UNRIVALED GAME VIEWING, BALLOON SAFARIS & BIG 5 ENCOUNTERS
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Tours
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris, Golden Monkey Tracking and beyond!
Encounter Rwanda’s mist-covered volcanoes is one of the last breeding grounds for the endangered mountain gorilla. For travelers seeking an intimate encounter with nature, Rwanda gorilla trekking is not only a life-changing experience, but often described as a bucket list adventure.
Just imagine coming face to face with a massive silverback gorilla just a few meters away. You stand in complete awe as infant gorillas tumble through the bamboo thickets and mothers embrace them, their dark eyes radiating a tenderness and intelligence that is deeply familiar.
Why Visit Rwanda
Rwanda is highlighted as one of the best countries in the world where one can see mountain gorillas for the following reasons:
- Accessibility
Volcanoes National Park is located 2 to 3 hours away from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. It is possible to fly in and trek to see the gorillas the next day without enduring long overland transfers.
- Successes in Conservation
Rwanda is a model in the world for the conservation of gorillas. Due to community-centered tourism and stringent protective measures, Rwanda’s gorilla population soared to over a thousand. That is a true conservation success.
- The Volcanoes
The park contains stunning features through its gentle-sloping hills covered in rainforests, towering volcanic mountains, and gold morning mists. The journey would still be worthwhile even if there were no gorillas.
- Controlled Issuance of Permits
Encounters are pleasant due to low visitor numbers. Each habituated family can be visited by only eight people per day. Because of this, you won’t feel cramped.
What Is Gorilla Trekking Actually Like?
Most days start well before the sun comes up. You’ll be staying at a lodge in Musanze or close to Kinigi Park Headquarters, where your day begins with a light breakfast before driving to the visitor center by 7:00 am.
You will complete your registration at the office while concurrently meeting fellow trekkers. While enjoying coffee, park staff review the guidelines and assign groups to specific gorilla families considering your fitness level and their interests.
Your team will include a maximum of eight trekkers, a designated ranger guide, and optional porters. The porters are usually local farmers or former poachers who now earn income protecting wildlife. Hiring one aids in simplifying your trek, while also benefiting the local community.
The Trek into The Forest
You may be driven to your trailhead as close as a 20-minute drive, or for up to an hour.
Entering the forest marks a change in scenery. The tranquil atmosphere is filled with birdsong, the smell of damp earth, and the gentle crunch of leaves underfoot.
The length of the trek directly depends on the location of the gorillas. The hike can range from 30 minutes to 4 hours. In some cases, trackers inform you via radio that the gorillas are on the move.
While the hike is strenuous, there are also obstacles like muddy paths, steep slopes, and stinging nettles. Your guide maintains a steady pace, stopping frequently to check on you and rest.
The Moment You Find Them Silence settles as your guide whispers: “They’re here.” You abandon your bags and walking sticks to avoid alarming the gorillas. Heart racing, you follow your guide for a few more steps. A silverback the size of a small car is seated in a clearing, chewing on stalks of wild celery. Juvenile gorillas wrestle, while another mother gorilla cradles her baby and glances up at you with a calm, inquisitive gaze.
Gorillas do not follow the 7-meter distance rule and sometimes a curious young one will wander closer. When this happens, all you need to do is remain motionless and avoid looking at them. For one hour, you are a quiet spectator in their universe. Many guests choose to put down their cameras in the hope of capturing their stunning selves in pictures as no image can encapsulate the breathtaking feeling.
How Much Does It Cost? Purchasing a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit currently sets you back $1,500. While this cost might seem steep, it directly supports: Anti-poaching operations alongside wildlife rehabilitation Community initiatives such as schools and clinics Habitat preservation This is also why the gorillas in Rwanda are flourishing. This is why while trekking, you are not merely watching animals; you are actively doing something to protect their future.
What Should You Bring?
Every trek requires careful preparation. This is especially true for these specific treks in Kenya and Tanzania.
