Gorilla trekking safaris

• Maximum viewing duration of any group is one hour per day.
• Maximum number of guests per gorilla trek is eight people.
• No food or drink to be consumed while in the presence of gorillas.
• While gorilla sightings and encounters are very reliable, viewing is dependent on variables such as weather and trekking conditions.
• While you are with the gorillas, please keep your voice low. Do not make rapid movements that may alarm them.
• Should you need to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.
• If a gorilla should charge or vocalise at you, do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s instructions.
• The minimum age for gorilla viewing is 15 years – this is for safety reasons and to prevent possible disease transmission as children under this age are more prone to infection.
• Again, to minimise possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7 metres (22 feet) from the gorillas.
• Guests who display cold, flu or other respiratory tract symptoms will not be allowed to join a gorilla trek.
• No flash photography is allowed when taking photos of the gorillas. Please keep your flash turned off.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited.
• Leave nothing behind but your footprints.

By respecting the IUCN’s protocols, we can limit any stresses on the gorillas, impact on their behaviours, and the potential for the transmission of diseases from human to gorilla. Mountain gorilla tourism is critical to ensure the sustainability of the endangered species, so let’s do everything we can do protect these iconic creatures and their habitats.

How safe is gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

The experience is considered to be completely safe, albeit with potential risks. But that’s precisely why the protocols are so rigorous. As long as you listen to your guide, follow the park’s rules and stick closely to the protocols, you will be in safe hands for this experience.

Can children go gorilla trekking?

The minimum age for a gorilla trekking permit is 15 years old, as the trek may be too difficult for younger children. The age restrictions are also put in place for safety reasons, as children may end up disturbing the gorillas unnecessarily. 

How fit do you have to be to go gorilla trekking?

A basic level of fitness is required for a gorilla trek; however, the park guide will be sure to assign you a trek you can handle. All you have to do is communicate your fitness level, and you will be assigned a gorilla family for your trek, based on how far away they are, and the terrain to get there. You will be given a walking stick to aid you in the journey, and you can hire a porter from the park to help you along the way. 

Permits

What is a gorilla trekking permit?

A gorilla trekking permit is a pass issued by the Rwandan government that grants you access to a trekking experience. Each permit costs USD1,500 per person and the generated proceeds are used to fund mountain gorilla habitat preservation and expansion, anti-poaching initiatives and other conservation efforts. 

How do I get a gorilla trekking permit?

While you can purchase a permit directly through the Rwanda Development Board, booking a trip with Wilderness means you don’t have to. Our Travel Designers will happily assist you in acquiring your permit before your trip. 

How many permits can I get?

While most travellers book one permit each, some of our guests do book multiple permits so they can enjoy a trek every day of their stay, as each encounter is unique. This allows you the opportunity to visit multiple gorilla families, as each one bears its own fascinating history and social dynamics. 

When is the best time for gorilla trekking?

What is the weather like in Rwanda?

Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate. Kigali can be very hot, with daily temperatures ranging from 12°C to 27 °C. Where Bisate is situated, however, it is markedly cooler at around 7°C to 15°C. 

When is the rainy season in Rwanda?

March to May
October and November 

When is the dry season in Rwanda?

June to September 
December to February 

How does the rain affect a gorilla trekking safari?

Much of your trek will be under forested canopies, so no need to worry too much about light rain. In the event of heavy rain, either a hired porter or your guide will do everything they can to assist you on your trek. According to the Volcanoes National Park website, no trek has ever been cancelled due to rain. Wilderness does provide guests with ponchos if needed, but feel free to bring a light rain jacket with you if you like. 

Is gorilla trekking ethical?

Absolutely. Gorilla trekking has had a positive impact on both mountain gorillas in Rwanda and local communities. As long as the protocols are respected, this is an ethical wildlife experience with far-reaching positive effects. 

What is a Bisate village tour?

Two community committees have been established in the Bisate and Sabyinyo areas, through which community representatives implement and manage empowerment projects in the villages. This has resulted in the creation of large-scale tree nurseries, the payment of medical insurance premiums, a water harvesting project that now provides water to over 5,000 people, sports grounds being built at the schools, and many other projects. Guests of our Rwanda camps can take a guided walk to the Bisate Village and the nurseries, and engage with the local community. 

