Best guide for Rwanda gorilla trekking – Tourism is one of Rwanda’s biggest sources of foreign income, with gorilla trekking bringing in most of the money every year.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the most popular tourism activity and brings thousands of visitors who travel to Volcanoes National Park to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. These gorillas live in Volcanoes National Park (Parc Nationale des Volcans) in Ruhengeri, north-west Rwanda.
Many tourists choose to trek gorillas in Rwanda instead of neighboring countries for several reasons, which I will explain later. This shows that Rwanda is a good place for mountain gorilla trekking and should be high on your list of places to visit.
This guide explains almost everything you need to know about gorilla trekking in Rwanda, especially how to plan your tour, where to stay, how to choose a tour company, and more. I also give some tips for those planning to trek gorillas in Rwanda, just like I did in my Uganda gorilla trekking review.
Why Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking?
Besides being one of the only three countries in the world with mountain gorillas, the short distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is one reason why most tourists choose Rwanda. Even inside the park, the distance between trekking areas and lodges is short.
This is why Rwanda offers shorter gorilla trips that can be done in one day or two days, depending on your plan.
In Rwanda, it is possible to arrive in the morning, track gorillas, and leave the same day because it only takes about 3 hours by road to reach Volcanoes National Park—or just a few minutes by flight. If you choose a 2- or 3-day gorilla tour, you can include more activities. Longer trips (10 days or more) often include tours in other countries too.
Another reason tourists choose Rwanda is because it is well-organized, not corrupt, and very safe. The $1,500 permit fee may seem high, but it helps to protect the gorillas. In Rwanda, you can be sure that the money goes where it is supposed to go and is not wasted.
Think of the fee as your way of supporting gorilla conservation. In Rwanda, your money helps directly because corruption is very low.
Rwanda also has good roads. All the roads to the national parks are paved, so your drive will be smooth, even during the rainy season.
Rwanda is a good place for luxury gorilla tours, but you can also enjoy a budget gorilla trip here.
Booking a Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Many companies offer gorilla tours in Rwanda, but it can be hard to find one that will give you something special. That is why I suggest choosing a company that focuses on gorilla trekking.
These companies have experience, know what to do, can answer all your questions, and will share well-prepared travel plans that can help you enjoy your trip more.
See list of recommended gorilla trekking companies
Try to contact at least 10 companies. Compare their packages carefully based on price, lodge options, and other things before you choose one.
Where to find gorillas in Rwanda
As already said, you can find mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park (Parc Nationale des Volcans) in Ruhengeri, North-West Rwanda.
The park is part of the Virunga conservation area and has long been a home for mountain gorillas in Africa. It has five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains: Gahinga, Bisoke, Muhabura, Karisimbi, and Sabyinyo. Volcanoes National Park was the base for American scientist Dian Fossey for about 18 years before she died in 1985.
The gorillas in this park have been well protected and trained to be used to people, which is why Rwanda has remained one of the top places to visit for gorilla trekking. Some travel blogs say Rwanda is the best place for gorilla trekking. Some tourists even think it is the only country in Africa with mountain gorillas.
Buying Rwanda gorilla permits
Rwanda gorilla permits are given by the Rwanda Development Board. You can buy them directly from RDB or through any Rwanda safari company (recommended). Each permit costs $1,500 for all tourists, as set on May 6, 2017. This price does not change during the year unless an operator arranges a special deal.
Since Rwanda raised its permit fee, many tourists now book Uganda gorilla tours from Kigali.
Around 56 gorilla permits are given out daily for the 7 gorilla families in Rwanda. Only 8 people are allowed to visit each group per day.
If a tourist shows signs of illness, the Rwanda Development Board gives a 50% refund of the permit fee. Sick visitors are not allowed to trek gorillas because the activity is physical and needs good fitness. The refund only applies if the tourist traveled to the park. It does not apply to those who fall sick in their home country or outside the park area.
You need to send your passport details and payment so that your operator can buy the permits for you.
Since the price was raised to $1,500, you can also book a whole gorilla family for $15,000. This means you and your family can track gorillas together if you can afford the full fee.
Since 2015, checking for Rwanda gorilla permit availability has become easy thanks to an online system made by RDB. Tourists can now check available dates before contacting a company.