Clothing:
- Sunglasses and shorts or long trousers
- Base layers with long zipped shirts/fleece
- Good quality waterproof hiking shoes
- Reliable hiking shoes
- Additional waterproof jacket
- Trek socks or calf length socks
Gear:
- Snacks or energy
- A camera (no flash)
- Medium bag packa
- Over 2L water
- Thermal gloves or hand warmers
- Athletic fleece gloves
Although not mandatory, hiring a porter greatly improves the experience of walking the trek as he is able to handle a lot of the baggage.
Fitness and Preparation
You don’t need to be an athlete, however, reasonable fitness levels are recommended. Even without packed at high altitude treks with steep upwards climbs and uneven ground require some form of training workouts like hiking, stair walking, or any other cardio based workouts.
Is It Safe to go Gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking is very safe. The gorillas you visit are habituated, meaning they are used to human presence and wont attack.
Rangers understand how to read the gorillas moods and manage every encounter with great care. As long as you stay calm and respect the rangers orders, you will remain unharmed.
Best Time to Go:
Day and year does not matter to the trekker as the trek can be done all year around. However, during the months of July to September and December to February, the scenery is more picturesque during the dry seasons.
Even though tracks can be muddy during the rainy season (March–May and October–November), the forest is less dusty and more vibrant. Some travelers enjoy the misty months and the moody vibe that comes with it.
After the trek
You will be awarded a trekking certificate and, while it may just be a piece of paper, it certainly feels like a badge of honor.
By early afternoon, most trekkers are back to their lodges. It’s hard to tell whether the replaying of the experience that comes immediately after is what makes evenings simpler, or the shared happy exhaustion that accompanies something unforgettable paired with a quiet dinner.
Why it matters
Every visit to the amazing animals helps secure the future of mountain gorillas, who, along with being remarkably special, are critically endangered with only about 1,000 left in the world.
Equally as important, transforming how we see the natural world is the very act of meeting these animals. It becomes clear we’re not that different: curiosity, playfulness, and familial bonds abound.
In the thin air of the mountains, as you stand with a racing heart, the thought of how this is more than tourism sinks in. It reminds of the essence of being linked – to nature, humanity, and something far grander.
Other Safaris
Afternoon Boat Safaris on Lake Ihema – Where Hippos Dream
After lunch, you come alive again—this time on water. You step aboard a sleek pontoon that glides onto Lake Ihema’s wide surface. The reflected sky mirrors back your own quiet wonder. Hippos greet you with bubbling grunts. Fish eagles dive like arrows. Crocodiles lie still like statues.
You float so close to wildlife that their presence hushes everything else. Friendly Gorillas Safaris times this just right—when the light warms your cheeks and the world feels rich with stories hidden beneath the water. And because it’s just a handful of other guests, or just you and a guide, this becomes a private ceremony rather than something public.
Night Safaris – The Geography of Darkness and Life
Night doesn’t fade here—it emerges. Embark on a night drive where spotlight reflections catch leopard eyes, bushbabies drop from branches, and hyenas laugh in the dark. There’s drama here, but not loudness. It’s soft discovery—sound and silence woven in shadows.
Your guide stays close, engine low, senses sharp. Warm blankets wait in the back seat. And as dew settles on the grass, you’re reminded that another world awakens after dusk. That the wilderness doesn’t just sleep—it shifts. With Friendly Gorillas Safaris, these treks are safe, personal, and deeply moving, like stepping into a lullaby you didn’t expect.
Birdwatching Walks – Feathers in Conversation with the Sky
If you came for the birds, you’ll stay for the symphonies. Walks at dawn and dusk give you wings for your ears. Carmine bee-eaters dive in loops; malachite kingfishers glint like gemstones; pink flamingos stand like silent sentinels in the shallows.
These walks are curated with care—a gentle pace, expert eyes, and moments to just listen. Paths loop through papyrus and acacia, ending by a lagoon where life hums. Take your time. Let the birds show themselves. Luxury here is about attention—every color, note, movement savored, not rushed.
Bush Lunches and Sundowners – Where Grass Meets Glass
Few moments rival a midday break beneath a solitary tree, a table set with local spices and cool cloth napkins, on a grass carpet so wide it humbles you. Or an evening wait on a lookout ridge, sundowner in hand, the sky turning the color of embers as hippos snort below.
