Rwanda, commonly referred to as the land of a thousand hills and mountains, is a top gorilla trekking destination. With Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda’s only gorilla park) being just 2 hours way from Kigali, Rwanda offers the most accessible gorilla trekking in the world. Trekking with mountain gorillas in Rwanda offers an amazing experience, just like chimpanzee trekking on Nyungwe Forest National Park and wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park.
Planning for Rwanda safaris and tours? Welcome to the home of authentic Rwanda group safaris (scheduled, private, small group and large group Rwanda safaris) that feature Rwanda gorilla tours, chimpanzee trekking Rwanda safari holidays and wildlife Rwanda safari tours.
With a population of approximately 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the world as per the most recent gorilla census, gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda and Africa at large are definitely gaining more popularity.
It is mainly through gorilla tracking in Rwanda and Africa that the mountain gorillas endangered status came to an end, saving it from becoming an extinct gorilla species. Yes, one way of saving gorillas is through gorilla trekking tours in Africa.
The money spent on purchasing gorilla permits mostly goes towards conserving this gorilla species and making it increase in numbers.
Mountain gorillas (also known as gorilla beringei – mountain gorilla scientific name) are longer endangered because of good gorilla conservation.
Rwanda is one of the three countries in the world that was blessed with a mountain gorilla habitat.
On our group Rwanda safaris, we make it so easy for you to visit gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
This park has some of the Virunga mountain gorillas and is part of the Virunga Conservation Area.
When you book Rwanda safari tours with us, we choose the finest gorilla safari lodge to make your experience as nice as possible.
Our Rwanda tours also come with discounts, especially when booked in a group. Want a journey of a lifetime? Book wild gorilla safaris with us today and have a gorilla trek that you will live to remember.
Our group safaris also expand to game viewing in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park as well as safaris to all the other East African countries and attractions.
Rwanda is the second smallest country in East Africa neighboring Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Rwanda is one of the countries in Africa whose economies are growing at a faster rate irrespective of the fact that the country’s history is marred by deadly civil unrests like the 1994 Genocide that left over 800,000 Rwandans dead.
It is currently one of the most peaceful safari countries in Africa. Peace in Rwanda is truly reflected in the cleanness of her capital city – Kigali, you will never see polythene waste on the streets unlike other African cities.
The only things you encounter are busy people doing business in Kigali city.
Rwanda is famous for its top-notch tourism destinations of almost all kinds.
She is known for hosting quite a number of primate species, notably the golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park, chimpanzees in the magical Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Rwanda is also a home to wild game that dwell in savannah plains of the magnificent Akagera National Park.
These include among others the big five animals (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant), giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, kopje and vast species of birds.
If you are planning for a wildlife safari whether as a couple on honeymoon, individual or a group, Rwanda should be you next safari destination.
Best time to Visit Rwanda
The top tourist attraction in Rwanda is undoubtedly the Mountain gorillas in the northern based Volcanoes National Park.
These can be found in Volcanoes national park, located in the famous Virunga volcanoes which is a chain of mountains stretching all the way from Uganda up to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) .
The mountains neighboring this park are Mt. Muhabura, Mt. Karisimbi, Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Sabyinyo and Mt. Bisoke.
Visiting Rwanda particularly Volcanoes national park enables you embark on a popular gorilla trekking safari.
This activity gives you an opportunity to learn about these primates as you spend atleast one hour in their presence.
Get to know about the mysteries of mountain gorillas such as life in their families, inheritance of leadership by silverbacks (adult males), conquests and conservation status.
Visiting Rwanda gorillas is one of the activities that happen all year round, however, the dry season is the best time to embark on this famous adventure.
This is because of the favorable environment, trails are not slippery and forests are not as thick as during wet seasons.
Dry season in Rwanda happens in the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December.
About Rwanda Safari Parks
Rwanda comprises of four national parks and each national park is famous and unique in its own way.
Embarking on a Rwanda safari, means a visit to any or all of these national parks irrespective of your trip’s duration.
You will either visit Akagera national park, Nyungwe Forest national park, Volcanoes national park or the newly created Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Paying a visit to any of these places in Rwanda is making your Experience a remarkable adventure.
In Nyungwe Forest national park, you will do either chimpanzee trekking, monkey tracking, birding or canopy walking and other additional activities such as guided nature walks, tea plantation visits and so much more.
Akagera national park is a wildlife home where you encounter the big five animals that is the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and the elephant.
