Reasons to trek gorillas in Rwanda.

The most well-liked activity in Rwanda that draws large crowds of tourists is gorilla trekking, which entails walking into the tropical rainforest in pursuit of mountain gorillas and spending an hour with them in their natural habitat. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking takes place in the northwest part of Volcanoes National Park.

In addition to more than 200 bird species, Volcanoes National Park is home to mammals such forest elephants, buffaloes, duikers, and bush pigs, as well as golden, red-tailed, and black and white colobus monkeys. Gorilla trekking is also conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Rwandan gorilla hiking experience

At roughly 8:00 am, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park begins with a training at park headquarters regarding expectations, laws, and regulations. Following the orientation, you will be split up into groups of eight, each of which will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to hike with and an experienced park guide who is familiar with the gorilla routes. Because mountain gorillas prefer to roam around in search of food, trekking with them in Volcanoes National Park can take anywhere from two to six hours, depending on the gorillas’ location.

In addition to seeing other primate, mammal, and bird species while trekking, you will be permitted to spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This will allow you to observe their daily activities, take pictures and videos to share with people back home, and learn more about their behaviors and habits.

The price of Rwandan gorilla trekking permits

For all nationalities, gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park cost $1,500 USD per person. Additionally, reduced or promotional gorilla trekking permits are available at Volcanoes National Park through December 31, 2023. 500 USD per person for international residents, 500 USD per person for African foreign residents, 500 USD per person for Africans, 200 USD per person for East African citizens, and 200 USD per person for nationals are the prices for the promotional gorilla trekking licenses. One month before to the trekking date, the promotional permits must be obtained. The cost of the permit is $1,500 USD if it is purchased less than a month before the trekking date.

Motives for Rwandan gorilla trekking

One of the best places to go gorilla trekking is Rwanda. There are several reasons why visitors should visit Volcanoes National Park, including the park’s convenient accessibility from Kigali—it takes roughly three hours to get there from Kigali International Airport.

In comparison to other gorilla trekking locations, Volcanoes National Park offers easy gorilla treks in Africa.

Trekking with golden monkeys

You can visit the endangered golden monkeys at Volcanoes National Park while on safari. In Volcanoes National Park, golden monkey trekking is an exciting and vigorous activity that begins at the park headquarters early in the morning with a training on the rules and regulations to be followed. Following the briefing, visitors will begin hiking through the forest along paths made of leftover bamboo shoots and leaves. Once the golden monkeys have been located, they will be permitted to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat, where they can be observed eating, playing, jumping up tree branches, taking pictures, and filming.

Climbing mountains

Another fascinating sport you may partake in while on your Rwandan gorilla trekking safari is mountain climbing. Mount Bishoke, which is 3,700 meters above sea level, Mount Karisimbi, which is 4,507 meters above sea level, Mount Muhavura, which is 4,127 meters above sea level, Mount Sabyinyo, which is 3,674 meters high, and Mount Gahinga, which is 3,474 meters high, are five of the eight Virunga volcanoes that offer hiking opportunities in Volcanoes National Park.

Observing birds

One of Rwanda’s top birding locations, Volcanoes National Park is home to more than 200 bird species, including migratory, woodland, and Albertine endemic birds. A knowledgeable park guide will assist you in identifying various bird species, such as the African Green Broadbill, Ruwenzori Batis, Palm Nut Vulture, Archers Robin Chat, Ruwenzori Turaco, Crested Barbet, Lesser Honey Guide, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Baglafecht Weaver, Common Stonechat, Brown Woodland Warbler, Black-crowned Waxbill, Dusky Crimsonwing, Handsome Francolin, and others, during your bird watching experience in Volcanoes National Park.

Cultural tour of  Iby’iwacu

Additionally, Volcanoes National Park provides the fascinating Iby’iwacu cultural experience, which allows you to engage with the locals in nearby communities, learn about their culture and way of life, visit their traditional homes, participate in their traditional dances, purchase handcrafted souvenirs, and more.

During your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, you can also do other things like hike to the grave of Dian Fossey, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, see the twin lakes, go on a city tour of Kigali where you can see the Kimironko market, and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center.

The ideal time to visit Rwanda for a gorilla trekking expedition

Although it is possible to go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park throughout the year, the best time to do so is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. This is because the park receives less rainfall during this time, making the gorilla trekking trails dry and passable, which makes trekking easier than during the rainy season, when the trails are muddy and slippery, making gorilla trekking challenging.

Accommodations for your gorilla trekking expedition

During your gorilla trekking safari, you can stay at a variety of lodging options, including Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Kinigi Guest House, Sambora Kinigi Lodge, Eagle View Lodge, Gorillas Nest Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort and Spa, and more.

Things to bring on a Rwandan gorilla hiking safari

Insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and pants, hiking shoes, garden gloves, a waterproof rain jacket or poncho, long cotton socks, a warm sweater, a camera and extra batteries, energy snacks and drinking water, binoculars, a walking stick, a backpack, and face masks are some of the things you should bring when you go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.