The combined efforts of the Rwandan government, NGOs and local stakeholders have resulted in the successful protection and conserving of Volcanoes National Park. Wilderness’ commitment to the area’s reforestation, and working together with the communities surrounding the national park via a sustainable model, plays an important role in the gorillas’ habitat expansion. 

Additionally, Wilderness’ flagship Impact programme, Children in the Wilderness (CITW), has partnered with the schools and community in the Bisate communities situated close to our lodges in the Volcanoes National Park area. As a dedicated youth environmental education and life skills initiative, CITW nurtures and develops young leaders who are passionate about preserving their natural heritage.

Below is an overview of Wilderness’ impact in Rwanda as of January 2024. 

Now for the fun part – finding the gorillas. Once your guide successfully locates your assigned gorilla group, it’s very important that you listen to the provided instructions. The guide will know the best way to approach the gorillas without causing a stir or frightening them. 

Your time with the gorilla group – a precious hour – will either feel like a lifetime or a split second, or both. These wild animals are so closely related to us, they share the same arrangement of organs and bones. Their eyes, emotions, and social dynamics resemble ours. The way they interact with their infants is instantly recognisable. All of this you’ll discover when you lay your eyes upon these endangered beings in their natural habitat. With just over 1,000 mountain gorillas left on the planet, you’ll want to put the camera down to truly soak up the indescribable experience. This also brings us back to the matter of multiple permits; getting to do more than one trek means you can save the picture-taking for one day, and be totally immersed on another. 

Being in the presence of infant mountain gorillas is truly heart-warming, and not just because of how adorable they are. Their very existence is a testament to Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to conservation. Every year, the country honours its conservation success through Kwita Izina, a unique baby gorilla naming ceremony inspired by the Rwandan tradition of naming newborns. This event brings together conservationists, local communities, and global dignitaries to celebrate new mountain gorilla births – proof that gorilla trekking is making a real impact.

The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Located just outside of Volcanoes National Park, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus is an educational and research centre dedicated to continuing the legacy of Dian Fossey, as part of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

• Dian Fossey was a pioneering primatologist and anti-poaching activist whose work with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas spurred global conservation efforts, transforming the world’s understanding of these endangered primates. 
• The campus is open to the public daily, offering visitors an eye-opening look into decades of the Dian Fossey Fund’s mountain gorilla research and conservation work. 
• The campus is also home to nature trails, art exhibits that tell a moving story of Dian Fossey’s legendary life and work, and a 360-degree theatre that features footage of mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
• This facility is a great place to immerse yourself in the world of Rwanda’s wildlife conservation and learn about Dian Fossey’s vital research and legacy. 

The Dian Fossey Hike 

Anyone with an appreciation for gorillas may find themselves drawn to Dian Fossey’s burial site, where she was laid to rest beside one of her favourite gorillas, Digit, as well as many other gorillas who were lost to poaching.

• Fossey’s grave is located inside Volcanoes National Park at the original site of the Karisoke Research Centre, which she founded back in 1967.
• Nearby are the ruins of Fossey’s small house, where she was mysteriously murdered in 1985. 
• Volcanoes National Park offers guided hiking to Fossey’s grave starting at the park’s headquarters, taking visitors through the rainforests of Bisoke and Karisimbi, during which they will learn more about Fossey’s remarkable work and the habitat of mountain gorillas.
• This can be an emotional and rewarding journey for anyone who admires Fossey’s dedication to gorilla conservation and wants to pay tribute to her legacy. It’s also another way to appreciate the area’s remarkable biodiversity and wildlife. 
• This hike requires a permit of USD75 per person, which can be acquired through the Volcanoes National Park website or via our dedicated Travel Designers.
• This fee includes your guide for the duration of the hike, which spans between 5-7 hours and reaches an elevation of over 3,000 meters (9,000 feet).
• This hike is only available for those 15 years and older.
• Other park activities include hikes up Mount Bisoke, which takes in its spectacular crater lake, Mount Karisimbi and the Musanze Caves. 

Golden monkey trekking

Another endangered wildlife species that is fascinating to witness in their natural habitat, golden monkeys are endemic to the Virungas, and the only other primates found in this mountain range.

• Golden monkey trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park cost USD100 per person and are available for adults and children 12 years and older.
• Permits are also easier to acquire for golden monkey trekking than for gorilla trekking, as you can purchase permits right at the park headquarters when you arrive, subject to availability.