Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours & Safaris

This guide details everything you need to know about Rwanda safaris and Rwanda gorilla trekking tours. It not only covers gorilla trekking in Rwanda but also provides general information about mountain gorillas and a few other primates.

With eyes ready to capture breathtaking scenery from all corners, ears open to the sweet melodies of nature, lips eager to savor the local cuisines, and hands exploring everything within reach, it’s only fair to say that, once in a while, the wilderness becomes your host.

Rwanda’s wilderness is one of the finest in Africa, welcoming tourists from around the world, regardless of race or dialect. Rwanda is not just a destination—it’s a home! A haven to relax, explore, make friends, and create unforgettable memories.

One of these memories is mountain gorilla trekking. Rwanda is one of only three countries in the world where you can see mountain gorillas.

These gorillas reside in Volcanoes National Park, within the Virunga Mountains in the Virunga Conservation Area. The mountains include Mount Nyiragongo, Mount Mikeno, Mount Nyamuragira, Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Gahinga.

These recommended gorilla trekking companies, including Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo travel operators, can organize a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari at the best prices.

You can regard them as both luxury and budget gorilla tour operators for your adventure.

What You Ought to Know About Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda is generally an expensive destination. When you encounter highly priced quotations, do not be surprised. For luxury tourists, Rwanda offers a true 5-star experience, comparable to only a few countries in the world.

If you decide to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking safaris, be prepared to spend.

Where to See Gorillas in Rwanda

Rwanda is home to approximately 30% of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, all of which are found in Volcanoes National Park.

During the 1960s, the renowned primatologist Dian Fossey established a base in the park to observe the behavior of these magnificent creatures.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is very popular and attracts thousands of tourists annually.

There are currently ten habituated mountain gorilla groups in Rwanda. The country is considered the most convenient place to see mountain gorillas due to its well-developed tourism infrastructure, professional staff, and unbeatable services.

Rwanda offers the most expensive gorilla permits, costing USD 1,500 per person per trek, but the chances of seeing gorillas in Rwanda are over 99%.

How to get a Rwanda Gorilla Permit

A gorilla trekking permit (more commonly referred to simply as a gorilla permit) is a legal requirement for anyone who wishes to track a gorilla, whether it is in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or in another neighboring country.

This permit system serves two purposes: first, it allows park authorities to control the number of people who can visit a particular group of gorillas on a given day.

It’s also important to be aware of the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations to ensure a safe and respectful experience.

Second, the gorilla trekking permit fee makes an important financial contribution not only to the protection of gorillas in the park and their habitat but also to the prosperity of communities living near the park.

Low Season Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

Rwanda Discounted Gorilla Permits, also known as Rwanda Low Season Gorilla Permits, are designed to make it more affordable for travelers who want to spend more than one day tracking gorillas and visiting various national parks.

According to the official website of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the gorilla permit fee for a full-day gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park is USD 1,000 per person.

This is good news for budget travelers, as the normal price for gorilla permits in Rwanda is USD 1,050 per person during the high season.

The low season gorilla permit in Rwanda started in 2017 after the normal gorilla permit prices went up from USD 750 to USD 1,500.

The reason for the price increase was to make the country more attractive for luxury tourism in Africa. In fact, the country has started to attract investors to build luxury lodges and conference centers.

List of Rwanda Gorilla Families

Below are the habituated gorilla groups and the best gorilla families to trek in Rwanda:

Susa Gorilla Group (Susa A): 28 members, 3 silverbacks.
Karisimbi Gorilla Group (Susa-B): 15 members.
Sabyinyo Gorilla Group: 8 members, led by Guhonda.
Amahoro Gorilla Group: 17 members, led by Ubumwe.
Umubano Gorilla Group: 11 members, formed by Charles.
Agashya Gorilla Group: Grew from 13 to 25 members.
Kwitonda Gorilla Group: 18 members, originally from the Congo.
Hirwa Gorilla Group: 16 members, including twins.
Bwenge Family Group: 11 members, featured in Gorillas in the Mist.
Ugenda Gorilla Family: 11 members, nomadic group.

