Home » Rwanda Gorilla Tours Gorilla Safaris Rwanda: Gorilla Trekking Tours in Rwanda – Safari Trips 2026-2027
Gorilla safaris in Rwanda offer remarkable gorilla trekking Rwanda safaris in Volcanoes National Park stands as one of the most renowned wildlife safari experiences in the country. Rwanda gorilla tours in Rwanda orchestrate a world-famous adventure in the beautiful tropical rainforest in Africa and it is the most famous Rwanda safari activity.
There are about 300 gorillas in Rwanda surviving out of the 1063 world-protected gorillas. During Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris, you will also get to behold the beautiful natural environment of the beautiful ancient trees, hagenia trees, lobelias, overhanging vines and other features inside the forest.
Therefore, get to discover not just the presence of the endangered Mountain Gorillas but also the breathtakingly beautiful nature of Rwanda, also known to many as the “land of a thousand hills” for its vast hilly terrain.
Other than trekking gorillas in Rwanda, you can also explore other amazing Rwanda safari activities when you visit Rwanda. Rwanda offers chimpanzee tracking, nature walks, canopy walks, birding, cultural tours, and the Kigali City tour, among others, which all make part of the wonderful experiences in this hidden gem.
Why Undertake Rwanda Gorilla Tours & Wildlife Rwanda Safari Tours
Trekking with gorillas in Rwanda will take you through the beautiful forest of Volcanoes National Park to encounter one of the habituated gorilla families during a 1 to 6 hour walk.
Gorilla safaris in Rwanda will take you to have an up-close experience with the gentle giants as you are within their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking in Rwandais a top highlight that will take you for the best Africa gorilla adventures in Rwanda. In addition to a Rwanda gorilla trek, you can enjoy amazing adventures like visiting the Dian Fossey grave and contributing to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, tracking golden monkeys, or hiking one of the Virunga Mountains.
Trekking gorillas in Rwanda begins at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, where you will meet a park ranger who will guide you through the park rules and regulations. Afterward, you will enter the forest, passing through the beautiful nature as you explore other creatures, and then you will encounter the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
After finding the gorillas in Rwanda, you will spend a maximum of one hour (1 hour) with the giant apes, taking photos, watching them as they go about their day, or feeding, grooming, playing, or beating their chests.
Popular Rwanda Gorilla Safari Packages 2025-2026
TOP AFRICA GORILLA TREKKING DESTINATIONS
There are 3 major countries for gorilla tracking in the African content and these are Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda – Gorilla Tours in Rwanda
In Rwanda, you can only go gorilla walking in Volcanoes National Park, which is found in the northwestern part of the country.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Rwanda Volcanoes Park protects about 300 gorillas with about 12 habituated gorilla families for amazing trekking adventures as you visit Rwanda.
Volcanoes Park protects 12 habituated gorilla groups and other wild gorillas, some of which are under research and habituation.
At least every gorilla group has a silverback, black backs, females, juveniles and newborns. A silverback heads a family.
These are different gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park
| 1. Susa 2. Karisimbi 3. Igisha 4. Amahoro 5. Sabyinyo 6. Agashya | 7. Umubano 8. Bwenge 9. Hirwa 10. Ugyenda 11. Muhoza 12. Kwitonda |
The gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, begins at the Kinigi Park headquarters at 7 am with a briefing. Afterward, you will head into the jungle to meet one of the gorilla groups as you pass through the beautiful vegetation and amazing wildlife safari creatures. It will take about 30 minutes to 2 hours to meet a Gorilla family.
However, this park will also give you the opportunity to enjoy other safari activities like tracking golden monkeys, visiting the Dian Fossey grave, and birding, among others.
Cost of Gorilla Permits in Rwanda – How much does a Rwanda gorilla permit cost
Rwanda sells a gorilla tracking permits as seen below.
| Visitor Category | Fee (USD) |
| Foreign nonresident | $ 1500 |
| Rwandan foreign resident | $ 500 |
| Rwandan citizen | $ 200 |
| East African citizen | $ 200 |
| Citizens of Africa or foreign residents living in other countries in Africa | $ 500 |
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations During a Gorilla Rwanda Tour
Below is a summary of the gorilla rules in Rwanda, set by the Rwanda Development Board. Some of these rules apply when you are on your way to meet the primates and when you finally meet the gentle giants.
