Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes National park which is known as Parc National des Volcano in French and Pariki y’Igihugu y’Ibirunga in Kinyarwanda local word. The park is located in the town of Musanze and is recorded as the oldest National park in the African continent, harboring the endangered Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda which are already habituated and available for tourists who carry out Gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Volcanoes National park borders Mgahinga National park and DRC in the southwest part of Uganda.

Volcanoes National park harbors the endangered primates including Mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, and many more primate species. The park has eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains such as Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Gahinga, covering an area of 60 sq.km of the Bamboo and rain forest. The other attractions are Buffaloes, black-fronted duiker, Bushbucks, Hyenas, elephants, 300 bird species among others.

Most activities are run by Rwanda Development Board, which takes over the Gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda starts early morning with a briefing of the travelers at the park headquarters. This briefing is meant to guide you through how to go about the gorilla trekking activity. Later you will start the trek and along the trails, you will be able to see other wildlife species including plants and animals. When you meet the gorillas after about 2-8hours, you will be given 1 hour to observe, take photos and learn about the gorillas. Later you will be led back to the headquarters where you will meet your driver-guide. The experience is amazing and a traveler will be thrilled after engaging in gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

A gorilla trekking permit costs 1500 USD and only people above the age of 17 years are accepted to trek the gorillas. You will always be told to stay 7 meters away and if one is sick, they shall not be accepted to trek. Always remember to wear long-sleeved clothes such as long-sleeved shirts, carry sunscreen, rain gears, waterproof hiking boots, Garden gloves, and many more essentials.

Accommodation, when you go for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, is simply the best because volcanoes national park has got a number of hotels/lodges within its vicinity where you can sleep and relax from the trek. Some of the accommodation facilities include Virunga Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Le Palme Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi guest house, Muhabura hotel, Garr hotel, Best view hotel, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorillas Nest lodge among others.

Other activities to encounter include Golden monkey trekking, Bird watching, hiking through the Volcano regions to enjoy the steep mountains, Visit to mount Karisimbi for a two-day encounter, view of the landscapes, primate species, and many more.