Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

How Difficult is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

The trek can be easy or difficult depending on the location of the gorilla family you are trekking, as some families are easy to find while others are hard to trek because they live on higher elevations.

Weather in gorilla national parks can sometimes be unpredictable. The trekking can become hard if it rains during gorilla trekking. You have to pass through tough terrain and thick jungles. You will need long-sleeved clothes to protect you from biting insects and raincoats in case it rains while trekking.

Mountain gorillas live on higher elevations, which require a certain level of physical fitness to conquer. You might get very tired and slow the pace of other hikers if you are not physically fit. It’s advisable for you to engage in some exercises before the actual trekking date. Mountain gorilla trekking also becomes difficult when it rains because the trekking trails get very muddy and slippery, making it hard to trek gorillas. The best option is visiting during the dry season of June to September and December to February.

Best time to visit Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking can be done all year round in Rwanda, but some months are better than the rest. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the short dry season of December to early February and the long dry months of June to September. Visiting mountain gorillas during the wet season will be difficult as the roads to the park become impassable, and the trekking trails are muddy and slippery.

Temperatures average around 22°C in Rwanda and can drop to 12°C at night. The level of rainfall received ranges from 1000-2000 mm per annum. Visiting Rwanda for gorilla trekking during the peak season means you will need to acquire your gorilla permits three months in advance of the actual trekking date because during this time gorilla permits are in high demand.

Booking Rwanda Gorilla Permits

Rwanda gorilla permits are documents issued to grant clients access to the gorillas. Clients present this document at the park headquarters and they are allocated a random gorilla group for their Rwanda gorilla trekking experience.

The Rwanda gorilla permit cost is the highest at $1500 each. This has made Rwanda a luxury gorilla trekking destination, as a permit goes for $1500 compared to Uganda and Congo, where a gorilla permit costs $800 and $400, respectively.

The cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda doubled in 2017, from $750 each to $1500 each.

Permits in Rwanda should be bought in advance, like three months before the actual day of trekking because they are in high demand and sold on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Rwanda gorilla permits can be obtained through a trusted travel agency or from the Rwanda Development Board. 50% of the gorilla trekking fee will be refunded to tourists in case they show any sign of illness before their trekking experience.

Sick people are not allowed to visit gorillas because gorillas can easily get infected by human infectious diseases, which are a big threat to them as they lack the necessary immunity to fight diseases.

Gorilla Filming in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Mountain gorilla filming was introduced to promote mountain gorilla conservation and increase awareness of mountain gorillas worldwide.

This experience can only be done in the wilderness because mountain gorillas cannot survive for long in zoos.

The maximum number of people allowed to film a mountain gorilla family is only 8 people. All participants in gorilla filming must fill in the forms and submit them before embarking on gorilla trekking.

It’s also advisable to always send in your filming requests to the responsible authorities or the tour operator helping in getting permits in advance of 3-6 months before arriving in the country.

Gorilla filming permits in Rwanda can be obtained at $5000 per person per hour, and on top of that, each individual in the group must pay $1500 for normal gorilla trekking.

The filming crew will also need to deposit $2000 to the Rwanda Development Board, and this money will be refunded once you give them a copy of your CD after filming.

The filming must also prove that it was for promoting mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

The gorilla filming permits can be bought from the Rwanda Development Board or with the help of a trusted tour company.

Gorilla Photography in Rwanda

Rwanda offers the best gorilla photographing experience in Africa. Given that the mountain gorilla habitat in Rwanda is more of bamboo, you can take clear and better photos of these great apes in a clearing, as opposed to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where vegetation can be very thick, especially in the wet season.

All tourists who come to trek mountain gorillas in Africa want to capture memories to take back home for remembrance or show their friends and family. Gorilla photographing tours must be well planned before arriving in the country.

Is there gorilla habituation in Rwanda?

Gorilla habituation is a process of training mountain gorillas to get used to human presence. This is normally done for a period of 2-3 years by researchers, conservationists, scientists, and rangers who keep monitoring and studying each individual in the group and later give names according to the behaviors and personality of each individual.

Before mountain gorillas can be trekked, they have to undergo a habituation exercise, and if they pass, they will be ready for trekking.

Rwanda only offers gorilla trekking and not gorilla habituation. The fascinating gorilla habituation experience can only be done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

Popular Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Below are the most popular gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

