Choosing the best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda will help you get the best experience. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwestern part of the country.
This park is the most visited destination in Rwanda, attracting tourists all year round who come to see the endangered mountain gorillas, a subspecies of the eastern gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park is not only home to mountain gorillas but also offers visitors the chance to hike mountains. Five of the Virunga volcanoes are found within the park.
These volcanoes include Mount Sabyinyo at 3,669 meters above sea level, Mount Gahinga at 3,474 meters, Mount Karisimbi at 5,507 meters, and Mount Muhabura at 4,127 meters.
The park has ten habituated gorilla families, and each group is visited by a maximum of eight people per day. Some of the gorilla families in Rwanda include Susa A group, Titus group, Bwenge group, Karisimbi group, Ugenda group, Kwitonda group, Hirwa group, Umubano group, Agashya group, Sabyinyo group, and Amahoro group. Each group provides a different experience during the trek.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the short dry season from December to early February and the long dry season from June to September.
Gorilla trekking during the rainy season can be difficult because the roads become hard to pass, and the trails can be muddy and slippery.
Rwanda has an average temperature of about 22°C during the day and drops to around 12°C at night. Rainfall ranges between 1000 and 2000 mm per year.
During the high season, it is important to book your gorilla permit at least three months in advance, as they are in high demand.
Compared to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda offers a more comfortable and high-end gorilla trekking experience.
A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person. Children below 15 years of age are not allowed to take part in the trek.
Visitors must be ready for changing weather, so packing the right gear is important. You will need waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, enough drinking water, garden gloves, energy snacks, long-sleeved clothes, and insect repellent.
Volcanoes National Park has different types of accommodation, including budget, mid-range, and luxury lodges such as Gorilla Volcanoes Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, La Palme Hotel, Five Volcanoes Hotel, Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Hotel, and Garden Place Hotel, among others.
The park can be reached by road within a 2-3-hour drive from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
