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Embarking on a gorilla trek in untamed mountain jungles is an exhilarating adventure in Rwanda on exceptionally planned gorilla trekking tours. With Volcanoes National Park as your destination, accessible through Rwanda's bustling capital, Kigali, you'll venture into the seemingly endless misty jungle on the slopes of the imposing Virunga Mountains. The experience is truly unparalleled, as you'll have the opportunity to witness Africa's majestic gorillas up close in their natural habitat. Our tour specialists have compiled all the essential information to help you plan your dream gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda and ensure that your encounter with the mountain gorillas is everything you've ever imagined. But first, browse through our collection of Rwanda gorilla safaris below to find your best fit.
RWANDA GORILLA TOURS
These gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda can be customized based on the preferred date, accommodation type, and duration, which will determine the total cost.
Gorilla Safari in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains
3 Days
Rwanda Luxury Gorilla Safari
5 Days
Kigali-Bwindi Gorilla Safari: Uganda and Rwanda Tour
5 Days
Rwanda Primates Quest With Gorillas & Chimpanzees
7 Days
Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda
8 Days
Rwanda Family Safari – Nature Walking
9 Days
Ultimate Tanzania and Rwanda Luxury Safari
9 Days
Classic Rwanda Primates Safari
10 Days
Bird Watching Adventure Safari in Rwanda
16 Days
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The Rwanda Gorilla Tour Experience
Imagine, if you will, sitting silently under a barely illuminated forest canopy with a few leaves between you and a twenty-strong family of black-furred giant apes. Imagine looking into the familiar deep brown eyes of a 200kg silverback suspicious of your every move. Imagine its quiet grunts and mysterious snufflings, and sounds of moist gnawings, the chomp of its teeth, and the heaviness of its breath a few feet away from where it can smell your fear.
Imagine the hot flood of adrenaline, that unpleasant tingling in the back of your arms.
Gorilla treks in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is a peerless wildlife experience and one of Africa’s indisputable adventure highlights.
One moment you’ll be machete-bushwhacking through thickets of vines and bamboo, hiking up steep, rugged slopes full of sharp rocks, unyielding roots, and staggering ascents that transfer enormous amounts of strain to your pale, shaking thighs.
The next moment you scoot out of the endless cocktail party of trees, and sunlight streams through the bald canopy to illuminate a matted clump of black against a curtain of jungle green. You’ve anticipated this, and yet still, you gasp!.
Seated perhaps 10 meters (32 ft) away are some of the last roughly 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining in these dense backwoods.
Joining the daily gorilla trekking excursions in Volcanoes National Park is the only way to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
No place is better suited for a jungle adventure mix of superb gorilla trekking and conservation tourism than Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. And with an insane price tag on trekking permits at $1500, expect royal treatment throughout your whole adventure experience.
Trekking excursions in Rwanda begin at 08:00 am, irrespective of the date or weather. Expect to spend a night at a forest lodge near the visitor center and be up before daybreak.
Top tourist attractions on Rwanda Gorilla Tours
Rwanda is a land of diverse attractions that will leave you in awe of its natural beauty. From its lush green landscapes to the vibrant culture, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the top tourist attractions you can easily include on your Rwanda gorilla tour:
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is the most popular tourist destination in Rwanda, known for its highly successful gorilla conservation program. Located along the northwestern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, in the Virunga Mountains, this is the perfect place to witness gorillas in their natural habitat. Expert local trackers and guides lead small groups of tourists on gorilla treks every morning. Other than gorillas, Rwanda tours offer nature walks, birding, and golden monkey tracking in this park.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a poignant reminder of the tragedy that took place in Rwanda in 1994. It is a place of commemoration and education, where visitors can learn about the history of the genocide and pay their respects to the victims. The memorial is a powerful experience that will leave you with a deeper understanding of the country's past. You can visit the memorial on your first day in Kigali, giving you a chance to explore the city's rich culture, like busy markets and art gallery, and restaurants.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe is a lush tropical rainforest that offers an enchanting experience for nature enthusiasts. The forest is famous for its abundant biodiversity, which includes a diverse range of primates, such as chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. Visitors can embark on guided hikes, canopy walks, and primate tracking to explore the forest. When touring Rwanda, it's typical to spend two nights in Nyungwe for the unforgettable chimpanzee trekking adventure. On tours you also explore the rich cultural heritage and sample local cuisine.