Private Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

On our private gorilla trek in Rwanda, you can choose to trek with a gorilla family as a single person.

However, you will need to pay for a much more expensive gorilla permit that costs about USD 15,000.

How to Prepare for Your Gorilla Trek

Here’s a preparation guide for gorilla trekking:

Book the Permits in Advance: Tourists interested in gorilla trekking should book their gorilla permits in advance. This is important because the permits are limited—only eight individuals per trek. Prices are higher during peak seasons, and there are a limited number of gorilla families available for trekking.
Booking Accommodation in Advance: Tourists are advised to book their accommodation in advance to avoid any inconveniences.
Booking Travel in Advance: It is recommended that tourists book and prepare for their travel before the actual date of their gorilla trek.
Physical Preparation: Ensure you are in good physical condition to handle hot and humid hiking conditions. You should also be free from any airborne diseases, as tourists are not allowed to trek if they are ill. This is because gorillas can easily contract human diseases and fall sick.

Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Time & Money?

Gorilla trekking can be done at any time of the year, but it is highly dependent on the interest of the trekker.

Many activities and adventures accompany it, making it worthwhile for the following reasons.

Provides Funding for Gorilla Conservation Organizations
Creates Awareness About the Existence and Need to Conserve Gorilla Species
Provides Support to Neighboring Communities
Maintains the Health of Gorillas
Minimizes Poaching
Boosts Economic Growth
Creates a Sense of Global Brotherhood
Enjoyment of the Good Weather and Climate
Opportunities to Participate in Other Activities
Encourages More Wildlife Research and Conservation

Why is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda so Expensive

In Rwanda, a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1,500, making it more expensive than other destinations, but it is truly worth the price.

Below are the reasons why the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is expensive:

Rwanda is the most expensive destination for gorilla trekking (permit costs USD 1,500).
Conservation of mountain gorillas requires substantial funds for conservationists, rangers, and doctors.
High maintenance costs of protecting mountain gorillas.
Permit fees contribute to conservation and community development.
Communities around the park benefit from infrastructure, schools, and health centers.
High demand for permits with limited global availability of mountain gorillas.
Expensive permits help regulate visitor numbers and protect the habitat.
Only people above 15 can trek, with a maximum of one hour spent observing gorillas.
The cost ensures participants appreciate and respect the experience.
Gorilla trekking offers an authentic jungle experience, unlike seeing gorillas in a zoo.

How Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting and breathtaking wildlife experiences, but it is not like going on a game drive or visiting a local zoo.

You will have to walk through rough terrain, dense vegetation, and cross various water bodies, as well as climb hills and traverse valleys.

It can be very challenging and strenuous, leaving you exhausted and with sore knees, especially if you are not accustomed to walking for long hours or covering long distances.

It is not just about walking for extended periods—it involves trekking on tough terrain, sometimes with no clear paths.

You may also have to deal with insect bites, thorny bushes, unpredictable rainfall, and dense forests.

In some parks, altitude sickness can also be a concern.

The best tip we can give you is to be mentally prepared for gorilla trekking.

Be ready for unpredictable weather, tough terrain, and potential changes in plans, which are quite common in developing countries.

Although it can be difficult for some, especially the physically challenged, 98% of people who go gorilla trekking complete the trek.

Gorilla Tracking vs. Gorilla Trekking – What’s the Difference?

Gorilla Tracking vs. Gorilla Trekking - What's the Difference?

Many people use the terms “gorilla trekking” and “gorilla tracking” interchangeably, believing them to mean the same thing.

In reality, they refer to two different activities, although both are related to gorillas.

Below are explanations of the two activities:

Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla tracking is the process of locating specific gorilla families based on their last known location, where the gorillas spent the night, and their feeding area.

Expert rangers, guides, park staff, and researchers track the gorillas for various purposes, such as research, conducting a census, and more.