These are sacred pauses—moments when wild view meets thoughtful comfort. Friendly Gorillas Safaris designs each one so the feast for your eyes matches the feast for your soul.
Luxury Lodges – Where the Wild Meets Gentle Comfort
Your lodge at Akagera isn’t a hotel. It’s a haven woven into the landscape. Imagine pint-terraced suites rising from the earth, swivel chairs facing windows that glimpse hippo pools. Tented villas perched over wetlands, where morning mist drifts past canvas flaps like slow smoke.
Each night, hippo calls drift through your mosquito net as you sip herbal tea. Breakfast is served where giraffes graze nearby. Your room isn’t marked by opulence but by intention—natural materials, handcrafted furniture, local flavors, and staff who already know your name.
Staying here doesn’t end your safari. It extends it. The comfort becomes part of the wild, not separate from it.
Guided Cultural Visits – Connecting to the Land’s Heartbeat
An Akagera journey isn’t wildlife alone. It’s also people—the floating fishing villages, the lakeside markets, the cultural connections by canoe or roadside. Friendly Gorillas Safaris introduces you to fishermen who cast nets at sunrise. You taste fresh tilapia, learn stories shared under maize-scented air, and understand this park isn’t isolated—it’s woven into daily lives.
These moments carry an African warmth that isn’t added—it’s always been here. You just needed a chance to sit in it.
Seasonal Magic – Choosing Your Experience
- June–September Dry Season: Open plains, visible wildlife, golden light. What many think of as “classic safari.”
- December–February Soft Dry: Warmer, greener, fewer crowds, birds lively. Roads good; experiences intimate.
- March–May Long Rains: Cool, lush surroundings, newborn animals, reflective lakes. A landscape reborn.
- October–November Short Rains: Soft light, blooming vegetation, fewer vehicles. Colors deepen.
Friendly Gorillas Safaris ensures your season matches your spirit—whether you come for clarity or color.
Renewal Through Nature – A Safari That Revives Your Soul
Akagera safaris do more than fill your gallery—they lift the weight off your chest. You become part of the wilderness again. You find quiet you may have lost. The landscape reflects your own rebirth—blue-headed lizard basking on warm rock, a herd of antelope pausing to regard you.
You return home with dust in your shoes and wildness in your eyes.
Why Choose Akagera with Friendly Gorillas Safaris?
Because we believe in the power of intention. Luxury isn’t separateness—it’s joining in. Guided by people who love this land. Staying in lodges that breathe with it. Safaris planned not for crowds, but for your memory.
Your journey doesn’t just cross beautiful places. It weaves you into their heartbeat.
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What to Expect in a Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Few encounters in the world can compare to the experience of seeing a wild mountain gorilla up close. This is possible in Rwanda, where hitting the ‘silverback’ dream comes true. The experience goes well beyond the photographs or videos that capture grin-bearing visitors next to peaceful gorillas. It is richer, deeper, and much more unpredictable.
For those planning a visit to Volcanoes National Park, the following is a detailed outline on what to expect during a Rwanda gorilla trek. Starting from sharp dawn briefings and ending with the last muddy footstep back to the head of the trail.
An exceptionally early start to the day.
The trek starts and concludes at different times, but the starting point always remains the same: just like the rest of the trekkers, you and your partner will meet at the foothill of the Virunga Mountains, and the trip to the lodge starts there.
It is common for travelers to roost at lodges containing quicker access to the park gates. Expect a buzz around 5:30 or 6:00 am. Within half an hour, they will need to consume breakfast, prepare their day bags, and drive to the headquarters by 7:00 am parked.
At the moment the clock ticks six, the air is crisp and often infused by woodsmoke. Driving through twisted roads and seeing the volcanoes become illuminated serves as a cherry on top. The anticipation builds.
Briefing and Orientation
You will meet other trekkers at the Volcanoes National Park office in Kinigi for check in and the formal briefing. The mood is cheerful yet sober, as everyone is aware of the privilege they enjoy.
While the park staff check permits and passports, participants are served coffee or tea. Afterward, you will be assigned to one of the gorilla families. There are about twelve habituated families within the park along with their distinct ranges, personalities, and group dynamics.
