Rwanda Gorilla Trekking TOURS & Safaris

Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is among the most famous activities at Volcanoes National Park because it is considered one of the best places to see mountain gorillas in Africa.

 

Volcanoes National Park protects the fascinating mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas can only be seen in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

 

The Volcanoes National Park extends over an area of approximately 16,000 hectares and is located in the north-western part of the country.

 

Volcanoes National Park is made of afro-montane forests, savannah grassland, bamboo forests, vast swamps, and five volcanoes (such as Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Karisimbi).

 

Mount Karisimbi is among the four tallest mountains in Africa. Volcanoes National Park also protects spotted hyenas, forest buffaloes, duikers, forest elephants, bush bucks, and the beautiful golden monkeys, among other mammals.

 

Gorilla tourism in Rwanda enchants many tourists to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and the chances of viewing mountain gorillas are very high. Mountain gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park involves moving into the dense bamboo forests and steep mountain slopes to search for gorilla families in Rwanda.

 

 

The final experience with the primates is regarded as one of the most fascinating and memorable wildlife encounters in Africa. To have the best of both worlds of mountain gorillas, tourists can also cross-track mountain gorillas in Uganda in what is known as double gorilla trekking.

 

Some travelers even opt for mountain gorilla trekking, where they also tour the gorillas in the Virunga National Park of the Congo. It's more exciting when they also try to visit both the mountain gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park in the Congo.

 

Trekking gorillas is so challenging, but when you finally see the gorillas, it is considered an ultimate wildlife experience.

Travelers must book a Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking permit in advance so as to be sure of getting a chance of spotting mountain gorillas on a specific date.

 

Mountain Gorilla trekking permits can be sold out during the peak seasons, like from June to September and December to February.

 

Mountain gorilla trekking permits for Rwanda currently cost $1500. Travelers should note that part of the money gotten from mountain gorilla permits is used to support gorilla conservation programs and local community projects.

 

 

Booking mountain gorilla trekking permits can be done through a tour operator or directly from the Rwanda Development Board. In order to book the gorilla permit, individual passport details are a must for the Rwanda Development Board.

 

There are 10 habituated gorilla families available for trekking, and only 8 tourists are allowed to visit a particular gorilla group a day. This indicates that there are only 80 mountain gorilla permits available each day for all the habituated gorilla families.

The Volcanoes National Park's mountain gorilla trek begins at around 7:30 a.m. with a briefing from park staff and rangers. Participants are divided into groups and allocated to a specific gorilla family during the briefing.

 

The groups that are closer to the park offices are given to the hikers who are less fit. The group sets off to look for the gorillas at 8:00 a.m. with the help of the Volcanoes National Park Rangers.

 

Travelers can choose one of the 10 habituated groups or families when doing gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. It doesn't matter whose group you end up with; witnessing mountain gorillas is magnificent.

 

Just watching the young gorillas roll about and play may keep you occupied for hours. Mountain gorillas are constantly curious and playful. Some may approach you directly, but they don't mean any harm.

 

It's crucial to follow your guides' instructions and maintain your composure when spending time with the mountain gorillas.

 

Depending on the gorilla group you are assigned to and their exact location on the day of the walk, gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park can take you from one to six hours.

 

Note: If you have any heavy luggage or equipment, travelers are allowed to hire one or two porters. At the gorilla trekking starting point, porters are always available.

 

Many of these porters were poachers in the past, but they now support initiatives for gorilla conservation. They are prevented from returning to their prior vices by the money they make from providing their services.

 

Mountain gorilla tracking services for senior citizens are available if you intend to travel with your parents. Costs for porter services range from $15 to $20. Tourists also need a raincoat, sturdy cotton gloves, and a comfortable hiking boot.

 

• Prepare early, mentally and physically, because you take long walks in the nearby forests.
• Acquire suitable hiking shoes to navigate through the challenging slopes and terrain.
• Come knowing it may rain heavily at any time.
• Carry drinking water and a light snack.
• When you can, tip the park guides and rangers; they go above and beyond to make your gorilla tracking journey worthwhile. The suggested gratuity range is $10 to $15, or the corresponding amount in the local currency.

The Volcanoes National Park's gorilla trekking has restrictions and regulations like any other activity. To visit the primates, you must be at least 15 years old.

 

Children are not permitted near gorillas because they frequently carry contagious illnesses like cough and flu that can spread to the primates.

 

It is one of the reasons why travelers are asked for their passport information before making travel arrangements. Only 1,000 mountain gorillas live in the wild, making them an endangered species.

 

Every precaution is made to keep them healthy. No one with a contagious illness is allowed to be close to the primates. Some of the illnesses we as humans carry can also afflict mountain gorillas. There are other guidelines and laws.

 

Note: Many tourists to Rwanda like combining two days of mountain gorilla trekking with golden monkey tracking, a cultural tour, and a hike to one of the five volcanoes within the volcanoes national park, such as Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.

 

Travelers can combine hiking Mount Karisimbi with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, which requires determination and fitness to be successful. The best time for mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is from June to August.

• Golden Monkey Trekking
• Visiting the grave of Dian Fossey
• Visit the Musanze Caves
• Bird watching
• Visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
• Visiting the Genocide Memorial Center
• Track Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest
• Visit Lake Kivu
• Game drives at Akagera National Park

Other activities besides gorilla trekking are available while visiting Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and other regions of the nation. You will see that the country has a stunning landscape made up of hills and mountains as you drive.

 

The following activities are compatible with mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park:

 

Golden Monkey Trekking: The Volcanoes National Park is home to the critically endangered Golden Monkey. Golden monkeys are lovely primates that share habitat with mountain gorillas.

 

Golden monkeys eat insects and bamboo shoots, and they will raid farms for potatoes occasionally. Golden monkeys are playful primates. Additionally, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are home to golden monkeys as well.