Rules to know before and while on your way to meet the primates on a Rwanda safari
- Gorilla trekking age limit: Only travelers who are 15 years of age and older are allowed to meet these primates.
- Each Gorilla family can only be met by a group of 8 participants.
- Travelers with flu, a cold or any other infectious diseases are not allowed to take part in the gorilla tracking experience.
- Tourists are advised to wash their hands before they begin the Gorilla safari trek.
Rules and regulations when you meet the Mountain Gorillas during your Rwanda safari
- Silence is important while tracking, as it will allow you to experience more.
- You are not allowed to litter while for your.
- Stand 7 to 10 meters away from the the.
- It is not allowed to touch these the animals when you meet them.
- Smoking, eating, and drinking while with the gorilla species are not allowed.
- Stay close to your group during your Gorilla trek.
- Carefully follow the instructions of the park rangers and park authorities when in the jungle.
- You are only allowed to spend an hour with the creatures.
- While you are taking photos of the giant creatures, remove the flash lights; it can scare the primate family.
- Human waste, along with tissue, should be buried at least cm deep.
Best Time to go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla tours in Rwanda are great all year round, at any time of the year. The dry season, which is also the peak season between December and February and June and August, offers more comfortable experiences in terms of the dry grounds in this land of a thousand hills.
The wet season, on the other hand, although muddy, especially on the bamboo-covered slopes, helps to support conservation tourism as it is also the low season. On the other hand, clients in the wet season are more likely to enjoy discounted offers, especially on accommodation.
What to Wear Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda – Rwanda Gorilla Trekking What to Wear
There are different important and suitable clothes to wear and park for your safari tours in Rwanda, East Africa. Below are the most common clothes to wear for your experiences.
- Hiking boots
- Garden gloves
- Long socks
- Long-sleeved trousers and shirts
- A cap and hat
- gaiters
- sunglasses
- Rain jacket or Poncho
Best Rwanda Gorilla Tours | Top Rwanda Gorilla Safari Packages -h3
Rwanda has amazing packages for your memorable wildlife encounters in the country. Your tour operator can help guide through the best safari package depending on your taste preferences.
10 Days Rwanda Safari (Gorilla trek, chimpanzee tracking, game viewing safaris in Akagera National Park, endangered golden monkey tracking, Lake Kivu community and cultural tours)
6 Days Rwanda Primate Safari Tour (Gorillas, Colobus Monkeys and tracking Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, Community tours, Kigali City Tour)
5 Days Gorilla Rwanda Safari (Gorilla tracking, touring Chimps, Dian Fossey hike)
5 Days Rwanda Safari: – primate tour (Gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking, Wildlife experience in Akagera National Park eg Elephants, cultural and scenic tours)
4 Days Rwanda Safari (Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes NP, chimpanzees tour in Nyungwe National Park, Kigali city tour), etc
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari in Volcanoes National Park
2 Gorilla Trek Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park
What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda – Packing List for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda -h3
On the other hand, it is important to know what to pack for your trip to enjoy a more comfortable experience. Some of these things to park include
- Travel documents
- Camera
- Pair of binoculars
- Insect repellent
- Bottled water
- Walking stick
- Sunscreen lotion
- Backpack, among others
Top Rwanda Gorilla Safari Lodges
Rwanda has a range of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury safaris to midrange lodges and budget lodges, especially in the national parks and in Kigali City.
- Luxury safari accomodation in Rwanda include Bisate Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, and Virunga Lodge, among others.
- Mid range accommodation in Rwanda are the La Palme Hotel, DA Vinci Gorilla Lodge, and the Bambou Gorilla Lodge, among others.
- Budget accommodation include Hotel Mahabura, Villa Gorilla and Kinigi Guesthouse, among others.
Uganda Gorilla Safaris (Gorilla Trekking in Uganda)
Uganda Gorilla safaris occur in two national parks and these are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda
Uganda boasts the highest number of mountain gorillas, and Bwindi is Uganda’s most famous gorilla tracking destination, with over half of the primates, that is 460 out of the estimated 1063 remaining in the world.
