Road trip from Kigali
Kigali to Volcanoes National Park by car
Drive yourself to Musanze and the gorilla trekking trailheads at Kinigi.
- Drive time
- About 2.5 hours to Musanze
- Distance
- About 105 km to Musanze, then about 15 km more to the Kinigi park HQ
- Car to rent
- Rent an SUV or another high clearance car
Drive times are approximate, on a good road without long stops.
Which car
Rent an SUV or another high clearance car
The main road to Musanze is a comfortable drive in any car, but the roads to the Kinigi trailheads can be rough. An SUV or another car with good ground clearance is recommended.
Traveling as a family or group? A 7 seat SUV covers both the space and the clearance.
Every Vumvum rental is self drive and picked up from the host in Kigali, so your trip starts in the city.
Available now in Kigali
SUVs and 7 seaters you can rent in Kigali
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Prices are daily rates in US dollars (USD), set by each host.
Tips
Before you go
Book your gorilla permit first
Gorilla trekking needs a permit from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), booked in advance. Permits are very expensive, so check RDB for the current price before you plan the rest of the trip.
Stay in Musanze the night before
Trekking starts early in the morning at the park HQ in Kinigi. Driving up the day before and staying in Musanze avoids a pre dawn drive from Kigali.
Plan around Umuganda
Umuganda, the national community work day, is the last Saturday of each month, roughly 7 to 11 am. Most services close and driving is restricted, so don't plan to set off then.
Watch your speed
Speed limits are low and camera enforced, often 40 km/h in towns and 60 to 80 km/h outside them. Fines arrive quickly.
Official sources
Fees, permits and rules change. Always confirm with the official source before you travel.
FAQ
Volcanoes National Park road trip questions
How long is the drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park?
About 2.5 hours to Musanze (about 105 km) on a good road without long stops. The park HQ at Kinigi, where treks start, is about 15 km past Musanze.
Do I need a 4x4 for gorilla trekking?
The roads to the Kinigi trailheads can be rough, so an SUV or high clearance car is recommended. If you specifically need four wheel drive, confirm it with the host before booking.
How do I get a gorilla trekking permit?
Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and must be booked in advance. They are very expensive, so check RDB at visitrwanda.com for the current price.
Can I pick up the rental car in Musanze?
Cars are picked up from the host at their location, and the hosts listed today are in Kigali. Pick up in Kigali and drive to Musanze yourself.
Explore
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Rent your car for Volcanoes National Park
Choose your dates, pick a car, and message the host to arrange pickup in Kigali.