Private gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda – Rwanda is home to some of the most spectacular mountain gorillas in the world.
The mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park, part of the vast Virunga ranges, making it one of the best places in the world to trek and see them.
On our private gorilla trek in Rwanda, you can choose to trek with a gorilla family as a single person. You will need to pay for a gorilla permit.
Where Exactly Can You Find Mountain Gorillas?
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place at Volcanoes National Park in the far northwest of the country.
This park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas and is rich in montane vegetation, bamboo forests, and open grassland.
Gorilla tracking in this park takes place once daily, with eight people visiting a gorilla group each day.
Visitors are expected to arrive at 7 am at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) offices, where they are informed about What to expect during gorilla trekking and what not to do when tracking gorillas.
After the briefing, visitors are distributed among the different mountain gorilla groups.
Once assigned a gorilla group, an armed ranger guide escorts the visitors to begin their trek to find these gentle giants.
The duration of the trek can range from a few minutes up to six hours, depending on the location of the group being tracked. After finding the group, visitors are allowed to stay in their presence for one hour.
It is crucial to remember the information shared during the briefing for the safety of both the visitors and the gorillas.
Booking a Rwanda Gorilla Permit in Advance
To book gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you need to have your gorilla permit pre-approved by the Rwanda Development Board.
Once you have confirmed your travel dates, we will need to send you an email to check gorilla availability online with the Rwanda Development Board.
Once we confirm that gorillas are available for your travel dates, you will need to let us know so we can send your invoice for the permits.
Once your payment is received, we will go ahead and purchase your permits right away. We will send you a scan of your permits for your record and review.
This will confirm that you have been booked for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
How Much is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?
In addition to the cost of the gorilla permit, you will also need to pay for other services such as transport, accommodation, and guiding.
A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD 1,500 for foreigners, USD 500 for foreign residents, and USD 200 for East African citizens per person per trek.
This gorilla permit gives you the opportunity to spend one hour with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
In addition to the gorilla permits, you will also need to pay for other services for a successful gorilla trekking safari.
The Best Time to Go for Private Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is most popular during the dry season (June-October) and the wet season (December-March).
During the dry season, there is little to no rainfall, making it easy to create trails and see the mountain gorillas.
During the wet season (April, May, and November), vegetation grows very high, making it difficult to see the gorillas clearly.
During this time, the treks are shorter because the mountain gorillas do not travel long distances in search of food, as it is easily available.
Gorilla trekking can be done all year round in Rwanda, as it is a well-organized activity and you have a 99% chance of seeing the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Where to Stay During Your Private Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of accommodation options ranging from budget to mid-range and luxury.
Budget options include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge in Virunga, Volcanoes Lodge, Five Volcanoes Hotel, and Mountain Gorilla’s Nest Lodge, with prices ranging from USD 300 to USD 1,000 per night.
Mid-range lodges at Volcanoes National Park include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, and Da Vinci Lodge. Budget options include Kinigi Hotel, Hotel Muhabura, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Villa Gorilla, Volcanoes Hotel, Faraji Hotel, La Palme Hotel, or Home Inn.
Lodges in Volcanoes National Park are well-prepared to host tourists with various safety and health protocols in line with the Rwanda Health Ministry and WHO recommendations for tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
How to Access Volcanoes National Park
The best way to get to Volcanoes National Park is by road. It is only a 2-3 hour drive from Kigali, where you will meet for a brief briefing at your chosen accommodation.
From there, you will drive through the picturesque Thousand Hills of Rwanda, with plenty of opportunities to stop for photos and sightseeing.
The main point of the text is that Rwanda is a prime location for private gorilla trekking experiences, with Volcanoes National Park being the ideal place to see mountain gorillas.
Visitors can book gorilla permits in advance and choose from a variety of accommodation options. The best time to go is during the dry season, and access to the park is convenient with a 2-3 hour drive from Kigali.