Logistics For Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours
Planning a successful gorilla tour in Rwanda can be daunting, especially when it involves a significant amount of money and months of preparation, including booking accommodations and transportation. To avoid the logistical stress, working with a safari specialist is advisable. A tour operator who understands Rwanda travel logistics can book your permits, accommodation, transport, and meals to ensure a stress-free experience.
Using a tour operator
Planning a gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda can be a daunting logistical challenge, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. Unlike big-city tours or overland adventures, it is recommended that you work with a trusted local tour company that can guide you through the process.
Investing in a reputable tour company may cost more than independent travel, but it can save you from unnecessary stress and allow you to focus on the experience.
Our team of local safari experts will help you obtain permits, organize transfers between destinations, and recommend the best accommodations from our selection of properties that have been personally visited and approved for customers like you.
Accommodation choices
Rwanda offers some of the best safari lodges for gorilla tours. These lodges are well-maintained, set against stunning backdrops of jungle canopies and rugged landscapes, and provide guests with an unforgettable experience. Your tour company can arrange for you to stay in top luxury brands such as One&Only's Gorilla's Nest or in budget-friendly yet comfortable lodges like Davinci Gorilla Lodge.
Typically, visitors spend their first night in Rwanda at a hotel near the airport in Kigali before embarking on a journey across the beautiful country to the gorilla sanctuary in the northwest on the following day. For the best experience, we recommend spending at least two nights outside Volcanoes National Park. Read more on costs.
Rwanda Gorilla Tour Costs
When planning a gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda, it's important to consider all the costs involved. The basic costs include the permit, transfers, accommodation, and meals.
- The Rwanda Permit costs $1,500 per person.
- Transport and transfer costs: $240 to $350 per day, and note that you will need the vehicle on the trekking day.
- Accommodation & Meals: $200 to $4000 per night, including full board.
- Other costs: tipping cash, visa fees, and extra expenses such as buying African crafts, street shopping, or additional meals.
How gorilla tourism sustains local communities
Gorilla conservation has proved that we can comfortably share this earth with our most feared beasts. Gorillas were almost wiped off the face of the earth by humans.
Thanks to brave souls like George Schaller and Dian Fossey who dispelled the gorillas’ public perception as brutes.
Dain and Schaller demonstrably established the deep compassion and social intelligence evident among gorillas and how closely their behavior parallels that of humans.
Much of the primate habitats overlap with impoverished, remote communities. People depended on the rainforests long before conservation as an essential source of fuel and food.
Their historical lands are now closed off, and they would be justified to consider gorillas a threat to their living. One of the most crucial factors for effective gorilla conservation is helping poor communities benefit from the conservation programs.
Rwanda, through conservation organizations like The Dian Fossey Fund, gives back some percentage of gorilla permit revenue to the local communities to develop infrastructure and create alternative livelihoods.
Despite considerable limitations, gorilla conservation through the tourism model has largely been successful for years.
Revenues from selling gorilla permits have powerfully impacted their long-term outlook.
Rwandan locals are employed directly in the gorilla trekking safaris as guides, rangers, porters, service providers at lodges, souvenir artists, and many other employments around your successful encounter with the gorillas.
Rwanda gorilla trekking is developed and professionally organized for a sustainable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rwanda is one of the few places in the world where you can see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda are a once-in-a-lifetime experience that requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some frequently asked questions about Rwanda gorilla safaris to help you get started.

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As local specialists, we work closely with you to plan a personalized gorilla tour that promises exceptional experiences. We understand that traveling to unfamiliar places and dealing with complex logistics can be overwhelming. So, we offer guidance to help you plan your wildlife vacation trip based on your preferences and needs.