Rwanda offers the most expensive mountain gorilla permits, costing $1,500 per person for each trek. The full $15,000 experience can book you an entire mountain gorilla family. Because of high demand, especially in peak season, these permits must be reserved 3 to 6 months before your visit.
Rwanda is one of the few African countries with endangered mountain gorillas, along with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place at Volcanoes National Park, located in the Virunga mountain range.
At the Kinigi Visitors Centre, near the park headquarters, you will be assigned to a gorilla family based on your age and fitness level. Groups of up to eight people are allowed to trek each gorilla family. Before the trek, there is a briefing at the park headquarters where you learn the rules and safety measures. You can also hire porters there if you want.
After the briefing, the trek begins with a guide leading you into the forest. The time it takes to find the gorillas can vary depending on where they are. Some parts of the trek can be steep, but the experience is worth it. The trek can last from 30 minutes to 7 hours.
Once you find the gorilla family, you get to watch and take photos for one hour. While near the gorillas, you must speak quietly, stay close to your group, and if you need to sneeze or cough, you should turn away. You must keep at least 7 meters away from the gorillas.
These rules are made to protect both tourists and the gorillas and must be followed carefully to avoid any problems. After the hour is over, you will quietly return with your guide to the starting point.
For elderly or disabled visitors, gorilla trekking is still possible using a sedan chair carried by four porters. You will be placed in the chair for the trek and only set down during the one-hour observation time. If you plan to use a sedan chair, inform the park headquarters or your tour operator ahead of time to make arrangements.
You can also combine your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda with a visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking. Alternatively, tourists can enjoy walks on the famous canopy walkway, which is one of the few of its kind in East and Central Africa.