In addition to the big five, you will see animals like giraffes, zebras, antelopes, Topis, eland, duikers and impalas.
You will also enjoy the beauty of rolling hills and lush savannah vegetation.
Volcanoes National Park, on the other hand enables travelers to meet mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, as well as golden monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and colobus monkeys.
You will also see vast swashes of forests and bird species, some of which are rift valley endemics while others are at the verge of extinction.
Finally, the newly established Gishwati-Mukura national park, is home to activities such as tracking, bird watching, guided nature walks, hiking to top of the water falls and paying a visit to neighboring communities.
Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
Mountain gorillas are one of the most beautiful creatures one should see at least once in their lifetime.
They are human-like creatures and people who have interest in studying about these primates say that gorillas are our closest cousins.
Gorillas are one of the primate species which live in groups or families. Each group is led by an adult male gorilla known as a silverback (this is because they have silver hair at their back).
Families live in specific sectors of the park and silverbacks are responsible for protecting the family from danger or threats whereas females are responsible for taking care of young ones and reproduction.
It should be noted that mountain gorillas are the largest primates on earth and they can live up to fifty years of age in captivity, while those that live in the wilderness can live for forty years since their survival entirely depends on themselves.
Volcanoes national park in Rwanda is a home to over 18 gorilla families, 11 of which are habituated and ready for trekking.
Another fact about mountain gorillas in Rwanda is that, they had been put on the Red list by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) .
That is because they were considered one of the endangered primate species. The approximate number of mountain gorillas remaining on earth is 1,063 with the majority of these dwelling in Uganda, particularly the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Mountain gorillas communicate in unique ways while they are doing certain activities at a given time.
The communication can easily be understood by human beings and once given time, these mountain gorillas can understand human communication as well especially gestures and body movements.
This is yet another evidence that man is a close relative to mountain gorillas. They can communicate through vocalization, smiling, yawning, facial expressions, charging, waving, shaking tree branches, and so much more.
Why visit Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park?
Also known as Parc National des Volcans, Volcanoes national park is an outstanding destination all travelers look up to in Rwanda.
The uniqueness of the park starts from its strategic location in the North western province of Rwanda in Musanze at the heart of the legendary Virunga Conservation Area.
The park is just 2 hours away from the Capital of Rwanda – Kigali. This makes it one of the easy to reach destinations in Rwanda.
Choosing to visit Volcanoes national park is choosing a unique experience with the primates of the world.
By making that choice, travelers can easily take part in one or all of these rewarding activities; Golden monkey tracking, mountain gorilla trekking, visiting Dian Fossey grave, hiking Mt. Karisimbi / Virunga Volcanoes and bird watching.
Why visit gorillas in Rwanda?
Volcanoes national park has greatly contributed to the conservation of mountain gorillas.
Little wonder, mountain gorillas are one of the most visited primates in Rwanda by travelers.
Here are some of the reasons why one needs to leave their comfort zone and embark on a Rwanda gorilla safari;
Mountain gorillas can easily be accessed than anywhere else. It takes only two hours from travelers to transfer form Kigali city to Volcanoes national park for their amazing gorilla experience.
Gorillas in Volcanoes national park are in proper and good health. It is always advisable that humans should always avoid getting in contact with mountain gorillas during the trekking experiences.
This is because of the easy spread of infectious and communicable diseases from humans to gorillas and the reverse is true.
However, research has it that habituated gorilla families have stood higher chances of living and have a higher life expectancy compared to those that have not been habituated.
This means that since the majority of gorilla families in Volcanoes national park have been habituated (11 families out of 20 families), there are little or no chances of contracting diseases from these gorilla families during your visit to Volcanoes national park.
Volcanoes national park has one of the highest number of habituated gorilla families – 11 families, only second to Bwindi Impenetrable national park (Uganda) .
Therefore, availability of gorilla permits in Volcanoes national park is almost assured even for last minute gorilla trekkers.
Mountain gorillas are friendly creatures. They only fight in defense and they do not kill for pleasure.
Why go gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
There are 99 chances of sighting gorillas when you go to Rwanda for gorilla trekking.
The activity can be done all year round.
Rwanda gorilla trekking permits can be easily obtained.
Volcanoes national park is easily accessible from Kigali and Uganda, both by air and Road.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can easily be combined with other gorilla treks in Uganda and D.R. Congo as well as other safari activities in Akagera and Nyungwe national parks.
