Into the forest.
Into their world.
Journey into Rwanda's mist-covered Virunga Mountains for one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife encounters: meeting mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Not simply a trek.
A moment you'll remember forever.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes you into the ancient forests of Volcanoes National Park, where the slopes of the Virunga Mountains rise into the clouds.
The trek itself is part of the adventure. You move through dense vegetation, listen to the forest and follow the experienced trackers until signs of a gorilla family begin to appear.
Then the forest opens into something unforgettable: a mountain gorilla only metres away.
Where the forest
meets the clouds.
Volcanoes National Park sits within the dramatic Virunga volcanic range. The landscape is a world of bamboo forest, dense vegetation, misty slopes and towering volcanoes.
This is the environment that mountain gorillas call home. Every trek offers a different route and a different story.
From briefing to encounter.
Your gorilla trekking day unfolds in stages, each bringing you closer to the forest and eventually to the gorilla family you have come to see.
Morning Briefing
Meet your guides and trackers, receive the day's briefing and prepare for your trek into the forest.
Enter the Forest
Follow your trackers through the changing vegetation of the Virunga slopes as they search for signs of the gorillas.
Follow Their Trail
Your trackers read footprints, broken vegetation and other clues to determine where the family has moved.
The Encounter
When the family is located, the pace changes. You settle into the forest and observe these remarkable animals.
When the forest
becomes silent.
There is a point during the trek when the search is over. Your trackers have found the family. You sit quietly, watch and allow the experience to unfold.
Meet the
golden monkeys.
Extend your time in Volcanoes National Park with a golden monkey trek. These lively and distinctive primates move through the bamboo forest in energetic groups.
Combining gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking creates a deeper experience of the unique primate world of the Virunga Mountains.
Add This To Your Journey →Know the experience.
Gorilla trekking is an active forest experience. Being prepared allows you to focus on the landscape, the journey and the extraordinary encounter ahead.
Fitness
Trekking conditions vary. Routes can involve steep, muddy and uneven terrain, so a reasonable level of fitness is helpful.
What To Wear
Comfortable trekking clothing, sturdy hiking shoes, long trousers and layers suitable for cool, wet forest conditions are recommended.
What To Carry
Carry water, snacks, rain protection, a small backpack, camera equipment and any personal essentials you need during the trek.
The Forest
Conditions can change quickly. Expect mist, rain, dense vegetation and beautiful mountain scenery.
Photography
Bring your camera, but remember that the experience is about more than photographs. Respectful observation comes first.
Your Guides
Experienced guides and trackers accompany you and help interpret the forest and locate the gorilla family.
Everything begins
with your journey.
We Tour Africa Safaris can build your Rwanda gorilla trekking experience around the rest of your African journey.
Start with gorilla trekking and add Kigali, Akagera, Lake Kivu, golden monkey trekking or continue across the border into Uganda.
Rwanda gorillas.
Uganda's wild side.
Why stop at one forest?
Combine Rwanda gorilla trekking with Uganda's chimpanzee forests, savannah wildlife, Kazinga Channel, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi or Murchison Falls.
We can design one seamless East African journey around the experiences that matter most to you.
Gorilla Trekking FAQ
Where does gorilla trekking take place in Rwanda?
Rwanda's gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Mountains.
How difficult is gorilla trekking?
Difficulty varies depending on the location of the gorilla family and the terrain. The trek can involve steep, uneven and muddy forest trails.
How long does the trek take?
Trekking time varies considerably because the gorillas move through their natural habitat. Your guide and trackers determine the route based on the location of the family.
Can I photograph the gorillas?
Photography is possible, subject to park rules and guidance. A camera with a suitable zoom lens can be useful in the forest's changing light.
Can We Tour Africa Safaris arrange the whole trip?
Yes. We can arrange your gorilla permit, transport, accommodation and additional experiences as part of a private or tailor-made Rwanda safari.
One forest.
One unforgettable encounter.
Tell us when you want to travel and what else you'd like to experience in Rwanda or Uganda. We'll design the journey.