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Rwanda gorilla trekking tours

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris & Tours

Rwanda is the ultimate destination for gorilla trekking & wildlife safaris in East Africa. Travel to Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills that is characterized by rugged landscapes, vast wilderness areas, and plains filled with wildlife offering you the opportunity to see the legendary “Big Five”,! A Rwanda safari fills the senses and assures you of a memorable African safari of great diversity. Book with us your holiday and enjoy a combined gorilla tour to Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Planning to visit the primates in the Virunga mountains? We are the best tour operator to organize for you a thrilling gorilla trekking tour in the region. Explore the chain of volcanoes that teem with huge forests that sit at the border of Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo. There are over about 1000 mountain gorillas left in the whole world, and there are over 20 gorilla families waiting for a visit in the Virunga. 

Athough gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the country has a lot more to offer. In fact, if gorilla trekking is beyond your budget, Rwanda is still worth visiting as an up-and-coming destination offering primate walks, volcano hikes and bird watching in Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park, plus boat trips on Lake Kivu in the Rift Valley and classic safaris in search of the Big Five in low-key Akagera National Park.

What is Gorilla tracking Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda literally has no definition but can be described as an activity that gets an individual very close to the world’s endangered Gorilla population-mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a safari activity where 8 tourists are guided by park rangers to trek and hike through the bamboo rainforest of Volcanoes National Park to meet a gorilla family and spend 1 hour in their presence. Individuals have a briefing before they visit the bamboo forest where park rangers advise the trekkers on the dos and don’ts or rules and regulations of Rwanda Gorilla tours before, during, and after the trek. These guidelines should be followed to ensure you have an amazing Rwanda gorilla trek.

How much does it cost to see the Gorillas in Rwanda?

A Rwanda Gorilla Trekking costs US$ 1500 each and you are required to purchase a permit to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Each person buys a permit at 1500 USD to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park spending a maximum of 60 minutes in the presence of the mountain gorillas. The Rwanda gorilla permit at U.S dollars 1500 is the most expensive for a mountain gorilla trek but comes with amazing offers. Tourists to Rwanda who are spending at least three days in the country for Gorilla tracking and a visit to other parks are offered a 30% discount on their permits (terms and conditions apply). A 15% discount is also offered to conference tourists to the country who are going to trek gorillas in Rwanda before or after their conference.

How is gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park like?

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda starts with a briefing from the park authorities and Rangers at around 7:30am. During the briefing, participants are divided into groups and assigned to a particular gorilla family.

The less fit hikers are assigned groups which are closer to the park offices. At 8:00am, the park Rangers lead the group to search for the gorillas. As already noted earlier, gorilla trekking in Rwanda offers you 10 habituated groups/families to choose from.

Regardless of which group you eventually get, you will find the experience amazing. You could spend hours just watching the little ones roll around and play. Mountain gorillas are always playful and quite curious. Some may walk right up to you but with no harm intended. While with the gorillas, it’s important to listen to instructions from your Guides and to always stay calm.

Never make sudden movements. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda can take between one to six hours depending on the gorilla group you are assigned and their specific location on the day of the trek.

How to prepare for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

  1. Prepare in advance physically and mentally by taking long walks in nearby forests.
  2. Acquire suitable footwear to navigate through the sometimes challenging terrain.
  3. Come knowing it may rain heavily.
  4. Pack enough drinking water and light snack.
  5. Give tip to the park Rangers and guides whenever you can – They do a lot to make your gorilla tracking adventure worthwhile. The recommended tipping rate is between $10 and $15 or its equivalent in the local currency.

Like all activities, gorilla trekking in Rwanda has rules and regulations. You must be 15 years and above to go near the primates. The reason why children aren’t allowed near the gorillas is because they tend to carry transmittable diseases like flue and cough which can be transmitted to the primates. It is one of the reasons why tourists are required to share their passport details before booking a trip. 

Packing List for Gorilla Trekking

Preparing for a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda requires careful planning and packing. From essential documents to specialized gear, every item plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience in the wilderness. In this section, we’ll outline a comprehensive packing list tailored specifically for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Whether it’s navigating rugged terrain or encountering unpredictable weather, being well-prepared with the right equipment and supplies is key to making the most of this extraordinary wildlife encounter. Let’s dive into the essential items you’ll need to pack for your gorilla trekking expedition.

Gorilla Permits and Passport

 You will be required to show your gorilla permit and passport at the hotel and park offices just before beginning your trek. Valid travel documents and a Visa are very important for any safari. Don’ t travel with a passport that is about to expire. Without the required travel documents, you will not be allowed in the country and to track the gorillas. Also ensure that you take the yellow fever shots and have the card.

Hiking Boots

It is very important to include hiking boots among the things to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi or other national parks. High quality hiking boots will ensure a better grip of the hilly and sometimes muddy terrain. Poor quality boots or plain sneakers could hurt your ankles. Always remember that gorilla trekking involves climbing steep hills in areas with high altitude. The trails can get muddy or slippery during the rainy season.

Clothing

When deciding on the clothes to pack for gorilla trekking, ensure you include water proof trousers, jackets, long sleeved shirts, sweaters, long socks and long trousers. The right clothing will help protect you from getting wet, sharp tree branches, the sun and insects/ants. Always tack in your trousers to your boots to prevent safari ants and other insects from entering your body. 

A Rain Jacket and sweater

 This is an essential item for packing especially during the wet season. Gorillas live in tropical rain forests and rain should be expected at any time regardless of the period of the year. A rain jacket should therefore be on top of your packing list even if you are planning to come in the so called dry season

Gloves

Garden gloves will help you hold trees, branches and other vegetation. The gloves will also protect your hands from scratches and insect bites. As we already noted earlier, the forest can get muddy and slippery. The gloves will help you hold tree branches when climbing or the ground in case you slide. Gloves are a must in any packing list for gorilla trekking.

Camera with strong battery and memory

You cannot go for a safari in Africa without a good camera. How will your friends know about your encounters during your safaris? How will you remember the events? Be prepared to take photographs of the gorillas, the beautiful park scenery and spots along your journey. 

Binoculars

The parks you will be visiting are not all about gorillas. During you trek, you will encounter several species of birds, forest elephants, buffaloes, chimpanzees and colobus monkeys among many others.  You can get good views of the birds and primates if you have a good binocular.

Porters

Porters help tourist carry any extra luggage or heavy cameras during gorilla trekking. They can also give you a helping hand when navigating through steep hills and valleys.  Porter can help carry the elderly using special pouches when required. Porters charge a fee of about $15 and are normally residents of the surrounding areas. 

Walking stick

To help you maneuver through the thick vegetation and steep areas. The sticks are given out for free after the briefing. You can get a higher quality one at a cost from your hotel or preferably through the park rangers.

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