The bus to Musanze, the ride to Kinigi park headquarters, and the one leg you can't do by public transport.
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You can reach Volcanoes National Park on public transport: a bus from Kigali to Musanze costs RWF 3,821 and takes about two and a half hours. Two things catch independent travellers out. Treks start at 7:00 at Kinigi park headquarters, too early to arrive by bus that morning, and the drive from headquarters to the trailhead needs a 4x4.
Buses leave Nyabugogo bus park throughout the day. RURA's official fare is RWF 3,821 (April 2026), and the 105 km ride takes about two and a half hours.
Minibuses run regularly from Musanze to Kinigi village, and motorbike taxis cover the last 3 km to the park office. Or ask your hotel to arrange the whole morning.
The park office opens at 6:00 and activities start at 7:00. For gorilla treks, arrive at least 15 minutes early. That's why you need to sleep in Musanze or Kinigi the night before.
There is no public transport to the trailheads, and the park doesn't provide vehicles. Some are up to an hour and a half away on rough, steep tracks where a high-clearance 4x4 is needed.
Several companies run the Kigali–Musanze–Rubavu road, among them RITCO, Virunga Express, Different Express and KJ Xpress. All leave from Nyabugogo.
RWF 3,821 Kigali to Musanze · RURA tariff, 6 April 2026
The same buses continue between Musanze and Rubavu (Gisenyi), about 80 km from Kinigi by road. It's an easy way to pair your trek with a few days on Lake Kivu.
A note on fares: some travel guides still quote RWF 2,821 for Kigali to Musanze. That figure predates RURA's April 2026 revision; RWF 3,821 is the current tariff.
For one gorilla trek without a tour company.
Leave Nyabugogo by late morning and check in to a hotel in Musanze or Kinigi.
Ask your hotel to arrange a driver for 6:00 the next morning, and have your permit ready. Permit prices and booking.
Briefing at 7:00, trek, then an afternoon bus back to Kigali or on to Rubavu.
Book your gorilla permit before anything else; only 96 are sold each day.
Volcanoes guidePorters can be hired at official daily rates at every trailhead to carry your bag and help on steep ground.
On the last Saturday morning of each month, community work pauses buses and traffic until around midday.
Coverage is good on the main road, but there's essentially no signal once you're on the trek.
eSIM optionsSources: RURA's intercity tariff via Umunota (effective 6 April 2026); Volcanoes National Park on access, opening hours and trailhead vehicles; KT Press on bus companies and the corridor pilot; Akagera Safari on 4x4 prices. Checked 31 October 2026. Confirm before you travel.
Gorilla families, permit prices and what a trek day actually involves.
Volcanoes National Park guide