Why go chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda?
Nyungwe Forest national park is home to 13 species of primates and can easily be accessed by travelers from Kigali by air and road.
The roads to the park are well tarmacked and it takes four to five hours’ drive from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest national park for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda.
There are amazing en-route activities along the way to Nyungwe Forest national Park for chimpanzee trekking.
These include; Nyanza King’s palace tour, Butare ethnographic museum tour, the National University of Rwanda and Murambi Genocide Memorial site.
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe Forest national park are cheaper than those of Kibale Forest national park in Uganda and other parks in East Africa.
Cost of a Rwanda safari
Gorilla safari permits in Rwanda go for 1500$ for all types of travelers from all the corners of the world.
They can be obtained by travelers themselves through Rwanda Development Board or booking can be done by a trusted local tour operator.
It is however advisable that you book your permit at least 2 months before your safari to avoid any inconveniences.
How to reduce your gorilla trekking cost?
Rwanda gorilla permits have set prices and they do not come with discounts, however, there are many ways in which you can indirectly reduce on the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permits.
For example, you can opt for a mid-range or budget lodge instead of a luxury lodge while on a Rwanda Gorilla Safari.
Book other parks in addition to a gorilla tour in Volcanoes national park and discounts will apply.
Lastly, you can choose a short gorilla trekking safari, like a 1 or 2 days’ gorilla tour instead of a 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari.
All options equally give you the best gorilla experience at a lower cost.
When to book your Rwanda gorilla permit
For travelers intending to embark on a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari, the best recommendable time to book is 6 months before they make their way to Volcanoes national park for the activity.
Gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park in Rwanda has 20 gorilla families, 11 of which are habituated and they are available for trekking.
Gorilla families in Volcanoes national park include; Agashya family, Sabyinyo family, Titus family, Amahoro family, Susa A family, Umubano family, Susa B/ Karisimbi family, Hirwa family, Kwitonda family, Bwenge family and Ugenda group.
Rwanda gorilla trekking vs. Uganda gorilla trekking
Comparing Uganda and Rwanda has always been difficult when it comes to gorilla trekking; however, we can draw a line on a few things such as accessibility, trekking permits, costs, accommodation, etc. and get a distinction between the two countries.
In terms of accessibility of gorilla trekking destinations, it is easier to reach Volcanoes national park from Kigali than it is to reach Bwindi Impenetrable national park from Kampala. This makes Rwanda a better option.
Additionally, Rwanda has less habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes national park compared to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable national park. Therefore, Uganda presents a wide variety of options than Rwanda.
In terms of gorilla trekking permit prices, Uganda presents relatively affordable gorilla trekking at 700$ per permit, compared to Rwanda at 1500$ per permit.
When it comes to altitude, it is easier to hike the trails in Rwanda compared to those of Uganda.
This implies that one has to be more physically fit to do gorilla trekking in Uganda compared to Rwanda.
Budget or luxury Rwanda tours?
The question of whether to embark on a budget or luxury tour in Rwanda lies in the hands of the traveller.
This is because every traveler has personal tastes and preferences in line with the intention and budget of the trip.
All you need to know is that Rwanda has both budget and luxury tour packages for all travelers and at any time of the year.
All you need is get in touch with your tour operator and have the best experience in Rwanda whether it is luxury or budget.
Population of Rwanda mountain gorillas
Like earlier stated, mountain gorillas are one of the animal species in the world which are at the verge of extinction.
However, efforts to conserve nature have done a great role in restoring gorilla populations after almost going into extinction.
In Rwanda alone, mountain gorillas have increased to 459 from 400 as per the most recent census.
The overall total of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and DRC is 1,063 with Uganda hosting 53.9% of total population.
Hot air balloon safaris in Rwanda
This activity is not all that old in Rwanda, it was introduced in Akagera national park in 2022.
However, hot air balloon is a spectacular way of exploring the park while on top of it proving a bid eye’s view of the entire savannah vegetation.
It can be combined with other activities while on your safari to Akagera national park.
The activity starts with a briefing in the morning and follows the direction of the wind.
Minimum number of people on a hot air balloon is 4 and the maximum is 6 while it can be done by people aged six and above.
Hot air balloon safari in Rwanda happens all year round and every day of the week unless weather dictates.
To embark on a hot air balloon safari in Rwanda is truly to turn moments into memories.