There are about 23 habituated gorillas at the park, and you can track one of them during your beautiful safari. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, on the other hand, is a beautiful safari destination to track the Nyakagezi Gorilla family.
Uganda gorilla tracking tours are commonly done in one of the 4 sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park forest, which are Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. However, activity is possible at Mgahinga Gorilla NP, where you can go to meet the Nyakagezi family.
Your guide will allow you to spend an hour with the primates as you watch them play, feed, protect the young ones, groom, etc. Although a bit strenuous, the Gorilla trekking experience is a thrilling adventure that will bring about a more adventurous experience for visitors.
Endangered Mountain Gorilla Habituation in Africa
Gorilla habituation in Africa is the process by which the Gorillas are introduced to human presence. Through gorilla habituation, researchers and tourists spend longer hours with the primates as they get used to the presence of humans.
In the African continent, tourists can only enjoy the privilege of gorilla habituation in Uganda’s Bwindi NP, which offers 4 hours of spending time with the wild gorillas.
After habituation, they will then be ready for gorilla trek encounters by various tourists in the forest.
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
With the many Gorilla families in the park, Bwindi national park is the only destination in Africa where tourists can participate in the Gorilla habituation experience.
Just like gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation begins as early as 7 am with a briefing at the park headquarters by the park ranger. He/she will guide you through different rules and regulations when you go to meet the humble apes. Your guide and ranger will then lead you through the jungle to meet one of the wild gorillas and stay with them for a maximum of four hours as you watch them take care of their young ones, play, groom and feed, among others.
Comparing Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda vs. Uganda & Congo
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) offers similar experiences, but there are key differences that may influence your decision on where to go.
1. Price of Gorilla Permits & Gorilla Safaris
- Rwanda: Known for luxury gorilla trekking safaris, a gorilla tracking permit in Rwanda costs $1,500. This higher price is reflective of the country’s emphasis on exclusive, high-end experiences.
- Uganda: A more moderately priced option, Uganda’s gorilla tracking permit costs $800. Uganda is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, making it a prime destination for gorilla trekking.
- Congo: Offering the most affordable gorilla trekking experience, permits in the DRC cost $400. This makes Congo a budget-friendly option for travelers.
2. Types of Gorillas to Trek
- Uganda & Rwanda: Both countries offer mountain gorilla trekking exclusively.
- Congo: Offers the unique opportunity to trek both mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas, providing a diverse gorilla trekking experience.
3. Ease of Gorilla Trekking
- Uganda: Considered the easiest tracking experience due to its lower altitudes. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ranges from 1,160 to 2,607 meters, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park from 2,227 to 4,127 meters.
- Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park has higher altitudes ranging from 2,400 to 4,507 meters, which can be more challenging for trekking.
- Congo: Kahuzi-Biega National Park ranges from 2,790 to 3,308 meters, while Virunga National Park, the steepest, reaches up to 4,507 meters. This can make trekking in Congo more physically demanding.
4. Distance to the Gorilla Trekking Destination
- Rwanda: The most accessible, with Volcanoes National Park located just a 3-hour drive from Kigali International Airport. This proximity makes it a convenient option for travelers.
- Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is about 5 hours from Kigali and 8 hours from Entebbe International Airport.
- Congo: Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga National Parks are approximately 5 hours from Kigali International Airport, making them relatively accessible.
Congo Gorilla Trekking Safaris
The DR Congo gorilla trekking tours are a marvelous adventure! They take place in Virunga NP, where you can see the Mountain Gorillas, and Kahuzi Biega NP, where you can see the eastern lowland Gorillas.
DR Congo is a unique destination which will allow you to come up close and watch the two Gorilla animals in the national parks.
Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa protects two Gorilla species: mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas.
Mountain gorillas can be tracked at Virunga National Park, and the lowland gorillas can be tracked at Kahuzi Biega NP.
Virunga NP has 8 habituated gorilla families living in the Virunga volcanoes area, and Kahuzi Biega NP has 3.