• Bwenge Gorilla Family. Bwenge gorilla family derives its name from a local word meaning wisdom. This is the group that featured in the movie “Gorillas in the Mist.” Bwenge gorilla family was formed when the dominating silverback, Bwenge, broke away from his family in 2007 to form his group. Bwenge can be trekked from the slopes of Karisoke, between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.
• Ugyenda Gorilla Family. The Ugyenda gorilla family derives its name from a local word meaning “on the move” because this family is always moving from place to place, making it even harder to trek. The group wanders around Karisimbi slopes and is composed of 11 members, including two silverbacks.
• Hirwa Gorilla Family. Hirwa gorilla family was formed by a combination of members who split off from the Sabyinyo gorilla family and Agashya gorilla family. This is one of the lucky gorilla families with a set of twins born in 2011.
• Kwitonda Gorilla Family. Kwitonda gorilla family can be trekked on the mountain slopes of Mount Muhabura. The group derives its name from the dominating silverback called Kwitonda, which means “Humble One.” The group is said to have migrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Agashya Gorilla Family. Agashya gorilla family, also known as Group 13, is dominated by Agashya, the silverback who took over leadership from Nyakarima silverback. The group can be trekked around Mount Sabinyo. Agashya is known for taking his family into higher slopes when he senses danger.
• Sabyinyo Gorilla Family. The name Sabyinyo means “old worn out teeth” in the local language. The group derives its name from Mount Sabyinyo, one of the Virunga ranges. Sabyinyo gorilla family is dominated by Guhonda, the famous reigning silverback and the heaviest silverback in Volcanoes National Park. The group inhabits the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Gahinga, and it’s one of the easiest gorilla families to trek in Volcanoes National Park.
• Umubano Gorilla Family. Umubano gorilla family was formed when Charles broke away from his natal group after several fights with Ubumwe, who dominated the group. This group derives its name from a local word meaning “Living Together” and is composed of 13 members, including two silverbacks.
• Amahoro Gorilla Family. Amahoro gorilla family can be trekked from the slopes of Mount Bisoke. The group derives its name from a local word meaning “peace.” The group is one of the most peaceful families in Volcanoes. They even lost some of their members to the Umubano gorilla family.
• Karisimbi Gorilla Family. Karisimbi gorilla family, also known as Susa B family, broke away from Susa A mountain gorilla family in 2008. This is the hardest family to trek in Rwanda, inhabiting the higher slopes of Mount Karisimbi. The group is composed of 16 members with 2 silverbacks.
• Susa A Gorilla Family. The Susa A gorilla family was one of the most interesting gorilla families in Rwanda, with 42 members at the time of habituation before the group separated. This group was also thoroughly studied by Dian Fossey and was one of the lucky families to have twins Impano and Bwishimo. The group can be trekked around Susa River in their home range on the mountain slopes of River Karisimbi.
• Titus Gorilla Family. The Titus gorilla family is one of the groups that was researched by Dian Fossey. The dominating silverback lost his family, including his father, to poachers. Dian Fossey indicated that he had difficulties in breathing and seemed underdeveloped but overcame all that. The group derives its name from the silverback Titus.

Why Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda So Expensive?

In 2017, Rwanda doubled the price of gorilla permits from $750 to $1500 each. This increase was for a specific purpose. Mountain gorillas were almost on the brink of extinction in the 19th century, but due to the conservation efforts of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist who dedicated her life to the conservation and study of mountain gorillas, their numbers have increased.

These conservation efforts continue today, and a significant amount of money is needed for conservation. This funding comes from gorilla permits. Besides the communities surrounding gorilla parks, workers like guides and park rangers also benefit from this funding.

How Long Is the Trek Itself?

Trekking mountain gorillas can take from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the physical fitness and ability of the group. They adjust to the slowest person in the group while trekking mountain gorillas.

Training before embarking on a gorilla safari is always recommended as gorillas live in higher elevations of rain-forests that require hiking.

Some mountain gorilla families live near the park headquarters, where you start your gorilla trekking, or near the lodges within the park

Volcanoes Gorilla Trekking Tips & Advice

Below are some of the essential gorilla trekking tips and advise for Rwanda.

• Always book your gorilla permits well in advance. You can book through a trusted agency like us or directly through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
• Pack some raincoats, warm clothes, waterproof hiking boots, jackets, and garden gloves for your hike. You will need them in higher elevations.
• Visiting all three Rwanda national parks – Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Akagera National Park – will afford you a USD 450 discount on each gorilla permit.
• Always book your trek during the dry season. It’s easier to navigate the terrain when it’s dry.
• Always book accommodation closer to the park so that you do not need to drive for long hours to access the headquarters.
• People with disabilities should inform the park headquarters in advance or a tour operator about the situation to make it easier to book sedan seats or bamboo stretchers in advance and allocate a nearby gorilla family for you.
• Always follow the gorilla trekking rules and regulations as briefed.
• Engage in a lot of physical fitness exercises months before your trek. This gets you in shape for hiking to the gorillas.

Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Price?

The money generated from gorilla permits is used for the conservation efforts of these great apes. These conservation efforts will enable future generations to also see mountain gorillas, so everyone who treks mountain gorillas contributes to conservation.

Local communities also benefit from gorilla trekking. Uganda allocates 20% of the gorilla trekking fee to the locals, and Rwanda allocates 10%. This has also led to the creation of awareness about the importance of mountain gorillas, and locals no longer have to poach mountain gorillas for bush meat because they are content with the money given to them.

