant. Spend your first night at the iconic Hotel Des Mille Collines, a luxury hotel located in Kigali.

Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, check out and begin your city tour at 9:00 AM. Your guide will take you to important sites like the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Campaign Against Genocide Museum, and Niyo Art Gallery. At the memorial, walk through moving displays of photos, artifacts, and stories of victims. Though emotional, these visits offer valuable lessons on Rwanda’s past and its resilience. Later, enjoy lunch at Heaven Restaurant or Pili Pili. In the afternoon, drive through scenic hills towards Volcanoes National Park, taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Upon arrival, check in at Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge and enjoy dinner. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your gorilla trek.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Visit

Start your day early with breakfast before heading to the park headquarters. By 7:00 AM, attend a detailed briefing about gorilla trekking. At 8:00 AM, transfer to the trailhead and join others for the hike. Rangers will guide you through the lush forest in search of mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park forms part of the Virunga Mountains, shared between Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. These forested slopes host several habituated gorilla families. Once located, you spend one magical hour observing their natural behavior. Watch them play, eat, rest, or move around the vegetation.

In the afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Next, explore the Gorilla Guardians Village. This community-led center highlights traditional Rwandan culture, music, and dance. Return to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful evening.

Day 4: Coffee Tour and Return to Kigali

After breakfast, check out and begin your coffee adventure. Drive for about 30 minutes to Gakenke, near Musanze. Arrive at a local plantation around 8:00 AM. Walk through the farm and learn about the coffee journey from planting to post-harvest. See how farmers sort beans, use floating tanks, pulp the cherries, and grade them. Learn different processing methods including honey, natural, and fully washed techniques. Enjoy a live roasting session and compare roast levels such as dark, medium, and medium-dark. Join the farmers for a traditional lunch and taste the fresh brew—black or with milk. This experience shows how coffee tourism supports rural communities.

Alternatively, head to Gisenyi near Lake Kivu, about 1 hour and 26 minutes away. Visit coffee farms around Kinunu or Kayove. Here, many farmers grow coffee on small plots and supply beans to washing stations. Explore plantations, speak with growers, and see the washing and drying process. Enjoy scenic views of Lake Kivu as you learn about Rwanda’s specialty coffee.

After the tour, return to Kigali in time for lunch at Khana Khazana or a similar restaurant. Later, transfer to the airport. Say goodbye to your guide and prepare for your flight.

NOTE: This is Suggested itinerary, so it can be modified to meet your preferences and budget.

Rwanda’s Coffee Culture – What to Expect

Rwanda introduced coffee in 1904 through missionary activity. Today, coffee stands among the country’s top cash crops. About 95% of beans are Arabica Bourbon, known for smooth texture and citrus notes. Rwanda’s high altitudes and volcanic soils boost bean quality.

Popular Coffee Tour Regions

Coffee tours often happen near Lake Kivu, especially around Kinunu, Kayove, and the Ingoboka cooperative. These areas feature well-established washing stations like KZ Noir and Kinunu. Some tours also happen closer to Musanze in northern Rwanda.

Detailed Crop-to-Cup Experience

You explore each stage of coffee processing, from cherry picking to roasting and tasting. Many tours offer hands-on sessions where you pick ripe cherries and roast your own beans. Some tours include educational walks through coffee gardens and pulping stations.

Tasting and Roast Comparison

Tourists enjoy comparing roast levels and sampling coffee straight from the farm. Tasting sessions reveal flavor profiles—citrus, floral, chocolate, or caramel. Learn to identify notes in black coffee or taste local brewing styles.

Meet Local Farmers

Farmers welcome visitors with songs, stories, and traditional meals. Many farms are community-run or cooperatives, which empower women and small-scale growers. Your visit supports these efforts and promotes sustainable farming practices.

Support Local Communities

Coffee tourism boosts income for rural families and promotes environmental care. Many tours directly help women’s cooperatives and youth groups.