During the briefing, the rangers cover the following topics:
- Gorilla behavior and etiquette (no pointing and avoid eye contact with a silverback)
- Safety measures
- Photography restrictions (no use of flash)
- Estimated trek duration and difficulty level
If you have any concerns regarding your mobility, fitness, or health, this is the time to voice them so that suitable arrangements can be made for you.
Meeting Your Guides and Porters
Each participant receives more detailed instructions after the complete briefing. The group is first divided into smaller units of no more than eight trekkers, who are then introduced to the ranger guides. Trackers and porters may also accompany them.
It is highly advisable to hire a porter. A porter not only carries your backpack but helps you walk through tough and muddy parts of the trail, even if you are fit. Hiring porters aid the local community since they are former poachers or local farmers trying to augment their income.
Driving to the Trailhead
While in headquarters, you get in the truck and drive as a group to your designated trailhead. These trailheads can be as near as 20 minutes away and other as far as an hour bumpy ride through small villages.
Experience the boundary between cultivated fields and the park wilder parts. Farmers wave to children and their crops are growing whilst looking in the distance towards a thick dense green forest rising up the slopes.
Entering the Forest
Everything shifts once the park boundary is crossed. The trail becomes narrower and the greenery denser and more intertwined around you.
The length and difficulty of the hike depends on where the gorilla family is that day. Some groups are located less than 45 minutes away while other more than 3 to 4 hours of steep climbing.
Expect the following:
- During the rainy season, you will encounter mud, and damp undergrowth during dry season from morning dew.
- Thick forests. Rangers sometimes use machetes to clear a route.
- Stinging nettles. One will need long trousers and gloves to protect against the stinging.
- Varying altitude. The Volcanoes National Park is located at an altitude of 2400m to 4500m. Your body will definitely feel the difference in breathing.
In spite of the challenging terrain, the views are stunning. You will trek through fields of giant lobelia and bamboo, wildflowers, and towering hagenia trees. Every few minutes, there will be pauses while guides check the radios for updates from advance trackers who gorilla scouts.
The Moment You Find Them
Without warning, the guide freezes, hand raised, signaling for silence. The moment has come.
The initial shock of spotting a gorilla is staggering. The split second you’re scanning the leaves, the next second you realize you are mere meters away from a 200 kilogram silverback.
Your guide will signal for you to move closer, but take it slow and quiet. You may approach to within 7 meters (23 feet), which is the distance deemed respectful. To prevent aggression, you will leave your walking sticks and backpacks as these can appear threatening to gorillas.
This is your hour.
What It Feels Like For the next hour, you become part of the ecosystem. The gorillas are active, resting, feeding, or grooming. Mothers supervise as infants tumble and play. Juvenile gorillas climb trees, dangling like oversized toddlers. The silverback often sits a little apart, showing composure as he glances over once in a while to check on you.
You lack a boundary. Cool and fern-scented air fills your lungs. The rumble of contented grunts, rustling leaves as a gorilla shifts, and camera shutters all sound concurrently.
Many guests highlight this hour as transformative. The blend of vulnerability, curiosity, and a sense of companionship is nearly impossible to articulate. Their eyes hold intelligence and, at that moment, the gap between your world and theirs feels miniscule.
Photography Tips You can take photographs; we only ask that you do not use flash. As the light in the forest can be low, adjust your camera settings:
- Increase your ISO to offset being in the shade.
- Capture movement with fast shutter speed.
- Gorillas are known to suddenly act, so always have your camera at the ready.
Pay attention to the small things, as some of the finest memories originate from the moments you just observe instead of capturing them with a camera.
The Final Journey
When your safari hour comes to an end, your guide will indicate it’s time to turn back. Although you might feel hesitant because of the restrictions, it is essential for the health and well-being of the gorillas.
While the backward trek may be less challenging, it tends to be quite contemplative in nature. Many individuals tend to feel a surge of emotions as they reflect on the experiences they’ve just had.
At the trail’s head, you part ways with your guides and porters with a heartfelt note of thanks. Certain lodges issue certificates to commemorate the trek which, although small, serves as a meaningful memento of the Virungas.