Rangers also track the gorillas to ensure that visitors can find and see them. As a result, the chances of finding a gorilla family are 99%, even though the gorillas are constantly moving within the park.

The gorilla tracking process is similar across all gorilla tracking parks, including Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking involves trekkers venturing into the dense rain-forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo to search for mountain gorillas, guided by experienced rangers.

The terrain in all these parks is similar, featuring thick tropical rain-forest and bamboo, offering a similar experience across the regions.

The only slight variations occur in the steepness of some parks, depending on the mountains and hills of the Virunga Massif.

Gorilla trekking typically begins early in the morning, after guests have had breakfast.

They report to their respective briefing points at 7:30 a.m., where they are briefed on the rules of gorilla trekking before being assigned a gorilla family or group to track.

A maximum of eight people are assigned to track each gorilla family.

The entire gorilla trekking experience can last anywhere between 1 to 8 hours, depending on the terrain, the movement of the gorillas, and the fitness level of the trekkers.

However, it is always thrilling to finally meet the mountain gorilla family, no matter how long the trek has taken.

Guests are allowed 1 hour to take photos of the mountain gorillas, during which time they can ask the ranger guides any questions they may have about these gentle giants.

After the gorilla trekking experience, guests meet their driver and head back to their lodge for lunch or to catch their scheduled flight.

In Conclusion, Gorilla tracking and gorilla trekking are two distinct activities.

Gorilla tracking is the process of locating gorillas based on their last known location for purposes such as research and census, while gorilla trekking involves trekkers, guided by experienced rangers, venturing into the dense rain-forests in search of mountain gorillas.

How Long does Rwanda Gorilla Trekking take?

The duration of gorilla trekking depends on a number of factors, including the location where the gorillas spent the previous night and the availability of food for gorillas to feed on.

Other factors that affect the time taken to trek mountain gorillas include the gorilla mating season, trekker fitness, path conditions, and the ability of the group because they adjust to the slowest person in the group while trekking mountain gorillas.

Because of the above-mentioned factors, gorilla trekking can take anywhere from 2 to 7 hours.

Minimum Age of Gorilla Trekking

A minimum age of 15 years has been set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, and the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature for trekking gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively.

This means that children below the age of 15 will not be permitted to trek with mountain gorillas. However, assistance can be provided to children who are 10 years of age and younger to trek with gorillas in Uganda.

Children under the age of 15 years are not the only ones prohibited from gorilla trekking, but also individuals who have infectious diseases like coughs and flu.

This is because mountain gorillas can easily contract human diseases since their immune systems are vulnerable, and such diseases can lead to the death of many gorillas.

People with pre-existing health conditions like heart diseases and breathing difficulties are also discouraged from participating in gorilla trekking due to the strenuous nature of the trek.

What to Wear for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Make sure you pack the right clothes before you go trekking with gorillas in Rwanda. It will make your trek much easier and enjoyable.

Below are some of the necessities that you will need:

Wear Long-Sleeved Shirts and Long Trousers
Wear Waterproof, Sturdy Hiking Boots
Sturdy Gardening Gloves
A Rain Jacket
Wear a Hat
Wear Enough Insect Repellent
Sunglasses
A Warm Sweater

Essential Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tips that you should know

Here are some tips that you should know as you embark on your gorilla trekking tour.

Hire a Porter (about $15 USD per trek). It’s not only a great way to create sustainable jobs in the community, but it’s also helpful to have someone carry your pack up steep slopes.
Be Polite when interacting with the gorillas. Be quiet and respectful. Remain calm and follow the instructions of your expert guide. The gorillas will not be disturbed by your presence.
Bring Plenty of Water and Energy Drinks. Your accommodation will provide these, but if there’s an energy snack you enjoy, it’s a good idea to bring it with you, as treks can last anywhere from an hour to two hours.
Local Stretchers or Sedan Chairs can be provided to the nearest point of observation if the terrain is too difficult for some guests. These must be reserved ahead of time at an additional fee.
For Photographers, since the gorillas are so close, long lenses are usually not the best choice (and they can be heavy to carry). A medium-zoom lens like 24-70 mm is a good choice. Keep in mind that the humidity in the area can cause the lenses to fog up. Flash photography is not permitted, so be sure to have the right light settings. Store your camera in a waterproof bag to prevent it from getting wet, and remember to charge the battery.

