Overview
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the country’s most remarkable wildlife experiences. It takes visitors into the misty forest of the Virunga Mountains in search of habituated mountain gorilla families. Unlike a traditional game drive, gorilla trekking is a walking adventure. The time spent searching for the gorillas can vary depending on where the assigned family is.
In Rwanda, gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park in the country’s northwest. The park protects the Rwandan section of the Virunga Mountain range. This includes the montane forests, bamboo zones, and other high-altitude habitats. For travellers planning their visit, understanding the permit booking process is important. This is because gorilla permits are limited and trekking is carefully managed.
A standard foreign visitor’s gorilla permit currently costs USD 1,500 per person. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years. Rwanda also has different rates for some Rwandan citizens, East African citizens, and qualifying residents. Though promotional rates have specific conditions and periods of application.
How to book a permit through a tour company.
For many international visitors, the easiest way to arrange gorilla trekking is through a reputable tour company, such as Epic Uganda Vacations. Instead of handling every part of the reservation process yourself, you contact the company and provide the information needed to design a trip for you.
The first step is to tell the company your preferred trekking date, number of travellers, nationality or residency status, and any other travel requirements. The company can then check the availability of gorilla trekking permits and build the rest of your trip around the trekking date. It is advisable to begin this process well in advance because the number of permits available each day is limited. Rwanda currently limits tourist access to individual gorilla groups, with a maximum of 8 people per group.
After confirming the date and price, the traveller normally makes the payment according to the company’s booking terms. The company then proceeds with the official permit reservation. Your passport details must be accurate because the Rwanda Development Board’s booking system requires the full client information when the reservation is made. Incorrect, incomplete, or false information can result in problems at the park entrance.
The company may also arrange accommodation, airport transfers, and transportation to Volcanoes National Park, meals, a guide, and optional services such as a porter. This turns the permit into part of the entire gorilla trekking rather than leaving the traveller to organise every component separately.
How the tour company books the permit.
Once a client has confirmed the trip, the tour operator works through Rwanda’s official tourism reservation system. The Rwanda Development Board provides an online platform through which tourism services, including gorilla and primate tracking permits, can be booked.
The operator selects the gorilla trekking product and searches for an available date and slot. The client’s details are entered into the system, and the required supporting documentation is submitted. The booking is made on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the relevant payment and application procedures have been completed, the system processes the permit.
For tour operators using the advance-booking process, Rwanda’s system provides a booking reference. The operator can subsequently use that reference to confirm the reservation, pay the remaining amount where applicable, and obtain the permit.
This is why travellers should give their company correct passport information from the beginning. A gorilla permit is not simply a general entrance ticket that can be transferred casually from one traveller to another. The information submitted during booking is important for verification at the park.
Where gorilla trekking is done in Rwanda.
Rwanda’s gorilla trekking takes place exclusively in Volcanoes National Park, part of the Virunga Volcanic Mountain region. The Park is located around Musanze in Northern Rwanda, relatively close to Kigali compared with many other major wildlife destinations in the country.
Travellers normally travel from Kigali towards Musanze and continue to Kinigi where the gorilla trekking registration and briefing take place. Rwanda’s tourism information indicates that Musanze is roughly a 90-minute drive from Kigali, although actual journey time may vary according to traffic, weather and road conditions.
How gorilla trekking is done.
The experience begins early in the morning. Visitors are expected to report to the park’s registration and information centre at 7 am for registration, briefing and allocation procedures.
During the briefing, guides explain the rules for approaching the mountain gorillas. Visitors are reminded to maintain the required distance, avoid loud behaviour, follow the guide’s instructions and avoid visiting the gorillas when suffering from contagious illnesses. The current guidelines also limit the gorilla viewing period to 1hour and restrict each visiting group to a maximum of 8 people.
After the briefing, the visitors set off into the forest accompanied by trained guides and trackers. The distance and difficulty of the trek are not fixed. Some groups may be reached after a relatively short walk, while others can require several hours of hiking through steep terrain. Rwanda’s tourism information notes that treks can range from around 30 minutes to more than 4hours depending on the location of the gorilla family.
Trackers normally move ahead to establish the location of the gorilla family, while the visitors follow the guides. When the gorillas are found, everyone is reminded to remain calm and respect their space. The 1-hour encounter allows visitors to observe the family’s behaviour, including feeding, resting, moving through the vegetation, and interactions between adults and young gorillas.
After the viewing session, the group begins the journey back through the forest. A porter can be hired to carry a backpack and provide assistance on difficult sections of the trail. Comfortable hiking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, rain protection, water, and a small backpack are useful for the experience. Flash photography is not permitted.
Best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year because the gorillas remain in Volcanoes National Park regardless of the season. However, weather can influence the hiking experience.
The relatively drier periods are commonly preferred by travellers because the trails can be easier to navigate. Rwanda’s mountain climate remains unpredictable, however, and rain can occur even during the generally drier periods. Visitors should therefore carry rain protection regardless of the month they travel.
The wetter months can bring muddy and slippery trails, but they can also provide a quieter atmosphere and, depending on the circumstances, opportunities for travellers seeking a less busy travel period. Rwanda’s official booking information currently identifies November to May as the low-season period for certain promotional gorilla trekking arrangements, subject to the stated conditions.
Ultimately, the best time depends on whether a traveller prioritises drier hiking conditions, seasonal travel deals, personal schedules or combining gorilla trekking with other Rwandan experiences.
Where to stay in Rwanda.
Rwanda offers some of the finest accommodation facilities for gorilla trekking. These accommodation facilities range from luxury to midrange and budget. These lodges are spread around Volcanoes National Park. They provide quick access due to their strategic location. Some of these lodges include Isange Resort, Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Sambora Kinigi Lodge, etc.
What else to do in Rwanda.
Rwanda offers some of the best gorilla trekking experiences in the region. However, Rwanda is not limited to only gorilla trekking. It offers an incredible range of other tourist activities, including the following.
Game drives
Game drives or viewing are a basic safari activity that offers visitors a chance to spot some of the savannah animals. These animals include the big 5, which are the highly sought-after animals. These are lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. Other animals to spot include hyenas, antelopes, warthogs, etc. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savannah park and the only place to do a game drive.
Chimpanzee trekking
Rwanda also offers chimpanzee trekking experiences in Nyungwe National Park. This experience is pretty much like gorilla trekking. It involves visitors venturing into the dense jungles to find chimpanzees and spend an hour in their presence.
Other activities done in Rwanda include Kigali city tours, birding, boat cruises on Lake Ihema and Lake Kivu, and canopy walks, among others.