After Your Trek
Most individuals are back at their lodges before late afternoon. You may find the opportunity to take a hot shower, rest, or reflect on the memories you created throughout the day.
Some travelers wish to complement their trip with additional activities such as:
- Trekking with golden monkeys
- Visit Dian Fossey’s tomb
- Take a tour around the local village
- Leisure time at Lake Kivu
Conclusions
Going on a Rwanda gorilla trek is unlike any other wildlife activity you have completed thus far. It truly transports you to the depth of the forests as well as the depths of your sense of awe and wonder.
Look for mud. Look for hard work. But most importantly, look for a feeling which cannot be fully captured in words heady, calm bond with the world, which still has some secrets, and with the beings that are, in several aspects, mirrors of us.
Once you are now encircled by gorillas in the cool mountain air, as you stood in the dappled clearing, you will realize that notion that you will hold onto for the rest of your life.
Ready to go?
Whether you crave budget-friendly lodges or bush-luxury hideaways, we craft safaris that fit your style and pace. From one-day chimp walks to two-week cross-country odysseys, Uganda gives you room to breathe—and memories that outlast the mud on your boots. Start planning now. The gorillas are waiting.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris FAQs
What is gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a once in a lifetime wildlife experience that involves hiking the mountainous and wooded areas of the Volcanoes National Park to view the mountain gorillas. It is an experience every wildlife lover should try.
You will be accompanied by professional rangers that track a certain gorilla family. After an intensive search, they are located, and for one hour you are granted to observe them as they munch on food, play, groom or relax amidst the bamboo.
This encounter offers no predefined guidelines; it is pure wilderness and every trek has something different to offer. At times the animals are sedentary, while at other times, they are in trees or busy caring for their little ones. It is incredibly surreal to be in the presence of a silverback and make eye contact with him or gaze at a young gorilla frolicking in the grass.
Where is Rwanda Gorilla Trekking?
Every safari starts from Volcanoes National Park, which is the only place for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. It is situated at the very Northwestern tip of the country. This park lies within the chain of the Virunga mountains. This is a mountain range of volcanoes that spans across Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Volcanoes National Park harbors roughly 12 habituated gorilla families which means that they are accustomed to human beings and can be visited without risk. Also, the park is renowned for being the center of Dian Fossey’s groundbreaking work on mountain gorillas. The view from the hike includes an exquisite landscape of emerald-colored slopes, shrouded valleys, rich biodiversity, and a variety of exotic flora and fauna.
What Level of Fitness is Required for Gorilla Trekking?
It is essential to possess an adequate level of fitness, although you do not need to be an athlete to trek gorillas. Depending on the day, spending one to several hours hiking is all but a guarantee, but the trek is always worth the effort since you get to admire beautiful landscapes during the hike.
Depending on the day, trekking can range from easy to steep. Sometimes, gorillas can be found at the edge of the forest where access is easier. Other times, they are located deep within the forest requiring much effort to reach.
Accessible seating options include traditional sedan chairs carried by a team of porters for visitors with limited mobility and porters who provide assistance to those with restricted mobility.
Utilizing stairs, hiking, or walking can help prepare you for the activities the Rwanda gorillas offer. Most people do find the rewards to far exceed the effort they have put in.
Why is a Rwanda trek permit so expensive and how much does it cost?
As of 2025, Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost $1,500 per person. While this price might seem exorbitant, it funds community development as well as conservation directly. Some of the funds from the permit fee is used for the following activities:
- Protecting gorilla ecosystems from poaching and encroachment.
- Veterinary care as well as ranger patrols
- Schools and health clinics for local communities
- Local guides and trackers
Rwanda’s mountain gorilla population has come to greatly rely on tourism revenue and the park has become a global conservation hope story. It is indeed a significant amount to spend, but for travelers it provides meaning in their expenditure.
When is the best time to go trekking for gorillas in Rwanda?
Even though Rwanda can be visited throughout the year, two specific driest periods tend to be the most favourable for tracking.
From Mid December to February and from June to September, during these periods, weather conditions improve, the routes are less muddy and visibility is good. Hiking is more enjoyable as well.
