A complete guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Trekking to see the mountain gorillas of Equatorial Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing you to come face-to-face with the largest living primate on Earth. It’s believed there are around 1,000 left in the wild, with most spread across the Virunga Mountains that span Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thanks to the efforts of NGOs, local communities and government organisations, the population is slowly increasing in numbers and gorilla trekking plays a vital role in ensuring their conservation.
Of the three countries, Rwanda offers the most accessible gorilla trekking, with Volcanoes National Park home to 12 gorilla families - Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge, Ugyenda and Muhoza. Each consists of at least one silverback, together with several females and young gorillas. While some can be visited by tourists, others are protected for scientific research. In fact, it was here in Rwanda that American primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey conducted her research between 1966 and 1985.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about gorilla trekking in Rwanda, including how much it costs, what to expect on your trek and a recommended packing list.
At the time of writing, it costs USD 1,500 to secure a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda, which is more than double the price of Uganda’s gorilla trekking permits (USD 700). It's best to secure your permit through a reputable tour operator such as Vencha Travel, with whom you can discuss dates, transport and accommodation. Alternatively, you can check for availability with the Rwanda Development Board, which is the body that regulates the country’s national parks.
Only 96 permits are issued each day for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, which means it is highly recommended that you book in advance. Because there are only eight permits for each of the gorilla troops, you are guaranteed an intimate experience that is also unobtrusive for the gorillas. While the trekking time can vary dramatically, each group is strictly limited to a maximum time of one hour with the gorillas.
With the huge cost of the permit alone, you might be wondering if gorilla trekking in Rwanda is worth the money. Ask anyone who has visited Volcanoes National Park and they will answer with a resounding “yes”. Compared to Uganda and the DRC, Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are the most habituated. They also tend to be easier to photograph as they are often found in tracts of bamboo, rather than dense forest.
In addition, it’s possible to fly into Kigali and trek to see the gorillas on the same day, something that is impossible in Uganda and the DRC. Kigali International Airport is just 116 kilometres from Volcanoes National Park, with the journey by road around 2.5 hours. In contrast, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda is around 500 kilometres from Entebbe International Airport near Kampala, with the drive alone taking more than eight hours. When you add in the costs of transport and overnight accommodation, the costs of Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking start to even out.
It’s also important to keep in mind that 10% of the revenue from the permits is invested back into local communities, helping to build schools, health centres and roads. There is also a fund for compensating local farmers in case the gorillas damage their crops, ensuring the region’s human and gorilla populations can peacefully co-exist. Gorilla trekking also employs local trackers, guides and porters, and plays a vital role in supporting the local economy.
While you need to be relatively fit to trek to see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, it’s not overly strenuous. The forest trails can be steep, slippery and muddy, even during the dry season, with the combination of altitude and humidity making it challenging for some people.
Because the gorillas are wild creatures, there are no guarantees that they will be close to the Kinigi Park Headquarters where treks begin and you may be walking anywhere from two to nine hours, depending on their exact location on any given day.
So what does a typical day of gorilla trekking look like? Everyone meets at 7:00 am for a briefing from one of the park rangers and is allocated a group based on fitness levels. By 8:30 am, you will set off with a professional guide and tracker, as well as several scouts and porters, who are available to carry backpacks and offer a helping hand. Once you encounter the gorillas, you will have one hour to spend with them before returning to the park headquarters no later than 7:00 pm.
Rwanda is one of Africa’s safest countries, with very little crime and tight security, particularly around tourist areas such as Virunga National Park. The heavy military and police presence has helped to deter poachers and you are unlikely to encounter any issues before, during or after your trek.
If it’s the gorillas you are worried about, you can rest assured that the scouts are armed for your safety and will protect you in the unlikely case that a silverback charges. They are also well trained in moving trekkers to safety if you do encounter dangerous animals and they know how to fire their guns to scare the animals away, rather than kill them.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is the most easily accessible, with the drive from Kigali International Airport taking between two and three hours. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, on the other hand, is at least an eight-hour drive from Entebbe International Airport, which is the main entry point into Uganda. Congo’s Virunga National Park is usually accessed by first flying into Kigali, then making the four to five-hour drive across the border. Alternatively, you can fly into Goma International Airport, which is the closest airport to the park headquarters on the DRC side.
