Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Look into the eyes of a mountain gorilla. Nothing prepares you for this.
June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)
June to September (Permits may sell out and lodges charge higher rates)
160km² / 62mi²
1,881-4,202m / 6,171-13,786ft
Volcanoes National Park is home to roughly a third of the world's remaining mountain gorillas - around 340 individuals living in habituated family groups on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. The trek through bamboo forest and stinging nettles is demanding. The moment you sit three metres from a 200-kilogram silverback, watching him gently groom his infant, you understand why people call this the most profound wildlife encounter on Earth.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
One hour with a gorilla family. That is what the permit buys you - and that hour will redefine what you thought you knew about wildlife encounters. The silverback's chest vibrates when he rumbles. Juveniles play-fight and tumble. A mother nurses her baby and looks directly at you. No barrier. No glass. Just forest.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Volcanoes is one of only two places on Earth where you can see golden monkeys - a critically endangered species found only in the Virungas. They are fast, playful, and photogenic. The trek is shorter and less strenuous than gorilla trekking, making it a perfect complement.
The Virunga Volcanoes
Five volcanic peaks rise above the park - Karisimbi (4,507m), Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura. You can trek to the summit of Bisoke (with its stunning crater lake) or the more challenging Karisimbi in two days. The views across the Albertine Rift are otherworldly.
Experience Designer
Brighton Mboya
Regions of Speciality:
Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda
Trip Designer
Brighton has spent the last decade building safaris across the East African circuit, from the Serengeti's migration corridors to the misty volcanoes of Rwanda and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. He started out guiding walking safaris in Tarangire, then moved into gorilla and chimp trekking after years escorting researchers through the Albertine Rift. His itineraries turn on the small details most operators skip: the right camp on the right night of the migration, a permit window that lines up with the gorilla family closest to your lodge, a quiet bush airstrip that saves a full day on transfer.
Trip Inspiration
Snapshot of a Day
After ninety minutes of climbing through bamboo and mud, your tracker signals to stop. Twenty metres ahead, a silverback sits in a clearing, stripping bamboo with his teeth. His eyes meet yours. Time stops. You have one hour. You forget to breathe.
Trip Inspiration
Classic Gorilla Trek
Fly into Kigali, drive to the Virungas, and spend two days trekking with mountain gorillas. Include a golden monkey trek, a Dian Fossey memorial hike, and a community visit. This is the trip that everyone should do once.
Recommended Duration: 3-4 days
Best Time To Go: June - September, December - February
Things to See & Do: Gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, Dian Fossey tomb hike, community visit
Don't Miss Out On: Silverback eye contact, baby gorilla playing, crater lake on Bisoke
Snapshot of a Day
This morning you sat with gorillas. This afternoon you drive through rolling tea plantations toward Lake Kivu, the sun dropping behind the volcanic peaks. Tomorrow, chimpanzees. Rwanda fits a continent of experiences into a country the size of Belgium.
Trip Inspiration
Rwanda Primates & Safari
Combine gorilla trekking in Volcanoes with chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest and a Big Five safari in Akagera. Three parks, three completely different ecosystems, one extraordinary country.
Recommended Duration: 8-10 days
Best Time To Go: June - September
Things to See & Do: Gorilla trek, chimp trek, Big Five safari, canopy walk, cultural immersion
Don't Miss Out On: The gorilla-chimp-safari triple, Lake Kivu sunset, Nyungwe canopy walk
Featured stays
Bisate Lodge
Location: Volcanoes NP, volcanic amphitheatre
One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Location: Kinigi, Volcanoes NP
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Location: Kinigi, Volcanoes NP foothills
Testimonials
“A baby gorilla walked up and touched my boot. I have never felt so alive.”
We found the family after a two-hour trek through thick bamboo. The silverback was resting. A juvenile swung from a branch. Then a baby - maybe 18 months old - toddled toward our group and reached out to touch my boot. The guide gently moved us back. I was shaking. My wife was crying. Our guide Emmanuel just smiled and said 'This is why we protect them.'
— Tom & Helen P. - Cape Town, South Africa
Process
Step 1
Let's connect
Whether you have a specific trip in mind or are looking for inspiration, get in touch with your travel preferences, and one of our specialists will kick off the planning.
Step 2
Detailed Brief
After a conversation to learn more about your trip, you will receive details on an adventure with us, including activities and accommodation options in the destinations.
Step 3
Customized Itinerary and Confirmation
Collaborate with your specialist to adjust and finalize the itinerary. A per-person trip cost is presented once the itinerary is confirmed.
Step 4
Support, Start to Finish
From the moment you arrive until your trip ends, our team is with you. Experienced guides, porters, and a 24/7 support line ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Good to know
Gorilla Permits
A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs ,500 per person. This is included in our trip price. Permits must be booked months in advance - especially for June-September and December-February. We secure permits as soon as you confirm your booking.
Fitness Level
Gorilla treks range from 1-6 hours of hiking through steep, muddy terrain at 2,500-3,500 metres altitude. Moderate fitness is required. We recommend hiring a porter () - they carry your bag, help on steep sections, and the money supports the local community.
What to Wear
Long trousers, long sleeves (the forest has stinging nettles), waterproof jacket, sturdy hiking boots, gardening gloves (for grabbing vegetation on steep slopes). Your lodge can provide gaiters and walking sticks. Dress in layers - mornings are cool at altitude.
Volcanoes safaris
2-Day Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
This two-day journey into Volcanoes National Park offers the rare chance to immerse yourself in the heart of Rwanda’s mountain gorilla territory. Begin with a scenic drive from Kigali into the mist-covered foothills of the Virungas, where lush forests and volcanic peaks set the stage for an unforgettable wildlife experience. After settling into your lodge, enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by nature as you prepare for the next morning’s trek.
3-Day Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Experience
This tour is considered one of Rwanda’s premier experiences, offering the rare opportunity to encounter the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and explore the lush bamboo forests they call home. The journey begins in Kigali, with a scenic drive to the park office and onward to your lodge. Along the way, you’ll pass rolling hills, vibrant coffee and tea plantations, and diverse landscapes, providing breathtaking views and a true sense of Rwanda’s natural beauty.
1-Day Mountain Gorilla Trekking
This one-day mountain gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is ideal for travelers with limited time, especially those visiting Kigali for business or conferences. While this tour focuses on encounter with endangered mountain gorillas, the park also offers a range of remarkable attractions, including golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, cave exploration, birdwatching, and more. It’s the perfect way to enjoy Rwanda’s natural beauty and wildlife in just a single day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rwanda gorilla permits cost ,500 per person. This is included in our trip price. Permits must be booked months in advance, especially for peak season (June-September, December-February).
Treks range from 1-6 hours through steep, muddy terrain at 2,500-3,500 metres altitude. Moderate fitness is required. Porters are available for and are highly recommended.
The minimum distance is 7 metres, but gorillas sometimes approach closer on their own. You spend one hour with the family group once found.
The dry seasons (June-September and December-February) offer drier trails and easier trekking. However, gorilla trekking is available year-round and rain is always possible in the Virungas.
Rwanda permits cost ,500 vs Uganda's . Rwanda treks are generally shorter (closer gorilla groups), infrastructure is more developed, and parks are closer to Kigali. Uganda offers a more rugged, adventurous experience with lower costs.
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