Guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda 2023/2024
How to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda in 2023 or 2024; In Rwanda, gorilla hiking is an exciting and unique activity where people go into the lush jungle to look for mountain gorillas that are used to people and then spend an hour with them in their natural environment. One place in Rwanda where you can go gorilla hiking is Volcanoes National Park, which is in the northwest, in the village of Musanze. There are also different kinds of birds, buffalo, elephants, duikers, bushbucks, and golden monkeys living in the national park. In Uganda, you can go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mghainga Gorilla National Park. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you can go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Trekking with gorillas in Rwanda
There are 11 gorilla groups that live in Volcanoes National Park. They are the Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Karisimbi, Hirwa, Ugenda, Bwenge, and Titus families. Trekking with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park starts very early in the morning with a talk about the rules and laws that trekkers must follow. Following the training, you will begin your walk through the bush in search of mountain gorillas.
The trek will last between 2 and 6 hours, based on where the gorillas are located, as they are always on the lookout for food. Trekking gives you the chance to see other apes, animals, and bird species. When you find the mountain gorillas, you can spend an hour with them in their natural habitat.
How much it costs to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda
Anyone from any country can get a gorilla hiking pass in Volcanoes National Park for $1,500 USD. Volcanoes National Park also has reduced passes that are good until December 31, 2023. People who live outside of Africa pay 500 USD per person, people who live in Africa pay 500 USD per person, people who live in Africa pay 500 USD per person, and East African citizens and nationals pay 200 USD per person.
To get the discounted rates, you must buy the permit at least one month before the trekking date. If you buy the permit less than one month before the trekking date, it will cost $1,500 USD.
How to get Rwandan licenses to go on a gorilla trek
You can book gorilla hiking permits in Volcanoes National Park directly through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), which will put you in touch with the park offices by phone. You can also book gorilla hiking permits in Volcanoes National Park through a reputable tour company, such as Maseke Adventure Co.Ltd. Just let us know the date, month, and year you want to walk. We will check to see if the permit you want is available after you call us. If it is, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. We will buy the permits on your behalf once we get them and send you a scanned copy of the ticket as proof.
When is the best time to visit Rwanda to see gorillas?
You can go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park at any time of the year, but the best time is during the dry season, which is from June to September and December to February. This is because the park doesn’t get as much rain during these months, so the gorilla trekking trails will be dry and easy to use. During the rainy season, the trails are muddy and slippery, making gorilla trekking harder.
Where to stay in the national park of volcanoes
There are a variety of cheap, moderate, and high-end places to stay in Volcanoes National Park during your gorilla trekking safari. These include the One and Only Gorillas Nest, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge, Wilderness Bisate, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort and Spa, Gorilla Volcanoes Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorilla Solution Lodge, and Kinigi Guesthouse, among others.
What to bring with you on a tour to see gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
For your gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park, you should bring a lot of things, like hiking shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and pants, bug spray, a waterproof rain jacket, garden gloves, energy snacks and water, a camera and extra batteries, a walking stick, a warm sweater, a backpack, and more.