So in other words, gorilla trekking is worth the price and more.

Visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village after your trek

The Gorilla Guardians Village is located near PNV in Rwanda. The inhabitants of this village used to live and survive in the park through hunting and fruit gathering. Since they were relocated, they now live in the surrounding villages, including Iby’Iwacu.

The people at the center were former hunters and poachers of the forest who have now reformed to become cultural performers, craftsmen, and engage in many other tourist activities.

Cultural performances at Gorilla Guardians Village

Rwanda has unique and authentic cultural activities to offer from the locals, besides gorilla trekking. You can enjoy traditional dances and songs from the energetic African dancers under the stars. In addition to cultural performances, you can learn how to weave baskets and participate in many other traditional activities.

Engage in a traditional wedding ceremony

While at the Gorilla Guardians Village, tourists can engage in a traditional marriage ceremony and act like a Rwandan King and Queen. This is one of the most traditional activities in Africa, as the locals cheer you on during your engagement and marriage. There are also many locally handmade crafts at the center that you can buy as souvenirs to take back home for remembrance or give as gifts. You can also taste Rwanda’s staple food and learn how it’s made.

Where to Stay When Trekking Gorillas in Rwanda

Rwanda offers various accommodation options that cater to different preferences and budgets. Choosing the right accommodation is crucial if you are to have a really comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Here are some Rwanda safari accommodation options to consider when deciding where to stay while trekking gorillas in Rwanda:

The best luxury options include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorillas Nest and Virunga Lodge among the rest.

The best budget-friendly options include Kinigi Guest House and Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, where as the best community-based lodges are Amakoro Songa Lodge and Muhabura Hotel.

Popular Volcanoes Gorilla Tour Questions & Answers

Below are some of the most popular Volcanoes gorilla tour questions and answers.

1. What makes gorilla trekking easy or difficult? It depends on the location of the gorilla family. Some are easier to find, while others live on higher elevations, making the trek harder.
2. How does weather affect gorilla trekking? Rain can make trekking difficult due to muddy and slippery trails.
3. What should I wear for gorilla trekking? Wear long-sleeved clothes, raincoats, and waterproof hiking boots for protection and comfort.
4. Do I need to be fit for gorilla trekking? Yes, a certain level of physical fitness is needed to handle the hike to higher elevations.
5. What is the best time to visit for gorilla trekking? The best time is during the dry seasons: June to September and December to February.
6. Why avoid the wet season for trekking? Roads and trails become muddy and slippery, making trekking more challenging.
7. How much does a Rwanda gorilla permit cost? A gorilla permit costs $1500 per person.
8. Why is Rwanda’s gorilla permit more expensive? The higher cost supports conservation and community development efforts.
9. When should I book a gorilla permit? Book at least three months in advance as permits are in high demand.
10. Can sick people trek gorillas? No, sick people are not allowed to protect gorillas from human diseases.
11. What is gorilla habituation? It’s a process of making gorillas accustomed to human presence, but it’s only available in Uganda.
12. Are there specific gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park? Yes, popular families include Bwenge, Hirwa, Susa A, and Kwitonda.
13. Which gorilla family is easiest to trek? The Sabyinyo family is one of the easiest to trek.
14. How long does gorilla trekking take? It can take 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family.
15. What are gorilla permits used for? They fund conservation, support local communities, and pay park staff.
16. What is gorilla filming, and how much does it cost?
    Gorilla filming costs $5000 per person per hour, plus a $1500 trekking permit fee.
17. Can I take photos of gorillas? Yes, Rwanda offers great opportunities for gorilla photography in bamboo habitats.
18. Is gorilla trekking worth the price? Yes, the funds support conservation and benefit local communities.
19. What can I do after gorilla trekking? Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village for cultural experiences.
20. What is the Gorilla Guardians Village? It’s a cultural site where former hunters perform dances, craft-work, and other activities.
21. Can I participate in cultural activities? Yes, you can enjoy traditional dances, basket weaving, and even a mock wedding.
22. Where can I stay during gorilla trekking? Options range from luxury lodges like Bisate Lodge to budget-friendly choices like Kinigi Guest House.
23. What makes Rwanda unique for gorilla photography? The bamboo habitats provide clearer views compared to dense forests.
24. Why is gorilla trekking in Rwanda so expensive? To fund conservation efforts and ensure sustainable tourism.
25. How do I book a gorilla trekking permit? Through the Rwanda Development Board or a trusted travel agency.
26. Can I trek gorillas year-round? Yes, but the dry season is the best for better trekking conditions.
27. What should I pack for trekking? Raincoats, warm clothes, waterproof hiking boots, and gloves are essential.
28. What is the refund policy for sick tourists? Tourists showing signs of illness can get a 50% refund before trekking.
29. How does gorilla tourism help local communities? A portion of the permit fees benefits local communities.
30. Why are mountain gorillas important? They are endangered species, and trekking supports their conservation.