 

Uganda’s golden monkeys are in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mountain gorilla trekking begins at the same time as trekking for golden monkeys, and permits cost $100.

 

Because the golden monkeys live on the lower slopes of the volcanoes, golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is not as tiring as going in search of gorillas.

 

Visiting the grave of Dian Fossey: Take a visit to Dian Fossey, where you can get more information about the vast research she conducted and the substantial work she did with mountain gorillas from 1969 until her death in the 1980s.

 

Dian Fossey is regarded as one of the best primatologists of all time. She actively tried her best to stop poaching and made the mountain gorillas known to the world.

 

She used new methods for acclimating mountain gorillas by observing their behaviors, remaining among them, and winning the respect of the dominant silverback.

 

This is extremely amazing considering that the mountain gorillas she interacted with had developed a fear of all humans. Due to poachers and illegal pet traders and traffickers, their population has decreased.

 

Dian Fossey began to focus on gorilla conservation and research when baby gorilla trafficking became out of control. Her issues began here, and they ultimately led to her murder.

 

One way to honor and educate yourself about the life and work of this outstanding primatologist is to hike to Dian Fossey's grave.

 

To conserve the critically endangered mountain gorillas, Dian Fossey spearheaded gorilla conservation efforts. Check out our 3-Day Gorilla Tour in Rwanda and Dian Fossey Hike Package to discover more about how to visit the Dian Fossey grave.

 

Visit the Musanze Caves: which are one of Rwanda's historical landmarks. The Musanze caves are located near Musanze town, next to Volcanoes National Park.

 

It is estimated that the Musanze caverns are more than 65 million years old. The caves have almost 20 kilometers of tunnels, and there are 31 openings.

 

Bisoke and Mount Sabyinyo are close to the caverns. The two volcanoes that gave rise to the caves are said to have spewed out lava that later cooled.

 

The native rulers of Rwanda used the Musanze caverns as a place of safety and gathering during their tribal warfare with their neighbors.

 

You can hire a knowledgeable guide to accompany you to the caves and explain their history. The price of exploration was $50 per individual.

 

Hiking one of the volcanoes: If you are physically fit and looking for a challenge, the Virunga volcanoes should be your first choice.

 

The Virunga volcanoes should be your first choice if you are fit and up for a challenge. Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes are the most well-known.

 

Two days are required for the Karisimbi Volcano Hiking, which offers an excellent experience. A day's worth of Mount Bisoke hiking will give travelers an opportunity to see the enormous crater lake at the summit.

 

Hikers can get stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the Virunga Ranges, national parks, and the boundaries of three countries from either of these mountains.

 

The briefing from the park administration precedes the hike up Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi at 7:00 a.m. in the morning. All hikers are given a guide and park rangers to lead them into the forest after briefing.

 

Bird watching: Volcanoes National Park offers around 200 species of birds and is one of the most significant birding locations in Rwanda. 13 species of birds are unique to the region.

 

Volcanoes National Park bird species include the Rwenzori Turaco and Francolin, and other species include the Rwenzori double-collar sunbird, dusky crimson wing, collared apalis, weird weaver, red-faced woodland warbler, and Grauer's rush warbler.

 

Visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village: The largest and busiest cultural center in Rwanda is the Iby'iwacu Cultural Village. It is adjacent to Volcanoes National Park.

 

The Center was established to promote Rwanda's rich cultural diversity and provide gorilla trekking opportunities for those living close to the park.

 

Because many of the performers at the Iby’iwacu were poachers, the Iby’iwacu cultural village is also known as the Gorilla Guardians Village.

 

Travelers can participate in cultural acts like dance, theater, and storytelling while at the Iby'iwacu Cultural Center. You will get to sample some of the regional cuisine and alcoholic beverages while learning how a traditional Rwandan home is set up. Local doctors are even available to provide details about some of the traditional herbs.

 

Visiting the Genocide Memorial Center: There are various genocide memorial sites in Rwanda, but this one in Kigali receives the most visitors.

 

The museum will provide tourists with the opportunity to fully comprehend the circumstances leading to the killing of over one million people in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide.

 

If this museum does not satisfy your needs, you may still go to Butale's National Museum and the former Kings Palace to learn more details about the unfortunate incident.

 

Track Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is among the top tourist destinations in Rwanda. The afro-montane forest in the park is the world's oldest and largest.

 

Tourists can see chimpanzees and other primates when visiting this park. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the recommended primate safaris that you shouldn't skip if you want the whole experience.

 

Along with chimpanzees, other primates that can be seen include golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and baboons. The finest site in Rwanda to search for chimpanzees, bird watching, and canopy walks.

 

Visit Lake Kivu: A tour to Lake Kivu is good for travelers who want to unwind and enjoy the gorgeous African sun in a fantastic setting in between their Rwanda safaris.

 

Lake Kivu is one of Africa's major lakes and is shared by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Swimming, island hopping, and fishing are all great activities on Lake Kivu.

 

Game drives at Akagera National Park: A safari to Akagera National Park is a great choice to experience Rwanda's wildlife. The only safari park in Rwanda is about an hour's drive from Kigali.

 

Although it may not be as huge as the national parks in Kenya or Tanzania, you will still see all five of Africa's largest mammals when you leave.

 

 

Other activities: In addition to the more well-known mountain treks, such as Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Trekking, and Golden Monkey Trekking, there are also some lesser-known ones, such as shopping for local fabrics in Ruhengeri's major market, visiting local community projects, and visiting locals' homes to sample their cuisine or drink their beer.

 

The twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo are perfect for anyone seeking a serene setting with breathtaking landscapes. I must not neglect to highlight the Congo-Nile route. You may even combine a safari to Akagera with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.