That said, the wet periods (March to May, October to Mid December) can also offer excellent tracking experience. The forests are lusher than during the dry period, and sometimes the gorilla families remain at lower elevations, which reduces the distance trekkers need to travel.
It is important to note that mountain gorillas are non migratory. Regardless of the time you visit, there is a very high chance you will encounter these gorillas.
What is the maximum number of visitors that can interact with a single gorilla family in a day?
In order to protect the gorillas from stress and diseases, the daily quota of visitors is limited. Each habituated gorilla family can be visited by a maximum of eight people.
A small group size enables a calm and slower-paced encounter with the gorillas, which also helps with sustaining their natural behavioral patterns. As a result, permits tend to sell out quickly, especially during busy seasons. For optimal ease, it is best to book around 6 months prior to your intended trek.
What items should I pack and wear for a gorilla trek?
Your overall safety and comfort is influenced by your clothing choices. For maximum ease, consider the list below:
- Combat stroking nettles and bugs by wearing a long-sleeved shirt and long trousers
- Footwear: waterproof hiking boots with good traction
- Lightweight rain jacket (showers can come anytime)
- Socks or gaiters high enough to stop mud and ants from getting into your boots
- Hat and sunglasses if it’s sunny.
- Gardening or work gloves to shield your hands from thorny plants
Make sure to have the following in your daypack:
- Two liters of water
- Energy bars or snacks
- Flash-free camera with spare batteries
- Small first aid kit
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
A number of travelers also hire porters. For a small cost of about $10, they can carry your bag and provide a steady escort along the paths.
What is the closest distance from which I may observe the gorillas?
Official procedures recommend that you observe the gorillas from a distance of at least 7 meters (approximately 21 feet). Nonetheless, sometimes the gorillas may approach you out of curiosity. In such cases, you need to remain motionless, do not make eye contact, and avoid any touch.
Your guides will conduct a briefing before your trek to explain etiquette and safety rules that are meant to safeguard you and the gorillas from disease and stress.
Is Rwanda gorilla trekking safe?
Gorilla trekking is relatively safe, provided that you follow your guides’ instructions. The gorillas you visit are habituated, which means they are used to people and usually calm and tolerant.
Each trekking group is accompanied by trained guides and armed rangers. The rangers are not there to protect you from the gorillas but to guard against any potential threats in the forest, such as buffalo or poachers.
Acts of violence are very rare, and most treks are incident-free. Participants are expected to stay calm, respectful, and quiet so as not to incite defensive aggression from the animals.
Are children allowed to go gorilla trekking?
Currently, all trekkers under the age of 15 are not permitted to gorilla trek in Rwanda. The reason for this policy is:
- Children may not be able to cope with the physical requirements of the hike
- Gorillas can be unpredictable and a child’s reaction can sometimes trigger stress or safety concerns.
- Children are more likely to be carriers of common human illnesses that can be transmitted to gorillas.
If you are traveling with younger children, you may consider engaging in other activities such as culture walks around the park headquarters, golden monkey trekking or other cultural visits.
What is the average duration of a gorilla trek?
Because of the nature of the activity, the location of the assigned family of gorillas will determine the average duration of the trek. For the most part:
- The hike to reach the gorillas may take anywhere from 30 minutes to over 4 hours.
- You will spend an hour in the presence of the gorillas once located.
- While not tracking, the return hike is faster as well.
- On average, the whole experience (morning briefing included) will take 4 to 7 hours.
Your guides will assess your fitness level and assign you to a suitable gorilla family, though the gorillas’ movements determine the length of the trek.
What else can I do to support gorilla conservation other than visiting?
As a conservationist, your permit fee makes a significant impact, but here are other ways that you can contribute:
- Ensure that the guides, porters and drivers you hire are local so that the surrounding communities benefit from tourism.
- Choose lodges and camps that are committed to responsible tourism and support conservation efforts.
- Buy crafts from local cooperative societies.
- Use your voice and platform to advocate for the protection of mountain gorillas.
Some visitors choose to support organizations such as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International or the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, both of which have been active for decades in conserving gorilla habitat and providing community support.