Check for availability of permits now
What to Take
You should plan early and make sure you pack everything you need. Not sure what to wear for gorilla trekking in Rwanda? I recommend:
- Waterproof trekking pants
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Raincoat
- Trekking boots
- Gloves
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Camera with two extra batteries
- Walking stick
These things may seem like a lot, but try to carry all of them. Since there are no shops inside the forest, you must pack enough food and drinks for yourself.
When to go for gorilla trekking
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the dry months of the year. Rwanda has two dry seasons and two rainy seasons. The first dry season is from June to mid-September, and the second starts in December and ends in February.
I suggest visiting Rwanda for gorilla trekking between June and mid-September. This is the driest season, and many travelers choose this time for their trips. Because of the high number of visitors, the prices for tourism services may go up during this time.
Traveling during the rainy season will give you lower rates. If you are a budget traveler, these months may be better for you. Still, I believe the best time to see gorillas in Rwanda is the time that works best for you.
Your work schedule might only allow you to travel during months outside the dry season. In that case, you can still enjoy trekking gorillas in Rwanda. The main benefit of the dry season is the higher chance of seeing more gorillas moving around the parks compared to the rainy season.
Dry season is the best, unless your only free time is during the rainy months. Even if it rains, all the roads to Rwanda’s national parks are paved, so you will still reach your lodge without problems.
In the forest, even after it rains, the sun may come out and dry the ground quickly, and your trip will go on as planned. You can watch the Rwanda gorilla trekking video below.
Best gorilla families to visit
Rwanda has more than 10 gorilla groups. These include: Susa Group, Karisimbi Family, Amahoro Group, Sabinyo Group, Umubano Group, Ugenda Family, Hirwa Group, Bwenge Family, Kwitonda Family, and Agasha Group.
Out of these, about 7 groups are used for tracking. Susa Group is the most popular, with over 41 gorillas.
Getting a permit for a top group like Susa gives you a better chance to see more gorillas. So when booking, make sure to ask your tour operator about the group you will visit. If not, you might be placed in a group that is not very active.
Is there gorilla habituation experience in Rwanda?
Right now, gorilla habituation is not offered in Rwanda. This experience only happens in Uganda, in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
If you want to do gorilla habituation, you need to include Uganda in your trip. However, this experience might be offered in Rwanda in the future, depending on the decision of the Rwanda Development Board. I will update this article if that changes.
Tracking time limit – Pre-briefing
There is a time limit for gorilla trekking. This is explained in the morning briefing before trekking starts.
You must be at the Kinigi park headquarters between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. for the briefing. During this time, the park staff will guide and explain how to behave during the trek.
Many tourists keep quiet during the meeting, but it is good to ask any questions you have. This is the right time to get answers directly from the park rangers. Also, listen carefully because the information shared is very important.
The briefing is in English and French. Sometimes translators are also available.
You can only track gorillas between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. All tourists must return to the starting point by evening. Tracking at night is not allowed because it is unsafe. This rule is set by the Rwanda Development Board.
Where to stay – Rwanda gorilla trekking lodges
There are many lodges in and around Volcanoes National Park, from luxury to budget. Some of the well-known ones include:
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel
- Le Bambou Gorilla Village
- Virunga Lodge
- Kinigi Guesthouse
- Villa Gorilla
The most popular ones are Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Village, and Virunga Lodge. I suggest you stay at one of these unless you are on a tight budget.
Please note that most lodges are found between Musanze and Ruhengeri, which are the closest towns to the park. You can also choose to return to Kigali (about a 3-hour drive) and stay at Serena Hotel Kigali or go to Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in Gisenyi.
In Rwanda, the only national park that is far from most lodges is Nyungwe Forest National Park. Most good lodges are near Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla Conservation in Rwanda
Gorilla Conservation in Rwanda started a long time ago with Dian Fossey. Since then, many people have joined to help protect gorillas.
The Dian Fossey Foundation is the most well-known, but there are other projects too, such as the International Gorilla Conservation Project.
Over to you
If you ask me about the Rwanda gorilla trekking experience, I would give it 5 stars. You will not understand it until you experience it yourself. Also, Rwanda’s nature and beauty will make you fall in love with the country at first sight.
The volcanoes near Ruhengeri (where gorilla trekking takes place) give great views. These tour companies should help you plan a good gorilla trip at a fair price if you want to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
I wish you the best gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda.
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