Gorilla trekking in Rwanda offers visitors a lifetime opportunity to explore in depth the behaviors of mountain gorillas. This one in a lifetime experience is a distinct wildlife adventure that takes visitors on a guided walk through the rainforest in search of mountain gorillas. The most thrilling moment of it is that you get a chance to enjoy up close and personal encounters with a silverback in the wild.
Where to Track the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking adventures are conducted in the Volcanoes National Park, one of the only four places where mountain gorillas can be found. The park is found in Northwestern Rwanda and is 2-3 hours’ drive. This park was established in 1925 purposely to protect mountain gorillas. It extends up to 160 sq. km. The Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri lies in the Virunga Region and features bamboo forests, afro-montane, extensive swamps, savanna grasslands, and five –Gahinga, Bisoke, Karisimbi Volcano, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura Volcanoes.
Gorilla trekking in the volcanoes of Rwanda involves actively hiking through the natural rainforest with the local expert to search for rare mountain gorillas. The hike takes you through the dense rainforest and bamboo forest. The trek is conducted with the presence of an experienced ranger guide from Volcanoes National Park.
About 13 gorilla families are available for visitors to trek in Volcanoes National Park including Sabyinyo gorilla family, Hirwa group, Umubano, and Agashya. Other gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park include Amahoro, Karisimbi (Susa B), Kwitonda, Bwenge, Muhoza group, and Ugenda.
Cost of permits for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Valid gorilla permits are essential for all visitors with plan to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda. A single Rwanda gorilla permit can be booked at USD 1500 per visitor. Booking the Rwanda gorilla permit can be done safely and faster through the travel/tour company on the ground. Visitors are encouraged to secure their gorilla permits in advance and this should be at least 2-6 months before the actual gorilla trek.
Available discounted gorilla permit offers cost USD 1050. These are available for visitors who travel in March, April, May, and November and plan to visit other national parks that include Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park.
What is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda like?
Gorilla trekking starts with early planning and booking a packaged gorilla watching trip. There are different gorilla tour packages to book leading to Volcanoes National Park which can be 2 days, 3 days, or more. The more days more you have adequate time to interact with the endangered mountain gorillas.
Traveling to Rwanda to see the Volcanoes Park’s Mountain gorillas is a must-do. On the actual gorilla trek, visitors are expected to report to the park offices to register and clear at the park desk. After the registration, visitors can assemble at the Kinigi for a briefing about the guidelines for gorilla trekking. Gorilla families are allocated to visitors by the park official and each gorilla group is visited by a maximum of 8 (eight) visitors.
The briefing session normally begins early and at around 8:00 am, visitors can embark on the actual search for the endangered mountain gorillas. The experienced ranger guide from Volcanoes National Park will be available to take you on the search for gorillas in the wild.
The gorilla trek involves spending some time in the jungles, about 2-6 hours as you search for mountain gorillas. The entire trek is not predictable and can take short or long hours depending on the visitor’s speed of walking, the nature of the habitat, and the location of the gorillas.
In case you have heavy luggage, feel free to hire a porter to assist you carry the luggage as you enjoy the trek. The porters are available for hire at USD 20.
Gorilla Trekking Rules to Follow
There are strict rules that must be adhered to while visiting the mountain gorillas. Here are some guidelines to follow;
- Always observe a distance of 7-8 meters away from gorillas.
- Keep your voice low as you embark on a search for gorillas. Shouting can make gorillas charge at you or get scared away.
- Do not go to visit Rwanda gorillas when sick.
- Avoid the use of flashlight cameras for photography.
- To trek gorillas, all visitors should be 15 years and above.
- Cover your mouth when you have an urge to cough and nose when in need to sneeze.
- Gorilla treks should be done only on already habituated gorilla groups.
- All treks to see gorillas must be done with the lead of an experienced park ranger guide.
- Do not be tempted to touch gorillas in their habitat.
- Keep the gorilla environment clean and ensure that every used bottle or material is dumped in the designated places at the park offices/where briefing is conducted.
- All gorilla trekkers must have valid gorilla permits to be allowed to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
The Volcanoes National Park also has other exciting experiences worth adding to your bucket list. They include golden monkey trekking, Volcanoes hiking, visiting the Twin Lakes, birding or bird watching, Dian Fossey hike, and a cultural tour to Iby’Iwacu Village.
Accommodation options to stay during the Trip
While on the Rwanda gorilla safari, there are multiple accommodation options to choose ranging from budget, midrange, and luxury. Top accommodation alternatives to book for an overnight stay in Volcanoes Park include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, One&Only Gorilla Nest Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Lodge, Virunga Lodge, and Wilderness Bisate Lodge.
The other accommodation choices include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, and Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, La Palme Hotel, Hotel Muhabura, Villa Gorilla Lodge, and Kinigi Guesthouse.
Acceptable gorilla trekking age
The minimum age limit that is acceptable for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is 15 years. Anyone within this age bracket can obtain a valid gorilla permit which allows him or her to trek gorillas.
Best time to Visit Rwanda Gorillas
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is open to visitors all year round. But the best time to travel to enjoy a successful gorilla trek in Rwanda is around the peak dry months. The peak dry months occur starting June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. Even the rest of the months (March, April, May, October, and November), there is an option of visiting mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
What to pack for a Gorilla Trek
The essentials to consider on your packing list for gorilla trekking include a valid gorilla permit, a daypack, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, a safari hat, long trousers, insect repellents, bottled drinking water, and others.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park
Planning to go to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and you are not sure about how to get there? Volcanoes National Park is reachable by road about a 2 to 3 hours’ drive starting from the heart of Kigali.