Due to the safety concerns associated with travel to DRC, most travellers toss-up between Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking. While gorilla permits in Rwanda are significantly more expensive (USD 1500) than in Uganda (USD 700), you do have to factor in the costs of transportation and accommodation when accessing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
While the terrain in Volcanoes National Park tends to be more challenging than in Bwindi, the gorillas are often found in bamboo forests, which makes them much easier to photograph. Rwanda has a strict age requirement of 15 years for gorilla trekkers while Uganda allows younger children to participate.
June to September is generally considered the best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda as this coincides with the country’s long dry season. Accessing Volcanoes National Park is relatively easy during this period and the hiking trails are not as muddy and slippery as they are in the wet season. If you're planning on gorilla trekking during the peak season, you need to book your permit well in advance as they are in high demand.
Rwanda experiences a short dry season from December to February, making this another good time to trek. Permits should also be booked in advance if you want to trek during this time, although it’s not quite as popular as the long, dry season.
April to May is the long rainy season in Rwanda when heavy downpours can be expected. While the trails are much more slippery than during the dry, the gorilla families tend to descend to the lower slopes, so you may not have to trek as far to see them.
The short rains occur during October and November, with short downpours in the afternoon or evening. By the morning, you can expect clear skies. This is one of the best times to visit if you’re a keen birder as much of the park vegetation is in flower.
Theoretically, it is possible to fly into Rwanda, go gorilla trekking and fly out on the same day. But we would highly recommend spending at least a few days in the country to experience everything it has to offer, including Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park.
If you are going on safari in Tanzania or Kenya, a gorilla trek in Rwanda can easily be added on at the start or end of your trip and will only require an additional day to your itinerary. It’s for this reason that Rwanda is such as popular destination for gorilla trekking and favoured by many over Uganda and the DRC.
To ensure you are protected against the elements (and the insects), it’s essential that you pack appropriately for your Rwanda gorilla trek. This means long-sleeved shirts and trousers (khakis are ideal), as these will protect you against scratches from branches and shrubs.
You also want to wear waterproof hiking boots that are sturdy and rise to just above the ankle, as well as have a good grip. Once you arrive, you’ll notice that the rangers and scouts often wear gumboots with their pants tucked into their socks to protect against fire ants.
A lightweight rain jacket is also essential, particularly if you are trekking during the rainy season. Opt for something that can easily fold up and be stashed in your backpack when it isn’t needed. Don’t forget to pack a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck against the sun and lather on sunscreen before departure. It’s also a good idea to come equipped with insect repellent for any parts of your body that are left exposed.
Even though you might not need it while trekking, a warm sweater is a “must” for the cool early mornings and nights. Temperatures can drop to around 10°C/50°F, so come prepared. If you want to document your experience, then a camera should also be on your packing list. Serious photographers usually bring at least one zoom lens so that they can capture up-close shots of the gorillas while remaining at a safe distance.
Volcanoes National park is also home to two habituated groups of golden monkeys who reside at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo. Permits to see the golden monkeys currently cost USD 100 and can be arranged in advanced with tour companies or booked at the park headquarters on the morning of the trek. Trekking groups meet at 7:00 am at the Kinigi Park Headquarters, with numbers not currently limited.
Children must be at least 15 years of age to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda. The steep, mountainous terrain is the reason behind the age restriction, which is strictly enforced.
At Vencha Travel, we can help you plan an unforgettable trek to see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, as well as experience everything this incredible country has to offer. Embark on a classic safari through Akagera National Park, come face-to-face with chimpanzees in Nygungwe National Park or discover the majestic beauty of Lake Kivu along the Congo Nile Trail.
Topics: Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in the “Land of a Thousand Hills”
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