Gorilla Tracking

Encountering gorillas in their wild environment is an experience that stays with you forever, with many claiming it transforms their perspective on life. Meeting gorillas in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience, as skilled trackers and guides navigate small groups of adventurers up lush, bamboo-laden hills. Here, visitors can relish a rare and breathtaking hour in close proximity to these magnificent beings.

Gorillas, the largest living primates, roam through the vast expanses of the equatorial African rainforest. In general, the species can be divided into two captivating groups: lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas.

The volcanic range that stretches across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a vibrant habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla. Exploring the wilds of Rwanda to track gorillas offers a thrilling experience that is both secure and fairly easy to embark upon.

Currently, there are around 1,000 mountain gorillas roaming freely in their natural habitat, with 604 of them residing in the Virunga Massif. The population is gradually growing, fueled by the dedicated collaboration among our governments, communities, and NGOs.

In the Volcanoes National Park, twelve gorilla families thrive, completely accustomed to human presence, alongside a few others that are familiarized exclusively for scientific study. The troops are made up of at least one silverback, accompanied by a number of females and young ones.

The troops exhibit a dynamic mix in their makeup, yet they generally gravitate towards a favored region. Park rangers keep a vigilant watch over them, ensuring their safety while allowing each group to engage with tourists for a limited hour each day.

Each troop is granted eight tracking permits daily, ensuring that the experience remains close and respectful. Due to the limited availability of just 96 permits each day in Rwanda, securing your spot ahead of time is strongly advised, whether through online booking or by working with a trusted tour operator.

At 7am, visitors assemble at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi, where they are assigned to a family group based on their fitness levels and receive an informative briefing on the protocols and rules for encountering the gorillas.

The families include Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge, Ugyenda, and Muhoza.

Journeys to their diverse spots can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over four hours, ascending to heights ranging from 2,500m to 4,000m. Porters are ready to assist with backpacks and cameras, providing a supportive hand throughout the journey.

Ten percent of the revenue from the permits is directed towards local communities, supporting the construction of schools, health centers, and roads. A compensation fund exists for local farmers in case gorillas damage their crops, fostering a harmonious relationship between the two.

Gorilla tracking creates opportunities for numerous locals, including rangers, trackers, porters, drivers, and staff at tourist lodges.

For those eager to follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey, her tomb awaits just a 30-minute drive from the park headquarters, followed by a two to three-hour hike through the enchanting forest, ascending to over 3,000m altitude.

The annual Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony is an exciting occasion to explore the Volcanoes National Park, with guided tours leading up to the main event offering a chance to connect with park staff and conservationists, enjoy cultural evenings, and partake in a vibrant celebration in Musanze.

At the naming ceremony, there’s an atmosphere brimming with music, dancing, and engaging conversations about Rwanda’s remarkable achievements in gorilla conservation, alongside the significant challenges that still lie ahead.

In Rwanda, various conservation organisations are actively engaged in protecting wildlife, including the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, The Gorilla Organisation, International Gorilla Conservation Organisation, Gorilla Doctors, and Wildlife Conservation Society.