In Virunga park, there are 8 habituated gorilla groups for gorilla trek experiences, namely;
- Kabirizi Family
- Maouwa Family
- Bageni Family
- Rugendo Family
- Lulengo Family
- Humba Family
- Munyaga Family
- Nyakamwe Gorilla Family
On the other hand, Kahuzi Biega Park has 3 habituated groups, which are the
- Mpungwe Family
- Chimanuka Family
- Bonnani Family
It is possible to track one of these habituated gorilla families while on your tracking adventures in the DR Congo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Rwanda Gorilla Trek Cost
The Gorilla tracking safari is based on various factors like the cost of the Gorilla permit, the porters payment, meals in a local restaurant and other activities like game viewing in Akagera NP and primate tracking Nyungwe National Park/Nyungwe Forest.
Since the Gorilla permit costs $1500 per person, your Gorilla trek safari will cost $2000 or more in a day.
How difficult is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla walking is a relatively strenuous activity that is worth undertaking. This is because of the high lands, thick vegetation and steep slopes in the natural habitats.
However, the trek is manageable for travelers with normal physical fitness, and you can also use a walking stick. Read More About Gorilla Trekking Difficulty in Rwanda
How to Prepare for a Gorilla Safari in Rwanda
For a memorable Rwanda tour to see these primate animals, you may prepare for the trip by doing some exercises, packing your most important necessities, and wearing the right tour clothes.
Is Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Worth it?
Yes, a gorilla tracking tour in Rwanda is worth having, as you can contribute to the conservation of these endangered primate creatures.
Additionally, the money collected from buying the gorilla permit is used to pay park rangers and guides and also support the local communities.
Also, through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the survival of the Gorilla animals is improved through the research.
What to Expect on a Rwanda Gorilla Tour?
For your gorilla tour, expect to come closer and experience the unique life of the giant primate s in their habitat. You will take memorable photos, watch the wildlife animals as they play and relate to one another.
Are Rwanda Gorilla Tours Safe?
Gorilla tours in Volcanoes National Park are safe for all travellers. Generally, Rwanda is a safe country due to its high level of security. Additionally, while you go for your Gorilla tracking tours, you will have a guide along the way.
How Many Days are Enough to See the Gorilla Species in Rwanda?
1 to 2 days are enough to experience the amazing gorilla adventures in the country. However, to enjoy more experiences, you will need about 3 days to one week when you can have cultural tours, chimpanzee tracking, birding, etc.
Is Rwanda or Uganda Better for Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda Uganda in East of Africa are both remarkable. However, a tourist can choose their most comfortable destination or both Rwanda Uganda experiences based on their personal preferences for the national parks.
a) Uganda is cheaper: gorilla tracking in Rwanda is $1500, while in Uganda, it is $800.
b) Rwanda is easier to access: a drive from Kigali International Airport takes about 2 hours, while a drive from Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport takes about 9 hours.
c) There are more gorilla permits in Uganda, which are about 192. On the other hand, Rwanda provides about 96 permits per day due to fewer gorilla groups.
d) Rwanda has a more well-defined infrastructure than Uganda, thus making travelers more comfortable during their trip.
Gorilla safaris in Rwanda can be combined with amazing wildlife safaris in Tanzania in top Tanzania safari parks, Kenya wildlife safaris in top Kenya safari parks, on top of combined Congo Rwanda safaris plus Uganda and Rwanda safaris.
Top Tour Operators to Travel With on Your Rwanda Safari
There are many safari companies, though you need to pick the right tour operator. The best tour operator will offer the best experiences with a private guide.
Below are some of the tour companies to use:
1. Prime Safaris & Tours Ltd
2. Wild Gorilla Safaris
3. Gorilla Safari Rwanda
4. Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
5. Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safaris
6. Africa Safaris Tours
In conclusion, Rwanda is a remarkable destination to visit your Mountain Gorilla expeditions. Enjoy coming close to these beautiful primate animals in their natural habitat as you explore their uniqueness. You may also enjoy cultural experiences, other primate safaris, and wildlife tours, among others.
As one of the most experienced tour operators, inquire and book with us your Rwanda visit for tracking gorillas!
Reach out to us for the best Gorilla Tours in Rwanda