Gorilla Trekking Rules, Regulations, and Guidelines

Here’s a list of the gorilla trekking rules that you ought to follow as you trek with gorillas in Rwanda:

Gorilla trekking is for individuals aged 15 and above.
You must have a yellow fever vaccination.
Park authorities verify identity and health before the trek.
A group of 8 people can visit a gorilla family per day.
Physical fitness is necessary due to steep and muddy terrain.
If you are sick, you won’t be allowed to trek.
Rangers can refuse entry if they think you pose a health risk.
Stay behind if unwell and reschedule or request a refund.
Gorillas can catch human diseases.
Cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.
Keep the park clean; avoid littering.
Keep 15 feet away from gorillas.
Crouch if a gorilla charges; do not run.
Avoid staring directly at gorillas.
No flash photography.
Do not touch the gorillas.
Avoid bright colors and wearing sunglasses.
Wear suitable hiking shoes.
Bring water, a packed lunch, and a rain jacket.
Wear long pants and use mosquito repellent.

More Activities Besides Rwanda Gorilla Treks

Below are more awesomely-amazing activities that you can do besides Rwanda gorilla treks. You can also add them to your itinerary to accompany your gorilla experience.

Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most exciting activities you can engage in when visiting Rwanda. It takes place in Nyungwe Forest, under the guidance of expert park rangers with extensive knowledge of the forest’s territories.

Chimpanzee trekking starts early in the morning at the park headquarters, with a briefing and document verification session.

Just like with Rwanda gorilla trekking experiences, the park rangers explain all the trekking rules and guide participants to different areas of the park in search of chimpanzee groups.

Chimpanzees share over 98% of their DNA with humans, making them one of our closest relatives. Those who have encountered them often remark on their striking resemblance to humans in both appearance and behavior.

Chimpanzees are primarily vegetarians, feeding on leaves, stems, and fruits. However, on rare occasions, they consume insects and ants.

Nyungwe Forest National Park also offers another great activity: the canopy walk. You can spend two to three hours in the evening relaxing, taking photos, and sightseeing on the 7-meter-high suspended canopy walkway in the treetops.

From the canopy, you have the opportunity to admire the stunning landscape, observe forest wildlife playing in the treetops, and enjoy several other breathtaking views from a bird’s-eye perspective.

Wildlife Encounter

Wildlife safaris in Rwanda are primarily conducted in Akagera National Park. Akagera is home to all of Africa’s Big Five animals (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos), along with numerous bird species, vultures, and other wildlife species like antelopes, giraffes, and warthogs.

Game viewing is done either through safari vehicles or on foot.

Packing List for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

While the decision on what to pack is yours, we recommend bringing some essential items when planning your Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.

You will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate, visa, passport, gorilla trekking permit, sturdy hiking boots, garden gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, jumpers, a professional camera for photography, binoculars, and other personal essentials.

Your gorilla trekking company should provide you with a full packing list prior to your Rwanda gorilla trekking tour.

We don’t encourage over-packing, as it can make transfers more difficult and may incur extra charges in some situations. Always aim to pack light, prioritizing essential items.

Best Time to See Rwanda Gorillas

Rwanda gorillas can be seen year-round, but tracking them is best during specific seasons. The recommended times to visit are from June to August and December to February.

To sum it up, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is well worth your time and effort, as every second spent with the gorillas translates into an unforgettable experience. 🙂

However, your trip shouldn’t be limited to gorillas alone. Diversify your itinerary by including other adventurous activities.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours & Safaris – Volcanoes National Park Permits & Prices